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By John Mitchell, CP Automation The rise of non-linear loads in industrial environments over the last two decades has resulted in the growing problem of harmonic currents and utility-level voltage distortion. This technical article explores active and passive filtering.

By Jonathan Wilkins, EU Automation Since its release, Amazon has sold over 20 million Echo devices with Alexa — the voice activated assistant. It has changed the way we complete many daily tasks, from shopping, to getting weather updates. Could it do the same for manufacturing?

The ‘Robotic Ultrasonic QC’ solution applies adaptive sensor positioning to obtain valid measurements. Based on contact forces and ultrasonic measurements, FRS continuously adjusts the position and orientation of the ultrasonic sensor in real time.

VD4 Digitup is accomplished by using vacuum VD4 breakers with onboard current and voltage sensors connected to Relion protection and control relays enabling IEC 61850 digital communication.

The hybrid connector permits the shielded connection of measuring instruments, encoders and motors. It is also suitable for applications in other demanding environments, e.g. wind energy.

Molex and TTTech announced a collaboration based on their shared vision of open, flexible and interoperable systems in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

The partnership is intended help businesses connect their machines and physical infrastructure to the digital world, allowing them to translate the data they produce into business results. Analytics and digital services will help them increase productivity and efficiency across their business.

In his new role as President of SATO America, Tim assumes the execution responsibility and oversight of the company’s North and Central America, Caribbean, and Mexico business.

Temperature is the most important common measurement that is critical for process efficiency and capacity.

With version 5.0, the CSIA Best Practices and Benchmarks Manual has been updated to reflect new material, including a new chapter on cyber security. The entire manual was reviewed for organization, clarity and compliance with a global relevance.

The EdgeX Foundry Governing Board selected two winners for the Innovation Award, which recognizes individuals who have contributed the most innovation solution, and Contribution Award, which highlights leaders who have helped EdgeX Foundry advance momentum this year through working groups, special projects, and/or contributed large amounts of code, bug fixes or documentation.

Seeq will join more than 500 control system integrators from around the globe on April 24-27 in San Francisco for the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) Executive Conference.

The joint is driven by a strain wave gear and will be displayed as a single component for the first time. The joint includes brushless direct-current motors instead of stepper motors as in previous robolink models.

Key topics in TIA Portal V15.1 include simulation and virtual commissioning options which enable better digital design of integrated work processes, as well as the expanded application focus with Simatic S7-1500R/H controllers, Sinamics S210 drive integration, Multiuser Engineering, software units and OPC UA functions.

Inductive Automation defines Enterprise Integrators as those with a high level of Ignition certification, a global presence, the ability to take on enterprise-wide projects, and 250 or more engineers, among other requirements.

The R&D activities of the last fiscal year reflect the company’s ambition to maintain its position among sensor producers in response to the changes in the market triggered by digitalization and Industry 4.0.

Endress+Hauser received the HERMES AWARD for a hygienic compact thermometer featuring a self-calibrating sensor for process temperature measurements that meet stringent safety and quality specifications.

Type K (chromel–alumel) is the most common general purpose thermocouple with a sensitivity of approximately 41 µV/°C.

By participating in “Girls Day” and “Future Day,” the pneumatics specialist hopes to draw the interest of children and youth in compressed air as a technology.

The Pilz SecurityBridge protects the connections between the programming/configuration tools and the hardware controllers from manipulation by detecting unauthorised changes to the automation project, for example. The SecurityBridge acts as a firewall.