Featured Articles

Upgrading Legacy Automation: Implications, Challenges, and Best Practices

Upgrading Legacy Automation: Implications, Challenges, and Best Practices

On today’s factory floor, upgrading legacy automation equipment is often a taboo subject. “Why fix what isn’t broken?” “Why fix it until it is broken?” “Why borrow trouble?” There are many quick rebuttals to team members who have faced a close call on the production floor around legacy equipment. Legacy automation, characterized by technology in the later stages of its useful life, and where useful life is defined by receiving a disproportionately large amount of utility compared to the resources consumed, can limit efficiency, increase downtime, and jeopardize long-term factory vitality.

How the New AX Ex Industrial Enclosure Can Help Enhance Safe Manufacturing Practices
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How the New AX Ex Industrial Enclosure Can Help Enhance Safe Manufacturing Practices

As modern manufacturing becomes more variable and automation footprints become larger and more complex, the risk of industrial accidents increases, especially in the form of fires and explosions. While there are certainly precautions and processes manufacturers can implement to combat this risk and ensure safe manufacturing processes, today’s manufacturers need industrial enclosure solutions that are approved for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

How Choosing the Right Industrial Enclosure Can Mean Big Things for Material Handlers

How Choosing the Right Industrial Enclosure Can Mean Big Things for Material Handlers

The rapid growth in e-commerce and a continued skilled labor shortage are two of the hottest topics for today’s material handlers, particularly when it comes to maximizing growth opportunities and securing a larger market share in the material handling space. The sheer volume of parcels in the pipeline means material handlers need smarter, more powerful conveyor and sorting systems, and, as a result, this means identifying more versatile industrial enclosures that offer a wider range of panel and cable configurations.

Centralized Protection and Control Brings Scalability and Flexibility in Digital Substations

Centralized Protection and Control Brings Scalability and Flexibility in Digital Substations

ABB showcased its first virtualized protection and control solution with Smart Substation Control and Protection SSC600 SW at DISTRIBUTECH International, an annual transmission and distribution event. DISTRIBUTECH took place in Orlando, Florida on February 26-29. SSC600 SW allows utility customers to use the hardware of their choice and gain access to the same proven protection and control functionality as with ABB’s turnkey solution.

Introduction Industrial Control Panel Design And Energy Efficiency – Part 1

Introduction Industrial Control Panel Design And Energy Efficiency – Part 1

Industrial control panels stand as the backbone of modern manufacturing and operational processes, serving as the nerve center that orchestrates complex systems with precision and reliability. Across diverse industries ranging from automotive manufacturing to power generation, these panels play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless operations and optimal performance.

ISA Reinforces Critical Nature of Automation in Achieving Global Energy Goals in New Position Paper

ISA Reinforces Critical Nature of Automation in Achieving Global Energy Goals in New Position Paper

The International Society of Automation (ISA) has recently announced the publication of a new position paper, “Automation is Critical to Achieving Global Energy Goals.” In this paper, ISA explains the multitude of ways that automation can support energy supply and efficiency. Safe and efficient execution of energy production, storage, and transmission requires the use of proven automation technologies implemented by knowledgeable and skilled automation professionals.

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Busbar Power Systems
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5 Things You Didn’t Know About Busbar Power Systems

For those in the know, busbar power panels have arrived as a more flexible, space-saving, and efficient power distribution system. For example, the automotive industry is already embarking on a massive transition to busbar power, and it’s only a matter of time before other growth-oriented industries like the material handling and power & energy spaces follow suit.

How Rittal’s RiTherm Climate Control Design Tool Helps Manufacturers Configure More Sustainable Enclosure Cooling Units

How Rittal’s RiTherm Climate Control Design Tool Helps Manufacturers Configure More Sustainable Enclosure Cooling Units

The modern manufacturing industry has made some significant strides in the last decade to create more sustainable production practices that help decrease energy consumption and reduce the impact on the environment. Energy-efficient enclosure climate control has been especially key for manufacturers in better managing their energy usage and unlocking new technologies and processes to help reduce waste.

