Most Recent

• How do I choose a signal device in dangerous environments?

  By Mike Bacidore, chief editor

  What types of signaling devices make the most sense in hazardous locations?Alvaro Sanchez, product manager, Rockwell Automation: Typically, high-output horns and high-brightness beacons are being used in these kinds of applications, as long as they meet the hazardous-location ratings required by…

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• Stacklights: how much is too much?

  By Mike Bacidore, chief editor

  Red, yellow, green and blue are standard stacklight colors. But a variety of other colors can be used to indicate specific conditions and needs.What are the pros and cons of additional colors or flashing patterns? Are they helpful, or do they just create confusion?Lee Clore, owner/controls…

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• 5 questions with CiA's recently re-elected CiA managing director

  During the organization's annual CAN in Automation General Assembly, the members re-elected the three members of the board yet again. Technical director Uwe Koppe, business director Christian Schlegel and managing director Holger Zeltwanger were all re-elected.Besides the board-of-directors, the…

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• Reusable software is ever-developing

  By Rick Rice, contributing editor

  My life as a controls guy for a food co-packer is spent maintaining existing machines and processes with far less of it on my favorite part, software development. Software is my Everest—the peak of my career aspirations. For me, there is nothing finer than getting an opportunity to start with a…

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• Beckhoff Automation president on what's driving the company forward

  Beckhoff Automation appointed Kevin Barker as president mid-February and he will manage Beckhoff business operations across the United States. Barker takes over the leadership role that Aurelio Banda has held for four years. As president, Barker will oversee all sales, engineering, marketing and…

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• How to ensure your pneumatic system is robust

  By Dave Perkon, technical editor

  Automation controls many types of mechanical motion in industrial machines. When motion control is discussed, many designers think of servos, stepper motors and linear actuators. However, the fact is, pneumatic systems provide many of the simplest options to control motion. As long as the basics of…

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