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Control Bits: A Roundup of Sizzling Summer Automation News

Control Bits: A Roundup of Sizzling Summer Automation News

Catch up on all the news from your favorite companies. We cover all the latest innovations in motors, sensors, robots, networking, and even some exciting company development news!


News Sep 11, 2024 by David Peterson
Motion, Vision, and Control: The Whole Automation Package at Beckhoff

Motion, Vision, and Control: The Whole Automation Package at Beckhoff

Join Control Automation for a visit to Beckhoff USA in Minneapolis, MN, as we learn about cabinet-free controls, high-speed motion, and magnetic conveyance working to drive the future of the industry.


FANUC Releases the R-50iA Robot Controller with New Security and Integrations

FANUC Releases the R-50iA Robot Controller with New Security and Integrations

New robot controllers from FANUC released as the IMTS 2024 promise cybersecurity enhancements, Python integration, improved remote capabilities, energy savings, and vision improvements.


News Sep 10, 2024 by Austin Futrell
All About PLCs: The Power Supply Unit

All About PLCs: The Power Supply Unit

Learn all about the power supply: modular and built-in devices that deliver electricity to the PLC backplane and modules, and learn the difference between control and field device power delivery.


Rethink Robotics Leaps Into the Future With Brand New Lineups

Rethink Robotics Leaps Into the Future With Brand New Lineups

Unveiled for the first time at IMTS, Rethink Robotics debuts three new model series consisting of cobots, AMRs, and mobile manipulators named the Reacher, Ryder, and Riser.


News Sep 09, 2024 by David Peterson
Aerotech Expands Automation1 Motion Control Platform With Version 2.8

Aerotech Expands Automation1 Motion Control Platform With Version 2.8

Aerotech has released a new version of its popular motion control platform, Automation1, which includes new features for data acquisition, HMI visualization, and CNC machine features. 


News Sep 08, 2024 by Shawn Dietrich
Meet Astorino, Kawasaki Robotics’ Affordable Educational Robot Platform

Meet Astorino, Kawasaki Robotics’ Affordable Educational Robot Platform

Kawasaki Robotics' new educational robot has been designed to provide students and educators with affordable, hands-on learning to prepare for real-world industrial robotics applications.


News Sep 06, 2024 by Bob Odhiambo
Maintenance and Troubleshooting for 6-Axis Robot Arms

Maintenance and Troubleshooting for 6-Axis Robot Arms

Across every make and model of articulated robot, certain maintenance procedures must be followed as motion occurs. Failure to do so can often result in warnings, alarms, and even failure.


Figure’s Multipurpose Humanoid Robot Successfully Completes Testing at BMW Plant

Figure’s Multipurpose Humanoid Robot Successfully Completes Testing at BMW Plant

Figure 02, a multipurpose humanoid robot, has seen its first successful testing at BMW Group's Spartanburg plant, opening up possibilities for future humanoid robot use in an industrial setting.


News Sep 03, 2024 by Damond Goodwin
A Polarizing Discussion: Using Diodes The Right Way Around

A Polarizing Discussion: Using Diodes The Right Way Around

Some devices, like switches, are non-polar; you can connect them in either direction. What makes diodes so special, and how can you tell the right way from the wrong way?


Yaskawa America Expands Offerings in GA800 AC Drive Product Lineup

Yaskawa America Expands Offerings in GA800 AC Drive Product Lineup

Yaskawa has expanded its GA800 variable speed drive product line to include drives and configured packages with power capabilities up to 1000 HP in a reduced footprint.


News Aug 31, 2024 by Damond Goodwin
How To Read Ladder Logic in PLC and Relay Controls, Part 1: Inputs

How To Read Ladder Logic in PLC and Relay Controls, Part 1: Inputs

Ladder logic is an industrial control systems legend stemming from electrical line diagrams before the days of PLCs. Although logical, they are difficult to interpret.


Applications of Industrial AI: Quality Control

Applications of Industrial AI: Quality Control

Several use cases for industrial AI get a lot of attention, like maintenance and process optimization. Learn how AI has been used for years to ensure high-quality product monitoring and output.


Pilz Creates PSSrail Control System, Opening Digital Railway Possibilities

Pilz Creates PSSrail Control System, Opening Digital Railway Possibilities

Pilz has released the PSSrail, a modular control system designed to alleviate train systems without costly infrastructure interruptions from digitizing operations.


News Aug 28, 2024 by Damond Goodwin
Behind the Scenes: The Making of SICK Sensor Technology

Behind the Scenes: The Making of SICK Sensor Technology

Every element of your life–your food, your car, your house–everything is made with processes that use sensors. Join us as we visit the SICK facility, where many of these sensing products are made.


Nachi-Fujikoshi Expands Cobot Line-Up, Emphasizes Speed and Precision

Nachi-Fujikoshi Expands Cobot Line-Up, Emphasizes Speed and Precision

Nachi-Fujikoshi has released a 12 kg CMZ collaborative robot capable of motion speeds up to 1,000 mm/sec in collaborative mode and up to 3,000 mm/sec in non-collaborative mode.


News Aug 28, 2024 by Shawn Dietrich
Reversing the Rotation of an Industrial 3-Phase Motor

Reversing the Rotation of an Industrial 3-Phase Motor

Many online sources explain how to reverse a 3-phase motor; this article will discuss the electrical principles that define why it works and how the phase relationships determine the rotation direction.


Olis Remote Monitoring for PLCs: Not Just for Robots Anymore

Olis Remote Monitoring for PLCs: Not Just for Robots Anymore

Remote control is a risky business for industrial automation, but the ability to remotely monitor, asses failures, and clear faults has been expanded from robotics to PLC systems by Olis Robotics.


News Aug 27, 2024 by David Peterson
Easy As 1-2-3! Cognex’s New AI-Powered Counter Increases Reliable

Easy As 1-2-3! Cognex’s New AI-Powered Counter Increases Reliable

Cognex has released a new counting tool for the In-Sight SnAPP vision sensors. The tool performs automated quantity checks with higher accuracy and increased process efficiency.


News Aug 26, 2024 by Joshua Tidwell
Oriental Motor Expands Brushless Motor Solutions With 24 VDC Driver

Oriental Motor Expands Brushless Motor Solutions With 24 VDC Driver

Oriental Motor has added a 24 VDC 400 W driver to its BLV Series R Type brushless motor offerings, providing users with a new unified, battery-powered speed control system.


News Aug 22, 2024 by Austin Futrell