Sensors, Sensors, Sensors

AutomationDirect’s sensor line includes miniature rectangular ultrasonic and diffuse photoelectrics with background suppression. Shop now.

Nov 2nd, 2007

AutomationDirect has the proximity sensors, photoelectric sensors and limit switches you need to sense the presence of objects in a variety of applications. Our high-quality line of proximity and limit switches come from high-tech European manufacturers with years of experience developing and supplying reliable sensors.

Drones as an Automation Tool

Drones are being used to aid worker safety, perform facility inspections, detect anomalies, and collect data for Internet of Things applications in the discrete and process manufacturing industries. Find out more on today's Take Five video.

Augmented Reality Software to Streamline Operations

A new collaboration that pairs Lenovo’s ThinkReality software platform with augmented reality headsets from RealWear could help facilitate an information pipeline between enterprise planners and frontline personnel.

RoBex Rolls Out a Creative Way to Pay for Equipment

The RoBex Flexx technology licensing program, which addresses new lease accounting requirements, brings automated systems to the factory floor for a flat monthly fee.

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Bringing Artificial Intelligence to Remote Access

A new collaboration between IBM and Black and Veatch will help end-users to more effectively sort through the large volumes of data gathered via remote monitoring technology.

The use of remote access technology to aggregate manufacturing intelligence for use by plant managers and corporate executives is expected to grow in the years to come.

Remote Access Grows Even as Cybersecurity Fears Surge

Economic uncertainty and the quest for efficiency are driving the adoption of remote access technology across industry, even as growing concerns surrounding cybersecurity have many industry leaders spooked about greater levels of network connectedness.

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The Maintenance-Finance-Safety Connection

Did you know computerized maintenance management systems can be used to mitigate financial and safety risks faced by manufacturers?

The State of Cloud-Based Automation Today

A look at how digitalization and the need for scalability are driving more interest and investment in cloud-based industrial applications and how automation technology suppliers are responding.

Larry White, CMA, CFM, CPA, CGFM, Executive Director of the Resource Consumption Accounting Institute.

Optimizing Manufacturing General and Administrative Costs

Comprehensive analysis of G&A resources is needed to cut cost and maintain effective management. Aggressive budget reductions without careful evaluation can degrade this essential backbone to your company.

Levi Martins, Senior Consultant, Nukon

Safeguarding Your Critical Systems

Access to a support desk with background knowledge of your systems can be a valuable addition as your business continues to grow on their digital transformation journey.

How Tools from Video Game Development Benefit the Industrial Digital Twin

As digital twin use-cases expand, tools from the field of video game development are providing a boost to their usability and aesthetic presentation. Discover the full story on this Take Five with Automation World video.

ANCA to Launch AutoMarkX, an Automated Laser Marking System at EMO 2021

The AutoMarkX is an automatic stand-alone laser marking station.

Non-Magnetic Coaxial Cable

Non-Magnetic Coaxial Cable

Superior signal transmission and increased reliability

'On the surface of the tile, there are a lot of very flat coils; and that's where the name XPlanar comes from. By generating electromagnetic fields, the coils float and propel the mover above the surface. And then, by varying these electromagnetic fields, we’re able create free 2D motion, which allows for six degrees of freedom, enabling the mover to travel in any direction we want.” — Jeff Johnson, Beckhoff Automation

Adaptive Manufacturing Gets Real with New Materials Handling Tech

The ability to easily create custom products requires new technologies to move beyond mass production. Beckhoff’s XPlanar enables lot size one production as well as positioning for labeling, inspection, and other production and packaging operations.

How Can New Material Handling Technologies Support Adaptive Manufacturing Concepts?

In this episode, we connect with Jeff Johnson, U.S. mechatronics product manager at Beckhoff, to learn more about how Beckhoff's XPlanar material handling system uses levitation to move parts and products for assembly and/or packaging applications.

Procter & Gamble Partners with Robotics Startup Incubator

While the specific technologies Procter & Gamble is interested in are hush-hush, mobile robotics technologies appear to be a key point of interest.

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Understanding Maintenance Metrics

The “mean time to repair” and “mean time before failure” metrics can be used to track asset performance as well as maintenance teams and individuals.

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IIoT Connected Assets Guide

Industry IoT Consortium releases a guide designed to help manufacturers network connected assets and products.

Diane Sacra, Director of Marketing, LNS Research

It’s Time to Get Real with Industrial Transformation

Find out about LNS Research's findings on companies' Industry 4.0 transformation efforts, success, and progress.

Aaron Muir, Engineering Manager, Glenmount Global – an E Technologies company.

Ensuring a Safe and Effective Remote Maintenance and Support System

Discover three key considerations when approaching maintenance and support remotely: Security conscious design, stakeholder collaboration, and remote access methods.

PACK EXPO Las Vegas Automation Preview

Highlights of new automation technologies to be showcased at PACK EXPO Las Vegas from Beckhoff Automation, Festo, Nord Gear, Omron, and Universal Robots. Watch this Take Five video for the full preview.

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Emerson Combines LNG Inventory Management and Tank Gauging

The Rosemount TankMaster system can predict the release of liquid natural gas vapors to reduce loss of product, safety risks, and failures to meet environmental regulations.

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Industry Support Organizations Adapt to Digital Transformation

The Profibus/Profinet User Organization and the Industrial Internet Consortium announce operational changes reflective of IoT and Industry 4.0-driven changes to the industries they serve.

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Automated De-Powdering for 3D Printed Parts

A new collaboration between Festo and Solukon aims to design a flexible handling system for automated de-powdering of 3D printed components.

Daniel C. Malyszko, Director of Operations and IIoT Consultant, Malisko Engineering.

Demystifying Analytics – An Integrator’s Perspective Roadmap

Examine the maturity levels of factory floor convergence, information gleaned, and possible steps to achieve robust data analytics for a manufacturing operation.

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The State of Industry 4.0 Adoption — Take Five with Automation World Video

A report from Molex finds that the barriers holding back real-world implementation of Industry 4.0 projects have remained largely unchanged, even as attitudes have grown more positive.

Infosys General

Top Industrial Uses Case for Cloud Computing

A new report from the Infosys Knowledge Institute highlights how manufacturers are using cloud computing to advance operations and for what kinds of applications they’re using the technology most.

Using artificial intelligence, Advanced Analytics detects defect sources at an early stage during the application of paint and high-viscosity materials. Source: Dürr.

Applying Artificial Intelligence to Paint Shop Robots

Dürr expands it use of artificial intelligence to help automotive paint shops incorporate robots into existing operations for quality and plant availability applications.

Skjern Paper started production in 1967 with the idea of manufacturing paper exclusively from old newspaper.

How to Make Sense Out of Difficult Data

Skjern Paper turns to GE Digital’s Proficy CSense for real-time quality control in the production process.

Dan Riley, Analytics Manager, Interstates

The Value of Predictive Maintenance

Implementing and understanding predictive maintenance is essential if unplanned downtime has a high impact on your production schedule. Discover the step-by-step process of how to get the most value out of predictive maintenance for your plant.

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FDT 3.0: A Secure, Scalable Data Exchange Standard for IIoT

The FDT Group’s platform-independent development tools enable unobstructed communication from sensors to the cloud. Watch this Take Five video to find out more.

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Video Games and the Industrial Digital Twin

Think video game development only affects the consumer gaming industry? The reality is that consumer game technology can make digital twin technology easier to understand and share.

Rawling’s REV1X baseball glove

Rawlings Uses 3D Printing to Produce New Baseball Glove

Using Carbon DLS 3D printing, Fast Radius is manufacturing parts at scale for Rawlings new REV1X baseball gloves.