Industrial Automation News for the Next Generation
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Beep… Beep… Beep… that’s the distinctive sound made when someone scans a barcode on items going through a grocery store checkout line. Barcode technology began revolutionizing the efficiency of the grocery checkout process decades ago and is now fostering huge advances in healthcare, law enforcement, and manufacturing. Barcodes represent key product or item data in…
Networking Decision: Managed or Unmanaged Switches?Unmanaged switches may be able to do the job in some applications, but managed switches deliver improved performance and cybersecurity.People everywhere are spoiled by fast and reliable consumer-grade Ethernet connectivity, in both wired and Wi-Fi versions. But can basic networking devices be used directly for industrial applications? This article examines…
ProSense GWR series liquid level sensors utilize guided wave radar sensing technology to provide accurate, cost-effective liquid level measurement for industrial applications. These units provide continuous and point-level measurements and have a rugged IP68/IP69K rated 316 stainless steel housing that offers uncompromising protection and long life in harsh industrial environments. The GWR-1600-P probe is best…
AutomationDirect has added Schmersal two-hand control panels to its lineup of safety products. Two-hand control systems are used with a special control monitoring relay and require an operator to use both hands simultaneously when initiating a hazardous operation. This forces an operator to keep their hands on the two-hand control actuator and out of an…
AutomationDirect has added Schmersal IEC limit switches to its lineup. These limit switches are available in a 30mm or 40mm body width and are offered in zinc alloy, aluminum or glass-fiber thermoplastic enclosures. The actuator heads’ selection includes plunger, plunger with roller, one-way lever with roller, lever with roller, adjustable lever with roller, and adjustable…
AutomationDirect has added a variety of new ProSense inductive proximity sensors to their portfolio. Added are 8mm triple-sensing inductive proximity sensors in flush and non-flush mounting options, which can detect ferrous metals up to a distance of 6mm. Also new are inductive proximity sensors with a metal face to provide more durable protection, with environmental…
What is Safe Torque Off (STO)?Let?s say you have a system with some Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and you want to integrate those VFDs into your emergency stop circuit to ensure the VFDs will place the motors into a safe state upon an emergency stop condition. How do you do this? There were many ways…
AutomationDirect has added new accessories for Eaton 3P series molded case circuit breakers (MCCBs). The new products include universal rotary handles and Flex ShaftTM flexible handles, both available for each MCCB frame size and suitable for NEMA 1/4/4X and 12 enclosures. Also added are high performance Flex Shaft two-position flange handles that feature external front mounting…
New IDEM non-contact magnetic coded switches use force-guided contacts and have an internal monitoring system so that they are stand-alone, not requiring the use of a separate safety relay. The wide 14mm sensing range provides a high tolerance to misalignment. Models are available that support automatic reset or manual reset, as well as a selectable…
