More News
Flying by the seat of your pants?
If you want to fly without using appropriate instrumentation, I’ll walk, thank you. The same goes for your process. » more
Who is building your HMI?
Engineering and IT Insight: Train your development staff in the rules of high-performance HMIs and you will be improving operator performance, reducing operational errors, and potentially saving... » more
Optical absolute encoders
The ROQ/EQN 425 rotary encoder by Heidenhain is available with a solid shaft or hollow shaft with a mounted stator coupling and includes TTL and HTL signals. » more
21 legal takeaways for the automation industry
Legalities: Automation projects are like construction projects, know your project delivery method, and standard contracts don’t work are the first three of 21 points of advice. » more
Machine Safety: For a safe machine, I’ll just install a small safety PLC
To mitigate a machine hazard, might it work to install one small safety PLC, then slave the other distributed standard PLCs to the safety PLC? Would that avoid the need for a risk assessment for the... » more
Process safety: Managing process safety with flexible IO
Industrial facilities should approach safety and security holistically by addressing critical requirements from the process control network to the perimeter of the plant. » more
Programmble USB controller hub
Microchip Technology's USB2 Controller Hub allows developers to configure designs without external memory and are able to communuicate with applications over multiple protocols. » more
Accelerometer for turbine applications
The EX611A20 high temperature charge mode accelerometer from IMI Sensors is designed for harsh conditions like gas turbines and nuclear power plants and can survive up to 1300 F. » more
A visit to Sensors Expo
A quick video tour of the exhibit floor getting a look at products and technologies on display. » more
System Integrator Giants of 2013
The 100 largest system integrators in the industrial automation business—who they are and what they do. » more
A more systematic approach to energy efficiency
Siemens suggests that efforts to improve efficiency need to examine complete drive systems from one end to the other. Improving just the motor may not yield the largest improvements. Video: Siemens’... » more
Heavy duty electric actuator, multi-axis positioning
The EGC-HD electric actuator absorbs lateral forces and torques with recirculating ball bearing guides and has a multi axis and modular positioning system. » more
Safety systems: Protecting researchers, scientists with safety automation
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory upgraded its relay-based safety system with a new control and safety platform. » more
Machine Safety: Actuator controls versus machine actuators
Why is knowing the difference between a machine actuator versus an actuator control important? The hazard on a machine is what’s really important to reducing risk! Understanding two standards-based... » more
Transformer efficiency: Minimizing transformer losses
Matching a transformer to its anticipated load is a critical aspect of reducing energy consumption. » more
Manufacturers seek benefits from increased connectivity
Rockwell Automation touts the value of the “Connected Enterprise” at its RSTechED event, a user and partner conference designed to highlight discrete manufacturing and process control collaboration... » more
Packaging company saves thousands on vacuum system costs
Inside Machines: Energy audits estimate at least 25% reduction in annual operating costs for bag-making machines after adding motor drives and a new monitoring system. » more
Products used: Packaging company machine retrofit
In a machine retrofit, annual operating costs decreased more than 25% with use of AutomationDirect ProSense vacuum pressure transmitters, DirectLogic DL06 PLCs, Durapulse variable frequency drives,... » more
Robots serve many industries
ABB Robotics Technology Days highlight broad range of automation technologies. » more
Control valve positioner
Samson Controls' Type 3725 Positioner is a control valve positioner designed for precise and reliable control of small or large flows and uses auto-tuning and contactless position sensing. » more
Wireless technology for terminal operations
Honeywell's OneWireless Terminal Solution enables operators of oil and gas terminals to increase their productivity and is ISA-100 and wi-fi compatible. » more
Handheld field communicator
The 475 Field Communicator Silver Edition by Emerson Process Management uses software that allows the communication to use HART and Foundation Fieldbus digital valve controllers. » more
Understanding Smart Grid interconnections, interfaces, and standards
Standards provide engineers with a starting point that will work throughout the U.S. » more
UPS for mission-critical facilities
GE's TLE UPS Series is a transformer-less, three-phase UPS designed to perform at high efficiencies for mission-critical facilities. » more
Flying by the seat of your pants?If you want to fly without using appropriate instrumentation, I’ll walk, thank you. The same goes for your process. » more
