Food & Beverage Manufacturing at Scale with MES
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Food & Beverage Manufacturing at Scale with MES

External pressures and internal challenges continue to mount for food and beverage and Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) companies. Keeping up with evolving and increasingly stringent food health and safety regulations can be complicated. Regulations such as CFR 21 Part 11, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) changes and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act all have increasing requirements on electronic record keeping of quality and traceability records in manufacturing.

Navigating the Robotic Revolution – Addressing Labor Shortages with FANUC Automation Skills

Navigating the Robotic Revolution – Addressing Labor Shortages with FANUC Automation Skills

As businesses all over the world face an ever-increasing labor shortage, robotics and automation have become a popular solution. And out of the four million robots installed globally, over a quarter of them are FANUC. The ongoing challenge for most companies is finding operators who have the skills to work with robotics and automation. For over a decade, FANUC’s education philosophy has centered on empowering the workforce to reach their goals by earning industry-recognized certifications as well as two and four-year degrees in robotics and automation.

IO-Link Safety: Transforming the Future of Safety Communication and Diagnostics
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IO-Link Safety: Transforming the Future of Safety Communication and Diagnostics

With manufacturing companies moving into industry 4.0, data generated on the plant floor is increasing in importance. IO-Link has been a great success in reducing installation cost, providing greater flexibility and increased data to the user while keeping the communication universal. The machine safety market has many of the same needs as the standard machine control. The systems need easier installation, which includes wiring simplification and simplification of product configuration. Installers are also looking to have fewer components to stock while still having the flexibility to use the best product for the application.

Making the Sustainable Transformation of the Process Industry a Success
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Making the Sustainable Transformation of the Process Industry a Success

By Krystie Johnston and Dr. Manfred Jagiella – Sustainability facilitates opportunity when approached with a mindset to preserve resources and promote circularity. We share one Earth, and it is our global responsibility to care for it for the next generation. Endress+Hauser is one global company that understands this responsibility – and practices it as well. The company began as pioneers in the field of electronic sensor technology in 1953. Since then, they have become one of the world’s leading providers of process laboratory measurement technology, automation solutions, and services. As a family-owned company, they have a special culture that shapes everything they do. Strong values and principles make them a reliable partner.

Why NOARK’s 12VDC Shunt Trip Coils for MCCBs Make Power Systems Reliable and Safer

Why NOARK’s 12VDC Shunt Trip Coils for MCCBs Make Power Systems Reliable and Safer

Circuit breakers are an essential component of any modern electrical system. Designed to protect your home or business from potential overloads or short circuits, these devices are your first line of defense against electrical fires. There are, however, situations where remote tripping of the circuit breaker may be required. It could be for operational reasons, for example being able to turn off machinery from the switch room which is not in the same location as the machine. In emergency situations, for example in fire outbreak, personnels can shut down power to a building without going in front of the breaker to do that.

Upgrading Legacy Automation: Implications, Challenges, and Best Practices
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Upgrading Legacy Automation: Implications, Challenges, and Best Practices

On today’s factory floor, upgrading legacy automation equipment is often a taboo subject. “Why fix what isn’t broken?” “Why fix it until it is broken?” “Why borrow trouble?” There are many quick rebuttals to team members who have faced a close call on the production floor around legacy equipment. Legacy automation, characterized by technology in the later stages of its useful life, and where useful life is defined by receiving a disproportionately large amount of utility compared to the resources consumed, can limit efficiency, increase downtime, and jeopardize long-term factory vitality.

Maximizing Motor Efficiency: Navigating the Impact of VFDs on Motors

Maximizing Motor Efficiency: Navigating the Impact of VFDs on Motors

Running a motor directly from the power source produces uniform, sinusoidal waveforms but wastes energy due to continuous speed operation regardless of the load requirements. To enhance efficiency, variable frequency drives (VFDs) control motor speed, reduce energy consumption, and minimize equipment wear. However, VFDs use pulse-width modulation (PWM) to supply electrical pulses instead of a true voltage waveform, generating harmful harmonics that can damage motors, cables, and bearings.

The Path to Net Zero with Smart Building Technologies from ABB

The Path to Net Zero with Smart Building Technologies from ABB

By Krystie Johnston – Building operations account for 30% of global final energy consumption and 26% of global energy-related emissions. This sector, if entirely net zero, would contribute a significant percentage to reduced CO2 emissions worldwide1. In fact, technologies exist already to help buildings reach net zero today. Robert Palajsa, Territory manager for the smart power and smart buildings division for southern Ontario at ABB Canada discusses what ABB has to offer and how companies and industries can expedite their path to net zero, starting right now. 

