Industrial Automation News for the Next Generation
Welcome to Library.AutomationDirect.com, where the stacks are filled with tons of industrial automation news & you don’t even need a library card! Here you can read articles from the Automation NOTEBOOK loaded with informative technical articles keeping you on top of what’s happening in the automation industry. Company news, press releases, application stories and more are right here at your fingertips!
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Recent Posts
The recent introduction of user defined instructions in AutomationDirect PLCs provides another tool for accelerating PLC and HMI development. By Tim Ensminger, AutomationDirect Many industrial automation products and practices have been developed as more robust versions of commercial-grade technologies. As microprocessors, memory, and communications hardware and software have evolved throughout the information technology (IT) world,…
Headless HMIs slash costs, simplify installation, and unlock creative display options ranging from handheld tablets to wall-mounted scoreboards. By Bobby Thornton, AutomationDirect On a traditional factory floor, operators usually monitor and control equipment using classic panel-mounted touchscreen human-machine interfaces (HMIs). But to meet the demands of a modern facility, designers need technologies to more effectively…
After running for decades on its original electro-hydraulic drive, Timber Lake Playhouse’s revolving stage system received significant behind-the-scenes AutomationDirect upgrades in 2007 and 2025. By Ryan Poethke, ShowFab Timber Lake Playhouse (TLP), adjacent to its namesake body of water and surrounded by woods and acres of farmland beyond, has been operating as a professional, non-profit…
Specialty equipment and mechanical contractors, in this case a cryogenic systems solutions provider, can extend their project delivery capability by partnering with experienced automation systems integrators. By Kyle Lamb, Quantum Automation Extreme cold temperature and freezing techniques are essential for many industries, but some of the most demanding applications are found in the scientific, research,…
What is a circuit protection? Industrial circuit protection is a foundational element of every electrical and control system. Whether a panel powers PLCs, sensors, motor starters, or VFDs, each circuit must be safeguarded against overloads, short circuits, and other fault conditions that can damage equipment or put personnel at risk. Proper overcurrent protection ensures that…
Free Online PLC Training – No Purchase Necessary As automation expands, understanding electrical control systems is increasingly important. To meet growing demand for PLC knowledge, we developed a free online training program available to anyone, anytime. This course covers PLC fundamentals and their application in industrial processes, as well as specifics for our PLC offerings…
In industrial automation, detecting the presence, position or quality of objects across production and logistics sectors is critically important. Factory floors and automated warehouses depend on it for safer operations, not to mention better efficiency and process control. Enter Datasensing, which builds on more than 50 years of sensor expertise rooted in Italy’s automation history….
Each day, New Zealanders are the first to see the sunrise due to the country’s location west of the international date line. But that’s just the beginning of the country’s claims to fame. The first commercial and legal bungee jump was invented and performed there, and New Zealand was the first country to grant women…
Edward Ashcroft was a pioneer in pressure measurement instrumentation. He started the company in 1852 after acquiring the U.S. patent rights for the Bourdon tube from its inventor Eugène Bourdon. This milestone led to the widespread adoption of the “Ashcroft Gauge” in American industry and laid the foundation for the company’s continuous growth and innovation….
Press Releases
February 4, 2026 – AutomationDirect has added Endress+Hauser Picomag magnetic‑inductive flowmeters with EPDM seals that enable additional applications beyond those supported by the existing FKM seals. Picomag series flow meters measure conductive liquids (≥10 μS/cm) up to 198 GPM, and simultaneously monitor flow, temperature, and volume. They include two configurable I/O points supporting analog, pulse,…
February 4, 2026, – AutomationDirect has added P1-04TEPS and P2-08TEPS modules provide solid state relay options for the Productivity1000 and Productivity2000 PLC families. These modules are ideal for applications requiring extensive or extremely fast load switching and offer longer lifespans, greater reliability, near-instantaneous switching, and less electrical noise than electromechanical relays due to their lack…
February 4, 2026 – AutomationDirect now offers WIKA NSF-certified mechanical pressure gauges deliver precision and reliability for drinking water and food and beverage applications. The lineup includes dry and liquid-filled mechanical pressure gauges with lead-free wetted parts, as well as manual needle valves for instrument isolation and flow control. WIKA pressure gauges meet NSF/ANSI 61…
January 21, 2026- AutomationDirect now offers Wera foam tray tool sets that provide utmost organization and accessibility, with each tray featuring a durable foam construction, clear tool outlines, and color-coding for quick identification and inventory control. Modular sizing allows seamless integration into drawers, tool chests, or mobile workstations. Options include insulated and precision screwdriver trays,…
January 21, 2026 – AutomationDirect has added Klemsan TDS series timer relays that offer a comprehensive selection for various timing needs, including single-function timer relays for dedicated timing tasks, multi-function timer relays that provide flexibility with up to 10 adjustable modes, and special-function timer relays tailored for applications such as motor control and sequential switching….
January 14, 2026 – AutomationDirect has added more Epson LabelWorks heat-shrink tube labels that offer a durable, professional, and permanent labeling solution. The tubing shrinks tightly around wires, providing both clear identification and protective insulation, which helps reduce maintenance errors and downtime. Designed for easy printing with Epson LabelWorks PX printers, they save time, improve…