In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Jeremy Pollard, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore explains how new frontiers in machine control have their upsides and their limitations.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Joey Stubbs, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore discusses what makes stepper motors more energy efficient and reliable.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore shares highlights from a panel discussion that took place at the CSIA Exchange.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Charles Palmer, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore discusses lasers and other position sensing.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, managing editor Anna Townshend shares machine builder and system integrator news highlights from June 2024.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Tobey Strauch, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore discusses the future of PLCs in machinery used in a modular, connected factory or plant.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, managing editor Anna Townshend discusses emerging technology and the introduction of autonomous manufacturing for CNC operation.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore explains how variable frequency drives provide efficiency, reliability and safety in manufacturing.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, Anna Townshend shares machine builder and system integrator news highlights from the month of May.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Joey Stubbs, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore discusses how x-ray vision systems have advanced defect detection.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Jeremy Pollard, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore discusses the evolution of input/output technology.   For those of you interested in testing your knowledge and understanding of the evolution of I/O technology after this podcast, visit www.controldesign.com/ioevolution and take our quiz of the subject.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Tobey Strauch, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore discusses the impact of robotic development on other areas of motion. After the podcast, test your knowledge of robotic development with this  quiz at www.controldesign.com/robotimpact.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, Anna Townshend shares machine builder and system integrator news highlights from the month of April.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore, who attended CSIA Exchange in Dallas, shares memorable insights from the event.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by managing editor Anna Townshend, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore recaps the answers to a Control Design reader question about digital twin technology.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Jeremy Pollard, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore explains the importance of reliability and speed in emergency stop buttons.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Joey Stubbs, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore discusses remote human-machine interface technology.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Charles Palmer, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore talks about four techniques used to mount sensors.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Shawn Cox, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore discusses eCAD and how it empowers engineers.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Joey Stubbs, Mike Bacidore discusses what's in and what's out with machine safety.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Shawn Cox, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore discusses the benefits of remote monitoring technology.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Charles Palmer, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore talks about the applications of sensor feedback.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore celebrates National Engineers Week and recaps the week that was in news.

In this episode of Control intelligence, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore discusses what organizations have been doing to recover from the pandemic-related microchip crisis.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Rick Rice, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore discusses industrial enclosures, their design and the protection they offer.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore discusses how machine-mounted sensing and remote monitoring have changed predictive-maintenance capabilities.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Joey Stubbs, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore discusses proximity switches and their roles in a manufacturing line.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributing editor Charles Palmer, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore discusses the various components in a motion-control system.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, written by contributor Joey Stubbs, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore explains how EtherCAT unleashes industrial fieldbuses for high-performance controls automation technology.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore discusses the features, locations and best practices of e-stops in industrial safety.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore explains the history of RS-232 and its role in industrial manufacturing.

Founded in 1985, Advanced Micro Controls is a U.S.-based manufacturer with a global presence. AMCI industrial control products are designed for PLC-based automation systems with specialized position sensing and motion control technology. Matthew Tellier has been with the company for nearly 30 years, starting off as an applications engineer. He earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering from University of Connecticut. In this episode of Control Intelligence, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore and Tellier talk about motion control and position sensing.

Mike Bacidore explains how VFDs compare to motor starter, inverter or variable-speed drives in this episode of Control Intelligence.

Mike Bacidore discusses the basics, uses and functionality of servo motors.

Editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore discusses the history behind the PLC and its applications.

New England is a hotbed of growth, from turning live cells into tissue and organs to turning apples into hard-cider blends.

Digital transformation can enable sustainability when done in an environmentally responsible way. Responsible digital transformation can be achieved through digital technologies that support resource efficiency — such as energy, water, raw materials and reduced waste; to support data-driven decisions that promote sustainability; to support remote access and collaboration, which reduces the need for travel and associated emissions; and to support supply-chain transparency by identifying and eliminating practices that are harmful to the environment; and to support the circular economy, leveraging artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things to reuse and recycle resources.

Uninterruptible power supplies are common devices found in almost every enclosure to protect against outages or disruptions. The uninterruptible power supply (UPS) can vary in input or output ranges, and a fundamental choice between alternating current (ac) and direct current (dc) needs to be made. Emerson’s UPS knowledge and offerings span the spectrum from mounting suggestions to communication options.

