The AutomationDirect WinPLC was an advanced controller for its time, and users who need to modernize existing installations have options for rapid upgrades. In the late 1990s, Windows CE was a popular lightweight operating system because it was a good fit to reliably operate various consumer electronics and industrial components, including the AutomationDirect WinPLC controller….
Have you heard of ChatGPT™? What about Google Bard™? These AI interfaces are changing the way we search for information online. Using these AI chats is easy, all you do is enter what you are looking for and the AI engine will scour the internet for that information and provide answers that are well put…
Compact and distributed automation elements, and smarter fieldbus-capable instruments, are reducing the size of and need for control panels. Chris Kregoski, product engineer for AutomationDirect, wrote an article for the July 2023 issue of Processing, titled Distributed Automation Enables Elimination or Shrinking of Control Panels. Here’s a summary, click on the link above for the…
February 1, 2023 – AutomationDirect now offers Cat6a industrial Ethernet cables from Murrelektronik. These shielded cables include an M12 X-coded connection on one end and an RJ45 connection on the other. The X-coded designation is commonly used with industrial vision systems. These high-flex industrial Ethernet cables are available in lengths up to 5m with transmission…
January 25, 2023 – AutomationDirect has added new RHINO Pro DC-to-DC converters that are designed for harsh industrial environments and provide high EMC immunity, shock/vibration resistance, and thermal shock resistance. This line offers models with 150W outputs at 12, 15, 24, or 48 VDC, and ultra-wide input voltage ranges of 9-36 VDC or 18-75 VDC….
January 25, 2023 – AutomationDirect now offers end-of-arm tooling components for robot arm vacuum pick-and-place applications. Components can be purchased individually or in kits that include everything needed to create a single-beam or dual-beam end-of-arm tool. Kits are simple, save time and money, and include structural rails (which support optional internal vacuum), connectors, cup mounts,…
This FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) award, sponsored by AutomationDirect, celebrates the art of digital animation and its close relationship to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics). The 2023 Digital Animation Award is offered to help encourage students to cultivate skills in design and creation of animation including, but not limited to: storytelling, creativity, use…
AutomationDirect has added LUTZE SILFLEX multi-conductor control cable. SILFLEX control cable is a rugged industrial cable ideal for stationary and flexible applications (not intended for continuous flexing use) with multiple ratings, including UL Type TC-ER or UL PLTC-ER, which eliminates the need for metal conduit and/or armor, resulting in installation and maintenance savings. These cables…
November 3, 2021 – AutomationDirect has added Norgren Excelon Plus air prep components to its existing lineup of pneumatic air prep products. Norgren, a well-known name for pneumatic components, manufactures products that provide exceptional performance, and their Excelon Plus air prep components are compact, lightweight, and suitable for most industrial applications. Norgren Excelon Plus 82…
November 3, 2021 – AutomationDirect has added the new ProSense T2 series of multi-mode, on-delay, off-delay, fleeting, and on-interval timer relays. These low-cost relays have a compact design with easy-to-use potentiometers, rotary switches, and/or DIP switches for selecting time delay functions and timing ranges. The T2R-M series multi-mode timer relays provide 4 functions in one…