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Mouser: Solar-Powered Industrial Automation – Efficiency Off the Grid

In an era where sustainability and decentralization are reshaping industrial operations, solar-powered automation is emerging as a vital solution. This technology harnesses solar energy to drive variable speed drives (VSDs) and motor control systems, enabling efficient and reliable operation in remote or off-grid environments. Whether it’s powering irrigation pumps in agricultural fields or running ventilation systems in rural facilities, solar-powered automation offers a compelling alternative to diesel generators and fixed-grid infrastructure.

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Latest News | Automation | General Manufacturing | Industrial Technology | Sensor Solutions | Smart Factory

OMRON: Your Guide to Getting Started with Traceability

Ever wondered what traceability really means and why everyone is talking about it? In short, it’s your ability to track a product’s entire journey, from raw materials to finished goods, by connecting data at every step. Sounds powerful, right? The real question is: how do you actually start? Before diving in, ask yourself: What’s driving this initiative?

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Latest News | Automation | Motion Control | Smart Factory

Simplify Your Motor Control Center Configuration, Monitoring & Maintenance

Setting up and operating motor control centers (MCCs) is a complex and demanding task. Engineers can encounter time-consuming manual configuration, limited system visibility and troubleshooting delays. Plus, safety concerns, unplanned downtime and difficulty scaling or updating MCC systems can further complicate the picture. Obstacles not only reduce productivity but also increase the risk of errors. Reducing these pain points, IntelliCENTER technology can transform motor control center configuration and maintenance by streamlining setup, enhancing visibility and enabling smarter, safer maintenance. And at the heart of these capabilities are the powerful datasets that drive them.

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Product News | Automation | Control Panel Solutions | Industrial Technology | Power Distribution & Energy | Smart Factory

Altech C-TEC Series Advances Industrial Power Reliability with Ultracapacitor UPS for Critical Infrastructure

Altech has announced its C-TEC Series of Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS). The C-TEC line redefines backup power safety and robustness for industrial, automation and IT applications by using high-performance, long-life ultracapacitors as its energy storage medium, eliminating the reliability and maintenance headaches associated with traditional battery-based systems. The advanced ultracapacitor technology is housed directly within the C-TEC units to provide immediate, controlled backup power in the event of a DC supply interruption. Unlike lead-acid batteries, the ultracapacitors are virtually maintenance-free, offering a long service life and high cycle stability and reducing the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for critical infrastructure. This robustness ensures systems remain operational during short-term power fluctuations or outages, supporting safe shutdown procedures.

Read More Altech C-TEC Series Advances Industrial Power Reliability with Ultracapacitor UPS for Critical Infrastructure
Product News | Connectivity & Networking Solutions | Industrial Technology | Smart Factory

Emerson’s New Network Adapters Deliver High-Performance Connectivity

Emerson has announced the release of new, compact LITE network adapters for the PACSystems RSTi-EP remote I/O system. Bringing higher performance in half the space of traditional network adapters, the new LITE network adapters deliver remote, real-time diagnostics to help simplify machine design and maintenance. Two LITE network adapters are available—one for use with PROFINET and another for Modbus. These network adapters are plug-and-play capable, making them easy to install and maintain in existing RSTi-EP products. They offer high availability and intuitive integration with existing systems.

Read More Emerson’s New Network Adapters Deliver High-Performance Connectivity
Latest News | Automation | General Manufacturing | Smart Factory

Convergix: 4 Ways Factory Automation Improves Supply Chain Management

Although the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic revealed the fragility of global supply chains, factory automation has stepped up to mitigate many of those shortcomings. Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, manufacturers worldwide have become acutely aware of the interconnectivity of supply chains. More recent issues such as international trade disputes and labor shortages have only reinforced that there are vulnerabilities every business within a supply chain has to face from time to time. Shortages of critical supplies have exposed vulnerabilities that have shut down production centers, even as demand for certain products has boomed. For many businesses, these challenges have focused on their current supply chain management practices, turning improvements into a critical strategic objective.

Read More Convergix: 4 Ways Factory Automation Improves Supply Chain Management
Product News | Automation | Industrial Technology | Motion Control | Sensor Solutions | Smart Factory

SICK: SM1000 – Edge Computing Devices

The SM1000 from SICK combines a powerful edge computing device with a 10.1-inch touch screen – ideal for applications such as distribution, packaging, manufacturing plants and food processing. The rugged design offers protection against dust and liquids (IP54) as well as resistance to temperature fluctuations and vibration. With four IO-Link ports, four Ethernet ports and two serial encoder ports, the SM1000 enables flexible integration and control of sensors, actuators and machines. Customized applications for monitoring and analyzing industrial processes can be created in SICK’s AppSpace environment. With multiple functions in one device, the SM1000 reduces complexity and installation time – for less cost and effort.