Two decades after its introduction, machine safety technology keeps getting more interesting. Safety in a machine-control context was born in 1996 with the EN 954-1 standard allowing only relay logic or simple electronics. Although process industries have widely used programable safety controllers since the 1980s, it wasn’t until 2002 that NFPA 79 finally allowed for programmable safety controllers in machines. Today, integrated safety logic has found its way into a great variety of industrial devices, such as DIN-rail or machine-mounted safety I/Os and servo-drive systems. This proliferation of safety hardware and architectures means machine builders can introduce far more safety functionality in more places to better protect people, equipment and products.

WESCO builds, connects, powers and protects the world. Delivering ingenuity and expertise to approximately 150,000 customers worldwide, WESCO helps businesses run smoothly by providing solutions that can increase profitability, improve productivity and mitigate risk. With nearly 1.5 million products and locations in more than 50 countries, WESCO delivers what companies need when they need it.

AUTOMATION Studio is the bread and butter of software development at B&R. All B&R hardware is programmed with this integrated development environment. The mechanisms for compiling, creating installation packages and deploying the software are usable outside of Automation Studio itself (i.e., via the command line). Also, the source files within the Automation Studio project are stored in plain text. This makes for easy integration with DevOps practices.

Mike Bacidore is joined by Jim Stevens, encoder product specialist, Posital Fraba.

While many facilities have started to move some components out of the cabinet and onto the production line, many are still kept in the cabinet. For those that are in the cabinet, ensuring that panel design encourages component cooling and safety are still essential. In this episode, Control Design Editor in Chief Mike Bacidore speaks with Omron Automation's Matt Mohr about the ins and outs of enclosures.  Learn more about Omron Automation: https://automation.omron.com/en/us/  Read the transcript: https://controldesign.com/21545740 

In this episode of Control Intelligence, editor in chief Mike Bacidore talks to Daymon Thompson, senior software product manager at Beckhoff USA. They talk about how machine builders can get off on the right foot in the IoT journey, and how analytics can establish compelling competitive advantages to optimize machine efficiency, and even to create new revenue streams. Learn more about Beckhoff USA: https://www.beckhoff.com/en-us/  Read the transcript: https://www.controldesign.com/podcasts/control-intelligence/connecting-data-and-unlocking-new-opportunities 

Many pieces of the control system require dc power in order to operate. A power supply failure for a critical process controller or device can lead to an unplanned shutdown of critical plant equipment or processes. Without critical event visibility, plants don't have the necessary tools to troubleshoot issues before they become catastrophic. Fortunately, there are solutions to these problems. Now, there are power supplies that can give you a window into their health. In this episode, Mike Bacidore is joined by Jay Hendrix, product marketing manager of Connected Power at SolaHD Emerson, to discuss the capabilities of smart power supplies. Learn more about SolaHD Emerson: https://www.appleton.emerson.com/en-us/solahd  Read the transcript: https://www.controldesign.com/podcasts/control-intelligence/your-power-supply-has-something-to-say 

In this episode, editor in chief Mike Bacidore is joined by Derrick Stacey, global product manager for ACOPOS 6D and SuperTrak Product families at B&R Industrial Automation, to talk about transport and process functions, as well as the distinctions between a platform and a group of products. Learn more about B&R Industrial Automation: https://www.br-automation.com/en-us/ Read the transcript: https://www.controldesign.com/podcasts/control-intelligence/driving-value-through-adaptive-manufacturing 

Some manufacturers believe IT departments can protect their infrastructures, but what happens when that fails or a saboteur is able to bypass the surrounding network and connect directly to the automation system? In this episode, editor in chief Mike Bacidore is joined by Luis Narvaez, who is the product marketing manager for industrial security at Siemens Digital Industries, U.S.A, to discuss network vulnerabilities and who's responsible for cybersecurity on the plant floor, as well as defense-in-depth strategies. Learn more about Siemens Digital Industries: https://new.siemens.com/  Read the transcript: https://www.controldesign.com/podcasts/control-intelligence/defense-in-depth-leads-cyber-strategy-for-ot-security 

The Fourth Industrial Revolution with its digitalization and networking of machines has been changing our lives for some time. In this episode of Control Intelligence, editor in chief Mike Bacidore talks machine data and digitalization, as well as remote monitoring, analysis and diagnostics with Divya Prakash, director of business consulting, Industry 4.0, at SICK Sensor Intelligence. Learn more about SICK Sensor Intelligence: https://www.sick.com Read the transcript: https://www.controldesign.com/podcasts/control-intelligence/how-to-unleash-the-power-of-data-through-machine-sensorization-and-digitalization 

