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The Future of Barcodes: Understanding the 2027 Digital Transformation

January 17, 2025 In the world of industrial automation and manufacturing, a significant change is on the horizon. The familiar UPC barcode – a staple of product identification for nearly five decades – is evolving into a more sophisticated system. This transformation, known as “Sunrise 2027,” will revolutionize how businesses handle product identification, tracking, and…

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High-Performance Drives for the Food Industry

January 15, 2025 Food production is subject to the strictest of requirements. Operations in this highly sensitive hygienic environment must run smoothly to manufacture the large volume and diverse range of products efficiently and sustainably. What does this mean for companies that are active on a market characterized by fierce competition and high consumer expectations?…

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Will 2025 Mark the “Tipping Point” for Mine Electrification in North America?

January 14, 2025 By Sachin Jari, General Manager Mining North America, Process Industries, ABB Inc. New findings suggest strong near-term investment interest in mine electrification among North American companies Several months ago, I attended my fourth MINExpo International and couldn’t help but smile (somewhat righteously) at the overwhelming presence of attendees evaluating the latest ideas…

NETCO's Virtual Reality Motor Control Training Launches After Successful Completion of Train-the-Trainer
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NETCO’s Virtual Reality Motor Control Training Launches After Successful Completion of Train-the-Trainer

January 10, 2025 By Krystie Johnston The National Electrical Trade Council (NETCO), a collaboration between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Canada and the Canadian Electrical Contractors Association (CECA), has taken a major step in standardizing electrical training across Canada with the launch of its VR Motor Control Training. This innovative program is the…

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Overcoming Automation Challenges with Sysmac: Lessons from Real-World Applications

January 8, 2025 Modern manufacturing is riddled with challenges that demand innovative, reliable, and flexible solutions. From bridging knowledge gaps to reducing downtime, these hurdles can hold back productivity and profitability. The Sysmac automation platform from Omron addresses these pain points head-on, offering a comprehensive suite of components and features designed to streamline processes and…

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Why Smaller May Be Better: Unlocking the Benefits of Compact Enclosures

January 7, 2025 As industries embrace evolving technologies and the need for efficient space utilization, compact enclosures are taking centre stage. These smaller, space-saving units prove that when it comes to industrial automation, bigger isn’t always better. Combining adaptability, efficiency, and robust protection, compact enclosures are redefining modern production setups. In this article, Rittal explores…

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More Electric Drives, Less Pneumatics: What Does this Mean for the Power Supply?

January 7, 2025 The shift from pneumatic to electric drives is a well-known development in the industry. However, in recent years, this topic has gained significant momentum. This is due to the continuously increasing cost pressure and the ever-stricter requirements for CO2 reductions. In both areas, the advantages of electric solutions prevail. This blog article…

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Reducing Automotive Downtime with Remote IO and IO-Link Innovations

January 2, 2025 In the fast-paced automotive industry, every second of manufacturing uptime counts. With potential losses of over $30,000 per minute, minimizing downtime is not just important – it is crucial. Enter the game-changes: remote I/O and IO-Link technologies. These innovations have transformed the landscape, enabling automotive plants to significantly reduce downtime and shift…

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Vention Introduces AI, Making Adoption of Automation Easier

December 20, 2024 By Krystie Johnston Vention has been on a mission to democratize automation since 2016. Etienne Lacroix, Founder and CEO of Vention, realized he could leverage software and technology to productize automation, making it more accessible to everyone. While working as an engineer and integrating systems for manufacturers, he noticed added costs and…

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Machine Man Reflects on 50 Years In a Challenging But Rewarding Field

December 18, 2024 Pat McCluskey’s machine design and build experience at ANCA has fuelled manufacturing exports for Australia for half a century For a half-century, ANCA has made the machines that make the tools that make the world go around. One half of its founding pair, Pat McCluskey, has designed many grinding machine tools in…

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Festo’s Solutions Prevent Contamination in Lithium-Ion EV Batteries

December 18, 2024 By Krystie Johnston Festo is a trusted, single source supplier for all tasks involving automation of battery manufacturing. They offer a complete line of copper-free, zinc-free, and dry-room-compatible components for battery manufacturing. Today, approximately 95% of electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems use conventional lithium-ion batteries, which require liquid electrolyte filling….

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Everything You Need to Know About Grippers from Festo 

December 17, 2024 By Krystie Johnston, Cory Knight, and Ryan Kroger Selecting the right gripper for an automated handling task can be challenging – but with Festo, it can be easier than ever to overcome these challenges. Grippers are essential components of industrial robots and handling systems because they are the connection between the handling…

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FANUC Scholarship Supports Industry, Educators, and Students 

December 11, 2024 By Krystie Johnston FANUC’s $1 Million Scholarship fund will provide $50K annually to students across the United States and Canada pursuing careers in manufacturing and automation. FANUC has always believed in the power of education and its importance in shaping the future. As leaders in education, their Certified Education program connects industries,…

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Trapezoidal vs Sinusoidal Servo Brushless Amplifiers

December 4, 2024 Servo brushless amplifiers are critical components in motion control systems, providing precise regulation of brushless motors for torque, velocity, and position. The two most common types of brushless amplifiers, trapezoidal and sinusoidal, differ significantly in their operation and performance characteristics. This paper provides an in-depth comparison of these amplifier types, outlines their…

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HARTING: Industrial Connectivity Made Possible

December 4, 2024 By Krystie Johnston Proven connectivity solutions are necessary for multiple industrial environments and mission critical applications. HARTING has set the gold standard in connectivity by delivering these solutions and pushing performance since 1945. The connectors that join industrial technology to data and power are particularly important. They ensure that communication and energy…

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Shaping Tomorrow: The Crucial Role of Early Exposure in Automation Careers

November 26, 2024 By Paul Aiello, Executive Director, Education, FANUC America As someone deeply passionate about the field of robotics and automation, data from the 2024 Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute Talent Study suggesting that half of the 3.8 million manufacturing jobs over the next decade could remain vacant keeps me awake at night. It’s also the driving…