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Jan 16, 2025 | 
control.com | Shawn Dietrich
The pneumatic cylinder is an economical way to add motion to automation applications. Pneumatic cylinders push, pull, and clamp objects from a control system or a manually operated valve. Recently, SMC added two new pneumatic cylinders to its catalog of different types and styles of cylinders. SMC’s pin clamp cylinder is available with and without a lock mechanism.
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Jan 14, 2025 | 
control.com | Shawn Dietrich
Stanford University recently opened a new robotics center dedicated to supporting robotics research across industries. The center is designed for the next generation of robotic experts to advance automation in logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, art, space exploration, and even in consumers’ homes. The center’s opening ceremony featured industry experts and university faculty.
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Jan 10, 2025 | 
control.com | Shawn Dietrich
Electrical control systems and components are designed to work with specific voltages and currents. We put devices such as fuses or circuit breakers in the electrical circuit to prevent over-current scenarios, but what about short spikes of over-current or over-voltage? An over-voltage can be caused by various sources, such as the supply voltage of the system, devices within the control cabinet can cause over-voltages, and long cable runs will act as antennas that generate over-voltage.
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Jan 7, 2025 | 
control.com | Shawn Dietrich
There are many ways to get inputs and outputs from the field back to your control system, and most of the time, industrial ethernet devices are used. In some applications, you want to hard wire multiple inputs and outputs in the field; an efficient way is to use a distribution block such as Banner's JB series top mount I/O junction block. The JB series I/O junction block.
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Dec 10, 2024 | 
control.com | Shawn Dietrich
Industrial automation equipment today uses more ethernet devices than ever before. This is due to the large amounts of data transmitted to and from each network device and the Ethernet protocol’s fast configuration. With so many devices now using industrial ethernet protocols like ProfiNet, EtherNet/IP, and EtherCAT, it is pivotal for equipment manufacturers to use ethernet switches designed for industrial applications.
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Dec 6, 2024 | 
control.com | Shawn Dietrich
Unlike most automation control system manufacturers, Beckhoff has been different since its introduction to the industry in the 1980s. Beckhoff specializes in PC-based automation, and while its programming software still supports the library of IEC programming languages, its control system runs on standard Windows operating systems and common industrial PCs. This unique way of automating motion has allowed Beckhoff to stand out from the crowd of automation companies for well over 40 years.
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Nov 30, 2024 | 
control.com | Shawn Dietrich
The newest addition to Alfa Laval’s ThinkTop line of valve monitoring devices is theThinkTop V55. This compact device connects to new or existing Alfa Laval diaphragm valves commonly used in hygienic conditions, such as the food and beverage or pharmaceutical industries. The ThinkTop V55 valve diaphragm monitoring and control unit is designed for use in hygienic industries.
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Nov 28, 2024 | 
control.com | Shawn Dietrich
Within a typical factory or warehouse, operators can be easily distracted by surrounding sounds or lights. By using a tower light, an operator’s attention can easily be directed back to equipment needing attention. Banner Engineering has an extensive light tower product line with many colors and powering options. Recently, Banner expanded its light tower portfolio to include new additions to the TL70 Pro tower light series, which promise easy integration and customizability.
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Nov 27, 2024 | 
control.com | Shawn Dietrich
Fuji Electric is a global supplier of drive systems, sensors, power transmission, industrial power supply, and control systems. They focus on the energy, industry, food and beverage, and semiconductor sectors. Recently, Fuji Electric announced the release of their latest addition to the MICREX-SX product line, the SPH3300 and SPH2200, both of which promise to be over six times faster than the SPH3000. The SPH3000MM has a 9ns scan time.
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Nov 22, 2024 | 
control.com | Shawn Dietrich
Automated equipment often uses compressed air to provide motion, cool components, or even dry wet surfaces. The factory typically has an air compressor supplying compressed air to the equipment through pipes and values. Once the air has reached the equipment, it must be regulated, filtered, and sometimes lubricated. These are the tasks accomplished by the air preparation unit, sometimes referred to as an FLR (filter, lubricator, and regulator).
