Transportation

Although new tools and technologies are available to make tapping into industrial IoT more manageable, one must ensure expectations are accurate.

Discover why replacement parts are crucial for machine builders in this insightful article. Learn how ensuring access to quality parts enhances efficiency and reduces downtime.

Avoid the allure of one-size-fits-all solutions and consider standardization, support and future-proofing for programmable logic controllers.

There is plenty of discussion in the industry regarding the pros and cons surrounding programmable logic controllers (PLCs) vs. programmable automation controllers (PACs) vs. PC-based controllers.

The certification exists for a reason — to ensure that the control panels being built meet the very highest safety standards available.

The key to making the proper decisions on condition monitoring is to understand what kind of information is required, how often that information is needed and what kind of budget is in play.

The concepts of “preventive maintenance” and “condition monitoring” are not always characterized in a way that is entirely accurate. They sometimes seem to be treated as a “one-size-fits-all” service that many operators believe they need. However, these concepts can mean very different things depending on the application.

Selecting a conveyor for an automation project is certainly not a “one-size-fits-all” scenario. Automation applications are incredibly diverse, and the options and features available on conveyors reflect that.

As technology continues to evolve, some terms meant to represent one thing have come to mean something a bit different. A technology that once had restrictions can evolve to the point where, not only is that restriction gone, but the name of the technology doesn’t even necessarily apply anymore.

Current data on cyber ransom is alarming. Most companies do not report their attacks because they do not want it to be advertised. This article discusses ways that IT and OT personnel can work together to make your company more secure.

Application requirements are paramount, but don't overspend when a less expensive option will do.

For the past 30 years, Inventek has utilized the expertise from the engineers at Valin to better understand and master the technology it needs to best serve its customer base.

As long as products have had ethernet ports, people have been asking for remote access to them. They believed they could just plug the devices into the internet, and it would all work. As more software tools became available and internet speeds increased, capable users found ways to give themselves access, however, there was a catch.

Strategic implementation of sensors helps maximize a process from the start and equips operators with enough information to constantly be aware of everything happening in a line. So, what type of sensor(s) will work best for your environment?

Looking for ways to support your systems more easily, more safely, and more quickly for your customers?  Perhaps you are wondering what remote access technology is for industrial control systems.

In many machines as much as 90% of all particles suspended in the oil can be iron or steel and can be particularly troublesome to operators. This article looks at the advantages and benefits of magnetic filtration and how it can often outperform traditional methods.

For automating machines that require only two to three axes of electric actuators, pulse outputs may be the simplest way to go.

An operator in a fluid handling process is only as effective as his ability to work with a given controller. If there are factors that keep this individual from doing what is necessary for a smooth operation, adjustments need to be made.

When manufacturing engineers are tasked with automating a process that is currently done manually, their main question for an automation supplier is "Have you ever automated this specific process before?" In complex applications, the answer is typically "no." Learn more.

Depending on the industry and specific environment, different rooms will have different cleanroom classification requirements. There is information out there regarding how classifications are tested and determined, but not as much about how to improve a specific room's classification ranking.

Engineers building linear-motion systems can use ground-up DIY approaches or purchase complete turnkey solutions. Here we explain where each tactic is most profitable.

Patlite innovation continues with improved functionality to drive productivity, improve efficiencies, and reduce waste. One of their basic themes is to help you make continuous improvements in your process. With that in mind, Patlite introduced the REVOLITE LA6 multi-informational signal tower.

Robotics and motion control are closely related in many ways, but robots lean towards a "pre-engineered" solution while motion control leans towards a modular solution. Before deciding to install a robot or motion control component, these are ten questions to ask yourself.

Robotics can be narrowed down to five types: Cartesian, Cylindrical, SCARA, 6-Axis and Delta. Each has specific elements (speed, size, workspace) making them ideal for certain applications. Knowledge of each type can help machine designers choose the best robot for their process. Learn more.

We think of routine care and maintenance of a system to stave off failures as standard practice, but what about preventive maintenance of the replacement parts used when the system does fail?

Using lean principles in manufacturing is an important element when trying to reduce waste, control costs and ensure timely deliveries to customers. However, this concept of trimming back unnecessary work and reaping the production benefits can also be applied at an individual level in production lines or assembly rooms.

Inside of plants today, AC motors are becoming the industry standard. Many plants are shifting to AC motors from hydraulic motors or DC motors when powering heavy loads, which were more popular in the past. This shift can be attributed to a variety of reasons and most have to do with cost.

Liquid to liquid separation, at the very basic level, is a process where water is removed from a hydrocarbon. Over the last decade, there have been three prominent machines or mechanisms that can perform a liquid to liquid separation. Learn more.

Contemplating an actuator for your pneumatic linear-motion system? Here are some tips on how to select the best one for the job.

According to the United States Energy Information Administration, coal power accounted for 39 percent of the country’s electricity production last year.

United Electric Controls has introduced a unique new family of HART capable transmitters that provides programmable switching functionality for industrial process monitoring applications. The One Series 1XTXSW transmitter line is the first to integrate HART 7 compatible 4-20 mA output. Lean more.

As electronics and technologies become smaller and more intricate, engineers are running into new challenges in automating manufacturing processes. The challenges of manufacturing new products extend beyond the capabilities of precise motion control mechanics to include environmental control.

Omron has been providing automation solutions for more than 80 years. Their washdown rated products and extreme washdown products in the IP69k protection class help you deliver safer solutions to your customers.

Workplace safety is—or should be—a primary focus of every organization, regardless of whether we’re talking about a classroom, an office, a manufacturing facility, or an oil rig. Employees deserve a workspace that is as safe and secure as it can possibly be.

Advantech ProView Ethernet Switch is a SCADA manageable switches which are the convergence switches for process control and IT networking management.

Cavitation is the 2nd leading cause of a pump system failure. It’s for this reason that a full understanding of what cavitation is, how it is caused and how it can be prevented is critical in the fluid power industry.

Tasked with increased demand for high power output, many operators in North American sectors such as power generation, oil and gas, petrochemical and chemical have been challenged by low-voltage solutions and their associated logistical challenges.

Considering the number of variables, gaining precise control of a process heating application can be a difficult task. In industries with a high demand for consistent quality, controlling the temperature of a substance from the start to the finish of a process is an absolute necessity. Learn more.

Loss of containment is one of the costliest things that can go wrong at a plant. Accordingly, smart enterprises employ a variety of measures that ensure loss of containment just doesn’t happen – or when it does, the adverse circumstances are kept to a minimum.

Emergency order required all rail shippers to test products from the Bakken to ensure proper classifications of the oil within federal regulations before it's transported. The intent was to ensure shippers properly classified crude oil for transportation and to quantify the range of physical and chemical properties.

As the automation and motion control needs of industries using control and drive functions continue to progress, the technology that meets those needs must adapt to the growing demand for connectivity, accessibility, and efficiency, all while maintaining a high level of quality and durability.

Certain frequencies of sound can play havoc on industrial equipment. When control valves are not selected appropriately, there is an increased risk for cavitation, which causes high noise and vibration levels, resulting in very rapid damage to the valve's internals and/or the downstream piping.