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Power for Control Circuits: It’s Not Just Power Supplies

Power for Control Circuits: It’s Not Just Power Supplies

Power supplies tend to get a reputation as one of the most important power considerations of a DC control circuit - but we can’t ignore other key players: power filters, converters, and backup power modules.


Festo Releases the First Pneumatic Collaborative Robot

Festo Releases the First Pneumatic Collaborative Robot

Festo has recently announced a new product, the first pneumatic collaborative robot, with the hopes of bringing automation to a wider range of customers and application scenarios.


News May 25, 2022 by Damond Goodwin
Acoustic Monitoring to Detect Hidden Machine Failures

Acoustic Monitoring to Detect Hidden Machine Failures

Hello acoustics, my old friend. I've come to monitor you again. Because a worn-out bearing softly creeping, slowly got worse while I was sleeping. And the vibration that was planted in my brain still remains… Within the sound of Maintenance


Controlling Hydraulic Devices with Open and Closed Loop Systems

Controlling Hydraulic Devices with Open and Closed Loop Systems

What if you could control the end position and the speed of a hydraulic actuator accurately with just a simple signal? Some systems use simple open/close valves, but others require far more precision.


FANUC Corporation Europe Introduces New 35 kg Payload Cobot

FANUC Corporation Europe Introduces New 35 kg Payload Cobot

FANUC announces the release of its latest CR Series cobot, the CR-35iB, stronger and lighter for improved functionality and portability and faster installation.


News May 23, 2022 by Stephanie Leonida
New LEG Series from SMC: Electric Actuator with Battery-less Encoder

New LEG Series from SMC: Electric Actuator with Battery-less Encoder

SMC announces a new electric actuator series with high-rigidity guide rods, equipped with a battery-less encoder, driven by stepper motor and matching drive compatible with multiple networks.


News May 21, 2022 by David Peterson
Variable Frequency Drives: Managing Network Outage Responses

Variable Frequency Drives: Managing Network Outage Responses

Even with the most reliable networks, network outages are inevitable for a host of reasons, and managing these outages in VFD systems becomes critically important.


Control.com Announces Control Automation Day 2022!

Control.com Announces Control Automation Day 2022!

Control Automation Day 2022 will be on June 21st, focusing on PLC systems, packed with keynote addresses, educational live sessions, and exciting giveaways from your favorite manufacturers!


News May 18, 2022 by David Peterson
Contactors versus Relays - Differences and Applications

Contactors versus Relays - Differences and Applications

Although the are similarities in operating theory, relays and contactors are used in industrial circuits for different specific applications, and should not be used interchangeably.


Robots and CNC Machines - An Assembly Configuration Made in Heaven

Robots and CNC Machines - An Assembly Configuration Made in Heaven

Our own Control Automation engineering staff had the opportunity to visit VersaBuilt, a CNC robotic integration shop offering an application system from the Universal Robots UR+ series.


Adlink Releases EOS-JNX Series AI-Capable Camera System

Adlink Releases EOS-JNX Series AI-Capable Camera System

Adlink’s new EOS-JNX Series vision systems are equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) capability and offer new possibilities in security and plant monitoring.


News May 11, 2022 by Seth Price
The Cat’s Out of the Bag - Demystifying Network Cables

The Cat’s Out of the Bag - Demystifying Network Cables

What’s the difference between a Cat 6 and a Cat 6a cable, anyhow? Ethernet cables must meet certain performance standards, and these standards can be quite confusing at first glance.


Hysteresis - Error and Compensation in Control Systems

Hysteresis - Error and Compensation in Control Systems

Hysteresis is a term introduced in basic control system courses and listed on sensor datasheets, but the terms is not often understood, with error deriving from both the system itself as well as the sensor.


Comau Introduces a New Generation of Articulating-Arm Robots

Comau Introduces a New Generation of Articulating-Arm Robots

Comau announces the release of its new 220 kg payload, 6-axis articulating-arm robot, the N-220-2.7, for more cost-effective automation across multiple industries.


News May 05, 2022 by Stephanie Leonida
Comparing Mechanical vs Hydraulic Forces

Comparing Mechanical vs Hydraulic Forces

In honor of May the 4th, Star Wars Day, we compare the sources and applications of the two most common force-delivery systems - mechanical and hydraulic.


Fraunhofer Develops MWIR 3D Sensor to Aid in Detection of Transparent Objects

Fraunhofer Develops MWIR 3D Sensor to Aid in Detection of Transparent Objects

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft research organization announces the development of a sensor system that can help robots detect transparent objects in three dimensions.


News May 04, 2022 by Stephanie Leonida
Up Close and Personal With Automated Ag Equipment

Up Close and Personal With Automated Ag Equipment

Our Control Automation engineering staff got the chance to visit a commercial farm in North Dakota and learn the hardware and software making these huge automated tractors ready for high-tech ‘field’ work.


Rockwell’s New Armor Powerflex Variable Frequency Drive

Rockwell’s New Armor Powerflex Variable Frequency Drive

Rockwell recently announced the newest addition to the PowerFlex family of VFD units - the Armor PowerFlex series, designed for on-machine control with heightened IP ratings over previous models.


News May 03, 2022 by Shawn Dietrich
Siemens SIMATIC PLCs - Hardware History

Siemens SIMATIC PLCs - Hardware History

In this first of an upcoming series, we investigate Siemens as a major PLC manufacturer, learning about the hardware, software, and key applications of each product lineup.


Universal Robots Reveals Record Q1 Amid Groundbreaking for Cobot Hub

Universal Robots Reveals Record Q1 Amid Groundbreaking for Cobot Hub

While UR enjoys a record first quarter in 2022, a joint project between UR and mobile robot manufacturer MiR looks to develop solutions for mobility to advance the future of cobot applications.


News May 02, 2022 by David Peterson