Automation & Manufacturing In Perspective

Engineers and information technology (IT) professionals, along with technical, financial and general managers, rely on Automation World to bring them fresh and relevant information.

Jan 18th, 2011

This diverse group of people strives for a common goal—to make manufacturing a profitable and strategic part of their enterprises. Welcome to our redesigned upfront section—Perspective—developed to provide short takes on some of the most relevant information in the field.

We'll feature some short stories about how people are implementing automation and technology to make their factory or plant operate with better results. There will also be interviews with interesting people (if you have an interesting story to tell, send an email to gmintchell@automationworld.com). Important news analysis from the various industries we serve provides a context for our work. Reports on technologies that will impact automation let you know what may be next on your plate. Management and leadership tips guide your personal effectiveness.

Subscribe to Automation World's RSS Feeds for Columns & Departments

Idec Hr5 S Safety Relay Image Hr5 S C2 B S

IDEC Introduces Category 2 Safety Relay Module

Designed specifically to comply with updated ISO 13849 Safety Category 2 requirements, this safety relay module helps users economically apply better and more appropriate safety measures.

SIRIUS components are compact and designed for quick and easy connection to facilitate industrial control panel maintenance.

Sirius Modular Systems for Industrial Control Panel Design

Allied Electronics & Automation and Siemens team up to offer systems for control panel building.

Mps035 Sm 1200x628 D[2]

Robotic Tool-Changing Systems

Stäubli Connectors offers a new range of compact robotic tool changing systems covering a payload range up to 80 kg. They can accommodate several transfer technologies precise repeat accuracy of +/-1.5 µm.

3 Eaton Io T Connected Surge Protector

IoT Connected Surge Protector

This latest surge protection device by Eaton enables remote monitoring of surge data, both real time and historical, that can be used to predict future surge events or proactive maintenance.

1 Galil Motion Control Multi Axis Motion Controller

Multi-Axis Motion Controller

Galil Motion Control's new DMC-21x5 controller introduces a state-of-the-art ARM-based processor that improves its communication, command processing, and memory capabilities while staying at the same series price as its series predecessor, DMC-21x3.

MicroHAWK® Industrial Fixed-Mount Barcode Scanners

MicroHAWK® Industrial Fixed-Mount Barcode Scanners

Omron high-performance barcode readers are designed for easy, fast, and reliable decoding of 1D and 2D barcodes.

1 Moog Modular Electrohydrostatic Actuation System

Modular Electrohydrostatic Actuation System

Moog's new product features lower oil requirement, a decentralized system, low mass inertia, and much more.

Bosch Rexroth Ctrl X Drive 38644

Compact, Scalable Drive System

Bosch Rexroth’s ctrlX DRIVE is said to be the most compact, scalable, and consistent modular drive system available. It has space-saving dimensions of up to 50% and can provide tailored solutions with peak currents of 6 A to 375 A.

Mass Flow Controller for Gas

Burkert's Type 8742/46 mass flow controllers/meters can handle low- to mid- to high-flow gas applications.

Pr182020 Beckhoff Elm72xx Print

Servo Drives

Beckhoff’s ELM72xx EtherCAT servo drives deliver an output current (Irms) of up to 16 A at 48 V DC for the power supply.

Inductive Automation Ignition8

Industrial Application Platform Update

Find out about the latest application platform tools included with Ignition 8.1.

Solve Integration Challenges Using Rich Data from Your Instrumentation

Solve Integration Challenges Using Rich Data from Your Instrumentation

Advanced communication protocols enable ultra-fast, real-time information exchange and control between PLC/DCS and intelligent digital instrumentation. Learn how the integration, start-up, and productivity of industrial process systems can be improved.

Beckhoff Al8000 Linear Motors1

Linear Motors

The AL8000 linear motor series from Beckhoff is based on a modular system design consisting of linear motors and magnetic plates and offers wide-ranging options in length, winding, and cooling type.

SPC-800 Series of Button-integrated HMI with IP66-Rated Protection for Process Visualization

Advantech has to announced its new SPC-800 series of arm-mounted human-machine interfaces with full IP66-rated protection that provides a cabinet-free solution for operation in industrial environments.

