Efficiently Updating Pump Stations
Application StoriesIssue 55, 2025Notebook IssueOperator InterfaceProduct

Efficiently Updating Pump Stations

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…
Cybersecurity: Pursuing Basics First
+Tech TopicsIssue 55, 2025Learning ResourcesNotebook Issue

Cybersecurity: Pursuing Basics First

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…
Outfitting Your Panel Shop to be Safe and Efficient
+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…
Diving Deep into STEM Education
AutomationDirect SpotlightIssue 55, 2025Notebook IssueStudent SpotlightStudent Spotlight

Diving Deep into STEM Education

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…
Beyond Safety Slogans: Cultivating a Workforce Culture to Protect People and Productivity
+Tech TopicsIssue 55, 2025Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueProductSafetyTech Thread

Beyond Safety Slogans: Cultivating a Workforce Culture to Protect People and Productivity

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…
Building a Safety Component Fortress Around Equipment
Issue 55, 2025Notebook IssueProductSafety

Building a Safety Component Fortress Around Equipment

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,…
New Option Slot and Stackable I/O Modules for the CLICK PLC Family from AutomationDirect
Issue 55, 2025NewsNotebook IssuePress ReleasesPress Releases

New Option Slot and Stackable I/O Modules for the CLICK PLC Family from AutomationDirect

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…
Ever Motion Solutions Titanio Series Stepper Drives from AutomationDirect
Issue 55, 2025NewsNotebook IssuePress ReleasesPress Releases

Ever Motion Solutions Titanio Series Stepper Drives from AutomationDirect

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…
How Low-Code and No-Code Visual Programming Tools Can Simplify and Accelerate Seamless Industrial IoT Connectivity
Issue 54 - 2025Notebook IssueProductProgrammable Control

How Low-Code and No-Code Visual Programming Tools Can Simplify and Accelerate Seamless Industrial IoT Connectivity

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…