Worst suspicions confirmed: The terrible security of internet routers Here’s the latest IDT security nightmare: All of the wireless routers through which most loT traffic passes are probably vulnerable to botnets and other kinds of security breaches. That’s the conclusion of researchers at Fraunhofer FKIE in Germany who analyzed 127 different routers sold by seven…
Advantech launches UNO-238 compact high-performance computer for IoT edge applications
Advantech, a leading provider of embedded computing solutions, is pleased to announce its UNO-238 compact IoT edge computer. Powered by the latest 8th generation Intel Core i processor, UNO-238 provides a competitively priced computing solution in an optimized compact form factor. Designed for high-performance computing 8th gen applications, UNO-238 offers an up to 50% improvement…
CIP Security updated to support user level authentication
ODVA announces that user-level authentication has been added to CIP Security, the cybersecurity network extension for EtherNet/IP. Previous specifications for CIP Security included key security properties including a broad trust domain across a group of devices, data confidentiality, device authentication, device identity, and device integrity. CIP Security now adds a narrow trust domain by user…
The state of IoT
It’s been 10 years since the idea of the Internet of Things (IoT) was introduced to the world. At that time, proponents were confident the world would see 50 billion interconnected devices by 2020. Well, 2020 has come and gone and we are not there yet. According to Professor William Webb, author of the book…
Are you ready for 5G yet?
5G will soon be deployed with its full set of features. As a communication tool, it puts more functionality in our hands than we’ve ever had before. Will we be ready for it, when it is ready for us? By Scott Orlosky, Contributing writer We’ve all been inundated by ads from Telecom Companies wanting us…
Laird connectivity adds 5G and CBRS functionality to the OC Series of rugged infrastructure antennas
Laird Connectivity has launched the latest model in the OC Series of rugged infrastructure antennas. The OC69421 offers expanded bandwidth omnidirectional coverage of the global cellular bands including 4G, 5G, and CBRS frequencies (698-4200 MHz). This is backed by Laird Connectivity’s industry leading five-year warranty on all antenna products. Stand-out features of the OC69421 include:…
Safety relay module includes built-in IoT connectivity, diagnostics
The new HR6S safety relay modul supports a wide variety of connections, input devices, and operating modes—and adds convenient diagnostic and status monitoring important for the growing number of manufacturing sites relying on important internet of things (IoT) data. Safety relays are crucial for monitoring safety-related inputs, and for protecting both machines and operators by…
Newark and Cisco partner to deliver industrial IoT solutions for harsh and ruggedized environments
Newark, an Avnet Company, is partnering with Cisco to offer industrial IoT network solutions for harsh and non-carpeted environments to customers across North America. Cisco is a worldwide technology leader in networking solutions and develops products for network connectivity, data control and exchange, connectivity management, and edge computing all in a secure environment. The partnership…
Has Industry 4.0 failed?
By Dave Evans, CEO, Fictiv Many claim that manufacturing is undergoing a transformation to a digital model. For digital transformation to work, though, it has to deliver tangible dividends to all stakeholders. While the fourth industrial revolution has delivered many grandiose ideas, it has delivered few real examples in terms of achieving a tangible digital…
Pneumatics and digital transformation: Overcome what’s holding you back
With the right approach to IIoT technology, you can turn data into actionable information that helps ensure machines are self-diagnosing, provide transparency to end-users, and never fail. Mark Densley, Director Business Development Factory Automation at Emerson While the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) offers the promise of a revolutionary impact on manufacturing, implementation of the…
IDEC adds MQTT IIoT support to MicroSmart FC6A Plus PLC CPU
IDEC Corporation released a free firmware upgrade enabling new and existing MicroSmart FC6A Plus PLC CPUs to support the industry-standard MQTT protocol. The upgrade can be downloaded to the FC6A CPU, so it is easy for users to connect all types of field data to on-site and cloud-based brokers, and make the information readily available…
Building Industrial IoT from the Edge to the Cloud: A better approach to automation
By Cliff Ortmeyer, Global Head of Technical Marketing, Newark Those working in industrial automation today see the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) as a way to create a cohesive system of devices and applications. IIoT enhances the ability to share data seamlessly across machines and sites, optimize production, and find new cost-saving opportunities. But many…
Expanded communications and discrete I/O capabilities for the BRX PLC
Expansion modules snap onto the side of any BRX Micro PLC Unit (MPU) or BRX Remote I/O controller. Newly added BRX discrete I/O modules include 5, 8, and 16-point relay output modules (starting at $55) with Form A (SPST) and Form C (SPDT) options; 16-point 2-5 VDC discrete input and output modules (starting at $55);…
TwinCAT IoT supports MindSphere
The TwinCAT IoT product family transmits data to the cloud or between networked machines, creating the potential for increasing production efficiency. MindSphere, the Industrial IoT as a service solution from Siemens, is one of the latest solutions that can integrate with TwinCAT. TwinCAT 3 automation software can communicate with HTTP(S) servers as an HTTP(S) client,…
Report: Industrial professionals moving away from company-wide digitizing overhaul to a more focused approach
A highly focused approach to digital transformation is challenging the traditional top-down, all-or-nothing strategy, according to a new report from Plutoshift, an internet company specializing in artificial intelligence, energy, and performance monitoring. The findings revealed just 25% of industrial professionals said digitizing their entire company at once was the right approach. Rather than embarking on…
Can standard I/O systems simplify designs?
