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FORTiS™ is the new enclosed encoder that enables machine tool builders to improve machine tool performance and increase uptime while enhancing the efficiency of assembly, maintenance, and servicing. The innovative FORTiS enclosed linear absolute encoder series is designed for use in harsh environments such as machine tools. It can also be used in functional safety applications up…

By Barry Nelson, Public Relations Coordinator – WAGO Corporation Engineers continue to look for innovations in design software whether it is improved accuracy, higher capability, more graphical use interface or better technical support.  The one constant, however, is that it must be user-friendly.  Many programs today are trying their best to make it easier for…

UL 1203 certified epoxy for Explosion-Proof and Dust-Ignition-Proof Electrical Equipment for Use in Hazardous Locations By Master Bond Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 1203 is defined as the “Standard for Explosion-Proof and Dust-Ignition-Proof Electrical Equipment for Use in Hazardous (Classified) Locations”. To certify an epoxy for the UL1203, sample castings are exposed to saturated vapors in air…

By Neal Allen, Vice President of Engineering The global wire and cable market worldwide is estimated to grow from $335 billion in 2021 to nearly $427 million by 2026 according to a report by Research and Markets. The market is expected to grow annually by about five percent over the next five years. This continued…

By Kate Nadeau, mk North America, Inc. When you think of a conveyor you may think of a simple device, maybe with a belt or a set of rollers or both, designed to move product from one point to another. Or maybe you think of the check out counter at the grocery store. Or perhaps…

Products and services provided in regional locations offer end users the flexibility to receive products and support with less delays. By Globalspec Article Sponsored by Enidine Inc. Manufacturers and industrial applications face a need to diversify their supply lines. Enidine has established manufacturing in three locations worldwide to meet this demand. Their oft-customized HD/HDN large…

Importance of Retaining Ring RPM Performance By Justyna Rapacz, Marketing Engineer With rotational capacity requirements of modern applications higher than ever, many engineers struggle to find retaining rings that can withstand high speeds. If an engineer settles for alternate solutions to retaining rings, it often results in more assembly time and costs more money, or even worse,…

Precise, linear pressure control within a closed-loop system with ultra-high resolution and repeatability The Clippard Cordis is a revolutionary microcontroller primed for escape velocity from a proportional control market that has grown stagnant. Built with the highest quality Clippard proportional valves at its heart, the Cordis is designed to outperform the competition in every way. With…

By Barry Nelson- PR Coordinator, WAGO Corporation When people speak of custom products, their minds immediately drift to custom cars, custom built homes or other custom-made extravagances that have unique and elegant exteriors.  On a few special occasions, these thoughts may reference the internal workings of a finished product, but it always seems that the…

Specifying the right valve manifold for an application can sometimes be a complex and difficult decision, especially with so many options out there and with many factors to consider. Here we examine 10 reasons why a valve manifold could be the right solution for your application. 1. Where space is at a premium Not only…

By Würth Additive Group The Challenge Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a vendor of Würth Des Moines Bolt (DMB) that assembled a sealing plug stopped their assembly service. To continue to meet customer demand, DMB’s kitting department began building the plugs in house. To assemble the plug, an O-ring needs to be stretched over the…

Light-Duty Retaining Rings for light loads may be a cost-efficient solution in comparison to snap rings. By Justyna Rapacz, Marketing Engineer, Smalley If you’ve ever had to hold mating components of assemblies in place, you’ve probably used a retaining ring. Retaining rings are a popular fastening choice, as they are compact and eliminate complex machining processes…

By Cory Thiel, WAGO Product Manager – Interconnect In today’s increasingly automated age, it is somewhat bewildering to realize that hand soldering of electronic componentry remains a viable connection technique. But then again, why not? We have been doing hand soldering by some estimations since 3000 BC in Mesopotamia. Of course, the soldered joints at…

Implementing modern (and easy to adopt!) practices for PLC workflows helps avoid costly downtime and recover quickly when it occurs With real-world hazards from fires and floods to cyber attacks on the rise, and more than just production at risk, it’s more important than ever for industrial manufacturers to implement smarter workflows, protect assets and…

By Kevin Siegel, Marketing Manager HELUKABEL® offers diverse Industrial Ethernet solutions to face the challenges of evolving industries. Our HELUKAT® cables are much more than your average Industrial Ethernet cables. Communication Protocols: PROFINET (Type A, B, C, & R), Ethernet/IP, EtherCat, CC-Link and others. Maximize Speed:  Cat 5 through Cat 7 available. The higher the…

By Michael Boudreau, P.Eng., Application Engineering Manager As a relatively young technology, and with their initial applications being in heavy industries such as injection molding, roller screws are often considered to be best suited for applications where they replace hydraulic cylinders or other high-load drive mechanisms. And, yes, some roller screw designs are ideal for…

Custom or standard, Smalley takes great pride in its unparalleled dedication to delivering quality wave spring solutions for a variety of industries. Both wave springs and traditional coil springs fall under the category of compression springs. While the primary function of a compression spring is to provide axial load, wave springs have a few key differences and advantages when compared to coil springs. Wave…

Streamlining PLC workflows with modern DevOps efficiencies Until now, code development for industrial automation has not been able to take advantage of modern DevOps processes that have transformed traditional software development, due to the visual nature of PLC programming and the variety of development environments. New solutions are aiming to change this, with tools tailor-built for…

By Reese Weber, Senior Application Engineer, 3M Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division and Bridget Nyland, Global Marketing Manager, 3M Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division COVID-19, supply-chain issues, an ongoing labor shortage and greater sustainability requirements have accelerated the need to reassess all aspects of production, including fastening methods and automating production. Tapes and adhesives provide…

Maintenance-free and torsionally stiff connecting elements for smooth stable running For many decades engineers have turned to the flexible disc pack coupling for applications requiring maximum reliability and uptime, minimizing wear on adjacent equipment, and eliminating the need for lubrication or maintenance of the coupling itself.  Before disc couplings were invented, flexible couplings nearly always…

Safely and Easily Secure Your High-Speed Rotational Needs! Rotational capacity requirements for modern applications are higher than ever, especially in electric motors, gearboxes, and automotive transmissions. As the market leader for innovative retaining ring solutions, Smalley has been continually investing in ongoing research and development to meet the demand for high RPM requirements. Smalley’s latest…

By Charlie Norz, Automation Product Manager The networked, intelligent, self-controlling, self-optimizing, and resource-efficient production is the central scenario of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) – the smart factory. Despite the alleged advantages that IIoT appears to offer, questions remain for many companies, such as: Why is it even necessary? What level of their own…

Apply smart climate control principles to reduce energy usage and help ensure long service life of your equipment Why Enclosure Climate Control is More Important than Ever Electrical systems are becoming increasingly compact and the number of circuits per unit volume is growing, leading to higher heat generation per unit volume. The rule of thumb…

By Kent Tabor, President, CTO and Founder, EmbedTek, LLC The accuracy and reliability of Ultra-wideband (UWB) technology means that whatever application it is used for, you can be confident you have the best technology to detect a contact event. UWB is a wireless technology that uses radio frequency to measure distance precisely and securely over…

By Steve Sullivan, Training Supervisor, Rittal North America LLC The materials you chose for your industrial enclosures will impact the lifespan and performance of the electronic and automation components housed within. With numerous materials available, each offering different protective advantages, how can you be confident in your choice? The answer: it comes down to your…