Latest Articles

Large DC and AC motor drives often provide terminals for installing a braking resistor. What are these resistors, and how…

Large DC and AC motor drives often provide terminals for installing a braking resistor. What are these resistors, and how do they slow down a machine? What hazards and cautions must be considered?

Beckhoff Automation is advancing the concept of reducing cabinet space and lowering construction time with their recently…

Beckhoff Automation is advancing the concept of reducing cabinet space and lowering construction time with their recently announced MX-System.

Redundancy and safety are often seen together in industrial safety systems. Safety relays monitor emergency devices to…

Redundancy and safety are often seen together in industrial safety systems. Safety relays monitor emergency devices to switch contacts based on status - but what makes them different from normal relays?

A University of Michigan team recently created a new control software called SmartScan, which promises to increase speed…

A University of Michigan team recently created a new control software called SmartScan, which promises to increase speed and reliability of printing (particularly in metal) by optimizing toolpath based on material properties.

Linear sensors use electrical means to determine their position. Common linear position sensors are resistive, inductive,…

Linear sensors use electrical means to determine their position. Common linear position sensors are resistive, inductive, capacitive, and many rely on a property called magnetostriction.

ANYbotics announces the release of its new four-legged inspection bot, ANYmal X, for use in extreme environments,…

ANYbotics announces the release of its new four-legged inspection bot, ANYmal X, for use in extreme environments, designed specifically for the oil & gas and chemical industries.

Advanced features such as programmable limits, diagnostics, and remote configuration are available with IO-Link devices.…

Advanced features such as programmable limits, diagnostics, and remote configuration are available with IO-Link devices. Learn how to connect an example IO-Link block into an actual PLC project.

Plastic is well-known for being inexpensive and lightweight, but not very resilient to friction and heat. Plastic motion…

Plastic is well-known for being inexpensive and lightweight, but not very resilient to friction and heat. Plastic motion pioneer Igus aims to overcome challenges and present a new solution.

This article covers the prominent IEC 60870 standard for SCADA in electrical power systems, as well as background…

This article covers the prominent IEC 60870 standard for SCADA in electrical power systems, as well as background information on the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the publishing organization.

Beewise receives $120 million in funds to continue the development of its solar-powered, artificial intelligence-driven…

Beewise receives $120 million in funds to continue the development of its solar-powered, artificial intelligence-driven beehive management technology.

Linear position sensors are used in electrical and fluid-actuated motion devices. They allow extremely precise position,…

Linear position sensors are used in electrical and fluid-actuated motion devices. They allow extremely precise position, velocity, and acceleration control, and provide feedback to ensure product quality and tolerance compliance.

Vehicle part recycling locates and reads part numbers to know which vehicles a replacement part may fit - but wear and…

Vehicle part recycling locates and reads part numbers to know which vehicles a replacement part may fit - but wear and tear, grease, and corrosion can make them hard to truly identify, even to an experienced eye.

With the increasing appearance of “web-based” HMIs, we investigate these devices, learn how they differ from the…

With the increasing appearance of “web-based” HMIs, we investigate these devices, learn how they differ from the graphical HMIs, and see implications for our modern control system architecture.

Commander S series of variable frequency drives from Control Techniques enables parameter upload and download as well as…

Commander S series of variable frequency drives from Control Techniques enables parameter upload and download as well as performance monitoring through secure NFC, app-based communication.

AC motors are common throughout industry - easily controlled by VFDs and without the maintenance that comes with DC…

AC motors are common throughout industry - easily controlled by VFDs and without the maintenance that comes with DC brushes. So then, why are DC motors still used in certain applications?

PickNik Robotics announces collaboration with Sierra Space to generate robotic autonomy solutions for the future of space…

PickNik Robotics announces collaboration with Sierra Space to generate robotic autonomy solutions for the future of space travel and its habitation.

Walgreens turns to industrial robots to help fill standard pharmacy prescriptions and allow pharmacists to spend more…

Walgreens turns to industrial robots to help fill standard pharmacy prescriptions and allow pharmacists to spend more time in face-to-face patient care and relationships.

In this article, learn about different challenges that warehouse systems can face and how automation helps solve them.

In this article, learn about different challenges that warehouse systems can face and how automation helps solve them.

Kinova, based in Montreal, has recently developed a cobot to add to their robotic lineup with many industry-standard…

Kinova, based in Montreal, has recently developed a cobot to add to their robotic lineup with many industry-standard features, designed to help alleviate post-Covid pressure.