Read More SICK: SM1000 – Edge Computing Devices
Product News | Control Panel Solutions | Industrial Technology | Oil & Gas | Smart Factory

Beckhoff: Ethernet-APL – A New Communication Standard for the Process Industry

As digitalization continues in the process industry, the volumes of data provided by intelligent sensors and actuators are also growing. For a long time, however, there was no communication standard to transmit this data quickly and across multiple levels of the automation structure. Certain properties have to be present for use in process industry plants, such as the ability to connect field devices over long distances and the ensuring of explosion protection. Thus, to meet these requirements, process industry organizations and companies have developed the Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer (Ethernet-APL). This new communication technology is based on the 10BASE-T1L Ethernet standard, which allows a maximum cable length of 1000 meters and a transmission rate of 10 Mbit/s. Power supply limits in all zones throughout the hazardous area are defined by IEC specification 60079-47 (2-WISE). Power and data are transmitted over the same pair of wires (single pair Ethernet) with Ethernet-APL.

Read More Beckhoff: Ethernet-APL – A New Communication Standard for the Process Industry
Featured | Automation | Motion Control | Smart Factory | Tools for the Trade

Protect Your Production with Festo’s Interchangeable Pneumatic Cylinders

Pneumatic cylinders are the workhorses of industrial automation. They convert compressed air into linear motion, enabling tasks like clamping, gripping, holding, lifting, pushing, and pulling – tasks inherent to production lines and robotics. When these components go down, it can cause significant impacts on production. Avoid these negative consequences with interchangeable pneumatic cylinders from Festo and simplify machine design and maintenance in your facility. Festo, a major name in motion, offers standardization of popular pneumatic cylinders to national and international standards, simplifying procurement, reducing downtime, and saving time and money. With standardization, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and end users do not need to worry about substitution challenges or supply chain vulnerabilities such as availability, pricing, or an individual manufacturer’s distinctive mounting or design. And, with Festo FASTSM, they are in stock and ready to be shipped out the next day, helping businesses eliminate bottlenecks and the frustrations that come with halted production.

Read More Protect Your Production with Festo’s Interchangeable Pneumatic Cylinders
Industry | Featured | Industrial Technology | Latest News | Smart Factory | Whitepapers

Cloud vs Edge Computing – Driving Predictive Maintenance, Remote Diagnostics & Device Safety

Cloud computing and edge computing are reshaping how industrial organizations manage connected devices, analyze data, and maintain operations. While both architectures process and store data, they differ significantly in where that processing occurs—centrally in the cloud or locally at the edge. Understanding these differences is critical for companies evaluating strategies for predictive maintenance, remote diagnostics, and safety. This paper compares cloud and edge computing, examines their role in modern predictive technologies, and outlines the safety and operational benefits of adopting the right approach.

Read More Cloud vs Edge Computing – Driving Predictive Maintenance, Remote Diagnostics & Device Safety
Latest News | General Manufacturing | Industrial Technology | Industry | Motion Control | Smart Factory | Sustainability

NOARK: Understanding VFDs – The Technology Driving Smarter, More Efficient Systems

Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) have become essential across modern industrial and commercial environments—but what makes them so valuable? A VFD, also known as an AC Drive or Inverter, is an electronic device that precisely controls the speed and torque of an AC motor. By adjusting the frequency and voltage supplied to the motor, a VFD delivers smooth acceleration, reduced inrush current, and efficient variable-speed operation. Whether you’re optimizing energy consumption or improving process control, the VFD is at the heart of smarter motor-driven systems. The NOARK Ex9VF7 series VFD is engineered for precise control of AC motors—managing speed, torque, and direction effortlessly. Designed for pumps, fans, conveyors, and countless industrial processes, the Ex9VF7 improves energy efficiency and system performance across the board.

Read More NOARK: Understanding VFDs – The Technology Driving Smarter, More Efficient Systems
Daily News | Changing Scene | Featured | Power Distribution & Energy | Smart Factory

Schneider Electric & Albesol Unveil New State-Of-The-Art $20M Facility in Mississauga, Specializing in Production of Medium-Voltage Switchgear Equipment

Schneider Electric Canada has announced the inauguration of a new $20M state-of-the-art Albesol facility in Mississauga, Ontario. Launching on November 20, the new location marks a key milestone in their shared mission to strengthen Canada’s energy infrastructure and supply chain resilience. The new facility is set to expand its workforce from 28 to 50 employees over the coming year and will specialize in the manufacturing and assembly of medium-voltage switchgear—critical for electricity distribution. In addition, the site will produce modular electrical cabinets and heavy industrial process drives, essential for advancing process electrification and integrating power and process systems to meet Canada’s growing electrification demands.

