Middleware: A New Take on an Old Trend

Trends are funny. Some trends seem to quickly grab the attention of the public, only to fizzle out after the launch of the next trend. In retail, this is most notable with the latest kids’ toy — as soon as the holidays have passed so has the hype. Other trends take a long time to hit their apex because there are sometimes dependencies that govern the pace of development and market acceptance. A good example is space exploration. In the past, only countries could build a space program. Now, because of the market need and the technology available, there are quite a few private companies reaching out towards space.

So, what trend (problem in search of a solution) has been vexing automation for decades? Simplified software. To be more exact, the ability to move a machine’s mechanics in a predictable way. First-generation machine building (before PLCs), programming was done by mechanical engineers with cams and gearing. Add to that a motor with a Start and Stop button and you had a production machine. As time passed, electrical engineering was added with heaps of relays, cam switches, counters, etc. to add functionality and flexibility to that stable, focused mechanical design.