Industrial Automation News for the Next Generation
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Recent Posts
Anyone who has ever observed a modern factory in action, whether in person or perhaps via an episode of the “How It’s Made” documentary television series, is aware of just how impressive machine automation can be. This is especially the case when witnessing robotic arms and other machine motion control, as mechanical apparatus and payloads…
This home-built robot was created with industrial-grade automation technologies, providing a unique platform for learning career-enhancing skills. Inspired by science fiction movies featuring robots like R2-D2 and WALL-E, Justin Flynn, a controls engineer, embarked on a journey to build a personal animatronic robot named Hubert Evolution 2 (HEV2), reminiscent of Johnny 5 from the 1986…
Application StoriesHMIMotion ControlOperator InterfacePLCPneumaticsProductProgrammable ControlSafety
Automated Robotic Welding Cuts Production Time by Over 90%
A manufacturing company teamed up with a systems integration firm to significantly accelerate an infrastructure project by integrating a robotic welder with precision motion control, intelligent safety systems, and other advanced automation components. Tasked with producing over three miles of steel fencing in just 90 weeks, a leading steel fabrication company knew it needed to…
New Product Giveaway – CHANNELLOCK! Enter your info for a chance to win some of our newest products. This giveaway includes (2) 9.5-in. pliers, (2) 6.5- in. pliers and (2) 6-in. wire strippers. You will also be entered to win 1 of 5 drill bit sets. Contest is open for approximately 3 weeks after the…
Pilot devices are essential operator interface components for most automated equipment and processes. As the industrial age dawned, machinery and equipment were controlled manually by operators pulling levers, turning hand cranks, and making similar actions and adjustments as they saw fit. Industry 1.0 was powered by water and steam, 2.0 relied on electricity and added…
I remember physical education from elementary school back in the 1980s. Phys ed was always a treat as I got to get out of our regular classes and do something besides sit in a classroom. It was almost as if I had a bonus recess that day. Now, that was until third grade when my…
Solving Frequency Signal Conditioner Challenges Frequency signal conditioners—designed to handle high-frequency pulse signals from sensors and convert them into other useful automation signals—are an important industrial automation design component for both new and retrofit applications. High-frequency pulses may be generated from a proximity sensor associated with a spinning sprocket, between digital motion control systems requiring…
Because industrial automation systems often remain in service for decades, it is important to select a hardware/software supplier and integration specialist familiar with performing incremental updates as needed. By: Randy Ames, Ames Electrical Consulting, Inc. Repair or replace: a conundrum familiar to owners of appliances, consumer electronics, cars, homes, and also industrial processing facilities. For…
When you hop on a thrilling amusement park roller coaster, Ferris wheel, or pendulum ride, you probably don’t think about what makes it stop when it’s time to do so. More likely, you are relieved to finally get on the ride after standing in a long line! And chances are good that you don’t wonder…
Press Releases
July 9, 2025- AutomationDirect has added MK Morse bi-metal hole saws, which are a cost-effective, high-performance solution for various cutting tasks. These saws feature a patented tooth set design that enables faster hole cutting. For tougher materials, carbide-tipped hole cutters deliver clean, efficient cuts in stainless steel, aluminum, pipe, conduit, and composites, ensuring long-lasting use….
June 25, 2025 – AutomationDirect has added Endress+Hauser iTHERM and iTEMP series temperature transmitters that offer precise and reliable temperature measurements with easy integration, a rugged design, flexible configurations, and IO-Link or HART communication options. Endress+Hauser’s TM311 iTHERM CompactLine integrates an RTD and transmitter in a stainless steel housing, featuring an adjustable temperature range within…
June 26th, 2025- AutomationDirect has added LUTZE® SILFLEX FBP VFD cable that provides the ultimate solution for the cabling challenges faced by today’s food and beverage machine builders and processing companies. Phthalate-, talc-, and silicone-free cables reduce contamination risk and provide resistance to oils and fats that are common to food processing. SILFLEX FBP flexible…
June 18, 2025 -AutomationDirect has added WAGO lean managed industrial Ethernet switches that provide a cost-effective managed network solution. These switches integrate principles of lean manufacturing into their design and functionality, offering advantages such as waste reduction, improved efficiency, and more. Their web-based interface and easy-to-use diagnostic tools reduce configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting time, and…
June 18, 2025 – AutomationDirect has added Define Instruments Twin Link series point-to-point wireless I/O devices, which provide a cost-effective solution for applications where wiring is difficult or impractical, such as long distances, physical obstacles, or moving equipment. They create a dedicated, bidirectional radio link between a pre-paired set to reliably transmit analog or digital…
Autonics has been making automation easier for almost 50 years. In fact, the slogan “Make Life Easy,” captures what the company is all about: simplifying industrial automation while making the world more convenient. Based in South Korea with a network of 13 global subsidiaries and 100+ offices (including U.S. headquarters in Illinois), Autonics makes a…