March 19, 2025 – AutomationDirect has added ProSense linear potentiometers that offer reliable and consistent position measurement while delivering exceptional value and performance. These position sensors measure linear displacement by converting mechanical movement into a resistive output. Typically, they require a signal conditioner or a 10 VDC supply to provide an analog signal for a…
March 19, 2025 – AutomationDirect has added IronHorse worm gearboxes with IEC inputs that offer all the same features and advantages as our existing aluminum models, including 30mm to 75mm frame sizes, 10:1 to 100:1 ratios in most sizes, and maintenance free operation. They are factory filled with synthetic oil and their double lip oil…
March 12, 2025 – AutomationDirect has added METEcon multi-wire connectors that feature quality and cost-effective inserts and housings. Inserts are available in multiple pole configurations from 2 poles plus ground up to 108 poles plus ground, with screw or crimp termination types and sizes ranging from 26 to 12 AWG, 10 to 80 Amps. METEcon…
Headquartered in Racine, WI, Master Appliance has been a leader in heat tool innovation since the 1950s. The company introduced the first portable industrial heat gun to North America, coining the term “heat gun” and revolutionizing how industries apply heat for tasks such as heat shrink packaging, drying parts, shrinking plastics, paint stripping and shaping…
February 26, 2025 – AutomationDirect has added new specialty modules for the CLICK PLC family. CLICK PLUS CPUs offer the utmost versatility with up to two option slots for custom I/O configurations. These option slots also allow for specialty modules, including the C2-DCM serial communication module and the new C2-NRED and C2-OPCUA modules. The C2-NRED…
February 26, 2025 – AutomationDirect has added the new Titanio series of stepper drives from Ever Motion Solutions®. These drives offer peak performance, a rich feature set, and work seamlessly with AutomationDirect SureStep® stepper motors. Three new drives are available with two open-loop (no encoder feedback) models and one open/closed-loop version (a motor-mounted encoder provides…
Easy, Educational, and Entertaining Automation At AutomationDirect, the goal is to educate customers on the best industrial products for their applications. The mission is also about making industrial control easy — and sometimes even entertaining. In this issue of NOTEBOOK, we demonstrate how AutomationDirect delivers on these important objectives. Here, we focus on modern PLC…
By: Andrew Waugh Sensors play essential roles in the modern production environment, capturing data on position, speed, proximity, pressure, temperature, level, flow, current, voltage, and more. There is such a wide variety of sensors on the market that finding the right device for your application can seem overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be. The goal…
In this article, we explore the transformative impact of low-code/no-code PLC programming in industrial automation with Tim Shippy, a veteran AutomationDirect Product Engineer. With a wealth of experience spanning decades in industrial and enterprise software development, Tim has been at the forefront of integrating industrial systems with enterprise connectivity. His expertise in both traditional and…
By: Joshua Draa and Larry Reynolds, Automation Direct Safety is an essential aspect of machine design and operation, protecting personnel, guarding against equipment damage, and maximizing productivity. The purpose of a safety system is to bring a machine to a known safe state as quickly as possible after a safety sensor detects a hazardous condition…