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Info Byte: The Mystery of Ice Cube Relays–Coil Polarity

Info Byte: The Mystery of Ice Cube Relays–Coil Polarity

Relay and other coil devices pose a few confusing questions: How can the relay still work if you connect a DC supply in reverse? How can an alternating voltage attract and hold the load consistently?


Uncontrolled Machine Vision Lighting for Infrared and Robots

Uncontrolled Machine Vision Lighting for Infrared and Robots

Ambient light, reflection, and transparent objects can all cause difficulties during machine vision applications. Learn about these issues and some potential solutions to better ensure safety and quality.


Technology Differences: Stationary Robots vs Mobile Robots

Technology Differences: Stationary Robots vs Mobile Robots

Robots are no longer unanimously just "robots"—there are specific tasks and functionality of each kind. Learn about the technology differences between fixed-location robots and mobile robots and why no one robot is like another.


Collaborative Robot Cells: Simple and User-friendly Design Priorities

Collaborative Robot Cells: Simple and User-friendly Design Priorities

Learn about the common applications, programming procedures, and safety protocols of collaborative robot work cells, which are often simpler and less expensive than industrial robot work cells.  


Introduction to Safety Relays

Introduction to Safety Relays

Redundancy and safety are often seen together in industrial safety systems. Safety relays monitor emergency devices to switch contacts based on status - but what makes them different from normal relays?


Combating That Killer of Industrial Pneumatic Systems - Water

Combating That Killer of Industrial Pneumatic Systems - Water

Moisture inside industrial pneumatic systems is a major cause for concern, and if the air is not filtered or dried properly, it can lead to serious failures.


My First Experience Programming a Collaborative Robot

My First Experience Programming a Collaborative Robot

We've read about the capabilities of collaborative robots, but often, one question still remains - how do you program a cobot? Last week, I got a chance to get my hands on a cobot for the first time.


Robots as a Service Explained

Robots as a Service Explained

Robots as a service (RaaS) can open the door to automation for small to mid-sized companies that are looking to automate a process without a large upfront capital investment.


Developing a Fuzzy Logic Controller for a Servo Motor Using Mathworks Simulink

Developing a Fuzzy Logic Controller for a Servo Motor Using Mathworks Simulink

Servo motors are widely utilized in industry for numerous applications. How do you use fuzzy logic to control a servo motor?


How Are Robots Used in the Process Industries?

How Are Robots Used in the Process Industries?

How are robots used in discrete versus process automation? Can the process industries utilize more robotic automation?


Protecting Control Systems with Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS)

Protecting Control Systems with Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS)

Safety is of utmost importance in the day-to-day operations of any system, especially a system where humans and machines work together. Learn all about Safety Instrumented Systems and what it takes to keep workers safe, and the system running smoothly!


Considerations When Integrating Cobots Into a Facility

Considerations When Integrating Cobots Into a Facility

What are some steps to consider before integrating a cobot, such as Universal Robots, into a facility?


Cybersecurity in Centralized Vs. Decentralized Computing

Cybersecurity in Centralized Vs. Decentralized Computing

Centralized and decentralized computing have different cybersecurity needs. Let’s review the differences and some best practices.


IIoT Cyber Attack Vectors and Best Mitigating Practices

IIoT Cyber Attack Vectors and Best Mitigating Practices

IIoT infrastructure is more susceptible to cyber-attacks than legacy infrastructure due to its cloud-based nature; this article covers attack vectors and best mitigating practices.


Common Servo Motor Feedback Devices

Common Servo Motor Feedback Devices

Learn about specific components used in feedback devices and some of the jargon you may encounter when working with servo motion systems.


Top Five Machine Safety Risks and Automated Solutions for the Shop Floor

Top Five Machine Safety Risks and Automated Solutions for the Shop Floor

Each machine on the factory floor comes with risk; learn common safety risks and corresponding automation solutions.


Cybersecurity Considerations in Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

Cybersecurity Considerations in Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

This article discusses common implementations of UPS in control systems and important design considerations.


Selecting a Robotic Arm Solution for Industrial Robots

Selecting a Robotic Arm Solution for Industrial Robots

Start learning about robotic arm solution, kinematic chain and motion planning, in this first technical installment.


Safety Considerations for LiDAR Sensors

Safety Considerations for LiDAR Sensors

Learn about safety in LiDAR sensors from different perspectives and some safety-rated applications.


What are Six-Axis Robots?

What are Six-Axis Robots?

For many manufacturing processes, Cartesian robots work well. However, there are times with a robot with more movement capabilities works better. Learn about six-axis robots, how they move, and popular applications.