Specialist Articles

Empowering technicians when expert protocol knowledge is scarce

Empowering technicians when expert protocol knowledge is scarce

SNAP IE uses AI to identify PROFINET and EtherNet/IP errors. Procentec, the market-leading provider of diagnostic solutions in the field of industrial automation with over 25 years of experience, presents SNAP IE, an incredibly powerful software monitoring tool that slashes the time it takes to diagnose the physical layer errors of PROFINET and EtherNet/IP networks.
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Siemens Xcelerator: An open digital business platform to accelerate digital transformation

Siemens Xcelerator: An open digital business platform to accelerate digital transformation

Siemens AG has launched an open digital business platform, Siemens Xcelerator, to accelerate digital transformation and value creation for customers of all sizes in industry, buildings, grids and mobility. The business platform makes digital transformation easier, faster and scalable.
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Flexible automation solutions – modularly expandable, freely accessible and safe due to second level

Flexible automation solutions – modularly expandable, freely accessible and safe due to second level

With the automation modules from SW, CNC machining centres and peripheral stations can be optimally linked to form highly productive production lines or operated in a matrix production.
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Technology of transflective displays

Technology of transflective displays

The market for transflective displays has grown recently, especially in the e-mobility sector. The potential applications in this field require high readability in different light conditions, such as direct sunlight.
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Field-attachable connectors and panel mount connectors for automation

Field-attachable connectors and panel mount connectors for automation

Progressively decentralized automation, keyword industry 4.0, requires flexible and individual wiring in certain areas directly in the field and at the machine. The constantly growing number of sensors for monitoring operating and machine conditions also necessitates the use of field-attachable connector variants that can be assembled to enable flexible electrical connections directly in the field. CONEC offers various connector families that meet these requirements.
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Robotron and Kontron simplify computer vision

Robotron and Kontron simplify computer vision

Many manufacturing companies still find it difficult to get started with Artificial Intelligence (AI), not least because of the complex hardware selection. In the new AI workstation, Robotron and Kontron now combine two of their innovative solution approaches for the uncomplicated and fast application of computer vision. The multi-purpose AI workstation enables training, execution and inference of algorithms for a wide range of models and frameworks. The standardized approach covers up to 90...
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Sierra Space to revolutionize space exploration with Siemens' Xcelerator

Sierra Space to revolutionize space exploration with Siemens' Xcelerator

Sierra Space, a leading commercial space company at the forefront of creating and building the future of space transportation and infrastructure for Low Earth orbit (LEO) commercialization, has implemented Siemens’ Xcelerator portfolio of software and services as the foundation of its next-generation digital engineering program.
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Automation in the blink of an eye

Automation in the blink of an eye

The development of rubber gloves is a lengthy process. Malaysian company Le Inoova has automated this process – with the help of integrator IDEA and a KUKA robot. It now ensures greater precision and less waste.
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The perfect wave. Radar sensors for level and distance measurement in factory and logistics automation

The perfect wave. Radar sensors for level and distance measurement in factory and logistics automation

Whether for dip coating basins or container ports – radar technology offers clear benefits over alternative solutions using ultrasonic or optical sensor technology in many application fields. However, radar sensors have rarely been used to date for distance or level measurements in production and logistics. With its LRS+ and DR-M30 radar sensors, Turck now offers efficient solutions for demanding applications in these areas as well. The browser-based Turck Radar Monitor visualizes the signal...
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Robot instead of muscle power

Robot instead of muscle power

KUKA robots relieve the staff of a private brewer when palletising and depalletising beer crates. Small but excellent – that’s the motto of the Christian Fiedler private brewery from the Saxon village of Oberscheibe. With 18 employees, the family business is very successful in producing premium beers according to the time-honored art of German brewing. A KUKA robot makes this work easier.
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Condition monitoring via smart app

Condition monitoring via smart app

Intelligent one-stop solution for cloud-based plant monitoring reduces downtimes and relieves maintenance specialists. The specialists from 5thIndustry GmbH and endiio have presented an end-to-end solution for the efficient integration of condition monitoring data into daily maintenance processes. endiio supplied its energy-autonomous wireless sensor modules for this purpose.
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AI becomes mobile via AI Transportables

AI becomes mobile via AI Transportables

How artificial intelligence applications can be brought to the very edge. AI Transportables differentiate themselves from traditional edge AI infrastructures by implementing the latest technologies in areas such as high-speed data centers, input/output, networking, and storage to enable operation in harsh environments. AI Transportables meet stringent MIL-SPEC requirements for shock and vibration, redundancy, operating temperature ranges, altitude ranges and uninterruptible power supplies....
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Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) – a megatrend in industrial data transmission

Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) – a megatrend in industrial data transmission

