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Understanding Temperature Sensors and Their Use in Industrial Automation

Understanding Temperature Sensors and Their Use in Industrial Automation

Converting thermal energy into electrical signals, temperature sensors such as RTDs and thermocouples are fundamental in the maintenance and operation of industrial environments and equipment.


Motor Control Expanded: Rockwell Automation Announces Product Upgrades

Motor Control Expanded: Rockwell Automation Announces Product Upgrades

Motor control is accomplished by circuit devices from simple contactors to complex frequency drive systems. Rockwell Automation recently added a host of new features and upgrades to common product lines.


News Apr 11, 2023 by David Peterson
What Is Instrument Calibration and Why Is it Needed?

What Is Instrument Calibration and Why Is it Needed?

Calibration can be a time-consuming process requiring expensive traceable tools, but high-accuracy signals result in higher-quality products, better customer satisfaction, and, ultimately, greater returns.


The Power of Invisibility: Infrared Sensors for Automation

The Power of Invisibility: Infrared Sensors for Automation

Operating just outside the visible light spectrum, infrared energy emits from anything with heat stored in it. Detecting this energy, infrared sensors find use in applications from proximity detection to temperature measurement.


Connectivity for Edge Solutions With Docker-based Software Updates

Connectivity for Edge Solutions With Docker-based Software Updates

Softing Industrial announced the release of its latest Docker-based software application updates and edge products with added functionalities, aiming to enhance efficiency and usability of its solutions.


News Apr 06, 2023 by Stephanie Leonida
Ladder Logic for the Arduino Opta PLC: Creating Your First Program

Ladder Logic for the Arduino Opta PLC: Creating Your First Program

Arduino’s Opta mini PLC platform is supported by the new PLC IDE. Learn to create and download your first program and take advantage of built-in I/O for an easy introduction to the platform.


High Torque Hägglunds Quantum Motors Now Available Through Rexroth

High Torque Hägglunds Quantum Motors Now Available Through Rexroth

Bosch Rexroth’s new Hägglunds Quantum motors offer high torque at high efficiency—fit for use on mobile machinery, such as construction or mining equipment, or in stationary processing facilities.


News Apr 05, 2023 by Seth Price
A Hands-on Walkthrough of MQTT Protocol Using the paho-mqtt Open Source Library

A Hands-on Walkthrough of MQTT Protocol Using the paho-mqtt Open Source Library

No more IIoT buzzwords! This article aims to walk through an implementation of MQTT using the paho-mqtt library using nothing more than your local machine and some simple Python programming.


New Possibilities for Power, Data, and Fluid from Fischer Connectors

New Possibilities for Power, Data, and Fluid from Fischer Connectors

Fischer Connectors has released several new series of heavy-duty cable layouts, allowing reliable fastening of single-pair Ethernet (SPE) and USB 3.2, as well as offerings for combined data and fluid connection.


News Apr 04, 2023 by David Peterson
Leveraging IIoT and Energy Measurement Tools for Machine Optimization

Leveraging IIoT and Energy Measurement Tools for Machine Optimization

Analytics from data algorithms can predict machine failures and provide diagnostics—but what should we measure? Then, once the information has been collected, what trends might point to problems?


Power Reliability in the Cloud: ABB’s SmartTracker for UPS Systems

Power Reliability in the Cloud: ABB’s SmartTracker for UPS Systems

Track energy data and monitor trends remotely with ABB’s new SmartTracker software and hardware solution to monitor UPS system health, operation, and optimization from a secure, cloud-based platform.


News Apr 03, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich
Lasers and Their Uses in Sensing and Object Detecting

Lasers and Their Uses in Sensing and Object Detecting

A subset of light is the focused cohesive beams that make up lasers, which can be used in optical sensing. These devices provide benefits of greater range, precision, and even mapping for mobile robotics.


What’s This Standardized Code for Information? Funny You Should ASCII

What’s This Standardized Code for Information? Funny You Should ASCII

ASCII is a familiar acronym, found in applications like Modbus communications and string data types—but what is it, and what does ASCII mean for automation engineers?


Cybersecurity for Industrial Control Systems

Cybersecurity for Industrial Control Systems

Cybersecurity is all about processes and people. A lot of threats can be mitigated through technology, but only if people understand how cybersecurity affects control systems and related technology.


A Look at Additive Manufacturing and Its Potential In Production

A Look at Additive Manufacturing and Its Potential In Production

3D printers have come a long way over the years, but can we really expect to see them on the factory floor, taking the place of large machining centers? What benefits and challenges does printing offer to manufacturing?


Multi-network Module Simplifies Networking, Supports CC-Link IE TSN and EtherNet/IP

Multi-network Module Simplifies Networking, Supports CC-Link IE TSN and EtherNet/IP

Mitsubishi Electric releases a new module that combines IoT asynchronous messaging with deterministic cyclic messaging typically found in field I/O.


News Mar 24, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich
 Rugged and Intelligent Sensing: Inductive Proximity Sensors with IO-Link Capabilities

Rugged and Intelligent Sensing: Inductive Proximity Sensors with IO-Link Capabilities

Carlo Gavazzi has released a new family of full-metal inductive proximity sensors with an IP69K rating and standard IO-Link capabilities to suit any automation application.


News Mar 21, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich
Field-oriented Control (Vector Control) for Brushless DC Motors

Field-oriented Control (Vector Control) for Brushless DC Motors

Field-oriented control (FOC), also called vector control, can control 3-phase alternating current motors and brushless DC motors. Read more to learn its advantages, how it works, and its best applications.


Introduction to Industrial Sensors

Introduction to Industrial Sensors

Industrial sensors can be found in nearly every modern industrial process, regardless of complexity. Learn the history, evolution, and variety of sensors that make manufacturing the modern marvel we see today.


ABB Adds IEC Frame Options to Award-winning Family of Motors

ABB Adds IEC Frame Options to Award-winning Family of Motors

ABB has expanded its line of Baldor-Reliance EC Titanium motors designed for HVAC and pumping systems to include IEC frame types, making the award-winning product lineup even more flexible for customer applications.


News Mar 16, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich