Automation, Controls and Technology News

New Developments in 3D Printing Technology Set to Advance Metal Additive Manufacturing

New Developments in 3D Printing Technology Set to Advance Metal Additive Manufacturing

How is aluminum processing technology leading the way to advance additive manufacturing techniques in industrial automation? Almost every industry can take advantage of aluminum’s high strength-to-weight ratio, but the aerospace industry in particular reaps a lot of benefits from any advances in aluminum alloys or processing techniques. Aluminum processing technology is advancing quickly, particularly in the additive manufacturing (AM) field, making new geometries available in lightweight alloys.   What is Additive Manufacturing? Additive manufacturing (AM) is classified as a group of manufacturing techniques where the material is added layer by layer to construct physical objects. AM encompasses all forms of...

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Investigating the Difference Between Cloud Computing and IoT

Investigating the Difference Between Cloud Computing and IoT

IoT infrastructure consists of many factory parts, one being cloud computing. Rather than ask how they’re different, let’s look into how they work together to form industry 4.0. Internet of things (IoT), cloud computing, edge computing, and big data are becoming common phrases used in every industry. These concepts form the backbone of industry 4.0 and its architecture. This article covers the definition and how they work together. How all these elements work together will throw light on the differences between these technologies.   Internet of Things  Every physical object can be embedded with software, sensors, and other technologies. Such...

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Brand New Program and Switches from Phoenix Contact Promotes Control Safety

Brand New Program and Switches from Phoenix Contact Promotes Control Safety

Phoenix Contact introduced the clipx WIRE assist worker assistance system for wire preparation, and the new FL Switch 2600 and 2700 device versions with IP65/IP66/IP67 degrees of protection. The clipx WIRE assist worker assistance system from Phoenix Contact is designed to help control engineers save time on specific tasks, particularly in wire processing and preparation.  Extending the range of the FL Switch 2000 product family, Phoenix Contact launched the 2600 and 2700 Managed Switches. They are designed to integrate distributed sensors, cameras, actuators, and I/O stations into any network.    Phoenix Contact’s Clipx WIRE Assist Worker Assistance Program Industrial control...

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Engineers Access & Control Critical Data Using Rockwell’s Newest Safety Laser Scanner

Engineers Access & Control Critical Data Using Rockwell’s Newest Safety Laser Scanner

Allen-Bradley is adding CIP (Common Industrial Protocol) to their line of safe laser area scanners. CIP Safety for Allen-Bradley Area Scanner Rockwell Automation has been adding CIP to its safety components for many years now. The safety area laser scanner is the latest component to receive this upgrade.  A safety laser scanner is a compact device that uses a laser to detect objects within a configurable zone. This style of object detection allows machine designers to create safety zones without visual obstructions.    Video used courtesy of Rockwell Automation   The configured safety zone can signal robots to slow down to...

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Amazon Web Services and Element Analytics Create Tools for Industrial Plant Data Management

Amazon Web Services and Element Analytics Create Tools for Industrial Plant Data Management

Element Analytics offers customers an API integration with Amazon Web Services AWS IoT SiteWise to help centralize and manage industrial plant data. Element Analytics Inc. is an industrial analytics software company that helps organizations to transform their data.   Element Bridges IT/OT Gap The company focuses on aligning IT and OT (operational technology) around contextualized metadata to help create smarter digitally-enabled operations.  Recently, Element announced a new API (application programming interface) integration between its flagship solution, Element Unify, and a managed service from Amazon Web Services (AWS), AWS IoT SiteWise.    Element Unify Element Unify promises to align and scale OT/IT operational data to...

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