Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integrates with Cobots and AMRs Making them Smarter
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integrates with Cobots and AMRs Making them Smarter

By Krystie Johnston – Robot technology is becoming increasingly accessible for companies of all sizes across a wide range of industries. Accelerated computing and the ever-evolving contribution of artificial intelligence or AI are transforming virtually everything – robots and robot technology included. Teradyne Robotics, a global leader in advanced automation solutions and parent company to Universal Robots (UR) and Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR), introduce their new AI-enabled collaborative robot arms and autonomous mobile robots.

Discover MTE Through Vanco’s Unmatched Expertise and Service

Discover MTE Through Vanco’s Unmatched Expertise and Service

At Vanco Electrical Supplies, their commitment is not just about providing electrical products; it’s about cultivating partnerships and seizing opportunities to better serve their clients. Founded by Walter Wiebe and Dave Nicoll, their roots in Markham, Ontario were sown with a commitment to offer technically competent representation to emerging manufacturers overlooked by the market. As fate would have it, during their quest to establish themselves in the Greater Toronto Area, Walter and Dave encountered MTE, a company departing from the Canadian market.

ABB’s Care and Modernization Services Breathe Second Life into Legacy Equipment

ABB’s Care and Modernization Services Breathe Second Life into Legacy Equipment

In today’s world with environmental concerns top of mind, ABB offers sustainable options to extend equipment life through refurbishment and repair—which support a circular economy and reduce landfill footprints. In this context, ABB Canada’s Brampton facility is recognized for offering customized solutions for a growing list of ABB , GE, and non-ABB products. The refurbishment and repair services include customizable options intended for customers seeking sustainable and cost-efficient ways to prolong the use of limited and legacy products for new market needs. In addition to the services offered by the Brampton facility, the company has service locations in Edmonton, Winnipeg, Sudbury, Quebec City and Montreal.

Verifying Quality without Compromising Production Output Through Holistic Traceability

Verifying Quality without Compromising Production Output Through Holistic Traceability

Shipping a mislabeled product is at the heart of some of the largest recalls, damaged supplier relations, compliance violations, and warranty costs across multiple industries. Customers relying on “just-in-time” delivery can experience costly downtime if the quality of a label or barcode is not maintained upstream. Handheld high-volume traceability systems continue to be a powerful tool to address these challenges, especially when integrated into all-in-one automation architecture. This blog will explore the benefits and applications of these systems, with a focus on Omron’s unified offerings.

The Drive Towards Energy-Efficient Data Centres

The Drive Towards Energy-Efficient Data Centres

Data centres are the backbone of the digital world. They serve as the foundation for various online activities like streaming, e-commerce, and website/app usage. In today’s tech-driven world, attention is actively captured by online activities, all of which heavily depend on data centres. The demand for storage and processing is skyrocketing, further propelling this growth is the rapid adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data analytics. The Internet of Things (IoT), which connects the digital and physical worlds through a network of sensors, and the rollout of 5G networks for mobile devices will fuel the exponential growth of data centres.

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.