When OEMs can standardize their designs with one family of I/O products, it simplifies their efforts and gives them the flexibility to adapt controller platforms as needed. By Matt Hou, Electrical Engineer, Dinkle International Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of machinery and process systems come in all shapes and sizes, serving a variety of industries, but…
Equipment-as-a-Service—a look at three technologies
These IIoT tools can help put the EaaS model to work in your machinery quickly and affordably. With the impact of recent economic upsets still playing out, many equipment manufacturers may be feeling pressure to transform the way they do business. Equipment-as-a-service (EaaS) is an alternative business model that may help OEMs and machine builders…
CIP Security updated to support user level authentication
ODVA announces that user level authentication has been added to CIP SecurityTM, the cybersecurity network extension for EtherNet/IPTM. Previous publications of the specifications for CIP Security included key security properties including a broad trust domain across a group of devices, data confidentiality, device authentication, device identity, and device integrity. CIP Security now adds a narrow…
Ready-to-use industrial edge platform for data processing on the production level
Siemens is expanding its offer for industrial IoT solutions, adding to its Industrial Edge portfolio a central and company-wide scalable infrastructure for managing connected edge devices and apps. With the new Industrial Edge Management system, users can remotely monitor the status of every connected device and remotely install edge apps and software functions on distributed…
Easily connect Ethernet devices and gain advantages of IO-Link
Balluff’s new CC-Link IE Field Basic network block with IO-Link makes it easy to connect Ethernet devices while providing the benefits of IO-Link. With 100 Megabit Ethernet, it delivers optimal performance in applications with low automation levels, where the gigabit speed of the CC-Link IE Field Master is not needed, such as bar loading magazines.…
Driving the IIoT revolution—challenges, benefits and simple next steps
In the age of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), plants, products, and systems are becoming increasingly networked. The intelligent combination of IT and OT in industrial environments forms the basis for transparent and efficient processes and reduced production costs, making it possible to tap into completely new business segments. On November 17, 2020, the…
Industrial 5G router
Siemens presents its industrial 5G router for connecting local industrial applications to a public 5G network. The device will be available in spring 2021. Using the newly developed Scalance MUM856-1, industrial applications such as machines, control elements, and other devices can be accessed remotely via a public 5G network, providing a simple remote maintenance option…
Rockwell Automation unveils new capabilities in FactoryTalk InnovationSuite to accelerate digital transformation
Rockwell Automation, Inc. announced a set of new capabilities for FactoryTalk InnovationSuite, powered by PTC to simplify, scale and accelerate digital transformation for industrial organizations. This news follows the recent announcement that the two companies are extending and expanding the scope of their strategic alliance following strong market momentum and widespread industry recognition of InnovationSuite.…
Opto 22 tackles large-scale IIoT with groov EPIC version 3.0 firmware
Opto 22 has debuted its second major firmware release for 2020 (the third since initial release in 2018) of the groov EPIC edge programmable industrial control platform. Version 3.0 focuses on enhancing the scalability of industrial internet of things (IIoT) and automation projects. It introduces centralized user management via LDAP (lightweight directory access protocol), the…
Beckhoff EL51xx EtherCAT Terminals enhance incremental signal analysis
Beckhoff Automation has introduced new EL51xx EtherCAT Terminals with built-in incremental signal analysis functionality. Incremental encoders have become indispensable in many applications due to their compactness and low price points. Beckhoff meets this important need with the comprehensive EL51xx series for analysis of 5 V incremental encoders via RS422 and TTL signals. These four new…