Latest Metal Articles

Engineering processes like robotics, feedback control, and security systems rely on position and distance sensors to…

Engineering processes like robotics, feedback control, and security systems rely on position and distance sensors to provide real-time information that enables machines to operate accurately and safely.

MEMS sensors enable the creation of highly sensitive, compact, and low-power devices for measuring quantities like…

MEMS sensors enable the creation of highly sensitive, compact, and low-power devices for measuring quantities like acceleration, magnetic fields, pressure, and more, and are found in automotive safety systems, navigation, and environmental monitoring.

Making an appearance at Hannover Messe 2023, Pepperl+Fuchs showed off its latest in automation, including its newest…

Making an appearance at Hannover Messe 2023, Pepperl+Fuchs showed off its latest in automation, including its newest sensing solutions: a MEMS scanner, ultrasonic sensor, and layer thickness sensor.

ABB has improved its miniature circuit breaker (MCB) technology nearly 100 years after ABB first launched the technology.…

ABB has improved its miniature circuit breaker (MCB) technology nearly 100 years after ABB first launched the technology. The new generation of MCBs is designed for greater efficiency, performance, and ease of use.

A recently common term applied to systems of standardized robot grippers is an ‘ecosystem,’ but what does this…

A recently common term applied to systems of standardized robot grippers is an ‘ecosystem,’ but what does this actually mean, and what are some examples of implementation in manufacturing industries?

While robotic "mind control" is still very early in development, a fully-integrated brain-machine interface would result…

While robotic "mind control" is still very early in development, a fully-integrated brain-machine interface would result in having a thought acted out in real life just by merely thinking of it.

Endress+Hauser test a new technology that brings high-speed Ethernet, industrial protocols, and power to field devices to…

Endress+Hauser test a new technology that brings high-speed Ethernet, industrial protocols, and power to field devices to support ever-advancing Industry 4.0 demand.

Advantech has designed its latest control console, the IPC-320 compact tower, with IoT capabilities in mind, giving end…

Advantech has designed its latest control console, the IPC-320 compact tower, with IoT capabilities in mind, giving end users greater functionality in a small, space-saving design.

Many VFDs use digital inputs to control operation, rather than PLC-driven network communications. Learn about 2-wire and…

Many VFDs use digital inputs to control operation, rather than PLC-driven network communications. Learn about 2-wire and 3-wire digital input control schemes for ABB, Omron, Rockwell, and others.

Comau has created a mobile cobot arm to help manufacturers implement the benefits of both collaborative and autonomous…

Comau has created a mobile cobot arm to help manufacturers implement the benefits of both collaborative and autonomous robots in a single mobile platform. The solution has been implemented in several projects across Europe.

There are many different kinds of electric motors used for industrial power transfer, but there are also hydraulic and…

There are many different kinds of electric motors used for industrial power transfer, but there are also hydraulic and pneumatic motors that can lend advantages in some situations.

Converting thermal energy into electrical signals, temperature sensors such as RTDs and thermocouples are fundamental in…

Converting thermal energy into electrical signals, temperature sensors such as RTDs and thermocouples are fundamental in the maintenance and operation of industrial environments and equipment.

Calibration can be a time-consuming process requiring expensive traceable tools, but high-accuracy signals result in…

Calibration can be a time-consuming process requiring expensive traceable tools, but high-accuracy signals result in higher-quality products, better customer satisfaction, and, ultimately, greater returns.

Fischer Connectors has released several new series of heavy-duty cable layouts, allowing reliable fastening of…

Fischer Connectors has released several new series of heavy-duty cable layouts, allowing reliable fastening of single-pair Ethernet (SPE) and USB 3.2, as well as offerings for combined data and fluid connection.

ASCII is a familiar acronym, found in applications like Modbus communications and string data types—but what is it, and…

ASCII is a familiar acronym, found in applications like Modbus communications and string data types—but what is it, and what does ASCII mean for automation engineers?

Cybersecurity is all about processes and people. A lot of threats can be mitigated through technology, but only if people…

Cybersecurity is all about processes and people. A lot of threats can be mitigated through technology, but only if people understand how cybersecurity affects control systems and related technology.

3D printers have come a long way over the years, but can we really expect to see them on the factory floor, taking the…

3D printers have come a long way over the years, but can we really expect to see them on the factory floor, taking the place of large machining centers? What benefits and challenges does printing offer to manufacturing?

Mitsubishi Electric releases a new module that combines IoT asynchronous messaging with deterministic cyclic messaging…

Mitsubishi Electric releases a new module that combines IoT asynchronous messaging with deterministic cyclic messaging typically found in field I/O.

Optical sensors are one of the most popular sensor types in industrial automation. This article covers optical sensor…

Optical sensors are one of the most popular sensor types in industrial automation. This article covers optical sensor basics and commonly used types, including fiber optic, photoelectric, and optical encoders.