Read More Schneider Electric & Albesol Unveil New State-Of-The-Art $20M Facility in Mississauga, Specializing in Production of Medium-Voltage Switchgear Equipment
Product News | Industrial Technology | Smart Factory

Rockwell Automation to Advance Industrial Intelligence Through Edge-based Generative AI with NVIDIA Nemotron

Rockwell Automation has announced a breakthrough in bringing generative AI directly to the industrial edge. Rockwell is introducing its integration of NVIDIA Nemotron Nano, a purpose-built small language model (SLM) optimized for FactoryTalk Design Studio and other Rockwell product workflows, marking a major step in real-time intelligence for industrial teams. In collaboration with NVIDIA, Rockwell is leveraging the open-source Nemotron-Nano-9B-v2 model and NVIDIA NeMo to deliver an edge-based generative AI capability designed specifically for industrial environments. Nemotron Nano distillation techniques provide the foundation for an SLM that can run in edge environments with less space and power than a traditional data center. By fine-tuning the model with data used by FactoryTalk Design Studio Copilot, Rockwell is creating a solution that demonstrates new potential for industrial automation professionals.

Read More Rockwell Automation to Advance Industrial Intelligence Through Edge-based Generative AI with NVIDIA Nemotron
Latest News | Automation | General Manufacturing | Smart Factory

From Ideation to Maturity: Digitalization’s Impact on the 7 Stages of a Product Manufacturing Lifecycle

Digitalization has become a cornerstone for success in today’s manufacturing business environment. By leveraging digital tools and technologies, manufacturers can streamline operations, enhance production efficiency, and make data-driven decisions that propel their operation forward. No matter the stage in which a product manufacturing company may operate, digitalization can play a pivotal role. From accelerating product development and market entry to optimizing production at scale and extending product manufacturing life, digitalization in manufacturing offers numerous benefits that can significantly impact a manufacturer’s bottom line and growth.

Read More From Ideation to Maturity: Digitalization’s Impact on the 7 Stages of a Product Manufacturing Lifecycle
Product News | Industrial Technology | Safety Solutions | Smart Factory

Pilz Announces the New IO-Link Safety Master PDP67 in the IO-Link Safety System

The rapid commissioning of modular, decentralised production plants is an important aspect of digitized industrial production. The IO-Link Safety Master PDP67 in the IO-Link Safety System from Pilz is now available for this purpose. It can be used for simple implementation of bidirectional communication up to field level. As a decentralised interface to the higher-level safety controller, it enables various connections, such as safety sensors with IO-Link Safety or even standard IO-Link sensors or actuators, for example. Users benefit from flexible, seamless and safe communication at field level, up to the highest category PLe / SIL3 – whether it’s safety-related or standard communication.

Read More Pilz Announces the New IO-Link Safety Master PDP67 in the IO-Link Safety System
Product News | Automation | Cables & Wire Management Solutions | Industrial Technology | Smart Factory

Mouser: Phoenix Contact M12 Push-Pull Sensor/Actuator Boxes (SACBs)

Phoenix Contact M12 Push-Pull Sensor/Actuator Boxes (SACBs) provide a fast way to make M12 connections in the field without threading individual connectors. These medium-duty boxes feature plastic push-pull ports and are backward-compatible with M12 full-thread cables. The SACBs incorporate M12 push-pull connections and are offered with or without an LED indicator. Additional options include port count and single- or double-occupied wiring. Phoenix Contact M12 Push-Pull SACBs offer easy tool-free connection with pluggable hoods and flexible options for master cable connections.

Read More Mouser: Phoenix Contact M12 Push-Pull Sensor/Actuator Boxes (SACBs)

Smart Factory

Mouser: Solar-Powered Industrial Automation – Efficiency Off the Grid

Simplify Your Motor Control Center Configuration, Monitoring & Maintenance

Altech C-TEC Series Advances Industrial Power Reliability with Ultracapacitor UPS for Critical Infrastructure

Emerson’s New Network Adapters Deliver High-Performance Connectivity

Convergix: 4 Ways Factory Automation Improves Supply Chain Management

SICK: SM1000 – Edge Computing Devices

Beckhoff: Ethernet-APL – A New Communication Standard for the Process Industry

Protect Your Production with Festo’s Interchangeable Pneumatic Cylinders

NOARK: Understanding VFDs – The Technology Driving Smarter, More Efficient Systems

Schneider Electric & Albesol Unveil New State-Of-The-Art $20M Facility in Mississauga, Specializing in Production of Medium-Voltage Switchgear Equipment

Rockwell Automation to Advance Industrial Intelligence Through Edge-based Generative AI with NVIDIA Nemotron

From Ideation to Maturity: Digitalization’s Impact on the 7 Stages of a Product Manufacturing Lifecycle

Pilz Announces the New IO-Link Safety Master PDP67 in the IO-Link Safety System

Mouser: Phoenix Contact M12 Push-Pull Sensor/Actuator Boxes (SACBs)

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