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Product advice on easy, affordable modern control, IIoT implementationPlant engineers, electrical technicians, machine builders are among the users who need industrial-grade automation platforms so they can create practical control systems and advanced Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications. Many of these projects are smaller-scale, perhaps 100 or fewer input/output (I/O) points, and these users require…

Cybersecurity Best PracticesContemporary industrial cybersecurity measures require the right hardware and software technologies, but must also incorporate user best practices.Now that most intelligent automation devices include wired or wireless network connectivity, end users can easily obtain valuable equipment data. However, the more capable PLCs, HMIs, and other devices making this possible also mean that designers need…

Industrial Automation Mobile Access on the Rise Most consumers are comfortable with?and even reliant on?easy access to information, technologies, and personal communications using their mobile devices, like phones and tablets. These same commercial trends are making their way into the industrial sector, and to gauge the progress, AutomationDirect surveyed industrial users back in June 2016 and…

What is Needed for Industrial Control Panels?Industrial control panels are fundamental for protecting electrical, instrumentation, and control devices. The AutomationDirect portfolio of enclosures and components can help users obtain everything they need to create control panel solutions. This post looks at some key concepts involved with designing control panels.Learn more Secure Remote Monitoring of Process…

Off-the-Shelf IIoT Solutions for OperationsOff-the-shelf Intelligent VPN routers and associated cloud services make it easy for end users and OEMs to use an IIoT approach for accessing and acting on operational data.Learn more MERZ Schaltgerate?s Top-Quality SwitchesSatisfy customers. Produce high quality, reliable switches. Continuously improve and align. Seventy-five years ago, Gustav Merz put these key…

PLCs Provide a Conduit for Better Predictive MaintenanceModern IIoT-capable PLCs can be a more active conduit for a user to implement a strong predictive maintenance program that can lower costs and unplanned shutdowns, and improve any plant?s performance.Read the entire article Industrial Enclosures Examined Inside and OutAlthough we generally think of industrial enclosures as protecting…

“How to Control a Stepper Motor“…Stepper motors use specialized control methods to achieve better precision than standard variable speed motors, while avoiding the expense and complexity of servo systems. This article describes how users can implement and control stepper motor systems in their motion control applications.Read more Quick and Clean Automation ImplementationIn the midst of…

“Modern PLCs Break Out of Industrial Automation Limitations“… Old-fashioned automation architectures suffer from complexity and slow communications while today?s PLC advances boost simplicity and performance. See how today?s PLC advances boost simplicity and performance. This article looks at how modern PLCs can streamline classically rigid architectures to securely and directly access cloud computing resources like…

“Electronic Circuit Breakers Provide Smarter Protection“…Sensors and controllers used for automating machinery require reliable low voltage and low current power. Designers must incorporate overcurrent protection devices (OCPDs) to guard conductors from damaging overcurrent and short circuit conditions, in accordance with the National Electrical Code (NEC). However, there is a smarter way than using traditional fuses…