Latest Metal Articles

Ground wires reduce the risk of injury and damage from faulty equipment. Shops designing according to the UL 508A…

Ground wires reduce the risk of injury and damage from faulty equipment. Shops designing according to the UL 508A standard must understand how, when, and why to properly ground and bond circuits.

Last year, Beckhoff created the MX-System for cabinetless automation control, and has recently updated the power supply…

Last year, Beckhoff created the MX-System for cabinetless automation control, and has recently updated the power supply modules to be compatible with drives, robotics, and conveyance devices.

ABB has added several new industrial and collaborative robots to its automation catalog, intended primarily to meet…

ABB has added several new industrial and collaborative robots to its automation catalog, intended primarily to meet growing production demands in the automotive and electric vehicle (EV) markets.

Structured Text (ST) is one of the common IEC programming languages that can be used in programming PLCs. Learn how to…

Structured Text (ST) is one of the common IEC programming languages that can be used in programming PLCs. Learn how to use structured text to write executable programs for MELSEC’s FX series PLC.

Compliance and compensator devices are used in processes where variation and uncertainty are prevalent. What sorts of…

Compliance and compensator devices are used in processes where variation and uncertainty are prevalent. What sorts of compliance devices are used, and what distinct advantages are held by each?

Keyence recently released three new sensors and devices to assist engineers with better defect detection through accurate…

Keyence recently released three new sensors and devices to assist engineers with better defect detection through accurate measurement, part scanning for CAD drawings, and AI-based vision sensing.

Measuring time delays between equipment events predates digital control systems. What are the types of timers, and how…

Measuring time delays between equipment events predates digital control systems. What are the types of timers, and how did they work before the advent of PLCs? And how do PLCs continue the tradition?

Leuze released the HTU200 and DMU200 series of ultrasonic sensors, providing accurate distance measurements designed for…

Leuze released the HTU200 and DMU200 series of ultrasonic sensors, providing accurate distance measurements designed for a variety of industrial production applications.

ContaClip releases a new take on ferrule crimping with a tool that has interchangeable crimping inserts and a rotational…

ContaClip releases a new take on ferrule crimping with a tool that has interchangeable crimping inserts and a rotational ability to reach wires for proper repairs in nearly any difficult location.

Schmalz has developed a lightweight, extra-thin gripper for use in tight spaces, such as screen handling and other…

Schmalz has developed a lightweight, extra-thin gripper for use in tight spaces, such as screen handling and other applications where vertical vacuum gripper height is a concern for end users.

Mathematical operations are essential in PLC programming as they help in creating an argument output that is based on…

Mathematical operations are essential in PLC programming as they help in creating an argument output that is based on proportionality and numbers. Learn how to implement mathematical operations in FX and Q Series PLCs.

After an amazing first half in 2023, with site records being broken in many categories, we have you, our viewers, to…

After an amazing first half in 2023, with site records being broken in many categories, we have you, our viewers, to thank! But what content have you been enjoying most? Articles, forums, the textbook?

ABB recently announced the deployment of the partner ecosystem which offers packaged ABB and B&R automation solutions to…

ABB recently announced the deployment of the partner ecosystem which offers packaged ABB and B&R automation solutions to help reduce integration and design time.

Rockwell Automation’s Micro800 series is the modern replacement for some older MicroLogix PLCs. Learn how to get…

Rockwell Automation’s Micro800 series is the modern replacement for some older MicroLogix PLCs. Learn how to get started with basic I/O, plus timers and counters, to build your own programs in a snap!

Tower lights can offer vital information about automated cell status from a distance via visual cues. Leuze has announced…

Tower lights can offer vital information about automated cell status from a distance via visual cues. Leuze has announced the TL 305 series of tower lights to provide robust, customizable indicator options.

I could run down to the local box store or internet marketplace and buy a 5-port switch for less than 20 dollars, or…

I could run down to the local box store or internet marketplace and buy a 5-port switch for less than 20 dollars, or invest in an industrial switch for hundreds. Why would I choose the industrial switch?

Even small variations (routing, light, part deformation) in robotic operations can pose huge challenges. I discuss with…

Even small variations (routing, light, part deformation) in robotic operations can pose huge challenges. I discuss with the CTO of Mocropsi Industries, Dominik Boesl, how AI is advancing robot accuracy.

Force compensators and force compliance end effectors can expand the capabilities of traditional robotics to reach into…

Force compensators and force compliance end effectors can expand the capabilities of traditional robotics to reach into difficult processes, ranging from grinding and alignment to precision measurement.

Stepper motor control can be useful for motion applications. Learn the circuit connection and programming instructions…

Stepper motor control can be useful for motion applications. Learn the circuit connection and programming instructions for implementing stepper motor control using GX Works 2 on MELSEC FX-Series PLCs.