Latest Metal Articles

Tower lights can offer vital information about automated cell status from a distance via visual cues. Leuze has announced…

Tower lights can offer vital information about automated cell status from a distance via visual cues. Leuze has announced the TL 305 series of tower lights to provide robust, customizable indicator options.

I could run down to the local box store or internet marketplace and buy a 5-port switch for less than 20 dollars, or…

I could run down to the local box store or internet marketplace and buy a 5-port switch for less than 20 dollars, or invest in an industrial switch for hundreds. Why would I choose the industrial switch?

Even small variations (routing, light, part deformation) in robotic operations can pose huge challenges. I discuss with…

Even small variations (routing, light, part deformation) in robotic operations can pose huge challenges. I discuss with the CTO of Mocropsi Industries, Dominik Boesl, how AI is advancing robot accuracy.

Force compensators and force compliance end effectors can expand the capabilities of traditional robotics to reach into…

Force compensators and force compliance end effectors can expand the capabilities of traditional robotics to reach into difficult processes, ranging from grinding and alignment to precision measurement.

Stepper motor control can be useful for motion applications. Learn the circuit connection and programming instructions…

Stepper motor control can be useful for motion applications. Learn the circuit connection and programming instructions for implementing stepper motor control using GX Works 2 on MELSEC FX-Series PLCs.

Three-phase motors are a backbone of the modern industrial control landscape. But plenty of applications still rely on…

Three-phase motors are a backbone of the modern industrial control landscape. But plenty of applications still rely on single-phase motors. Can these types of motors be reversed, and if so, how?

OnLogic, manufacturer of rugged industrial computers, adds to its existing line of IPCs with a product that boasts…

OnLogic, manufacturer of rugged industrial computers, adds to its existing line of IPCs with a product that boasts connecting to new and legacy components with extended array of communication options.

Banner Engineering has added the new S4B light curtain lineup to improve light curtain functionality for customers with…

Banner Engineering has added the new S4B light curtain lineup to improve light curtain functionality for customers with tricolor LED alignment and preventative maintenance capabilities to reduce downtime.

Implementing PID control in a PLC is far more complicated than textbooks would make it appear. There is more to the…

Implementing PID control in a PLC is far more complicated than textbooks would make it appear. There is more to the process than simply picking gain (k) values and calculating an output value.

GX Simulator2 is one of MELSOFT’s essential tools for the simulation of programs in a virtual PLC and works with GX…

GX Simulator2 is one of MELSOFT’s essential tools for the simulation of programs in a virtual PLC and works with GX Works2. Learn how to virtually simulate and test your ladder programs.

Industrial robots are becoming safer and more economical by utilizing safety signals over Ethernet networks via CIP…

Industrial robots are becoming safer and more economical by utilizing safety signals over Ethernet networks via CIP safety technology.

An introduction to the various tag types used within one of the leading supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA)…

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.

Direct current (DC) motors have existed since the late 19th century. What sets these motors apart from AC models, how do…

Direct current (DC) motors have existed since the late 19th century. What sets these motors apart from AC models, how do you control them, and how can you tell when it’s time to repair or replace them?

Siemens releases a new version of the SINUMERIK CNC product line and upgrades their digital twin simulation software,…

Siemens releases a new version of the SINUMERIK CNC product line and upgrades their digital twin simulation software, allowing users to increase productivity and reduce waste better than ever before.

Temperature profiling is an effective tool to monitor thermal properties in process equipment. This article defines…

Temperature profiling is an effective tool to monitor thermal properties in process equipment. This article defines temperature profiling, discusses the process components, and describes the various benefits it offers.

Dobot’s new CRA series cobots offer end users enhanced gripping capabilities through the use of the new CRV500 smart…

Dobot’s new CRA series cobots offer end users enhanced gripping capabilities through the use of the new CRV500 smart camera and other enhanced features designed to decrease cycle time.

Recently, Banner released a new lineup of eight-port discrete converters, allowing input of up to 16 different digital…

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.

Selecting a suitable electrical connector is a process that is based on how you will terminate it to the system. This…

Selecting a suitable electrical connector is a process that is based on how you will terminate it to the system. This article provides advice on how to make the right contact selection for your industrial or robotic system.

Mitsubishi Electric Automation expands the iQ-F series of compact PLCs with the powerful and affordable FX5S that uses…

Mitsubishi Electric Automation expands the iQ-F series of compact PLCs with the powerful and affordable FX5S that uses familiar programming software while increasing the range of I/O and communication.