You’re probably familiar with Ethernet — the networking protocol that allows computers (typically in office, school, or commercial environments) to share files, browse the internet, and access printers and other hardware connected to the network. Ethernet was developed for high-speed data transmission and is efficient, simple, and flexible. And, it’s arguably the most widely-adopted networking protocol […]
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IEC 61131-3 programming: Where’s structured text more appropriate than ladder logic?
No one IEC 61131-3 language leads for all uses. In fact, the best way to program with IEC 61131-3 languages is by using multiple languages together. That accommodates (among other things) the way every engineer has a different methodology for programming. Sequential function chart (SFC): Recall that SFC is the highest-level code standard in IEC […]
Not just Allen Bradley anymore: New controllers abound
10 years ago, there was one main controller brand in U.S. automation — Rockwell Automation’s Allen Bradley. This is still a leading PLC line with a massive adoption rate in the U.S. because: • Allen Bradley did an excellent job educating people in the U.S. on ladder-diagram programming for its PLCs • The manufacturer embedded […]
New mk North America VersaMove website at mkversamove.com
Leading conveyor system designer and manufacturer, mk North America has announced the launch of an all-new website, mkversamove.com, dedicated to its VersaMove pallet-handling conveyor line. The new site is tailored to the needs of engineers and is designed to make it easier for them to locate technical data, find drawings and request a quote. The […]
Up your conveyor game with flexible intelligent conveyors
New alternatives to traditional conveyor systems offer better efficiency and more flexibility, helping to boost manufacturing throughput. Reid Schook • OEM Segment Business Manager | Rockwell Automation When moving product through a manufacturing or assembly process in a plant, conveyors have been a traditional choice. A traditional conveyor can consist of individual roller axes mounted […]
New integrated servo motor and drive features EtherCAT link
The Tolomatic ACSI EtherCAT integrated servo motor and drive is a cost-effective solution for automating additional axes of motion with Industrial Ethernet protocols. As an integrated servo motor and drive, the ACSI creates a space-saving, linear actuator system, making it suitable for machine retrofits and displacing pneumatic cylinder applications. With built-in configurations for Tolomatic electric […]
What’s the purpose of an IoT gateway on automated machinery?
Two concepts are perpetually at the forefront of discussions regarding the Internet of Things (IoT) or, in this context, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT): connectivity and communication. Connecting hundreds or thousands of devices and having them communicate with each other, with higher-level systems, and with the cloud would be an impossible task without an […]
B&R offers servo drives with safety function Safely Limited Torque
The B&R ACOPOS P3 servo drive is now also available with safety function Safely Limited Torque (SLT). This makes B&R one of the first manufacturers to offer this certified safety function. Safely Limited Torque safely monitors torque up to SIL 2 / PL d. The torque is limited to the configured maximum value with the […]
Haydon Kerk Pittman now sells EC042B IDEA Motor
Haydon Kerk Pittman now sells the latest addition to its popular line of brushless DC motors: the EC042B IDEA Motor Series. This revolutionary new product combines exceptional performance with convenience and value. The programmable IDEA Motor integrates a precision brushless servo motor with an IDEA Drive controller in a compact package to reduce design time, […]
TRINAMIC TMC2209 stepper driver for silent desktop machines
TRINAMIC Motion Control GmbH & Co. KG now sells the TMC2209 stepper driver IC — a motor driver that enables silent operation, intelligent stall detection, and lower cost for 3D printers, office and home automation equipment, and other applications using two-phase stepper motors. The TMC2209 is pin-compatible with earlier TRINAMIC devices, as well as some […]