Featured Articles

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UCEC Identifies What Makes Them a Top Notch Control Panel Builder

UCEC has existed for more than sixty years by building the best control panels, period. To keep their focus on quality custom panels, they have never defined themselves as a “one-stop shop.” To be all things to all people with something as complicated as a control panel should send up a red flag. When panels shops try to do everything (a “one-stop shop”), that’s when things get diluted and messy.

 

 

 

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Membrane Switches for Demanding Applications

SCHURTER has a long tradition in the development and manufacturing of customized membrane switches for demanding applications. Based on their know-how, they find the optimal solution even for challenging applications and fields of use. SCHURTER’s high-quality membrane switches are characterized by their reliability in all production processes and environmental conditions and are produced using the latest manufacturing technology and in accordance with the highest industry standards.

 

 

 

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3 Ways to Simplify Industrial IT/OT Convergence

Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) convergence in industrial operations is driven by the need for: better data visibility and utilization, full realization of system and software ROI, and enhanced cybersecurity. It’s also a key enabler for industrial companies to achieve their digital transformation goals. While the value of the business drivers is increasingly apparent, executing IT/OT convergence remains challenging.

 

 

 

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Understanding the Ramifications of Damaged and Incorrect Labels

What drives the requirement for accurate, high-quality labels? With so much hanging in the balance for manufacturers and retailers competing on a global scale, there’s no good reason to ignore the need for label quality. Mislabeled packaging could have consequences that range from wasted product to (potentially severe) consumer health issues.

 

 

 

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Emerson’s Cloud-Hosted Software Helps Repsol to Boost Performance

Emerson, a provider in digital transformation solutions, recently announced it has successfully migrated the exploration data of Repsol, a global energy company, to the cloud. Cloud capabilities enable companies to securely store the data that powers vital analytics, helping optimize operations and achieve higher levels of performance. Migration to the cloud proved to be a cost-effective alternative for Repsol.

 

 

 

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Compact I/O Modules Reduce Hardware Requirements as Well as Costs and Cut Equipment Assembly Times in Half

In its solutions for automatic seed sorting, VMek relies on EtherCAT from the very beginning. The fast real-time communication technology optimally supports the high data rates of the vision-based sorters. With a switch in the I/O level to EtherCAT plug-in modules, the company succeeded in further reducing costs, device footprint and commissioning times.

 

 

 

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ARC Advisory Group: Key Technology Trends for 2021

This year’s “Key Technology Trends” report was strongly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, which shifted market demand more abruptly than any single event that we have ever witnessed. This drastically impacted the need for companies to respond fast and become agile, creating both business resilience and opportunities to thrive in this reconnecting world, otherwise known as the new normal.

 

 

 

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Protecting the Climate

Phoenix Contact is taking action to combat climate change and to empower the new clean energy revolution. To this end, the corporate strategy is based on the principle of an “All Electric Society” – the vision that enough energy can be generated from renewable sources to stop global warming through comprehensive sustainable electrification of the world.

 

 

 

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IMO Precision Controls: Foundations and Advances

Earlier this month Panel Builder US had the opportunity to chat with IMO Automation to learn a little more about their operations in the US and how they are working to provide unique solutions and support to the panel building market in the US. IMO was founded in 1972 in the UK and has been steadily expanding their global footprint ever since with 50% of their business now coming from the global market.

 

 

 

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Nel Hydrogen Relies On Beckhoff for Environmentally Friendly Hydrogen Filling Stations

Hydrogen is considered to be the energy source of the future. It is a component of water and of almost all organic compounds. Therefore, molecules containing hydrogen are found in every living organism. As an energy source, it does not produce carbon dioxide if it is collected using renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power. The Danish company Nel Hydrogen is a long-standing pioneer in the field of hydrogen technology.

 

 

 

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Digitalization Helps Craft Breweries Establish a Competitive Edge

Today’s craft beer producers face many challenges, including aging infrastructures, sourcing raw materials, and navigating government standards and regulations. They must also achieve high productivity and operational flexibility to ensure their new products achieve faster time-to-market to meet ever-changing customer expectations. Product development becomes a key differentiator for successful firms in this market space.

 

 

 

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Panduit: noosa yoghurt Case Study

Panduit IIoT ecosystem helps noosa yoghurt speed production at maximum efficiency while increasing network reliability and productivity. noosa yoghurt’s commitment to making a superior product propelled the company to invest in a $5 million plant upgrade that was completed in 2015. This project allowed noosa yoghurt to increase production and nationwide awareness of the brand while remaining a leader of current dairy and food trends.

 

 

 

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Metric Vs. AWG Size Conductors

One big difference between European cables made for the US market and American-made cables for US consumption is the use of metric size conductors and their American Wire Gauge (AWG) size counter parts. European cables are usually manufactured with metric conductors (identified by a mm2 cross section) while US-manufactured cables use the AWG size standard indicated by a hashtag (#).