Industrial Automation News for the Next Generation
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Recent Posts
Every operation has one machine everyone depends on, the conveyor that never seems to stop, the gantry that positions with precision, the drive system that quietly powers everything behind the scenes. Over time, it becomes clear that even the most advanced systems rely on something simpler: the components that transfer motion. At first, those components are easy…
Facility, system, and machinery safety are important factors to prevent injury and loss of productivity in the workplace. Safety component ratings ensure that the proper device is selected for your application. Understanding these ratings will make this decision much easier. Table of Contents
Taming Ladder Logic with Object-Oriented Techniques Programmable logic controllers (PLCs), prized for their ruggedness and real-time performance, have formed the industrial automation backbone of operational technology (OT) systems since the late 1960s. While traditional PLC programming methods were historically less sophisticated than solutions developed for the information technology (IT) industry, the situation has been steadily…
Every workplace has that one person who seems to notice what everyone else overlooks. In one small manufacturing facility, that person was Bryce, a maintenance supervisor who had a habit of stopping by workstations before shifts began—not to interrupt, but to ask a simple question: “Is everything ready to run safely today?” At first, those…
Modern PLCs Support Dependable SCADA Communications Water and wastewater treatment systems of all sizes are essential and roughly 90% of U.S. systems are considered small (serving 10,000 or fewer people). Though large and small plants often use similar technologies, they operate at very different scales and budgets for automation and staffing. Recognizing this disparity, the…
Unmanaged+ industrial Ethernet switches apply key IT technologies—including VLANs, QoS, IGMP snooping, and more—in easily deployed OT-friendly hardware, all without any required complex management. Today’s manufacturers are pursuing data analytics, AI-driven optimization, remote support, and enterprise-wide visibility, which means that their operational technology (OT) networks can no longer remain isolated from information technology (IT) systems….
By: Kristin Lewotsky, contributing writer Industry 4.0 is a conceptual framework that applies industrial networking, data-gathering and analytics, and smart devices to cut costs and boost efficiency. It emphasizes improving performance by automating processes and removing humans from the loop. Industry 4.0 led to substantial gains in productivity and profitability. It wasn’t universally applicable, however….
Highlights For the last decade (or more), the manufacturing industry has been adopting Industry 4.0 technology. A mashup of the Internet of Things (IoT), network connectivity, cloud computing, analytics and 3D printing have formed the foundation of what’s been leading us toward widespread digital transformation. It’s been the ultimate automation experiment. Especially when we started…
Modern servo and stepper motors and drives—combined with innovations in controllers, communications, and software—have simplified motion control integration and multiplied the possibilities for applying these technologies. By Joe Kimbrell, AutomationDirect Early motion control applications developed a (mostly) well-deserved reputation for requiring costly and esoteric components and technologies that are complex to design, install, configure, and…
Press Releases
July 15, 2026 – AutomationDirect now offers Fuji Electric TK‑E02 series thermal overload relays that expand the TK‑E lineup with compact, high‑precision protection for smaller motors and lower current applications. Designed to safeguard motor windings from overloads, locked-rotor conditions, and damaging open‑phase faults, the TK‑E02 delivers reliable performance in demanding motor control applications. These relays…
July 15, 2026-AutomationDirect has added more STRIDE PRO Unmanaged+ industrial Ethernet switches which are a step up from basic unmanaged switches, adding efficient network optimization with IGMP snooping (traffic prioritization), port monitoring, port alarms, VLAN support, and more. IGMP snooping ends network flooding by transmitting data only to the specific devices requiring it. Port mirroring…
July 15th, 2026 – AutomationDirect now offers Lapp ÖLFLEX® VFD 1XL cable which delivers advanced performance for modern variable-frequency drive applications, helping overcome challenges caused by pulse-width modulation (PWM), including electromagnetic interference (EMI), motor stress, and reduced cable life. Engineered with cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE Plus) insulation and fine-stranded tinned copper conductors, this cable offers excellent…
July 1, 2026 – AutomationDirect has added more Murrelektronik Exact 12 passive distribution blocks that deliver a smarter, more efficient way to connect sensors and actuators and eliminate error-prone individual wiring in a compact, centralized solution. Designed for demanding industrial environments, they feature a space-saving 30 mm footprint, rugged overmolded construction for superior vibration and…
July 1, 2026 – AutomationDirect has added more M8 and M12 4‑pin A‑coded sensor and signal cables which are designed to connect devices that use different connector sizes while maintaining standard 4‑pin wiring, helping eliminate rewiring, reduce installation time, and minimize common wiring errors. They are well-suited for applications across automotive manufacturing, food and beverage…
June 24, 2026-AutomationDirect has added ABB-Thomas & Betts cable management solutions that combine durability, efficiency, and ease of installation, with Ty‑Rap® stainless steel tooth cable ties, Ty‑Grip® reusable cable ties, and dedicated cable tie installation tools. Ty‑Rap cable ties are engineered for secure, long‑term bundling, using a hardened stainless steel locking tooth and UL‑rated Nylon…