Automation, Controls and Technology News

Allen-Bradley Works to Increase Employee Safety with New Motor Control Cabinet

Allen-Bradley Works to Increase Employee Safety with New Motor Control Cabinet

What are some features of Allen-Bradley's new control cabinet and how is it designed to promote safety in industrial applications? Control cabinets are found in most industrial facilities and factories. They consist of multiple control panels, electrical panels, and anything that one might need to control the systems within the facility. As automation and smart technology continues to advance, control cabinets have to keep up with these demands.  Allen Bradley recently released a new medium voltage control cabinet designed with voltage control to help streamline the control process.    Centerline 1500 The Centerline 1500 is a medium voltage control cabinet for starting...

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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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