The Internet of Things has achieved cost-effective mass-market implementation in consumer applications more quickly than in custom solutions for industrial automation, but now the playing field is being leveled by wireless machine-to-machine connectivity.   Technology concepts often burst onto the scene with a big splash of possibilities followed by the sobering reality of implementation. TheRead More

At Hannover Messe, we learned that Industry 4.0 is already in practice, and the market for these interconnected products is growing.   As many Europeans focus on challenges such as the migrant crisis, BREXIT, and terrorism in their capital cities, and most Americans follow the presidential election process, the economy, and the Middle East situation, thereRead More

Keeping with the fair’s theme of “Integrated Industry – Discover Solutions,” Hannover Messe 2016 visitors will discover promising ideas to make their factories and energy systems smart by means of digital technology.      Only in Hannover can you find five leading international trade fairs taking place at the same time, under one roof. AllRead More

After experiencing numerous costly downtimes, Ford turned to Remke for an alternative to the hard-wired cable that connected its welding robots.      Sudden downtime of an automotive assembly line can be costly. Industry experts estimate that downtime can cost a manufacturer as much as $1 million per hour in lost revenue. Ford Motor Co.Read More

We spoke with Bob Zubrickie of TE Connectivity about the possibilities that lay ahead for 3D printing and additive manufacturing, as well as the role connector technology will play in future developments.     Q: What is additive manufacturing, and where is it in the development stage in general industry? How quickly will it comeRead More

Are craft beer and automation compatible? While the beverage industry long ago automated manufacturing and packaging operations, today’s craft breweries pride themselves on the personal touch. Is there a place for factory automation in small-batch brewing?   Over the past fifteen years or so, the American beer market has seen a rapid expansion of smallRead More

Larger manufacturers have employed manufacturing execution systems for years, but many small-to-medium-sized enterprises have yet to adopt such systems. Schleuniger’s Pete Doyon says that looking forward, even the smallest manufacturing companies will need to use them.   A manufacturing execution system (MES) is a software program that manages and monitors production work in a factory. The MES controlsRead More

Industry 4.0 is the point where automation, the Internet of Things, wearables, and customization converge.   “Industry 4.0” is still a bit of a buzzword, but it gets closer to realization every day. Industry 4.0 refers to the fourth industrial revolution. In earlier articles, we discussed the first (industrialization), second (mass production), and third (IT integration)Read More

When it comes to surviving in a hostile plant environment, few would argue against the superiority of the M12 connector system over the traditional RJ45 connector and socket, according to Dietmar Röring of Phoenix Contact.   Ethernet has become a viable alternative to fieldbus systems in industrial networks. Ethernet can also be combined with existingRead More

Is it for the sake of technology advancement, broader customer appeal, or just a good business opportunity? Bishop & Associates’ David Brearley looks at why connector giants expand into sensors.    You may have noticed there have been several acquisitions of sensor companies by connector companies in recent years. TE Connectivity, for example, acquired MeasurementRead More

The TE enhanced USB Type-C connector provides improved ruggedness and EMI performance for the next-generation I/O standard.  TE Connectivity introduced its USB Type-C connector, a do-it-all interface that eliminates the need for multiple cords in a broad range of products from slim handheld devices to robust industrial applications. TE’s new USB Type-C connector features enhancedRead More

The Molex Brad M12 Power F-Coded cordsets and receptacles deliver four times the power and meet the needs of powerful factory automation applications. Molex introduced the Brad M12 Power F-Coded cordsets and receptacles, which feature an industry-leading current-carrying capacity of up to 16A per pin, with a robust, blind-mate key design. Developed to meet the increasing powerRead More