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The Dirty Details of Electrical Power: Line/Load Reactors and Filters

The Dirty Details of Electrical Power: Line/Load Reactors and Filters

Filters and reactors can protect your electrical devices, but what is the difference between these two kinds of devices, and are they supposed to be installed before or after a VFD?


Intro to CODESYS: First Project Using CMZ Hardware

Intro to CODESYS: First Project Using CMZ Hardware

CODESYS is an automation software that is independent from any one vendor, capable of many PLC, I/O, and motion operations. However, being vendor-agnostic can present challenges. Learn how to get started.


Lock Out/Tag Out: The Law, The Purpose, and The Details

Lock Out/Tag Out: The Law, The Purpose, and The Details

The purpose of LOTO is to create a method of reducing the chance that a worker will be exposed to hazardous energy. It’s important for companies to establish an SOP for standardized LOTO practice.


Turck Expands TNIC Line of Industrial Unmanaged Ethernet Switches

Turck Expands TNIC Line of Industrial Unmanaged Ethernet Switches

Turck has added new unmanaged switches to its TNIC series. These Ethernet switches are compact, rugged, and feature a wide operating temperature and voltage range, making them suitable for various industrial applications.


News Jan 05, 2025 by Shawn Dietrich
Comparing Voltage: When to Ground a Floating Power Supply

Comparing Voltage: When to Ground a Floating Power Supply

The choice to ground or float a power supply is not always clear in the NEC. This article explains floating or fixing a DC supply with respect to ground and how circuits can be functionally constructed both ways.


A Visit From Safety Nick

A Visit From Safety Nick

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas: like you’ve (probably) never heard it before.


Marvel Over DC Voltage: Permanent Magnet vs. Field Wound Motors

Marvel Over DC Voltage: Permanent Magnet vs. Field Wound Motors

Since their creation, DC motors have become a part of our everyday lives. In this article, we’ll examine the differences between various types of field-wound and permanent magnet DC motors.


Merry ControlByWeb-mas! A Fun Holiday Light Show Project

Merry ControlByWeb-mas! A Fun Holiday Light Show Project

As an engineer, why would you settle for simply plugging and unplugging your Christmas lights when you could, instead, spend many hours automating this very important December job? Let me show you.


Festo Rolls Out Suite of Safety Solutions for Pneumatic Systems

Festo Rolls Out Suite of Safety Solutions for Pneumatic Systems

Festo has released a new suite of pneumatic solutions, including CIP safety modules and valve terminals. The latest additions aim to make pneumatic system operation simpler and safer.


News Dec 15, 2024 by Shawn Dietrich
Acromag Adds OPC UA and MQTT Support To Remote I/O Module Series

Acromag Adds OPC UA and MQTT Support To Remote I/O Module Series

Cloud applications and edge computing require access to field-level I/O, but not all remote I/O terminals have OPC UA or MQTT capability. Acromag has expanded its series of remote I/O modules to support these protocols.


News Dec 12, 2024 by Shawn Dietrich
What’s New at wenglor? A Look at ToF Sensors and Fiber-Optic Amplifiers

What’s New at wenglor? A Look at ToF Sensors and Fiber-Optic Amplifiers

wenglor has added time-of-flight (ToF) sensors and fiber optic amplifiers to its product offerings. The newest additions are designed to tackle sensing challenges across applications.


News Dec 11, 2024 by Seth Price
New Wheeled Encoder Simplifies Linear and Rotary Measurements

New Wheeled Encoder Simplifies Linear and Rotary Measurements

The new TRP Tru-TracPro from the Encoder Products Company drastically speeds up integration and data collection for rotating and product transporting motion systems.


News Dec 09, 2024 by Seth Price
Light ‘em up! Banner Introduces the TL70 PRO Tower Light Series

Light ‘em up! Banner Introduces the TL70 PRO Tower Light Series

Banner has introduced the TL70 Pro Tower Light series, which allows for a fully customizable visual or auditory indicator system to communicate the status of automated systems or facility issues.


News Dec 07, 2024 by Joshua Tidwell
Automation News Roundup: Wrapping up 2024

Automation News Roundup: Wrapping up 2024

Many new products are released around tradeshows and the automation industry is no exception. Following recent shows, check out some of the exciting new developments from your favorite manufacturers.


News Dec 04, 2024 by David Peterson
Banner Adds New Communication Options to TL70 Pro Tower Lights

Banner Adds New Communication Options to TL70 Pro Tower Lights

Banner has expanded its lighting and indication catalog to include new TL70 Pro tower lights. The latest additions feature Modbus RTU, Ethernet, and Power over Ethernet models.


News Nov 28, 2024 by Shawn Dietrich
WERMA Expands MC Beacon Series To Include Touch and Smart Functions

WERMA Expands MC Beacon Series To Include Touch and Smart Functions

The MC55 Touch and MC55 Touch Smart are the latest additions to WERMA’s MC series of LED installation beacons. The new beacons feature up to seven colors, smart software, and touch input capabilities.


News Nov 28, 2024 by Damond Goodwin
Need for Speed: Fuji’s New SPH Series PLCs Promise Faster Control Speeds

Need for Speed: Fuji’s New SPH Series PLCs Promise Faster Control Speeds

High-speed servo motion control is about to get a new control system from Fuji Electric, offering control speeds faster than nine nanoseconds.


News Nov 27, 2024 by Shawn Dietrich
Pneumatic Valve Operation: Manual, Pilot, and Solenoid

Pneumatic Valve Operation: Manual, Pilot, and Solenoid

Learn about various ways to activate directional control valves for fluids using manual input, air pilot sources, and electrical controls. Sometimes, valves even use a mix of multiple power sources.


Shine Bright Like a Beacon: PATLITE’s GL10 Lights Up Industrial Efficiency

Shine Bright Like a Beacon: PATLITE’s GL10 Lights Up Industrial Efficiency

PATLITE Corporation has announced the upcoming release of its GL10 series flashing beacon. This innovative beacon brings multi-color signaling, robust durability, and advanced integration options to industrial applications.


News Nov 26, 2024 by Austin Futrell
B&R Enhances Coding With New Automation Studio Code and Copilot

B&R Enhances Coding With New Automation Studio Code and Copilot

The new Automation Studio Code and Copilot environment make building code easier and more efficient via generative AI and cloud-based collaboration.


News Nov 24, 2024 by Seth Price