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
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…
Many industrial automation end users are not staffed to deploy cutting-edge cybersecurity provisions, but they all will benefit from performing attainable and practical basic steps. By Tim Wheeler, AutomationDirect Albert Einstein said, “Genius is making complex ideas simple, not making simple ideas complex.” Modern cybersecurity is an example of an extremely complex subject, where a…
+Tech TopicsHand Tools &Test EquipmentIssue 55, 2025Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueProductTech Thread
Outfitting Your Panel Shop to be Safe and Efficient
AutomationDirect has created an extensive portfolio of professional-grade control panel products, tools, and test equipment, all readily available at reasonable cost so that shops can equip their technicians to deliver high-quality results. By Zach Ganster, AutomationDirect The “good/better/best” concept is familiar to most people. When it comes to obtaining anything we use in our daily…
This student team gained valuable STEM experience by developing an underwater remote operated vehicle, and they accelerated their efforts by using commercially available industrial-grade components. By: Geoff Gardener, North Paulding High School Exploration of both the deep sea and of outer space share a lot in common. Both are extremely unforgiving environments where it is…
By Travis Morris, Safety Administrator, AutomationDirect As we recognize National Safety Month this June 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how industrial safety has evolved alongside technological advancement. At AutomationDirect, we’ve seen firsthand how the safety landscape in manufacturing and logistics continues to advance rapidly, creating both new challenges and unprecedented opportunities for…
By: Larry Reynolds, AutomationDirect Safety systems play a crucial role in industrial equipment, protecting personnel, guarding against machine damage, and minimizing unscheduled downtime. To make a machine totally safe, we could build a wall around it, cut the power, send staff home, and lock the doors after them. That approach isn’t particularly practical, however. Instead,…
In the world of manufacturing, efficiency and productivity often take center stage. However, there’s one element that must always be prioritized above allelse: employee safety. Recognizing that June is National Safety Month, AutomationDirect is dedicating much of this issue of NOTEBOOK to addressing the issuesthat impact safety in the manufacturing workplace — from culture to…
Press Releases
May 21, 2025 – AutomationDirect has added ifm fail-safe inductive sensors featuring (2) OSSD outputs that can be connected to a safety relay for safety applications requiring the detection of metal objects. These sensors are designed to trigger a safe state (like stopping a machine) if the sensor fails, reducing the risk of injury to…
May 21, 2025 – AutomationDirect has added additional drag chain options to route cables/hoses to moving components and help extend cable/hose life. The igus 2500 series cable/hose drag chains feature a snap-open mechanism along the chain’s outer radius to allow convenient access to the chain’s channel after installation. The hinged crossbar can be swiveled by more…
May 21, 2025 – AutomationDirect has added Patlite industrial signal beacons, which provide a clear and unambiguous visual indication, ensuring quick and easy detection by floor personnel. These beacons are available in three series with various monocolor options and a Fresnel lens that distributes ambient, uniform light from all globe surfaces, including the top. All…
May 21, 2025 – AutomationDirect has added IronHorse VP1 series DC gearmotors that are designed to power high-torque mechanical loads at lower speeds with a compact motor. They are powered by 90 VDC and are designed for use with unfiltered SCR or PWM waveforms generated by a DC drive. They can also be used in across-the-line applications….
WAGO Single-Channel Electronic Circuit Breakers and Eco2 Series Power Supplies from AutomationDirect
May 14, 2025 – AutomationDirect has added WAGO 787-3861 series single-channel electronic circuit breakers that offer a lower cost option and a compact 6mm form factor to provide safe and reliable supplementary protection for 24 VDC control circuits. These electronic circuit breakers offer remote monitoring and control, clear LED indicators, and fast response to overloads…
May 14, 2025 – AutomationDirect has added Pfannenberg DTT 6000 series top-mounted air conditioners which are 100% condensate safe, provide up to 14,000 BTU/H, and are ideal for space-saving installation on the top of a NEMA 12 control enclosure. Pfannenberg’s DTS series 3000 air conditioners are made in the USA, offer cooling capacities up to…