Converter Cables

Converter Cables Create Possibilities for Mobile Equipment Makers

New Balluff cables connect M12 to Deutsch DT and AMP Superseal connectors.

Wago 2000 Series Pnp Npn Converter

Converter Reduces Need for Inventory and Space

Helps increase machine functionality

Pr Rsbs No Text

Single-Phase Compressor Soft Starters

These single-phase compressor soft starters from Carlo Gavazzi are said to reduce start current by more than 50%.

Merz Disconnects 5x7

Merz UL 508 Non-Fusible Disconnect Switches

AutomationDirect has added enclosed versions and non-enclosed DIN rail and panel/door mount versions of Merz disconnect / motor control switches.

P1ekk01623va91vdovrnoostqq7 001

SICK to Host Virtual Press Conference at PACK EXPO Connects

See what’s new with SICK at its first ever virtual press conference for PACK EXPO Connects. There will be four live demos of its intelligent sensor solutions that are helping to improve the packaging process.

3D Profile Sensors

See it at PACK EXPO Connects! Matrox Imaging will showcase the Matrox AltiZ series of integrated high-fidelity 3D profile sensors featuring a dual-camera single-laser design.

More in Control

Gladiator Circuit Breakers 5x7

Gladiator Series Circuit Breakers and Supplementary Protectors

Circuit breakers from Automation Direct offer optimum and efficient protection for branch and control circuits up to 63 amps.

Icotek Releases New IMAS-Connect Adapter Grommets

Icotek is expanding its range of adapter grommets for its IMAS-Connect adapter system to include the AT-PP and the AT-K-M.

Idec Hg1 P 07 Hg1 P 片手持ち

IDEC Introduces HG1P Handheld Human-Machine Interface

Easy to hold due to its small form factor and light weight—and includes a touchscreen, function keys, and switches—making it a good fit for machine tending and robotics applications.

Prosense Loop Panel Meters 5x7

Field and Panel Mount Loop-Powered 4 to 20mA Process Displays

ProSense LPM1 loop panel meters from Automation Direct is powered from the mA loop and requires no external power supply and features three front-panel operating keys.

Wago Extends Family of PFC200 Gen 2 Controllers

PFC200 Generation 2 controllers from Wago supports MQTT protocol and can easily be configured to connect to cloud services.

Io Link News Page

Absolute Encoders Feature IO-Link Interface

Smart absolute rotary encoder ready for Industry 4.0.

Sbc6511 With Metalwork Hi Res Copy

New 6U SBC Incorporates Intel 9th Gen CPU, Aligns with SOSA Technical Standard

Abaco's 6U SBC features the Intel Xeon E six core CPU with 64GB DDR4 with ECC and up to 256 GB SSD and provides a dual 40 GbE data plane with RDMA, plus dual 10GbE ports on the control plane.

Effective Tool Change Designed With Inductive Miniature Sensors

In modern processing centers, inductive sensors are the components of choice for monitoring the motor spindle clamping process. Integrated into the spindle, they must be small and offer high repeatability to ensure smooth tool changing at all times.

Nord Usa Maxxdrive Xt Industrial Gear Unit

Industrial Gear Drives

The two-stage MAXXDRIVE XT right-angle gear drives from Nord are designed for heavy-duty conveyor belt applications in the bulk material handling industry.

Idec Fc6 A 12 V Dc Io Press Release Fc6 A C16

IDEC Adds 12V DC 16 I/O CPUs to MicroSmart FC6A PLC

With the addition three new 12V DC CPUs, the capable MicroSmart FC6A All-in-One PLC family now offers users more options for automating battery-backed systems, traffic controls, and mobile equipment.

Quantum Press Release

Quantum Automation Supports Off-Grid Automation with QRTU and QSolarBattery

These Quantum Automation hardware platforms can be used individually or together to enable IIoT monitoring and automation almost anywhere.

Yaskawa and Phoenix Contact Announce Partnership

Yaskawa and Phoenix Contact announce an agreement to utilize PLCnext Technology from Phoenix Contact in the development of the next generation machine controller and PLC platform realizing the i3-Mechatronics solution concept lead by Yaskawa.