Eplan Platform 2024: Why It’s Worth Switching to the New Version

Eplan Platform 2024: Why It’s Worth Switching to the New Version

By Sean Mulherrin, International Solutions Architect, EPLAN – With the highlights of the new Eplan Platform 2024, Eplan continues to make engineering and circuit diagram creation as efficient and convenient as possible for users. We take a look at the most important innovations, where exactly they are in the software and how users can use the optimizations for themselves. In our article, we take a closer look at what makes the new version (even) better than its predecessors from the user’s point of view and why a version change is worthwhile.

The Digital Substation: Thinking “Outside the Box” Could Play a Crucial Role in the Future of Substation Automation

The Digital Substation: Thinking “Outside the Box” Could Play a Crucial Role in the Future of Substation Automation

The future of power system substations may be redefined by the application of virtualization. At least that is what an increasing number of utilities are envisioning as they explore the opportunity for increased virtualization in substation design. In this future, there would be a significant reduction in the hardware used in substations. Instead, tasks will be carried out on cloud servers, marking a noticeable shift from the current reliance on extensive racks of hardware.

Helping McMaster University Adapt its Buildings for the Future
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Helping McMaster University Adapt its Buildings for the Future

McMaster University is using technology to better control and manage its legacy thermal systems and create smarter buildings. Carmichael Engineering Ltd., a Canadian systems integrator, worked closely with ABB Canada’s experts and its highly adaptable smart building platform, ABB Cylon, to improve energy efficiency, enhance user adaptability, and leverage innovative technologies in locations across campus.

FLIR’s Thermal Camera Technology: A Crucial Component in Industrial Settings

FLIR’s Thermal Camera Technology: A Crucial Component in Industrial Settings

Thermal imaging technologies like the ones by FLIR improve safety, operational efficiency, and cost savings in many automated and industrial applications. By capturing the infrared radiation emitted by an object or process, it identifies thermal anomalies that warrant further investigation by experts. Today, thermography is more sophisticated and accessible than ever, making is easy for anyone to begin to benefit from this technology. Rob Milner, Business Development Director, FLIR, a Teledyne Technologies company, discusses their latest wide-angle thermal lens and how industries are benefiting from thermal imaging right now.

Consider The OEM Your Machine Tool Service and Support Specialist

Consider The OEM Your Machine Tool Service and Support Specialist

When it comes to service and support from third-party suppliers, the phrase “jack of all trades and master of none” sums up the situation in some instances. While many third-party machine service and repair companies are quite capable, they typically work on a myriad of machine types and brands and aren’t always as well versed on the nuances of a particular model/brand as are the machine’s OEM.

Cobot Palletizers Evolve with Longer Reach, Heavier Payloads and Easy Interfaces

Cobot Palletizers Evolve with Longer Reach, Heavier Payloads and Easy Interfaces

Robotic palletizing has been a game changer in packaging lines and warehouses for decades, but some considered automation not an option over concerns like space limitations and lack of robotic programming expertise. Collaborative robots have been opening up new automation avenues in many applications, but it wasn’t until higher-payload and longer-reach cobots, like FANUC’s CRX-25iA and CR-35iB, that are now causing many to reconsider automating palletizing to boost efficiency and productivity.

The Power of OPC UA in Industrial Automation
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The Power of OPC UA in Industrial Automation

In the world of industrial automation, the need for seamless communication between devices and systems is paramount. This is where OPC UA (Open Platform Communications United Architecture) comes into play. OPC US is an open and secure communication protocol that enables interoperability between different devices and software applications. This article will explore the significance of OPC UA in manufacturing operations and hot it has revolutionized the way data is transmitted and utilized in the industry.

ISA Reinforces Critical Nature of Automation in Achieving Global Energy Goals in New Position Paper

ISA Reinforces Critical Nature of Automation in Achieving Global Energy Goals in New Position Paper

The International Society of Automation (ISA) has recently announced the publication of a new position paper, “Automation is Critical to Achieving Global Energy Goals.” In this paper, ISA explains the multitude of ways that automation can support energy supply and efficiency. Safe and efficient execution of energy production, storage, and transmission requires the use of proven automation technologies implemented by knowledgeable and skilled automation professionals.