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Automation Issues and Energy Usage in Environmental Extremes

Automation Issues and Energy Usage in Environmental Extremes

As summer heat continues to scorch the northern hemisphere, manufacturers face potential equipment damage and downtime. Learn about the ways extreme heat can damage automated equipment and systems. 


Collaborative Robot Cells: Simple and User-friendly Design Priorities

Collaborative Robot Cells: Simple and User-friendly Design Priorities

Learn about the common applications, programming procedures, and safety protocols of collaborative robot work cells, which are often simpler and less expensive than industrial robot work cells.  


Interrupting Dangerous Current Flow: Fuses vs. Circuit Breakers

Interrupting Dangerous Current Flow: Fuses vs. Circuit Breakers

Fuses and breakers are some of the most common safeguards to prevent electrical shock and fires. Learn about these two pieces of industrial equipment and the difference between slow blow and quick blow responses.


Honeywell Report Suggests Using Automation to Avoid Stagnancy and Track Performance for DC Logistics

Honeywell Report Suggests Using Automation to Avoid Stagnancy and Track Performance for DC Logistics

As logistics providers face increasing consumer demand and disruption, automation plays a key role in stabilizing the supply chain via future-facing integration and worker specialization.


News Jul 20, 2022 by Caitlin Nicholson
Industrial Robot Cells: Designing for Safety and Effectiveness

Industrial Robot Cells: Designing for Safety and Effectiveness

Robot cells make for an efficient automation process, reduce labor costs, and increase worker safety. Learn about the common features, components, and safety requirements of industrial robot work cells.


Comau Introduces Sensitive Environment Industrial Robot

Comau Introduces Sensitive Environment Industrial Robot

Comau releases the Racer-5 SE, their latest industrial robot. With its smooth, easy to clean design, the Racer-5 SE aims to alleviate the workload in cleanrooms and sensitive manufacturing facilities.


News Jul 18, 2022 by Seth Price
Siemens Brings the Industrial Metaverse Another Step Closer

Siemens Brings the Industrial Metaverse Another Step Closer

Siemens acquires Senseye and expands its partnership with NVIDIA to establish an industrial metaverse where digital twin technology takes center stage, shifting the metaverse hype into a manufacturing reality. 


News Jul 15, 2022 by Stephanie Leonida
UL Listed Devices For Industrial Automation

UL Listed Devices For Industrial Automation

UL Listed devices are certified as safe within North America, specifically, the US. Learn about the importance of UL Certification and the key role it plays in industrial automation.


CTRL F3: Factory Explosion Field Study

CTRL F3: Factory Explosion Field Study

The CTRL F3 series reviews field studies and failures in the field focused on control fails, fixes, and facts. This article covers an explosion at an industrial sawmill.


Negative Effects of Grounding (Earthing) a DC Power Supply

Negative Effects of Grounding (Earthing) a DC Power Supply

DC voltage systems exist to provide controllers and field devices with stable power, but it is not always clear when these systems should be bonded with the earth ground of the AC line voltage supply.


Singularity in Robotics: What Is It and How Can We Avoid it?

Singularity in Robotics: What Is It and How Can We Avoid it?

Singularity in robotics can be problematic for programmers and manufacturers alike. We will investigate the cause of singularities and how prevention can be considered in the design of a robot cell. 


Universal Robots Introduces 20 kg Redefined Cobot 

Universal Robots Introduces 20 kg Redefined Cobot 

Universal Robots releases their largest cobot, the UR20, capable of handling up to 20 kg of payload. The UR20 is not only bigger than previous UR cobots but has a faster cycle time and greater motion capabilities. 


News Jul 04, 2022 by Seth Price
Balluff Introduces I/O Module with the Protection of CIP Safety 

Balluff Introduces I/O Module with the Protection of CIP Safety 

The newly-announced CIP Safety I/O Module from Balluff supports CIP Safety specifications over an Ethernet network, providing a platform for safety device distribution directly on the machine center.


News Jul 03, 2022 by David Peterson
A How-to Guide to Control Automation Day 2022

A How-to Guide to Control Automation Day 2022

Welcome to Control Automation Day 2022—Control.com’s digital-only event for engineers! Here is your guide to navigating the keynote addresses, live educational sessions, and exciting giveaways from your favorite manufacturers!


News Jun 20, 2022 by David Peterson
Podcast: Universal Robots CEO Kim Povlsen on Collaborative Robots for the 98%

Podcast: Universal Robots CEO Kim Povlsen on Collaborative Robots for the 98%

Universal Robots CEO Kim Povlsen is a self-described robotics geek who now runs one of the world’s leading collaborative robot (cobot) companies where they strive to develop robots for the 98% of the market that doesn’t yet know they need them.


News Jun 07, 2022 by Dale Wilson
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
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.


US DoC Appoints 27 Board Members to the National AI Committee

US DoC Appoints 27 Board Members to the National AI Committee

The United States Department of Commerce has appointed 27 new members to the National AI Advisory Committee (NAIAC).


News Apr 27, 2022 by Seth Price
Dynamic Braking Resistors for Motor Control Applications

Dynamic Braking Resistors for Motor Control Applications

Large DC and AC motor drives often provide terminals for installing a braking resistor. What are these resistors, and how do they slow down a machine? What hazards and cautions must be considered?


Introduction to Safety Relays

Introduction to Safety Relays

Redundancy and safety are often seen together in industrial safety systems. Safety relays monitor emergency devices to switch contacts based on status - but what makes them different from normal relays?