Automation processes in the industrial sector are becoming faster, more efficient, and more intelligent with the development of new technologies. But the things which add value to companies in this industry often present challenges for the internal employees who need to oversee, monitor, manage, develop, or repair these automated and fully optimized processes. With Augmented Reality (AR), workers can be effectively supported along the entire value chain to ensure the best possible human-machine...

In Germany, Europe’s biggest industrial economy, the harnessing of IIoT to digital automation has developed far enough for it to routinely be described as a fourth industrial revolution. However, the more devices, equipment, sensors and applications are connected, the greater the risk of cybercrime.

The trend towards digitalisation in industry requires new solutions, this also applies for components that were previously purely electromechanical in nature. Because without a powerful, comprehensive infrastructure, digitalisation hits its limits fast. The infrastructure includes plug-in connectors and cables whose significance is set to rise and for example will be reflected in intelligent plug-in connectors. Weidmüller is presenting a demonstrator for an intelligent connector for the first...

At the Hannover Messe (Hall 9, Booth H55) Turck is presenting the PS+ series pressure sensors as the first of a new fluid sensor series. They combine functionality together with award-winning design. The keypad features capacitive touch pads that enable unimaginably simple operation. The absence of mechanical operating elements increases robustness and helps to meet the requirements of ISO protection types IP6K6K, IP6K7 and IP6K9K. Flexible installation (overhead and rotatable around 340°) and...

Increasingly, classic control cabinet applications are installed in the field and equipped with communicative components. This increases the complexity and quantity of the cabling. Prefabricated and tested cables enable time savings of up to 75 percent and simplify installation in difficult plant conditions. To cater for these requirements, Weidmüller offers high-quality plug-and-produce solutions for IP20 and IP6x environments.

Kontron's rackmount systems are designed and tested for challenging environments, and are therefore the perfect fit for extreme temperature and mechanical stress conditions.

Dynetics offers an extensive range of motion controller modules, worm gear motors, servo motor controllers, stepper motor drives and controllers – all suitable for complex mechatronic applications.

Linux is one of the most widely used open source operating systems and is available in many different variants. This wide set of choices can make it confusing and challenging to determine the right version for a given use case. Wind River's article offers an introduction to Linux for the enterprise and Linux for embedded products.

The more compact the machine and plants, the greater the demand for small sensors. If these devices also involve short blind zones, they soon become the universal tool for restricted spaces. Turck has therefore added ten more miniature sensors to its RU ultrasonic sensor series. Twelve new types were added to the RU-Eco series with devices made from highly resistant liquid crystal polymer. This comprehensive portfolio enables the automation specialist to offer the right ultrasonic solution for...

Numerous companies are sceptical, hesitating to take the step to digitalization. As an industry pioneer in the area of I4.0 grippers and real-time simulation, Zimmer Group is ready to convert the few remaining doubters and naysayers. The company now offers their customers integrated solutions (“digitalZ”) that are tailored to the software platforms of the customers.

Panasonic Industry is well known for its extensive automation technology portfolio with industry-leading innovations and components. With this article, WA3000 Industrial Automation reports about Panasonic's core competencies in the areas of safety technology, energy management and efficiency.

IO-Link is considered key technology for implementing industry 4.0 and IIoT concepts. For this technology Weidmüller provides IO-Link master modules in IP20 and IP67 degree of protection. Plug-in connectors and pre-assembled cables for the bus connection as well as sensor/actuator cabling complete the product portfolio. The parametrisation and configuration of IO-Link devices can be performed with a web‑based configuration tool that contains an interface to the manufacturer‑independent...

Industry 4.0 – the smart, adaptive factory with short retooling times and decentralized control – aims to generate the most comprehensive data possible within a highly automated process in real-time and provide the most varied instances possible. This status information in the form of process data for control and monitoring of sequences and product data for traceability and quality verification form an objective basis for making decisions in order to take early measures for process optimization.

The new BML SL1 absolute measuring system from Balluff is the right choice wherever positions and end-of-travel need to be determined with high accuracy, fast and precisely over travel distances of up to 8 meters. Regardless of whether the task involves linear or rotary motion, distance or angle measurement, format changes, short or long distances.

Wireless-based identification using RFID is one of the key technologies for smart production processes suitable for Industry 4.0. Turck provides a powerful tool for this with its BL ident RFID solution. A new addition to the portfolio is a robust RFID module with protection class IP67, which makes the connection of factory automation to the IT world much easier due to an integrated OPC UA server.

Regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) frequently adopt regulations aimed at optimizing solutions for patient care and life-saving systems to make medical devices safer. The article shows which solutions Wind River proposes to meet regulatory requirements with integrated safety & security features. The solutions can also be used for industrial automation applications.

Hybrid plug-in connectors save space and are easier to install. When they are designed and used correctly their EMC properties are just as good as dedicated cables. Circular connectors have already become established on the motors side. Weidmüller has developed the OMNIMATE® hybrid plug-in connector for single-cable interfaces on drives in the control cabinet. The article describes the technical background, and the considerations that went into the design.

As global manufacturers face increasing competition, the need to optimize the efficiency, productivity, and quality levels within their discreet manufacturing facilities is becoming a matter of business survival. This article shows which solutions Wind River proposes.

At the Motek in Stuttgart, the international trade fair for automation in production and assembly, Dynetics (Hall 8, Booth 8236) presents an extensive range of ball screw drives, stepper motors, multi-axis motion controllers and controller ASICs for stepper and servo motors.

Weidmüller OMNIMATE® Power BUF 10.16 provides a safer and more efficient device connection for power electronics. The PUSH-IN connection technology and the wire-ready function speed up conductor connection.

Industry 4.0 and smart factory concepts pose a number of challenges to production processes. Industrial monitors that are capable of displaying the extensive data of servers in a way that enables all parties to quickly grasp the most important information are a key element of stable production processes. Using Kontron as an example, we show the advantages of XXL monitors.

Precise GNSS/inertial systems using global navigation satellite systems such as GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou or Galileo form the basis for recording and evaluating the driving dynamics of motor vehicles and for the navigation of steering robots. GeneSys Elektronik has developed the full GNSS/Inertial System ADMA-Slim especially for applications with space or weight restrictions.

The concept of the seventh axis provides robot applications with an increased motion range. With the Seventh Axis system from the Actuator System Line Rollon offers a practical solution for this task.

With embedded technology and a particularly large field of view, a new 3D sensor from ISRA VISION offers short scanning times and fast data availability, making it ideal for use directly on the production line.