The steadily increasing level of digitalisation is pushing conventional cabling concepts for decentralised, modular control systems and sensor technology to their limits. Particularly in terms of transparency, space requirements and installation effort, they are no longer able to meet the new requirements. In the meantime, Single Pair Ethernet technology (SPE) has developed into the next generation of communication architecture as an...
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Customer Experience Center

Customer Experience Center

Service Center, laboratories and development departments at Panasonic Campus Munich. Laboratories and service centers are the core of technological innovations - and ultimately guarantee customized solutions across all industries. In this article, you will learn why the Customer Experience Centre on the Panasonic Campus Munich with its bundled development and service competence is the centre for high technology that creates concrete added value.
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Future-proof visualisations for IIoT applications

Future-proof visualisations for IIoT applications

Machinery and plants as well as production processes generate a continual flow of data. Companies that are able to generate added value from this data will be able to enjoy success in the future. However, the large amount of generated data must be easily accessible to the machine operator via a HMI (Human Machine Interface). With the u-create PROCON-WEB SCADA software tool and PROCON-WEB Embedded System, Weidmüller provides visualisation solutions with...
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New Power: The changing technology of DC-DC converter design and manufacture

New Power: The changing technology of DC-DC converter design and manufacture

DC-DC converters are used in many applications; telecom, data communications, test and measurement, process control, semiconductor fabrication, industrial manufacturing, medical devices and battery powered equipment. They offer a simple way of deriving additional low power outputs from a higher power AC-DC supply, for example a 24 V output driving motors, relays or pumps. Alternatively if the system is powered by a 12 V battery, DC-DC converters can provide stable, regulated voltages during the...
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AI accelerator cards for AIoT edge computing

AI accelerator cards for AIoT edge computing

At the edge, the use of GPU-based systems for AI computing is usually not practical due to the physical size of the inference system, the high-power consumption and the unfavourable price-performance ratio. The Mustang AI accelerator card series from ICP Germany offers new solutions for edge computing in the field of Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT).
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EPOS4 – really Micro!

EPOS4 – really Micro!

Digital positioning control slightly larger than a postage stamp. Robotics, analysis, and handling systems require a compact integration of a large number of energy-efficient drives, combined with highly dynamic controllers and a networked bus system. maxon’s EPOS4 Micro motor controller is based on an established industrial solution. With it, modular multi-axis systems can be implemented with CANopen or EtherCAT, without high development costs.
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Mechatronic components for robot applications

Mechatronic components for robot applications

At the Motek, Dynetics (booth 1220, hall 1) presents linear and rotary servo motors with drivers from Synapticon, servo motors from NPM and a compact electric gripper based on the world's smallest bidirectional ball screw from KSS.
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Robots for everyone

Robots for everyone

Innovative robot teaching without programming efforts. It is no longer possible to imagine the industrial environment without robots. They are the backbone of the smart factory. Increasingly, however, the digital helpers can also be found in other environments. The Dresden-based company Wandelbots has now developed a solution that makes the use of robots interesting for small and medium-sized companies in many industries. An industrial PC from Kontron plays a central role in this setup.
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5G router for industrial monitoring and service solutions

5G router for industrial monitoring and service solutions

The Scalance MUM856-1 – the first industrial 5G router from Siemens – connects local industrial applications to public 5G, 4G (LTE) and 3G (UMTS) mobile wireless networks. The router can be used to remotely monitor and service plants, machines, control elements, and other industrial devices via a public 5G network – flexibly and with high data rates.
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Local dimming of high‑resolution displays

Local dimming of high‑resolution displays

Since time immemorial, many display manufacturers have been advertising ever higher resolutions for their panels. Yet resolution is only one of many characteristics of a high-quality display. For some years now, displays can be produced with such a high resolution that this criterion has become secondary. A high pixel density also has disadvantages with regard to the brightness or contrast ratio of displays. DMB Technics explains the advantages of local dimming and how this solution becomes...
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Fully automated end‑of-line test bench for BMW eDrive

Fully automated end‑of-line test bench for BMW eDrive

The latest generation of electrified drives is produced at the Dingolfing site in Germany, the BMW Group competence center for e-drive production. Here, KUKA implemented a fully automated test system for testing up to eight different drive variants. For more than 35 years, KUKA has been successfully integrating assembly and test systems for the automotive industry internationally and optimizing their production through efficient automation solutions.
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Connectors for automation technology

Connectors for automation technology

Whether Industry 4.0, Factory Automation or other areas of automation – the challenges are almost the same: Increasingly faster data transmissions are required, sometimes even in real time, and the data volume is increasing, the available installation space remains limited, connectors have to be locked quickly and securely, and there is high-cost pressure. In this environment, connectors that meet the corresponding technical requirements are in demand. In the automation sector, CONEC has a broad...
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