Latest Environments and Hazards Articles

Safety is a concern in any system containing potential energy, whether electrical, chemical, or fluid. Each has methods…

Safety is a concern in any system containing potential energy, whether electrical, chemical, or fluid. Each has methods of protection, and for fluid systems, certain shutoff valves are used in situations when excess pressure can be a problem.

Pipelines are used to transport oil and gas safely and efficiently. In this article, we'll explore some technologies…

Pipelines are used to transport oil and gas safely and efficiently. In this article, we'll explore some technologies being used to protect and maintain the integrity of oil and gas pipeline infrastructures.

We are taught that parallel circuits maintain equal voltage across all branch resistors, equally sharing the source…

We are taught that parallel circuits maintain equal voltage across all branch resistors, equally sharing the source voltage. But reality is often far from ideal, and individual devices certainly impact the rest of the circuit.

Managing temperature and humidity is crucial to preventing damage in control cabinets and to manufacturing equipment.…

Managing temperature and humidity is crucial to preventing damage in control cabinets and to manufacturing equipment. Banner has created the S15S sensor for use with cloud monitoring, giving manufacturers more efficient environmental control.

Safety is one of the most critical aspects of machine design. Today, with network connections between different machines…

Safety is one of the most critical aspects of machine design. Today, with network connections between different machines and control centers, safety signals must be shared logically and reliably across networks.

Fatigue failures in amorphous materials have long been a bit of a mystery in the engineering and scientific fields, but…

Fatigue failures in amorphous materials have long been a bit of a mystery in the engineering and scientific fields, but new research is removing some of the mystery and may open up new applications for amorphous materials.

When a robot crashes, it needs to be put back into position. The steps in this process depends on the end user and the…

When a robot crashes, it needs to be put back into position. The steps in this process depends on the end user and the equipment manufacturer. Understanding why the robot crashed also helps prevent future failures.

Ambient light, reflection, and transparent objects can all cause difficulties during machine vision applications. Learn…

Ambient light, reflection, and transparent objects can all cause difficulties during machine vision applications. Learn about these issues and some potential solutions to better ensure safety and quality.

Whether open or closed, industry standard or built for tough environments, or modular or customized, it is important to…

Whether open or closed, industry standard or built for tough environments, or modular or customized, it is important to follow a set of repeatable tasks when designing industrial control panels for efficiency and safety.

Pressurized gas leaks can sometimes be heard with the human ear, but small leaks with ultrasonic sounds are much more…

Pressurized gas leaks can sometimes be heard with the human ear, but small leaks with ultrasonic sounds are much more difficult to detect. Ultrasonic leak detectors can help to find otherwise undetectable leaks.

The extended reality market is predicted to grow nearly 60% in the next five years and is seeing increasing use in…

The extended reality market is predicted to grow nearly 60% in the next five years and is seeing increasing use in manufacturing. Below, we’ll take a look at some of the ways AR, VR, and MR are being used in various industrial processes.

Robots are no longer unanimously just "robots"—there are specific tasks and functionality of each kind. Learn about the…

Robots are no longer unanimously just "robots"—there are specific tasks and functionality of each kind. Learn about the technology differences between fixed-location robots and mobile robots and why no one robot is like another.

Learn about the common applications, programming procedures, and safety protocols of collaborative robot work cells,…

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.  

The CTRL F3 series reviews field studies and failures in the field focused on control fails, fixes, and facts. This…

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.

Our own Control Automation engineering staff had the opportunity to visit VersaBuilt, a CNC robotic integration shop…

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.

Large DC and AC motor drives often provide terminals for installing a braking resistor. What are these resistors, and how…

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?

Redundancy and safety are often seen together in industrial safety systems. Safety relays monitor emergency devices to…

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?

Inductive loads, such as solenoids and contactors, can cause arcs and failures back into electromechanical switching…

Inductive loads, such as solenoids and contactors, can cause arcs and failures back into electromechanical switching devices, causing costly downtime. The solution is cheaper than you think.

Moisture inside industrial pneumatic systems is a major cause for concern, and if the air is not filtered or dried…

Moisture inside industrial pneumatic systems is a major cause for concern, and if the air is not filtered or dried properly, it can lead to serious failures.