Upgrading Pneumatic Machinery with IIoT
CommunicationsPneumaticsProductProgrammable Control

Upgrading Pneumatic Machinery with IIoT

OEMs making pneumatic machinery are delivering greater value to their end users by integrating smart solenoid manifolds and cloud-capable PLCs. Kevin Kakascik, Technical Marketing Engineer with AutomationDirect, wrote an article for the November 2021 issue of Hydraulics & Pneumatics titled The Age of Intelligent Pneumatics. It shows how OEMs can use intelligent solenoid manifolds and…
What is a Thermocouple? An Intro to Temperature Sensors
Process Sensing & ControlProduct

What is a Thermocouple? An Intro to Temperature Sensors

Using thermocouple sensors to measure temperatures in industrial applications. Thermocouple Definition Temperature measurement is one of the most common requirements for any industrial automation or digitally-monitored system. It is often necessary to detect the temperature of gases, liquids, and physical equipment components. The primary contact-based technologies for doing so are thermocouples (TCs), resistance temperature detectors…
Secure Remote Monitoring of Process Systems
CommunicationsIssue 47 -2022Product

Secure Remote Monitoring of Process Systems

A solution using cloud-capable routers and cloud-based computing services enables streamlined and secure remote monitoring and access for process systems. Jonathan Griffith, product manager for AutomationDirect, wrote an article for the October 2021 issue of Processing titled Remote Monitoring Powered by Cloud Services. Here’s a summary, click on the link above for the full text….
Here’s How to Easily Add IIoT to any Machine
CommunicationsProductProgrammable Control

Here’s How to Easily Add IIoT to any Machine

Micro-PLCs with Wi-Fi are key enablers for quickly and economically adding IIoT data connectivity to any type of new or legacy equipment. Bill Dehner, technical marketing engineer for AutomationDirect, wrote an article for the October 2021 issue of Fluid Power World titled Streamlining Equipment IIoT Connectivity. Here’s a summary, click on the link above for…
What is Needed for Industrial Control Panels?
Electrical PowerEnclosures & AccessoriesProductProgrammable ControlRelays & Timers

What is Needed for Industrial Control Panels?

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. Industrial control panels are commonly used for distributing power, housing pneumatics, and protecting automation electronics associated with…
Student Brings Joy to Kids During COVID-19 with Automated Halloween Display
Application StoriesAutomationDirect SpotlightCommunicationsHMIPLCProductProgrammable ControlStudent Spotlight

Student Brings Joy to Kids During COVID-19 with Automated Halloween Display

In a typical year, children excitedly count down the days in October to Halloween. However, Halloween 2020 was different due to COVID-19, and many kids felt it was going to be a disappointing nightmare. That wasn’t the case in one town in Utah, thanks to the efforts of Shaun Oaks, father of two young children…
Off-the-Shelf IIoT Solutions for Operations
CommunicationsProduct

Off-the-Shelf IIoT Solutions for Operations

Intelligent 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. Bill Dehner, technical marketing engineer for AutomationDirect, wrote an article for the September  2021 issue of Plant Engineering titled Exploit IIoT to Improve Operations. Here’s a summary, click on…
Upcycling with Automation
ApplicationApplication StoriesIssue 47 -2022Machine ControlOpen SourcePneumaticsPneumaticsProduct

Upcycling with Automation

An innovator found a way to upcycle bottle caps into extraordinary products, an activity that also helps support local children’s charities. By applying practical AutomationDirect devices and components, he has efficiently scaled up production. When Nathan Rues started a hobby of collecting bottle caps while in college, little did he know that one day this…
Mobile Connectivity Industry Survey
+Tech TopicsCommunicationsLearning ResourcesProduct

Mobile Connectivity Industry Survey

Periodically, the AutomationDirect team reaches out to industry users in a variety of ways to gauge their interest on a variety of topics. For instance, in June 2016 we looked into whether users were “data-driven”. One of the questions in that survey addressed whether data was being accessed remotely via a web browser/client or mobile…
Process Pump Automation Options
ApplicationIssue 47 -2022ManufacturingMotor ControlsProduct

Process Pump Automation Options

Whether pumps are automated with hardwired controls or PLCs, designers can provide enhanced functional and protective features using control and monitoring relays. Lenny Filipkowski, Product Manager at AutomationDirect, wrote an article for the August 2021 edition of Process Instrumentation magazine titled Exploring Options for Process Pump Automation. Pump control is a common application used in…