The SICK UD18 fork sensors use ultrasonic technology to check double layers and adhesive areas. The sensor precisely detects whether one or two material layers are present or missing between its sender and receiver. The UD18 is particularly suitable for detecting double material layers of paper, cardboard, shiny metal or transparent plastic.
Mining operations run on power. Across crushing, conveying, hoisting, pumping, ventilation and mineral processing, electrical infrastructure keeps production moving and helps connect the assets, systems and people that make safe, efficient operations possible. But the same electrical systems that support higher productivity also introduce risk, especially in environments shaped by dust, moisture, vibration, remote locations, confined spaces and constant pressure to maximize uptime. Arc flash is one of the risks mining companies cannot afford to treat as a narrow compliance issue. It is a safety, reliability and operational continuity challenge that can affect people, assets and production at the same time.
As automated machines become more capable, increasing amounts of decentralized I/O are needed. Conventional approaches often rely on multiple dedicated input and output modules, increasing hardware, commissioning, and additional components that machine builders and system integrators must engineer, stock, and support. Festo addresses this challenge with a new configurable digital I/O module for the CPX-AP-I decentralized I/O platform. Instead of forcing machine builders to work around fixed I/O configurations, this new module adapts to the application, enabling more efficient use of decentralized I/O across a machine. The new CPX-AP-I configurable digital I/O module provides 16 channels
Do you want reliable monitoring of safety functions such as emergency stop, safety gates, light barriers and light curtains? When combined with the appropriate sensor technology and control units, the result is a standard-compliant safety solution for your specific machine application. Discover how Pilz focuses applications to find the right combination of control and sensor technology – from guards to non-contact protection concepts and restart protection.
The world’s only self-calibrating thermometer – iTHERM TrustSens TM37x (TM371 metric/TM372 imperial) from Endress+Hauser – is now available with either a 39°C (102°F) self-calibration reference point or the proven 118°C (244°F) version. This new version with a 39°C reference point extends automated, traceable in-situ calibration to suitable hygienic and aseptic processes that do not reach steam-sterilization temperatures.
OMRON Automation has released the VHV5-SRV Barcode Verification System, an inline verification solution designed to monitor barcode quality directly on the production line without slowing production. The VHV5-SRV enables manufacturers to move from beginning- and end-of-run offline sample checks to calibrated, real-time verification during production. Instead of discovering barcode degradation, unreadable codes, or non-compliant marks after a batch, shipment, or customer rejection, quality teams can check each code as it is produced and correct issues earlier. For life sciences, pharmaceuticals, food, and commodities, this supports stronger traceability and barcode quality control. For automotive and aerospace manufacturers, VHV5-SRV addresses a long-standing gap in Direct Part Mark (DPM) verification by confirming barcode quality on the actual marked part in production, not only on an offline sample.
The IO-Link Safety System from Pilz consists of fully compatible components, which together form a seamless safety solution – from the controller to the sensor in the field. All system components are designed to work together seamlessly, enabling simple integration and maximum transparency. The Master is used to connect IO-Link Safety devices such as the IO-Link Safety control unit and IO-Link Safety light curtains. The IO-Link Safety System uses 3-core, unshielded standard cable and up to 25 Bytes of data are transmitted in two directions, at up to 230.4 kbit/s. You will find this cable in the right lengths for your application in the Pilz portfolio. With the Pilz configuration tool you can configure and set parameters for the IO-Link Safety Master and devices.
Every second counts on the factory floor. That’s why seamless communication between your devices matters. Whether you’re monitoring consumption, diagnosing power quality issues, or building smarter industrial systems, EXP1019 helps keep critical data flowing where it’s matters most. The EXP1019 is compatible with flush-mounted power analyzers type DMG7000, DMG7500, DMG8000 and DMG9000 and is primarily used in medium-to-high complexity machinery featuring a PLC or automation systems, or within particularly energy-intensive machines.
Endress+Hauser is offering existing users of its in-situ gas analyzers, including older GM32 units, a discount on replacing their current, aging instruments with brand new GM32s. For the balance of 2026, a 20% discount is available to users upgrading from a GM31 analyzer – a discontinued model still supported by Endress+Hauser – or a 10% discount for replacing an aging GM32 – in service for more than seven years – with a new one. These analyzers provide many years of reliable, trouble-free performance. However, in the latter stages of a long service life, they may begin costing more to maintain or in a deferred maintenance scenario, suffer a loss of reliability that can trigger regulatory non-compliance events or unplanned process downtime. Often, swapping in a new GM32 pre-emptively is the more economical and practical move.
