Industrial Automation News for the Next Generation
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Recent Posts
Five Ways AI Will Grow ROI on Plant Floors in 2026 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…
Fluid control plays a critical role in everyday life. Gas, water, air, oil – they all need precise control to ensure comfort and safety at home and within an array of industries. Behind the scenes, one family-owned company has spent over seven decades engineering the valves that keep these important systems running. RuB Inc. is…
User-defined instructions are flexible and reusable blocks of code, useful for simplifying and speeding logic development. 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…
A wastewater treatment utility is moving away from aging control hardware by replacing specialized components with easy-to-use programmable logic controllers. Like many small utilities throughout the country, the Harvest-Monrovia Water & Sewer Authority in Alabama was faced with supporting an aging mix of control technologies. Wesley Benefield of RTUDirect wrote this article for Automation.com April…
We all learned at an early age that electricity powers the world. The team behind Penn-Union learned how to harness that power, creating electrical connection solutions that perform even in some of the most challenging applications across industries such as commercial construction, utilities, data storage, telecom and aerospace. Founded in 1928, Penn-Union operates a fully…
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…
Press Releases
April 29, 2026 – AutomationDirect now offers Autonics CT series counter/timers that deliver a powerful, easy-to-use solution for counting, timing, and batching applications, backed by the trusted Autonics brand. Designed for fast setup, these versatile units can be configured directly from the front-panel pushbuttons, with select models programmed via RS 485 using Autonics DAQMaster software….
April 29, 2026 – AutomationDirect has added Mindman MVSC and MVSC1 directional control solenoid valves and manifolds which provide reliable, high performance air control for a wide range of automated systems. The MVDC stackable solenoid valve series builds on that capability with a modular design that keeps installations clean and scalable, making it easy to…
April 29, 2026 – AutomationDirect now offers IronHorse ES1 AC drives that allow simple AC motor control for 3/4 up to 2 hp 230 VAC three-phase motors from a single-phase 120 VAC or 230 VAC input. These drives are proudly made in the USA and feature a simplified setup, requiring no software or parameters. The…
April 22, 2026 – AutomationDirect has added Fandis Lumeis series LED enclosure lights that are designed to deliver powerful lighting performance, unmatched energy efficiency, and effortless installation. These lights provide 600 lumens of bright, uniform light while consuming less than 5 watts, making them an ideal solution for energy-conscious engineers and panel builders. The Lumeis…
April 22, 2026 – AutomationDirect now offers Laumas ALLUE, AZLUE, and APLUE series single‑point load cells that support industrial weighing applications from compact platform scales to larger conveyor and hopper systems. Manufactured in Europe to strict quality standards, this lineup provides scalable weighing options up to 600 kg (1320 lb). These models feature 0.02% full‑scale accuracy, a…
April 22, 2026 – AutomationDirect has added RHINO PSR series power supplies with tool‑free spring clamp terminals provide secure, vibration‑resistant connections that never need retorquing, delivering long‑term reliability in industrial panels. These competitively priced power supplies combine an ultra‑slim design with rugged metal or aluminum housings, making them ideal for space‑constrained control cabinets. With high…