Every workplace has that one person who seems to notice what everyone else overlooks. In one small manufacturing facility, that person was Bryce, a maintenance supervisor who had a habit of stopping by workstations before shifts began—not to interrupt, but to ask a simple question: “Is everything ready to run safely today?” At first, those…

Highlights For the last decade (or more), the manufacturing industry has been adopting Industry 4.0 technology. A mashup of the Internet of Things (IoT), network connectivity, cloud computing, analytics and 3D printing have formed the foundation of what’s been leading us toward widespread digital transformation. It’s been the ultimate automation experiment. Especially when we started…

Highlights With every new year comes the obligatory “top technology predictions” from industry pundits who look into their crystal ball to figure out the future. Well, we’re doing it too. In this issue of NOTEBOOK, we ring in the new year by enlisting the help of Bill Makley, principal at BMC Consulting, who, for over…

The right surge suppression technologies help protect valuable equipment and digital systems from electrical surges, while ensuring designs comply with regulatory requirements. Electrical surges represent a persistent yet often underestimated threat to today’s technologically advanced commercial and industrial facilities. In this Automation World December 2025 article titled Industrial Surge Protection: Essential Technologies and Installation Standards…

Highlights When it comes to keeping the plant running efficiently, there’s an element that is always present but often overlooked. It’s the power and current that runs through machines. And all that needs to be managed and protected. In this issue of NOTEBOOK, we explore all aspects of this invisible force, exploring the need for…