If you build control panels, assembling terminal strips may well be your least favorite job. Even in a modestly sized panel, it’s not unusual to have dozens or even hundreds of terminal blocks for field connections. You have to mount those terminal blocks on DIN Rail, then label them. It sounds easy but it’s time consuming, mind-numbingly boring and there’s plenty of room for making mistakes!
RS recently announced a further expansion in the capability of DesignSpark — its fast-growing online community for engineers — with its new Product Design Center, shortly after the reveal of its new circuit simulator tool. The design center includes a rich pool of technical information about more than one billion electronic component part numbers, enabling DesignSpark members to make more informed decisions about the products they use in their designs.
Felipe Costa, Product Marketing Manager for Networking & Cybersecurity at Moxa and an ISA/IEC 62443 instructor, introduces industrial control systems (ICSs) and their three main deployment challenges and offers advice for overcoming them with advanced industrial managed Ethernet switches.
For smaller municipal utilities and co-ops, it can be a challenge to upgrade and automate existing distribution substations and support infrastructure due to constraints in space, budget, labor, technical skills, and system compatibility. Many still have not installed SCADA systems for the remote management and control of multiple substations.
For a period beginning in the late 1990s, Windows CE was a popular choice as a lightweight operating system for industrial control automation platforms. Now, with the industrial internet of things (IIoT) revolution upon us and new generations of embedded technologies available and rapidly emerging, many end users are in search of a path forward for their legacy systems such as those based on Windows CE. If you can relate, the good news is there are options!
Horton Automatics, a manufacturer of premium access solutions, is pleased to announce its continued support of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) in the construction of a groundbreaking semiconductor manufacturing plant in Phoenix, AZ. This collaboration signifies Horton’s commitment to supporting technological advancements and driving the growth of the semiconductor industry in the United States.
Electricity costs already account for 20 to 30 percent of operation costs and are rising. Driving new efficiencies in how electricity is used and managed will have a massive payoff for mining operations. Mine energy efficiency begins and ends with the site’s power infrastructure and management. Using their field-proven solutions, Eaton can help you improve the bottom line while reducing scope 1 and 2 emissions, and keeping people and equipment safe.
Integrating autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) into your facility can optimize materials transport thanks to the robots’ ability to navigate autonomously, adapt to changing environments, and perform a range of tasks. However, successful AMR implementation requires careful consideration of several key factors: space analysis, floor conditions, and environmental factors, among others.
July 17, 2023 Human-machine interfaces (HMIs) are a crucial component of industrial control systems, as they allow operators to interact with and monitor the performance of industrial equipment. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in touchless technology, which eliminates the need for physical contact between the operator and the interface. This technology…
Thermal management helps control the temperature within a sealed enclosure to prevent electronic components from overheating. Although individual manufacturer’s specifications vary, most electrical distribution and control equipment operates longer and more effectively under ambient air conditions ranging from 104° – 122°F [40° – 50°C]. Temperatures that exceed this range can damage electronics, causing outages or permanent failure.
There are more plant-based food and beverage products on the market than ever before. Whether it’s oat milk or meat alternatives, the appetite for plant-based foods is bigger than it’s ever been, with 6 out of 10 U.S. households purchasing a plant-based food item in 2022. The plant-based food market totaled more than $8 billion in 2022, and industry experts project the popularity and demand for plant-based food products will continue to grow and eclipse $160 billion by 2030. This means food and beverage manufacturers from traditional meat titans like Tyson to meat-free pioneers like Impossible Foods are accelerating their plant-based production to meet demand and lead the charge in the plant-based space.
At SEMICON WEST 2023, in booth #5348, Mitsubishi Electric Automation will be demonstrating its RH-CRH SCARA Robot. This robot is widely known for its low-cost, lightweight, and compact arm and controller. It is well suited for pick & place, assembly, material handling, and packaging applications. Mitsubishi Electric’s Servo, PLC, VFD, and low voltage switchgear will also be presented showcasing energy-saving and monitoring solutions at the booth.
A recent discussion of current trends in the industrial automation world explored in part how manufacturers are striving for increased digital connectivity in order to leverage a more data-driven, transparent approach to manufacturing. While a more connected ecosystem has a number of benefits in terms of production efficiency, flexibility, and output, it does present some challenges in maximizing the space of your production floor. For example, a more connected automation infrastructure can mean an increased number of industrial enclosures to help power manufacturing equipment.
What is EPLAN Platform as a service? EPLAN Platform as a Service is a cloud-based CAE (computer aided engineering) solution for electrical schematic and cabinet design. EPLAN Platform as a Service brings all of the benefits from the EPLAN platform, with the additional benefits of working remotely, reducing costs in IT infrastructure & operating costs, and less reliance on in-house hardware. Ultimately offering a flexible solution that is accessible for all.
The importance of healthcare cannot be understated. Because keeping a hospital up and running requires a massive amount of reliable power, you need an essential electrical system that’s designed to help reduce energy costs, simplify maintenance and make it easier to comply with regulatory requirements. In the last five years alone, Eaton has completed a multitude of major energy projects at hospitals and far more targeted system updates and upgrades.
The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) identified the need to create growth and expand facilities as one of the top trends for manufacturers in 2023. However, the ability to create long-term, sustainable growth hinges on the efficiency and adaptability of your automation infrastructure. When it comes to large enclosures, the choice usually comes down to unibody construction versus a more modular approach. Designing around standard modular enclosures has a much higher ceiling in terms of unlocking new growth opportunities.
