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What Is a ‘Valve Spool’ and How Do Spool Valves Work?

What Is a ‘Valve Spool’ and How Do Spool Valves Work?

Fluid control valves rely on the opening and closing of internal passageways to direct the flow of power. But what do they look like inside, and how do these ‘valve spools’ actually work?


Using a PLC to Track Data Within Automated Equipment

Using a PLC to Track Data Within Automated Equipment

There are a few options when it comes to tracking part data throughout a process or assembly of a machine. Follow along as we explain just a few of the more common methods.


LUTZE Debuts New LCIS2/3 Relay Series With Double-Pole Contacts

LUTZE Debuts New LCIS2/3 Relay Series With Double-Pole Contacts

LUTZE has introduced twelve new units in the new LCIS 2 and LCIS 3 relay series that come with either 1, 2, or 4 changeover contact sets, all while maintaining a compact design.


News Apr 11, 2024 by Bob Odhiambo
Accelerating Pulp and Paper Processing with Advanced Process Control

Accelerating Pulp and Paper Processing with Advanced Process Control

Innovative pulp and paper operators are turning advanced process control, automated testing, and quality control system data into actionable business insights that improve operational efficiency all along the value chain.


Accelerate PLC Ladder Logic Learning with New Arduino Starter Kit

Accelerate PLC Ladder Logic Learning with New Arduino Starter Kit

Tackling a growing need for education in industrial automation, Arduino has launched a starter kit for PLC learning based on the new Opta, the PLC IDE, and hardware to integrate I/O devices.


News Apr 08, 2024 by David Peterson
Techniques for I/O Mapping in PLC Programs

Techniques for I/O Mapping in PLC Programs

I/O mapping is the process of converting raw input and output data into specific tags, but how can we find a method for mapping I/O that is both efficient and scalable?


Breaking: 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Eastern Taiwan

Breaking: 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Eastern Taiwan

The largest earthquake in 25 years hit Taiwan around 8:00 local time on Wednesday, April 3rd. Emergency response reports loss of life and major impacts to infrastructure and industry.


News Apr 03, 2024 by David Peterson
Easily Integrate Smart Sensor Networks: Banner’s New IO-Link Hubs

Easily Integrate Smart Sensor Networks: Banner’s New IO-Link Hubs

Save space and time with Banner Engineering’s new R130C and the R95C series IO-Link hubs. These hubs allow customers to connect up to 16 sensors or actuators for wider network signal distribution.


News Apr 03, 2024 by Joshua Tidwell
Turck Releases Next-generation Flow Sensors With Alphanumeric Display

Turck Releases Next-generation Flow Sensors With Alphanumeric Display

Turck has released its next-generation FS+ compact flow sensor series with IO-Link. The new sensors are equipped with an alphanumeric display to clearly show the flow and temperature of liquids.


News Mar 29, 2024 by Bob Odhiambo
Pilz Enhances PSENradar Vision for Safe Operation in Tough Environments

Pilz Enhances PSENradar Vision for Safe Operation in Tough Environments

Asymmetrical zone monitoring can be challenging, but Pilz's newest additions to its safe radar system are designed to enable users to safely monitor protection zones in challenging environments and confined spaces.


News Mar 28, 2024 by Damond Goodwin
Designing a Custom Machine Alarm System: From PLC to HMI

Designing a Custom Machine Alarm System: From PLC to HMI

Creating custom alarm systems can be complicated and overwhelming, but they can also be very beneficial for equipment builders and integrators. Follow along as we build a custom alarm handling system.


Two Newcomers in the World of Motion Control From Dunkermotoren and Baumer

Two Newcomers in the World of Motion Control From Dunkermotoren and Baumer

Two new encoders have hit the industrial market: Dunkermotoren has released a high-precision encoder, and Baumer has developed a rugged encoder for mobile equipment.


News Mar 20, 2024 by Damond Goodwin
Driving Permanent Magnet Motors: Control Techniques’ New C300 PM VFD

Driving Permanent Magnet Motors: Control Techniques’ New C300 PM VFD

Control Techniques recently added to the existing line of Commander general-purpose VFDs with a drive designed to maximize the efficiency of a sensorless permanent magnet AC motor.


News Mar 19, 2024 by Shawn Dietrich
Introducing the PLC410, WEG’s New PLC: Smaller But with Powerful Specs

Introducing the PLC410, WEG’s New PLC: Smaller But with Powerful Specs

Designed with OEMs in mind, the WEG PLC410 is the smaller counterpart of the PLC500, still offering similar features but with useful improvements in expansion I/O, communication, and performance.


News Mar 13, 2024 by Shawn Dietrich
Setting up Discrete Sensors: Polarity, Mode, Range, and Limits

Setting up Discrete Sensors: Polarity, Mode, Range, and Limits

Installing sensors into a manufacturing process is intended to collect data, useful in making logical true/false decisions. But what settings must be adjusted when you install these sensors?


Idec Launches 7-inch Combined PLC+HMI With I/O Options

Idec Launches 7-inch Combined PLC+HMI With I/O Options

Adding to its existing SmartAXIS Touch family, Idec has released the FT2J Series combined PLC+HMI for compact and simplified control. The combined solution features a 7-inch touchscreen display and expandable I/O.


News Mar 01, 2024 by Shawn Dietrich
Rockwell Automation Releases New Panel and Box Industrial PCs

Rockwell Automation Releases New Panel and Box Industrial PCs

Rockwell Automation has released a panel PC/HMI combination unit designed to add additional functionality and computing power to the existing FactoryTalk Optix portfolio.


News Feb 28, 2024 by Shawn Dietrich
What is a Servo, and How do Servo Motors Work?

What is a Servo, and How do Servo Motors Work?

Servo motors are common in all kinds of motion control applications for various industries, but what are these devices, and what makes them different from standard AC or DC motors?


AutomationDirect Combines Power and Flexibility in New CODESYS PLCs

AutomationDirect Combines Power and Flexibility in New CODESYS PLCs

AutomationDirect has recently released a new PLC that uses CODESYS, a software platform for industrial programming that has been widely adopted across numerous existing PLC systems.


News Feb 26, 2024 by Joshua Tidwell
Danfoss Launches iC2-Micro Family of Compact and Intelligent Drives

Danfoss Launches iC2-Micro Family of Compact and Intelligent Drives

Danfoss has released a new family of smart, compact variable frequency drives to replace its existing VLT Micro Drive product line. The new drives are suitable for HVAC and general-purpose applications.


News Feb 25, 2024 by Shawn Dietrich