Latest Metal Articles

Categories

New Air Quality Regulations Could Impact Restrictions on Control Equipment and Monitoring Devices

New Air Quality Regulations Could Impact Restrictions on Control Equipment and Monitoring Devices

What are emissions restrictions and how could they impact your control systems and monitoring devices?


Deep Learning vs. Machine Learning

Deep Learning vs. Machine Learning

Deep learning is a subset of machine learning, which is a subset of artificial intelligence. So, what makes deep learning different from machine learning?


Three Things Control Engineers Have Been Thankful for in 2021

Three Things Control Engineers Have Been Thankful for in 2021

Let’s look back at trends in 2021 and see what has skyrocketed industrial automation in the last year.


News Nov 25, 2021 by Aline Dias
Introducing the Split-Range Time-Proportioning Instruction

Introducing the Split-Range Time-Proportioning Instruction

A useful but often overlooked instruction included in Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix PLCs for heating and cooling.


Bosch Rexroth Adds New Range of Electromechanical Cylinders for Heavy-duty Automation

Bosch Rexroth Adds New Range of Electromechanical Cylinders for Heavy-duty Automation

Bosch Rexroth announces its new family of compact electromechanical cylinders for heavy-duty applications, the EMC-HP series.


News Nov 17, 2021 by Stephanie Leonida
ABB’s New Machine Tending Robotic Cell Family Aims to Maximize Flexibility in Machine Tending

ABB’s New Machine Tending Robotic Cell Family Aims to Maximize Flexibility in Machine Tending

ABB recently launched a new family of modular machine tending application cells intended for applications in the metals industry.


Process vs. Discrete Manufacturing

Process vs. Discrete Manufacturing

What are the similarities and differences between process and discrete manufacturing, and how can control engineers best equip themselves for these processes?


Designing and Planning Existing Control System Upgrades

Designing and Planning Existing Control System Upgrades

After understanding how to select the right control system, learn how to design and plan control system retrofits.


SOLIDWORKS vs. AutoCAD for Mechatronics

SOLIDWORKS vs. AutoCAD for Mechatronics

Solidworks or AutoCAD? Which software is the right fit for you and your team? Take a dive into the fundamental components of both programs and the key differences between them.


Potential Applications and Challenges for Blockchain in Industrial Automation

Potential Applications and Challenges for Blockchain in Industrial Automation

Can industrial automation utilize blockchain's security integrated with IoT, ICS, and PAC?


Introduction to Micro PLCs

Introduction to Micro PLCs

Micro PLCs are quite similar to their larger PLC brethren. What are the major differences, advantages, and disadvantages of micro PLCs?


Genetic Algorithm Examples: Evolving a Sorting Program and Symbolic Regression

Genetic Algorithm Examples: Evolving a Sorting Program and Symbolic Regression

Learn about symbolic regression in genetic programming, one of the breaking fields of research for algorithm development that can be used in the control systems of tomorrow.


Assessing Buzzwords: Industry 5.0

Assessing Buzzwords: Industry 5.0

American history has undergone several industrial revolutions largely focused on mass production. Are we heading into a fifth revolution focused on human-machine interaction?


ABB’s Latest Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is Built Specifically for Industrial Applications and Harsh Conditions

ABB’s Latest Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is Built Specifically for Industrial Applications and Harsh Conditions

What is uninterruptible power supply, and how could ABB’s medium-voltage power supply help engineers on the factory floor or in harsh environments?


News Oct 14, 2021 by Shawn Dietrich
Five Common Breaking Points of Industrial-grade Machinery and How to Combat Them

Five Common Breaking Points of Industrial-grade Machinery and How to Combat Them

Broken industrial machinery can cause unexpected downtime, production loss, and even injury. Let's look at some of the most common issues and how to properly address them.


Bright Machines Introduces a “Self-service” Factory Automation Software

Bright Machines Introduces a “Self-service” Factory Automation Software

To enable their customers to reduce their dependence on vendors and enhance the efficiency and optimization of factory assembly lines, Bright Machines introduced the Brightware Studio software package.


News Oct 12, 2021 by Sara McCaslin
Assessing Buzzwords: X “as a Service” (XaaS)

Assessing Buzzwords: X “as a Service” (XaaS)

XaaS, or the service model, has grown in the last several years. Pop-up terms like “SaaS,” “IaaS,” and “RaaS” are seen throughout the industry. But what do they mean, and do they provide dependable ROI?


Why are 6-axis Robot Arms so Common?

Why are 6-axis Robot Arms so Common?

In the typical articulated arm structure, six axes of motion are often seen as a standard design target. Why is six that target, and what are the benefits and losses from more or fewer axes?


Pilz Releases a Radar System Aimed to Make Robotic Operations Safer

Pilz Releases a Radar System Aimed to Make Robotic Operations Safer

How can this sensor make automation applications safer?


Assessing Buzzwords: Digital Transformation

Assessing Buzzwords: Digital Transformation

What does “digital transformation” really mean, and what are the technologies involved in the process? Further, which of these technologies are facilities adopting?