From batch-size-one production to the implementation of algorithmic intelligence, editor in Chief Mike Bacidore and Mike Chen, senior director of solutions and technology development at Omron Automation, discuss the ways that integrated, intelligent and interactive technologies are impacting automation implementation for today's manufacturers in this new episode of Control Intelligence: The podcast from Control Design magazine. Read the transcript: https://www.controldesign.com/podcasts/control-intelligence/integrated-intelligent-and-interactive-technologies-put-the-innovation-in-automation 

The use of robotics in factories continues to proliferates, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic showcased the benefits of digital technologies. In this episode of Control Intelligence: The podcast from Control Design, editor in chief Mike Bacidore speaks with Omron Automation’s Alex Bonaire about how robotics controllers and software solutions are being implemented today. Learn more about Omron Automation: https://automation.omron.com/  Read the transcript: https://www.controldesign.com/podcasts/control-intelligence/integrated-control-for-simplified-robotics 

The warehouse and distribution center sector has seen an uptick in automation implementation. In this episode of Control Intelligence, editor in chief Mike Bacidore is joined by Mike Milligan, industry segment manager, warehouse automation, Misumi, to discuss automation solutions that are being implemented in these environments. Learn more about Misumi: https://us.misumi-ec.com/ Read the transcript: https://www.controldesign.com/podcasts/control-intelligence/warehouse-automation-misumi-brings-technology-to-distribution-centers-and-fulfillment-centers 

Anna Townshend, managing editor of Control Design, discusses today's motion technology trends with ANCA Motion's general manager Paul Bocchi. Bocchi explains how ANCA Motion is managing these trends in its product development as well as what they mean for the future of the automation industry. Learn more about ANCA Motion: https://motion.anca.com/ Read the transcript: https://www.controldesign.com/podcasts/control-intelligence/motion-control-design-trends-drive-convergence-of-engineering-and-it 

In 2017, Austin Park had received a bachelor of science (BS) in electrical engineering from UCLA and was beginning his master's degree at Stanford University, where he was accepted into the masters of science (MS) program in energy resources engineering. He was also the recipient of Acopian Power Supplies' first-ever scholarship the same year. In this episode of Control Intelligence, digital engagement manager Amanda Del Buono catches up with Park to find out where is now and how the scholarship helped him reach his goals. Read about this year's Acopian Power Supply Scholarship winner. Read the transcript. 

Editor in Chief Mike Bacidore and Dave Emory, director of end user sales at B&R Industrial Automation discuss adaptive machines, the future of machine control automation and B&R's ACOPOS 6D. Learn more about B&R Industrial Automation: https://www.br-automation.com/en-us/  Read the transcript: https://www.controldesign.com/podcasts/control-intelligence/solutions-spotlight-the-evolution-of-acopos 

Jeff Johnson, mechatronics product manager at Beckhoff Automation, joins managing editor Anna Townshend to discuss the company's XPlanar technology, how it differs rom traditional designs and how it applies to a variety of applications. Read the transcript: https://www.controldesign.com/podcasts/control-intelligence/a-look-at-beckhoffs-xplanar-motor-system 

In this episode of Control Intelligence, our host Anna Townshend continues the discussion with two experts from accounting firm Clayton & McKervey. Part 3 makes the case for why now might be the time to develop new products and services—yes, even during a pandemic. Bryan Powrozek is industrial automation manager and Tim Finerty is industrial automation practice leader and shareholder at Clayton & McKervey. These two work closely with many industrial automation businesses and here they share their tips with us about what's available through programs like the CARES Act and other government funding as well as how businesses can focus on their own internal processes to prepare for the future.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, our host Anna Townshend continues the discussion with two experts from accounting firm Clayton & McKervey. Part 2 goes over how businesses can look at their internal processes, playing off of what we've all learned from the pandemic about cash flow, data analytics, and finding the best talent for your business. Bryan Powrozek is industrial automation manager and Tim Finerty is industrial automation practice leader and shareholder at Clayton & McKervey. The full-service public accounting firm specializes in tax, assurance, accounting and consulting services. If you think now is not the time to think about developing new products or services, improving business processes or exploring new business opportunities, Bryan and Tim have some reasons why some businesses might want to rethink their plan, and some sound advice for how to do it.