Latest Metal Articles

CODESYS is an automation software that is independent from any one vendor, capable of many PLC, I/O, and motion…

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.

The purpose of LOTO is to create a method of reducing the chance that a worker will be exposed to hazardous energy.…

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 has added new unmanaged switches to its TNIC series. These Ethernet switches are compact, rugged, and feature a…

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.

Have you ever disassembled a motor and wondered how it rotates? Throughout this article, we’ll discuss electromagnetic…

Have you ever disassembled a motor and wondered how it rotates? Throughout this article, we’ll discuss electromagnetic induction and how magnetic fields can be utilized to generate motion.

Air motors are common in process industries, mainly used in hazardous areas. This article introduces the features and…

Air motors are common in process industries, mainly used in hazardous areas. This article introduces the features and working principles of air motors and the differences between air and electrical motors.

The choice to ground or float a power supply is not always clear in the NEC. This article explains floating or fixing a…

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.

Autonics has upgraded its existing portfolio of industrial PCs with the redevelopment of the APC series. The APC panel PC…

Autonics has upgraded its existing portfolio of industrial PCs with the redevelopment of the APC series. The APC panel PC features a 10.1-inch touchscreen and a quad-core CPU for fast processing.

A new managed Ethernet switch from Antaira offers advanced features specifically for industrial automation, including…

A new managed Ethernet switch from Antaira offers advanced features specifically for industrial automation, including ring redundancy, PoE+ capability, Gigabit speeds, and fiber connection technology.

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

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

Oriental Motor’s catalog now includes a series of small yet capable articulated, SCARA, and Cartesian industrial…

Oriental Motor’s catalog now includes a series of small yet capable articulated, SCARA, and Cartesian industrial robots, as well as a new set of controllers and drivers.

Since their creation, DC motors have become a part of our everyday lives. In this article, we’ll examine the…

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.

As an engineer, why would you settle for simply plugging and unplugging your Christmas lights when you could, instead,…

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 has released a new suite of pneumatic solutions, including CIP safety modules and valve terminals. The latest…

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.

Cloud applications and edge computing require access to field-level I/O, but not all remote I/O terminals have OPC UA or…

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.

Electromagnetic devices like motors and transformers rely on electric currents that drive magnetic fields which, in turn,…

Electromagnetic devices like motors and transformers rely on electric currents that drive magnetic fields which, in turn, can drive current on their own. That’s not always a good thing.

wenglor has added time-of-flight (ToF) sensors and fiber optic amplifiers to its product offerings. The newest additions…

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.

Water cooling has been used for years to reduce heat in electronics and it’s being seen in more industrial…

Water cooling has been used for years to reduce heat in electronics and it’s being seen in more industrial applications, like the new AM8300 servomotors from Beckhoff.

The new TRP Tru-TracPro from the Encoder Products Company drastically speeds up integration and data collection for…

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

New updates to the VLT AutomationDrive EZ FC 321 VFD provide new communication protocols, condition monitoring and…

New updates to the VLT AutomationDrive EZ FC 321 VFD provide new communication protocols, condition monitoring and diagnostic functions, and algorithms for increasing energy efficiency.