Featured Articles

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Safety Integrity Level (SIL): Functional Safety in Accordance With IEC 62061

EN/IEC 62061 represents a sector-specific standard under IEC 61508. It describes the implementation of safety-related control systems on machinery and examines the overall lifecycle from the concept phase through to decommissioning. Mid February 2021 the new edition of IEC 62061 was published. The new edition is not only an update of the existing standard. For starter the standard is no longer limited to electrical system, but it can now be used with all kinds of technologies, for example for hydraulic or pneumatic systems.

 

 

 

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White Paper: How Can Low-Voltage Controls Contribute to Energy Efficiency?

Anyone who has been following the latest expert discussions on energy efficiency in machines and plants will have noticed that certain topics come up time and time again. The main examples are “variable frequency drives for optimum drive solutions” and “increasing efficiency in lowvoltage induction motors (EISA and NEMA Premium).” Yet low-voltage controls rarely enter into the debate. And that, as this article intends to show, does them an injustice.

 

 

 

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5 Mechanical & Electrical Problems A Maintenance System Can “See” That You Can’t (But Need To)

Building systems, such as HVAC, consist of thousands of components that work together to keep occupants comfortable and safe. Preventative maintenance helps ensure all these pieces stay in good condition, through inspecting and checking for worn parts. However, inspections can’t find every issue. Even with a detailed maintenance program in place, you may not uncover some problems until it’s too late. The solution? Using a building maintenance system to reveal hidden issues.

 

 

 

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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.