Relays are used in almost every installation, yet the level of understanding of these devices is surprisingly low - they are much ignored, sometimes maligned and often an unknown necessity in nearly all process and control systems.

A new era of industrial innovation is upon us. Referred to as the fourth industrial revolution, the deeper meshing of the digital world with the world of machines holds the potential to bring about a profound transformation of industry worldwide.

Variable frequency drives can reduce energy consumption, improve real time control, and lengthen motor life. Selecting the right one for your application requires asking the correct questions. [ + ]

Safety and security work hand in hand in the manufacturing automation arena. However, despite more and more sophisticated, frequent and costly cyber attacks, security still does not receive the same attention as safety. There is a growing need to elevate security awareness to the same level as safety - ensuring not only a safe, but also a secure manufacturing environment. [ + ]

Analysis shows how to get the best results when approximating solutions to complex engineering problems. [ + ]

ACHEMA Trend Report predicts bidirectional communication for pumps, compressors, valves and controls. [ + ]

Client-server network architecture has become entrenched in modern systems, and now moving the server function to the controller will result in savings and performance improvements.

Robots that can work side by side with humans are changing the way manufacturing is done.

Robots that can work side by side with humans are changing the way manufacturing is done. [ + ]

Although wireless technology is now commonplace, reliable wireless is still something of a Holy Grail for industrial automation applications. [ + ]

Although wireless technology is now commonplace, reliable wireless is still somewhat of a Holy Grail for industrial automation applications.

Some industrial robots are hulking, highly specialised pieces of machinery that are cordoned off by cages from human factory workers, but manufacturers have also begun experimenting with a new generation of 'cobots' designed to work side by side with humans. [ + ]

In closed-loop motion control systems, direct load monitoring using secondary feedback encoders eliminates common sources of position error - mechanical backlash, non-linearity and hysteresis - and saves money along the way. [ + ]

A discussion with John McGuire, global industry director manufacturing at Aurecon, about our changing connected world and the opportunities it presents for Australian manufacturers. [ + ]

A simple and cost-effective solution for gathering HART information is to use a HART interface device. These devices make acquiring HART data a fairly simple proposition.