Jeanne Schweder, Contributing Writer

Sawmill processing stations turn logs into finished lumber for crates and pallets.

Wood Packaging Producer Achieves Productivity Gains

Denmark’s biggest wood packaging producer recently upgraded to a CC-Link IE communications network to achieve an estimated $330,700 USD in annual savings.

Where Are They Now? An Open Process Automation Forum Update

As the group readies version 2.0 of its open process automation standard, there’s an overarching feeling of unity but an underlying concern about what this architecture really means for manufacturers and industrial control suppliers in the future.

Demonstration of Mitsubishi and Realtime Robotics collaborative robot application at SPS 2019 in Nuremberg, Germany.

Mitsubishi Extends Cobot Capabilities to Industrial Robots

Through a new partnership with Realtime Robotics, Mitsubishi is increasing the capabilities of its collaborative robot technology for use with industrial robots.

1912 F1 Opening

Digital Maturity: A United View

Automation World survey results highlight the importance of corporate and plant floor alignment for digital transformation initiatives.

Kuka Robotics’ KMR iiwa combines its LBR iiwa lightweight cobot with a mobile, flexible platform.

Mobile and Collaborative Robots Ratchet Up Flexible Packaging

Cobots and autonomous mobile robots figured prominently at PACK EXPO Las Vegas, helping to provide more efficient packaging operations. In some cases, automation suppliers are even combining the technologies.

For the Blessings in a Backpack project at PACK EXPO Las Vegas, the robotic line from Universal Robots and Allied Technology picked and loaded six different food items into a pouch.

Robots and Cobots Chip in to Pack Food for Hungry Kids

Showcasing the capabilities of several automation suppliers in the Robotics Zone at PACK EXPO Las Vegas, a PMMI cooperation with Blessings in a Backpack filled more than 6,000 bags of food for kids facing food insecurity.

Blake Moret, CEO and chairman at Rockwell Automation, on the Perspectives stage during Rockwell Automation Fair.

Rockwell Automation Launches Its Digital Partner Program

As more industrial companies look to digitally transform their operations, Rockwell Automation is growing its Digital Partner Program to help guide and simplify the deployment of advanced digital technologies.

Harting's Edgar-Peter Düning (left) and PerFact Innovation's Dr. Robert Rae at SPS 2019.

Harting Highlights Software and Single Pair Ethernet

Noting a shift in its approach to incorporate data communication related software, Harting also announces the formation of a network of companies committed to advancing the development and application of single pair Ethernet technology.

Wearing virtual reality and augmented reality headsets, machine developers can interact directly with their model, free of distractions.

Digital Twin Double-Take

Most OEMs aren’t embracing the idea of creating a digital twin for the machine, but the benefits—including design flexibility, faster time-to-market, and virtual training—deserve a second look.

Balluff Io Link

How IO-Link Benefits OEMs and End Users

Already popular in Europe, the IO-Link industrial communication technology is reportedly growing by double digits in the U.S. Learn why this point-to-point data communication method is increasingly preferred across industry for delivering device data.

Brian R. May, Managing Director, Industrial North America, Accenture

Transforming OEMs into Living Businesses

As the market changes, it becomes difficult for some organizations to keep up. Transitioning into a living business may be one of the keys to sustaining success in the ever-changing global market.

Discover the Secrets of a Successful Automation Project

Discover the Secrets of a Successful Automation Project

Learn about planning and project management, building your machine or automated system, and technologies to improve manufacturing outcomes. Automation World’s free resource features 150 pages on managing automation projects from start to finish.

Sebastiano Di Filippo, senior director, business development for Qualcomm Technologies Europe at the SPS 2019 event.

Bosch Rexroth and Siemens Collaborate with Qualcomm on 5G

With 5G in the early stages of deployment across the globe, Europe looks to lead the way in proving the network’s benefit for manufacturing applications.

This 2-axis robot in the Lenze booth at SPS 2019 was used to show a model-based and data-based approach to condition monitoring using data from the robot’s drive.

