Pneumatic Actuator Control Options
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Pneumatic Actuator Control Options

Pneumatic actuators are essential workhorses for implementing machine and equipment motion. Here are some pointers regarding different styles for control and monitoring. Pat Phillips is the Product Manager for Fluid Power and Mechanical products at AutomationDirect, and he authored an article for the June 2019 issue of Fluid Power World titled Pneumatic Actuator Control Options….
What is a Contactor?
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What is a Contactor?

Contactor Definition Contactors are a specialized form of relay capable of switching higher power loads such as motors, lighting and electric heaters. Turning large electrical power loads such as motors, lighting and heaters on and off is a common automation requirement. Applications are found in commercial buildings, industrial equipment and vehicles. The fundamental device for…
Cable-Pull Safety Switches
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Cable-Pull Safety Switches

Full coverage E-Stop protection around your machinery We all know the importance of having emergency stop devices near and around machinery. There are numerous regulations (ANIS, ISO, IEC) that define emergency stop device requirements. In short they all state that they are actuated by a “single human action”, should be used to de-energize equipment to…
Benefits of Connecting a PLC to the Internet
+Tech TopicsCommunications and EthernetIIoT and DataProgrammable ControlTech Thread

Benefits of Connecting a PLC to the Internet

Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are now gaining information technology (IT) abilities to interact directly with the internet, creating new automation and information possibilities. Bill Dehner, a Technical Marketing Manager at AutomationDirect, authored an article for the July 2019 issue of Control Engineering titled Benefits of Connecting a PLC to the Internet. Here’s a summary, click…
Pneumatics for Mechanical Motion
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Pneumatics for Mechanical Motion

Pneumatics are often the best fit for executing mechanical motion in a reliable, simple, and cost-effective manner. Pat Phillips is the Product Manager for Fluid Power and Mechanical products at AutomationDirect, and he authored an article for the June 2019 issue of Tech Briefs titled Pneumatics for Mechanical Motion. Here’s a summary, click on the…
Locking Safety Interlock Switches
ProductSafetySafety Common Sense

Locking Safety Interlock Switches

Most of us are familiar with safety interlock switches that can disable a safety circuit and notify us if a guard has been removed, the gate is open or something has been tampered with. There are many options to chose from including tongue interlock switches, hinge safety interlock switches and non-contact safety switches. Many of…
What is a Relay?
ProductRelays & Timers

What is a Relay?

When used in electrical power and control circuits, relays allow lower power circuits to operate higher power circuits, while providing isolation. Relay Definition Relays are a fundamental device for switching an electrical circuit on or off, much like a toggle switch or a limit switch. But a relay is operated based on an electrical control…
Choosing the Right HMI
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Choosing the Right HMI

Human-machine interfaces are available with many hardware and software features. Users should work backwards from the target application to make sure all needs are addressed. Bill Dehner, a Technical Marketing Manager at AutomationDirect, authored an article for the June 2019 issue of Control Engineering titled Choosing the Right HMI. Here’s a summary, click on the…
Bypass-Resistant Safety Devices Ensure Effective Machine Guarding
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Bypass-Resistant Safety Devices Ensure Effective Machine Guarding

Machine safeguarding devices protect operators at points of access and operation. Here’s how they work. Jim Krebs, Technical Marketing Engineer at AutomationDirect, wrote an article for the April 2019 issue of ISHN titled Bypass-resistant safety devices ensure effective machine guarding, where Jim describes the need for machine safeguarding, and how the various types work. The…
Regulations Require Surge Protection for Safety Circuits
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Regulations Require Surge Protection for Safety Circuits

Recent additions to the National Electrical Code (NEC) mandate surge protection for safety interlock circuits to protect operators and machinery. Brent Purdy PE is the Product Manager for Power & Circuit Protection products at AutomationDirect. Brent authored an article for the June 2019 issue of Automation.com titled Regulations Require Surge Protection for Safety Circuits. Here’s…