Connected edge devices increasingly need to do two jobs at once: maintain reliable wide-area communications and provide accurate location awareness. That combination shows up across smart terminals, kiosks, charging systems, mobile platforms, and remote monitoring equipment. In these designs, engineers must support modern cellular Internet of Things (IoT) protocols while also enabling Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based tracking in a compact, durable package. This week for Mouser’s New Tech Tuesdays they look at why multi-port IoT antennas matter in modern connected designs, how ground-plane independence can simplify radio frequency (RF) and mechanical integration, and why environmental sealing is now a practical requirement for many indoor and outdoor deployments. The article also explores how combining cellular and GNSS coverage in one compact antenna can help engineers reduce complexity without compromising flexibility.
Littelfuse has announced the TX00AS314TRA Omnipolar TMR Switch Sensor, a high-performance magnetic sensing solution designed for fast response, high sensitivity, and ultra-low power operation in compact, battery-powered applications. The TX00AS314TRA integrates a precision TMR (tunnel magnetoresistance) sensing element with CMOS signal-processing circuitry—including an on-chip voltage generator, low-noise amplifier, comparator, and Schmitt trigger—to deliver accurate switching, strong noise immunity, and excellent thermal stability. The device features X-axis (in-plane) magnetic sensing, enabling detection of magnetic fields parallel to the sensor surface, thereby enabling greater mechanical design flexibility. It operates with a typical supply current of just 1.5 µA while supporting high-speed detection up to 1 kHz, enabling reliable sensing in dynamic, always-on systems.
At the 2026 Innovators’ Meeting in Basel, Endress+Hauser honored the company’s inventors. 294 initial applications filed with patent offices worldwide last year, 41 new products and R&D expenditure of 281.4 million euros underscore the company’s innovative strength. In total, more than 9,400 active patents and patent applications protect the company’s intellectual property. With its annual Innovators’ Meeting, Endress+Hauser honors the people behind its pioneering achievements. Developers from across the Group who have been involved in patent applications come together to exchange ideas and present their most notable inventions.
Emerson has expanded the capabilities of its Rosemount 928 Wireless Gas Monitor by adding combustible gas detection, enabling percent lower explosive limit (%LEL) monitoring over the secure WirelessHART platform. The update helps users monitor combustible hazards in remote or hard-to-wire locations without the need for additional power or costly signal wiring.
Safety technology in machine building is much more than just meeting stringent standards – it is a strategic success factor. Modern safety systems not only protect people but make responsibility visible, stabilize processes and increase profitability. It is precisely at this interface that protection of people and system availability meet: Where functional safety creates trust: smooth processes, high availability and long-term competitive advantages follow. At the same time, the requirements on simple, flexible and easy to integrate solutions are growing. Machine building companies are faced with the challenge every day of balancing safety, efficiency and flexibility. Maintenance and service require consistent, clearly diagnosable control platforms. Safety representatives ensure compliance conformity, while engineering teams need to design processes to be more efficient and safer. Added to this is the expectation of fast project planning, short commissioning times and a modular, scalable integration – all supported by rugged and cost-effective technologies.
Alongside the proven technology of the first generation, I/O systems PSSuniversal with head modules and corresponding I/O modules, the remote I/O system PSSuniversal 2 is continuing the success story. Improvements to mechanics, handling and diagnostics show the way to the new universal generation. The communication modules PSSuniversal and PSSuniversal 2 are used for decentralized networking and for transferring safety-related and non-safety-related signals at field level. Using PSSuniversal, a wide range of applications can be implemented by connecting up to 64 I/O modules. You can connect the communication modules to the PLC controllers PSSuniversal or other higher-level controllers.
When robotic cells must handle a range of variable products within the same machine, mixed-product environments often require repeated programming, application-specific integration, and expensive 3D camera setups. These demands can slow deployment, increase integration cost, and make it difficult to scale automation across operations. To address these challenges, Festo introduces GripperAI, a universal AI-based software that enables robots to handle a range of items without custom programming. The software operates locally at the cell on a standard industrial PC with a connected 3D camera and automatically adjusts for mixed products without programming or template loading between SKUs.
This project is funded [in part] by the Government of Canada.
Ce projet est financé [en partie] par le gouvernement du Canada.