The Drive as a Sensor

Gathering more data from machines doesn’t necessarily mean adding more sensors. Lenze highlights how manufacturers can use data from existing drives for applications such as condition monitoring and preventative maintenance.

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Foxconn Upgrades Quality with Video Analytics

Using HPE Pointnext services to deploy machine learning at the edge, Foxconn is able to address quality assurance issues in its production of highly customizable IT servers.

John Beach, project manager, RedViking

Implementing Modern Technology to Reduce Downtime Troubleshooting

Introducing the newest technology to your facility may come with a steep learning curve, but the benefits are especially large when it comes to a reduction in downtime troubleshooting.

Matt Ruth, VP of Marketing and Sales, Avanceon

How An Umbrella System Integrator Helps Consolidate Tasks

In any automation project, there are multiple tasks that need to be handled all at the same time. An Umbrella System Integrator can help an organization consolidate these issues and ultimately help manufacturers reach their productivity goals.

Getty Images Cad (1)

Rockwell Automation Readies Digital Twin

The company’s new Digital Partner Program welcomes Ansys, adding simulation to a growing portfolio of products and partners.

Navigating the multi-marketing landscape

Multi-Channel Marketing Update: How Best to Reach Today's Buyer

n&umacr;rio connects users to IoT devices via brainwaves

Mind-Reading Wearables?

A potential revolution could be coming to the world of wearables with the introduction of a technology that enables the control of devices via thought.

More from Jeanne Schweder, Contributing Writer

Five recommendations for implementing workflow systems

Workflow software is a useful tool in many applications, from enforcing standards and compliance to feeding into MES systems. Here are some suggestions for implementing workflow software:

Nine ways to get the most from simulation and CAD/CAM software

Simulation software and CAD/CAM systems have helped transform the design of machines and automated systems by reducing design engineering time and costs. Here are some tips for getting the biggest bang from your software investment:

Seven details to remember when implementing network security

Network security is absolutely necessary for today’s industrial networks. Failure to restrict access can be disastrous. Access to your network by untrained persons can lead to misconfigured network devices. Access to unsecured ports can lead to network loops being accidentally created. Here are a few security details to keep in mind when constructing your network:

Six strategies for creating a secure industrial network

Security and safety are the same word in many languages. You can’t have a secure system unless you know who’s running the equipment and what they’re doing. There’s an incredible overlap between safety and security. They’re both about identifying the bad things that can happen, and finding ways to minimize the chances that they will. In the IT world, it’s about information confidentiality. On the plant floor, it’s all about the safety of people and the process. Here are some ideas for improving security

Europe sets standards for safety design

The European Union has defined required safety methods for machines, which are standard in all European nations and now accepted worldwide. New and improved safety strategies offer manufacturers a way to improve productivity and competitiveness in the market. Some examples:

Wiring, safety PLC programming critical to machine safety performance

Some common pitfalls in machine safety have to do with not wiring devices correctly. Many devices today can cover a range of safety levels, such as SIL 1 through SIL 3, but have different wiring methods. Diagnostic coverage is extremely important with safety and incorrect wiring or an incomplete understanding of the wiring requirements could lead to a lower safety level or a system that does not work at all.

Eight tips for the technical side of safety systems

From new standards for functional safety to making sure that an E-stop will actually stop everything on a machine, these practical recommendations address the details of a safety system:

Seven human factors to consider when developing safety systems

People will do whatever they have to do to get the job done, even if that means evading systems designed to keep them safe. Engineers who design safety systems need to keep that fact top of mind. Here are some tips for dealing with the human variable:

Eight ideas for improving product lifecycle management

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) has been described as an information strategy that allows organizations to work as a single team to design, produce, support and retire the products they make, while capturing best practices and lessons learned along the way. Its goal is to improve the quality of products and processes. Here are some suggestions for selecting and using PLM systems:

13 ways to get the most out of OEE and Lean Manufacturing disciplines

Overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) and lean manufacturing have won many converts. These two disciplines are frequently linked because they provide a systematic way to design manufacturing processes, measure their efficiency and identify problems. Here are some tactics to get the most out of your lean and OEE initiatives: