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Schneider Electric Launches Managed Security Services

Schneider Electric Launches Managed Security Services

Schneider Electric offers its Managed Security Services (MSS) geared towards shoring up industrial data security and readiness.


News Aug 22, 2023 by Seth Price
Optimizing Single-Run PLC Bits and Tasks for Startup Processes

Optimizing Single-Run PLC Bits and Tasks for Startup Processes

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are designed as an endlessly-looping program, examining all lines of code as rapidly as possible. Following are a few critical tips for when programmers only need to run a series of single operations at startup.


Balluff offers a minimalist yet powerful entry-level IO-Link sensor and actuator control hubs

Balluff offers a minimalist yet powerful entry-level IO-Link sensor and actuator control hubs

Checking all the boxes needed for harsh industrial applications, Balluff’s IO-Link hubs are fit for duty without frills or extra expense.


News Aug 16, 2023 by Seth Price
Three Things About IO-Link Sensors That May Shock You

Three Things About IO-Link Sensors That May Shock You

Control.com’s Director of Engineering got to explore IO-Link sensors and what he found might surprise you! Although still considered an “emerging” technology, it’s clear IO-Link technology boasts several bonafide benefits over traditional sensors.


Enabling Advanced Automation With Omron’s New NX5 Series PLC

Enabling Advanced Automation With Omron’s New NX5 Series PLC

Omron’s NX5 series PLC is designed with IIoT in mind, including standard OPC UA and direct connection to relational databases such as SQL, all without the need for additional hardware or licensing.


News Aug 13, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich
WirelessHART Gateway from Endress+Hauser

WirelessHART Gateway from Endress+Hauser

Endress+Hauser introduces the WSG250 WirelessHART gateway, capable of connecting up to 100 HART devices onto a single network.


News Aug 06, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich
ADLINK Releases SuperCAT Series for Enhanced Automation Motion Control

ADLINK Releases SuperCAT Series for Enhanced Automation Motion Control

ADLINK brings its customers a software-defined EtherCAT motion controller, the SuperCAT series, for the optimization of multi-axis motion control for industrial automation processes.


News Jul 26, 2023 by Stephanie Leonida
Examples of Analog Signals in Control Systems

Examples of Analog Signals in Control Systems

Many articles address the wiring and implementation of analog control signals, but where are they used, and what might make them a better (or perhaps worse) decision than digital input/output devices?


Banner’s New Current Sensor Converter For Digital Current Signals

Banner’s New Current Sensor Converter For Digital Current Signals

The use of signal converters, like Banner Engineering’s new current sensors with Snap Signal, can help manufacturers further connect their factories and monitor current to prevent future breakdowns.


News Jul 20, 2023 by Damond Goodwin
Industrial Wireless Technology: Communication and Programming

Industrial Wireless Technology: Communication and Programming

Wireless technology is typically slower to adoption for industrial automation, but what wireless advancements are shaping the current and future landscape of the automated factory floor?


Virtual LAN for IT/OT Nodes in Industrial Control Systems

Virtual LAN for IT/OT Nodes in Industrial Control Systems

Virtual networks can connect or isolate various local control networks through configuration of a managed switch. Why would we use VLANs, and how can you segment a network switch to create a VLAN?


Ignition SCADA Software: What are Tags and How are They Used?

Ignition SCADA Software: What are Tags and How are They Used?

An introduction to the various tag types used within one of the leading supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) software powering IIoT, HMI, and I4.0 applications: Ignition by Inductive Automation.


Expanding I/O in the Field: Banner Engineering New Discrete Modbus Hub

Expanding I/O in the Field: Banner Engineering New Discrete Modbus Hub

Recently, Banner released a new lineup of eight-port discrete converters, allowing input of up to 16 different digital I/O devices and assigning them to pre-defined Modbus registers for ease of integration.


News Jun 13, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich
Methods and Algorithms in Error Checking for Serial Communications

Methods and Algorithms in Error Checking for Serial Communications

Errors in communications often manifest as a result of electrical noise interrupting the data during the transmission process, leading to various methods for determining whether received data has been damaged.


Siemens Releases a New Virtual PLC, the S7-1500V

Siemens Releases a New Virtual PLC, the S7-1500V

The SIMATIC S7-1500V is Siemens's newest PLC, but it looks completely different than any other PLC… Mainly because it doesn’t physically exist.


News Jun 08, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich
New Smart Firewall For Emerson’s Distributed Control Systems (DCS)

New Smart Firewall For Emerson’s Distributed Control Systems (DCS)

Emerson has enhanced its DeltaV Distributed Control System with the addition of their NextGen Smart Firewall for better network security as manufacturing and plant connectivity continue to grow.


News Jun 01, 2023 by Damond Goodwin
Engineering Editorial Perspective: 2023 Top Trends in Automation

Engineering Editorial Perspective: 2023 Top Trends in Automation

What are some of the most recent developments making waves in the world of robotics and automation? Learn about a few trends with some editorial thoughts about the future of the technology for end users.


News May 31, 2023 by David Peterson
Connectors Used in Industrial and Robotic Cable Termination

Connectors Used in Industrial and Robotic Cable Termination

Industrial and robotics cabling requires specialized termination strategies. This article introduces connectors involved in automation applications for cable-to-cable or cable-to-device termination.


New OnLogic Edge Server Promises to Convert Raw Data into Real Value

New OnLogic Edge Server Promises to Convert Raw Data into Real Value

OnLogic has recently released a new edge server built on Intel’s 13th-gen i-series processors, ready to harness the processing power of technology for increased power and efficiency on the shop floor.


News May 30, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich
Highlights and Photos from Automate 2023

Highlights and Photos from Automate 2023

Join Control Automation for a review of the show highlights and a special feature of some exciting booths visited on the last and final day of the Automate trade show. Excited for the next year of innovation!


News May 28, 2023 by David Peterson