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
Getting with the Object-Oriented Program Object-oriented programming concepts have become an important part of modern industrial automation, helping streamline PLC and HMI development. The introduction of user-defined instructions (UDIs) across the AutomationDirect Productivity PLC platform gives developers a new way to encapsulate logic and data. This approach accelerates development, promotes reuse of proven code, and…
The AutomationDirect BRX PLC incorporates capabilities essential for this software services company to create a reliable SCADA solution tailored for municipalities. Massive metropolises and humble hamlets both depend on reliable water and wastewater treatment facilities. In the United States, some estimates indicate that relatively few large systems may serve about 80% of the population, while…
Moisture, dust, chemicals, physical impact—just a few environmental factors that can wreak havoc on electrical and electronic components. For the past 40 years, Fibox Enclosure Systems has been designing and manufacturing thermoplastic enclosures that protect equipment in even the most hostile and hazardous environments. Fibox leads the industry in UL-listed, NEMA-rated non-metallic polycarbonate enclosures that…
Overcoming Problematic Installs with Wireless I/O While some industrial monitoring and control systems are easily connected to their associated field devices, the harsh reality is that many installations are much more complicated. Input/output (I/O) signaling over long distances, especially where there is not a convenient wiring path, is a costly proposition. Learn more Supplier Profile…
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…
Highlights With every new year comes the obligatory “top technology predictions” from industry pundits who look into their crystal ball to figure out the future. Well, we’re doing it too. In this issue of NOTEBOOK, we ring in the new year by enlisting the help of Bill Makley, principal at BMC Consulting, who, for over…
For decades, the HMI took the form of a panel-mount device at the machine or on the front of the cabinet. It was a natural fit for the era in which most factories, plants, and facilities were populated by discrete equipment, controlled locally. As facility design and usage models have changed, however, users seek the…
AI isn’t new to manufacturing. Vision systems can already spot defects; predictive maintenance models can keep bearings from failing unexpectedly; and scheduling software can adjust production on the fly. What’s changing in 2026 is the reach and capabilities of these tools as well as their potential to expand returns on a plant’s investment in the cost,…
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,…
Press Releases
March 25, 2026 – AutomationDirect has added IronHorse ACM Series AC drives provide basic V/Hz and sensorless vector control for low-horsepower motors when only single-phase power is available. These VFDs accept a 120 VAC or 230 VAC single-phase power source and control motors from 1/8 to 3 horsepower. 5 digital inputs, 2 relay outputs, 2…
March 25, 2026 – AutomationDirect has added Shaviv deburring tool sets offer complete turnkey solutions for professionals who need multi-material capability right out of the box. The premium 21-piece (154-00024) and 12-piece sets (154-90085) feature ergonomic universal handles, extendable blade holders, and a comprehensive selection of rotating B- and E-series blades—ensuring you have the right…
March 25, 2026-AutomationDirect now offers Define Instruments digital panel meters, signal conditioners, and temperature transmitters that feature versatile measurement options and easy configuration. The Merlin series digital panel meters accept current, temperature, voltage, potentiometer, and pulse inputs and provide advanced scaling, linearization, and optional analog retransmission or relay outputs. A bright LED display, IP65 front…
March 25, 2026-AutomationDirect now offer Datalogic Smart-VS vision sensor family models with expanded features. The new Smart-VS Plus sensor includes all the features of the standard Smart-VS sensor, including Ethernet communication and several I/O points, but adds additional object classifications for a total of 3 classes, which is useful when Good/No Good/No Object tests are…
March 11, 2026 – AutomationDirect now offers RuB manual ball valves that bring unmatched versatility, performance, and reliability to fluid and air control applications. Featuring a lifetime warranty, the available offering spans everything from compact micro and mini valves, perfect for tight space OEM builds, to high flow industrial options engineered for demanding environments. General…
March 11, 2026 – AutomationDirect has added Peter Electronic VSII Plus soft starters which provide durability, a high number of starts/hour, and a simple setup for standard or light-duty applications up to 105A. Quick configuration is achieved by adjusting the positions of 3 trim pots, and status LEDs indicate the units’ operational status. Built-in DIN-rail…