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Guide to Wiring: Conductor Materials, Styles, Sizes, and Best Practices

Guide to Wiring: Conductor Materials, Styles, Sizes, and Best Practices

The simple tasks can lead to the most failures. Basic practices in the wiring assembly stages of a project can lead to long-term success or haunting tales of intermittent yet persistent failures.


ABB Sponsors MassRobotics, Driving Innovation in the Industry

ABB Sponsors MassRobotics, Driving Innovation in the Industry

The Robotics division of ABB has contributed both hardware and RobotStudio software to MassRobotics, helping drive innovation and design at the country's largest independent robotic hub.


News Oct 07, 2024 by Shawn Dietrich
New M12 Connectors From Belden: Secure, Rapid Cabling

New M12 Connectors From Belden: Secure, Rapid Cabling

Industrial uptime demands cabling with fast connections under harsh conditions. Belden answered the demands with a new portfolio of M12 connectors, making use of push-pull connector technology.


News Oct 06, 2024 by Shawn Dietrich
Comparing SLC and ControlLogix PLCs: An In-Depth Review

Comparing SLC and ControlLogix PLCs: An In-Depth Review

The SLC 500 PLC family dominated automation control for well over thirty years and now, with the recent discontinuation of most of the series, we look at the differences between SLC and modern Logix PLCs.


Balluff Simplifies Position Detection With New BMF T-Slot Magnetic Sensors

Balluff Simplifies Position Detection With New BMF T-Slot Magnetic Sensors

The new BMF line of T-slot magnetic sensors from Balluff is designed to bring simplicity and cost efficiency to non-contact position measurement for pneumatic cylinders and robotic grippers.


News Oct 03, 2024 by Seth Price
Machine-to-Machine Integration with OPC UA

Machine-to-Machine Integration with OPC UA

The OPC UA protocol is designed to solve two problems in automation: interoperability between device vendors and independence from incompatible transport layer differences.


From Robots to the Cloud: How KUKA is Rewiring Automation with AI

From Robots to the Cloud: How KUKA is Rewiring Automation with AI

Kuka plans to incorporate artificial intelligence into its newly established software and digital sector to enable the end-to-end digitalization of various machines and systems.


News Oct 02, 2024 by Austin Futrell
Siemens Demonstrates Machine Tool Digitalization Software Portfolio at IMTS

Siemens Demonstrates Machine Tool Digitalization Software Portfolio at IMTS

MACHINUM, the new CNC digitalization portfolio from Siemens, integrates several software technologies to build a digital profile that can be used to optimize machining processes.


News Oct 01, 2024 by Seth Price
Emerson Joins Project Margo to Boost Industrial Edge Interoperability

Emerson Joins Project Margo to Boost Industrial Edge Interoperability

Emerson aims to simplify a multi-vendor edge environment with an open standard initiative, Linux Foundation’s Project Margo. This partnership will further advance AI integration and data analytics.


News Sep 29, 2024 by Bob Odhiambo
Beckhoff Expands TwinCAT 3 with CNC for EDM and Additive Manufacturing

Beckhoff Expands TwinCAT 3 with CNC for EDM and Additive Manufacturing

Beckhoff has enhanced its TwinCAT PC-based control software with new functions and additional technology packages designed for additive manufacturing and EDM machine applications.


News Sep 27, 2024 by Joshua Tidwell
Banner Engineering Releases S15L Pro Series In-Line Sensor Status Indicator

Banner Engineering Releases S15L Pro Series In-Line Sensor Status Indicator

The new in-line sensor indicator from Banner Engineering is designed to help users facilitate easy-to-see visual machine status indication and troubleshoot automated systems.


News Sep 27, 2024 by Damond Goodwin
Bihl+Wiedemann Expands ASi-5 Counter Family With New Compact Module

Bihl+Wiedemann Expands ASi-5 Counter Family With New Compact Module

Thanks to its compact design, Bihl+Wiedemann's newest addition to its family of ASi-5 counter modules offers manufacturers greater flexibility and cost-effectiveness for small-scale applications.


News Sep 26, 2024 by Austin Futrell
Info Byte: Normally Open vs. Normally Closed: What Does It Mean?

Info Byte: Normally Open vs. Normally Closed: What Does It Mean?

Some terminology, like 'normally open' and 'normally closed' switch contacts, is common throughout industry but can still be confusing, misleading, or even hazardous if not properly understood.


Vention Aims To Simplify Robotics With AI-Based Controller and ABB Collaboration

Vention Aims To Simplify Robotics With AI-Based Controller and ABB Collaboration

Vention has announced the release of an AI-based motion controller and compatibility between its automation platform and ABB cobots. Both moves are aimed at simplifying the use of robotics in manufacturing.


News Sep 25, 2024 by Seth Price
Control According to Webster: Defining a Motion Axis

Control According to Webster: Defining a Motion Axis

Before tuning a motion axis, you must define the axis. If the control system doesn’t understand the axis properties or specifications, it can’t be expected to effectively complete the tuning process.


KV-X: The Latest Generation in PLC Technology From Keyence

KV-X: The Latest Generation in PLC Technology From Keyence

Keyence has released its latest next-gen PLC, the KV-X, with an impressive quad-core CPU, providing a machine ops recorder and granting preset access to over 300 peripheral device EDS files.


News Sep 23, 2024 by Damond Goodwin
Advantech Unlocks Edge AI Power With Compact DIN-Rail Industrial PC

Advantech Unlocks Edge AI Power With Compact DIN-Rail Industrial PC

The latest edge-computing controller from Advantech leverages artificial intelligence to speed up control decisions. The controller can be integrated with a carrier stack for even greater edge AI capability.


News Sep 21, 2024 by Seth Price
All About PLCs: Networking and Communications

All About PLCs: Networking and Communications

Learn about the modules and systems that provide a network connection to the outside world, transforming traditional PLCs into true, modern process automation controllers (PAC).


Kawasaki Reveals New CL Cobot Series, Tech Demos at IMTS

Kawasaki Reveals New CL Cobot Series, Tech Demos at IMTS

Kawasaki Robotics and other key industry players collaborated to bring interactive demonstrations focusing on advanced robotics to attendees at the International Manufacturing Technology Show.


News Sep 20, 2024 by Stephanie Leonida
Understanding I/O Terminal Types And When To Use Them

Understanding I/O Terminal Types And When To Use Them

Embedded, modular, panel mount, distributed, machine mount, and remote, oh my! What does it all mean, and how are you supposed to know which one to choose for your application?