Automation, Controls and Technology News

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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Baumüller to Showcase Latest Control Technology at Hannover Messe, Combining PC and PLC

The b maXX PLC, Baumüller's new breakthrough in hybrid PLC and PC technology, will be unveiled on April 12th at the Hannover Messe Digital Edition.The Baumüller Group, headquartered in Nuremberg, is a German company that specializes in designing and producing industrial electric drive and automation systems.The company, which was established in 1930, now employs over 1,900 people in over 40 locations around the world. Baumüller is a top ten supplier of drive and automation engineering solutions and is ISO 9001:2015 certified. Baumüller provides dive and power engineering, shaft maintenance, servo motors, AC/DC motors, generators, and transformers, among other services.Installation, troubleshooting,...

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Ransomware Attacks Continue to Disrupt Industrial Manufacturers in the United States

Ransomware attacks and other malicious attempts continue to target the industrial manufacturing sector.Molson Coors, a global brewing firm, disclosed a cybersecurity incident to the Securities and Exchange Commission this week (SEC).WestRock, a packaging firm, revealed last month that it had been the target of a ransomware attack. The attacks follow a year of threats and malicious attempts to profit from the COVID-19 pandemic's consequences. Molson Coors and WestRock have also been victims of cyber-attacks.Molson Coors filed a Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 11 detailing the attacks that interrupted routine operations.To put things in perspective, the...

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