Who is building your HMI?Engineering and IT Insight: Train your development staff in the rules of high-performance HMIs and you will be improving operator performance, reducing operational errors, and potentially saving... » more
Optical absolute encodersThe ROQ/EQN 425 rotary encoder by Heidenhain is available with a solid shaft or hollow shaft with a mounted stator coupling and includes TTL and HTL signals. » more
21 legal takeaways for the automation industryLegalities: Automation projects are like construction projects, know your project delivery method, and standard contracts don’t work are the first three of 21 points of advice. » more
Machine Safety: For a safe machine, I’ll just install a small safety PLCTo mitigate a machine hazard, might it work to install one small safety PLC, then slave the other distributed standard PLCs to the safety PLC? Would that avoid the need for a risk assessment for the... » more
Process safety: Managing process safety with flexible IOIndustrial facilities should approach safety and security holistically by addressing critical requirements from the process control network to the perimeter of the plant. » more
Programmble USB controller hubMicrochip Technology's USB2 Controller Hub allows developers to configure designs without external memory and are able to communuicate with applications over multiple protocols. » more
Accelerometer for turbine applicationsThe EX611A20 high temperature charge mode accelerometer from IMI Sensors is designed for harsh conditions like gas turbines and nuclear power plants and can survive up to 1300 F. » more
A visit to Sensors ExpoA quick video tour of the exhibit floor getting a look at products and technologies on display. » more
System Integrator Giants of 2013The 100 largest system integrators in the industrial automation business—who they are and what they do. » more
Applying flexibility, safety, and control
Learning how flexible and configurable I/O can be applied to more than safety systems could open many doors regarding how engineers approach automation and control projects. » more
Learning how flexible and configurable I/O can be applied to more than safety systems could open many doors regarding how engineers approach automation and control projects. » more
A more systematic approach to energy efficiencySiemens suggests that efforts to improve efficiency need to examine complete drive systems from one end to the other. Improving just the motor may not yield the largest improvements. Video: Siemens’... » more
Heavy duty electric actuator, multi-axis positioningThe EGC-HD electric actuator absorbs lateral forces and torques with recirculating ball bearing guides and has a multi axis and modular positioning system. » more
Safety systems: Protecting researchers, scientists with safety automationSLAC National Accelerator Laboratory upgraded its relay-based safety system with a new control and safety platform. » more
Machine Safety: Actuator controls versus machine actuatorsWhy is knowing the difference between a machine actuator versus an actuator control important? The hazard on a machine is what’s really important to reducing risk! Understanding two standards-based... » more
Transformer efficiency: Minimizing transformer lossesMatching a transformer to its anticipated load is a critical aspect of reducing energy consumption. » more
Manufacturers seek benefits from increased connectivityRockwell Automation touts the value of the “Connected Enterprise” at its RSTechED event, a user and partner conference designed to highlight discrete manufacturing and process control collaboration... » more
Packaging company saves thousands on vacuum system costsInside Machines: Energy audits estimate at least 25% reduction in annual operating costs for bag-making machines after adding motor drives and a new monitoring system. » more
Products used: Packaging company machine retrofitIn a machine retrofit, annual operating costs decreased more than 25% with use of AutomationDirect ProSense vacuum pressure transmitters, DirectLogic DL06 PLCs, Durapulse variable frequency drives,... » more
Robots serve many industriesABB Robotics Technology Days highlight broad range of automation technologies. » more
Control valve positionerSamson Controls' Type 3725 Positioner is a control valve positioner designed for precise and reliable control of small or large flows and uses auto-tuning and contactless position sensing. » more
Wireless technology for terminal operationsHoneywell's OneWireless Terminal Solution enables operators of oil and gas terminals to increase their productivity and is ISA-100 and wi-fi compatible. » more
Handheld field communicatorThe 475 Field Communicator Silver Edition by Emerson Process Management uses software that allows the communication to use HART and Foundation Fieldbus digital valve controllers. » more
Understanding Smart Grid interconnections, interfaces, and standardsStandards provide engineers with a starting point that will work throughout the U.S. » more
UPS for mission-critical facilitiesGE's TLE UPS Series is a transformer-less, three-phase UPS designed to perform at high efficiencies for mission-critical facilities. » more