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…
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…
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….
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? 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…
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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…
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…
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…
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…
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…