Topical Roundup: June 2025

Summary

This month’s feature roundup will help you decide when it’s time to replace old equipment, how technological advancements are transforming the robotics and motion control industries, and how to leverage simulation software to address the skills gap. Be the first to see every automation news update and trend by subscribing to Automation.com.

IIoT & Digital Transformation

A Leap Ahead for IIoT and Cloud Communications: Data is the heart of digital transformation, the essential enabler of the transition to Industry 4.0 and the industrial internet of things (IIoT). Advanced sensors have been generating and sending data to programmable logic controllers (PLCs) for decades to optimize industrial processes and operations. Now, a new sensor integration gateway based on IO-Link technology can send data to both IIoT/cloud and PLC destinations.

From Concept to Completion: How Digital Twins Impact the Entire Product Lifecycle: The global digital twin market is projected to grow from $10.1 billion in 2023 to $110.1 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate of 61.3%. Today, manufacturers are increasingly leaning on digital twins in many stages of the product lifecycle, including product development production processes, operations & maintenance and sustainability.

Factory Automation & Control

Automated Packaging Coming to the Forefront of the Automated Warehouse: While automation has made significant strides in labor-intensive areas like picking and palletizing, packaging has lagged behind until recently. But as more parts of the warehouse become automated, packaging is emerging as a growing area of focus for end-customers.

Technologies Driving Robotics and Motion Control Advances: Technological advances have transformed the robotics and motion control industries. This transformation has dramatically reduced the costs associated with deploying these technologies. As a result, robotics technology and motion control systems are being deployed across a wide range of novel applications in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, health care and aerospace.

Process Automation & Control

Automated Test Equipment (ATE): The Backbone of Scalable Electronics Manufacturing: In today's electronics manufacturing landscape, ensuring high product quality, reducing human error and meeting demanding time-to-market goals is more important than ever. This is where Automated Test Equipment (ATE) comes into play, serving as a critical enabler for reliable, fast and repeatable product validation.

Top Tips for Troubleshooting Electronic Systems: The military has a procedure for everything, including a 6-step procedure for maintaining electronic systems. Digikey’s Aaron Dahlen, who is a 27-year military veteran, explains the Navy Electricity and Electronics Training Series (NEETS), Module 19 – The Technician’s Handbook, NAVEDTRA 14191.

Enterprise Architecture and Networks

The Future of Automation Is Software-defined: Are You Ready?: In the rapidly evolving industrial landscape, Software-Defined Automation (SDA) is emerging as a transformative force, integrating Information Technology (IT) methodologies into Operational Technology (OT) use cases. This convergence is not merely a trend but a fundamental shift that is redefining the paradigms of industrial automation.​
 
 
Overcoming Five Cybersecurity Challenges of Rugged Devices: Rugged devices are critical to many heavy industrial operations. While these endpoints can withstand extreme environments, their cyber defenses are often less strong than their physical ones. As attacks against these sectors become more common, rugged device cybersecurity becomes increasingly crucial.

Operations and Management

The Replace, Repair or Retrain Decision: Here are four helpful steps to help you determine whether it’s time to replace, repair or retrain an aging machine. 1) Assess machinery and operator level skills, 2) Evaluate repair versus replacement costs, 3) Understand new machine advantages, and 4) Realize new machine benefits.

Leveraging Simulation Software to Address the Manufacturing Skills Gap: The manufacturing landscape has transformed dramatically over the past five years, as smart factories, interconnected systems and data-driven operations have replaced traditional manufacturing models. Yet as technology advances, the human element remains irreplaceable, especially in evolving roles that require new skill sets. That alone is quite a challenge, but when you consider the worker shortage, it becomes even more complicated.

Product Updates

Schneider Electric Launches Data Center Solutions for High-density AI and Accelerated Compute Applications:  Evolving its EcoStruxure Data Center Solutions portfolio, Schneider Electric introduced a Prefabricated Modular EcoStruxure Pod Data Center solution that consolidates infrastructure for liquid cooling, high-power busway and high-density NetShelter Racks.
 

Datanomix Expands AI Capabilities to Help Manufacturers Tackle Labor Shortages and Drive Smart Production: Datanomix, the leader in Data-Powered Production intelligence for precision manufacturers, has announced expanded AI functionality across its software portfolio, designed to help shops overcome the growing challenges of labor shortages, on-time delivery pressures, and process control. 

_{This column originally appeared in the June/July issue of Automation.com Monthly.}