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Cobots can reduce worker fatigue, increase production rates and increase quality, all while reducing waste.

The value of AR and VR in industrial automation is incalculable when considering the real-world applications in which they can be employed.

In 2024, we will see continued efforts to move toward smart manufacturing, increased adoption of IoT enabled asset monitoring technologies, the use of AI in digital twin, robotics, immersive technologies and a concerted effort to reshore manufacturing.

As manufacturing continues to become increasingly automated, manufacturers continue to look for more ways to protect their most important asset: their workforce.

Throughout 2022, Digi-Key Electronics has experienced accelerated growth in the automation and control market as bookings and shipments of automation and control products reached new heights.

Manufacturers all over the world are sprinting to automate their factories and facilities, but how does one start? There is so much to consider that the entire process can be quite overwhelming. Here are a few tips to get you moving in the right direction.

With a sharp increase in the use of robotics in the manufacturing industry, there is valid concern about how the future workforce will be shaped. Factories that employed hundreds, even thousands of employees now require only a fraction of that number due to increased automation.

Thomas Jefferson once said, “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.” Given what we have all experienced over the past 2+ years, Digi-Key Electronics' Eric J. Halvorson tends to agree with Mr. Jefferson. Looking ahead in 2022, here are five trends Halvorson predicts for the world of industrial automation.

From raw materials for plastics and semiconductor chips to household products such as toilet paper and hand sanitizer, one thing is abundantly clear: automated manufacturing is needed now.

From factory lines to robotics, the one constant is change. With the onset of the IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things), factories are now faster, smarter, and more efficient than ever. Every aspect of the manufacturing process is monitored, evaluated, and improved through machine-to-machine communication.

Automation has improved overall safety in common spaces such as break rooms, locker rooms, bath rooms and lounges.

When selecting a PLC, there are several considerations a customer must first address to ensure the proper fit for their application.