The Power of OPC UA in Industrial Automation

The Power of OPC UA in Industrial Automation

In the world of industrial automation, the need for seamless communication between devices and systems is paramount. This is where OPC UA (Open Platform Communications United Architecture) comes into play. OPC US is an open and secure communication protocol that enables interoperability between different devices and software applications. This article will explore the significance of OPC UA in manufacturing operations and hot it has revolutionized the way data is transmitted and utilized in the industry.

Leveraging All-In-One Automation Architecture to Create Robust Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Leveraging All-In-One Automation Architecture to Create Robust Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The seemingly rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) in 2023 has sparked excitement and speculation across industries which currently deploy a breadth of automation. Proliferation fueled by great minds and hundreds of billions of dollars harnessing simulated human reasoning to autonomously problem solve. For the industrial automation field, it is crucial to navigate the hype and focus on leveraging AI to empower your teams to optimize processes intentionally and prepare for future technological advancements in 2024. This article will explore how all-in-one automation platforms form a solid foundation for implementing AI.

How to Select a Filter Fan Based on Application Conditions
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How to Select a Filter Fan Based on Application Conditions

Filter fans protect electrical enclosures from external environmental damage. From heat control to mitigating the ingress of liquid and solid objects, filter fans provide another layer of protection for the electrical equipment housed within enclosures. Filter fans protect critical equipment by reducing thermal load and filtering out airborne particles larger than 5 microns. The dual fan and filter composition keeps electrical equipment running at optimal temperatures while mitigating the amount of dust and other particulate matter from causing buildup and damage.

All-in-One Automation Platform: Enabling Data-Driven IIoT with Deterministic Motion Control and Cybersecurity
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All-in-One Automation Platform: Enabling Data-Driven IIoT with Deterministic Motion Control and Cybersecurity

As the industrial internet of things (IIoT) continues to gain momentum, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and system integrators (SIs) are faced with the challenge of implementing data collection systems without compromising deterministic motion control or cybersecurity. This article will explore how all-in-one automation platforms can address these concerns, allowing OEMs and SIs to meet customer demands, achieve cost-effective data harvesting, and avoid hidden manufacturing costs.

ABB Breaks Ground on New US Calibration Hall to Support Growing Demand for Instrumentation in North America

ABB Breaks Ground on New US Calibration Hall to Support Growing Demand for Instrumentation in North America

ABB has begun the construction of a new 12,000-square-foot calibration hall in the industrial park adjacent to its existing ∼200,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. The investment will strengthen the company’s calibration capabilities and provide customers with high levels of quality and accuracy in ABB’s full range of flowmeters. It will also further increase the company’s “Made in America” offering. High accuracy flowmeter calibration enhances measurement performance which helps industrial customers to become more energy and resource efficient. US plant operators across industries such as chemical, oil & gas, water, battery, hydrogen and power, are able to accurately measure in and outflow as well as raw and produced materials, thus controlling their processes in a more precise and efficient way.

Machine Safety Strategy in Manufacturing: Why It Matters and How to Get Started

Machine Safety Strategy in Manufacturing: Why It Matters and How to Get Started

Machine-related accidents in the workplace can have devastating consequences, causing injuries, disabilities, and even fatalities. These incidents also result in significant financial losses for businesses. To mitigate these risks, it is crucial for companies to establish a comprehensive machine safety strategy. This strategy should encompass compliance with standards and regulations, hazard identification and risk assessment, implementing safe work procedures, and regular maintenance and inspections. This article will explore the significance of machine safety in industrial workplaces and offer guidance initiating the development of a machine safety strategy.

RS Helps Companies in the Energy and Utilities Industry Amp Up Asset Management Efforts
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RS Helps Companies in the Energy and Utilities Industry Amp Up Asset Management Efforts

RS offers an extensive range of remote condition monitoring solutions ideal for amping up asset management efforts in the energy and utilities industry. Energy and utilities industry assets extending throughout the oil and gas, water and wastewater, and electrical grid segments are extremely valuable in terms of both monetary and social costs. But many of our assets here in the U.S. — particularly those in the water and wastewater and electrical grid segments — are currently subject to significant risk, ranging from aging infrastructure and supply chain disruptions to labor shortages, natural disasters, and geopolitical events like direct attacks.