2021 Leadership in Automation: First Team Honorees
Automation World’s Leadership in Automation program reflects reader input on the companies they recognize as being outstanding suppliers of industrial automation technologies.
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Sensor Fusion: The Swiss Army Knife of Digitalization
With the proper communication protocols and network architecture in place, smart sensor technology and the data it provides can be the bulwark on which digital transformation is...
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Stressed Out: Extending the Life of Hydraulic Cylinder Position Sensors
Specialized product variations can deliver a longer and more reliable service life under adverse operating conditions.
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6 Smart trends manufacturers must embrace for success in 2021
Changes that have been stewing for years have come to maturity.
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Another look at vision systems
Smaller applications can benefit from paired down systems, and deep learning applications are growing for manufacturers of all sizes.
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Cracking the (weld) nut of automated operational excellence
How a mindset change and a long-term view boosts performance in welding automation.
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The freedom of the absolute: Let the application guide your encoder choice
Why absolute encoders are the best choice when exact position needs to be known.
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Reading codes on the assembly line
Many assembly operations begin with the scanning of a 1D or 2D bar code.
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IO-Link: Reducing costs and increasing efficiencies
IO-Link provides key features of fieldbus and Ethernet-based sensors with lower cost and complexity.
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Customized, cost-effective, and easy-to-integrate vision solutions
Balluff’s advantage in the market is affordability, functionality, and support.
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Updating legacy equipment for Industry 4.0
Many types of older assembly equipment can be IIoT-enabled quickly, easily and cost-effectively.
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How to boost productivity throughout a smart machine\'s life
Seldom have we focused on the machine itself.
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How to maintain presence sensors
Choose the right sensor for hard-to-reach and hazardous areas.
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Why RFID is the VIP of 2019
With the Smart Factory concept being driven around the globe, RFID has emerged from the shadows and taken its place in the spotlight.
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Laser sensors and automated assembly
Very accurate and super fast, these noncontact sensors are ideal for various measurement, inspection and defect-detection applications.
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What’s the Difference Between Industrial IoT and Industry 4.0?
Investing in IIoT and Industry 4.0 applications has become a requirement, whether you are a “mechanical-only” company or not.
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New flow switches from Balluf warn users of reduction in flow
The recently released BFF series of flow sensors, which are available in both thread-in and inline versions, provide a switching output that is activated when the flow falls below...
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Balluff puts interoperability of IO-Link on display at IMTS
IO-Link comes with many advantages, but the most important one for most adopters is its ability to work with existing industrial network infrastructures.
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IIoT-Integrated Sensors Connect Machines to Mobile Devices
Watch the interview from FABTECH Canada between Balluff\'s Chris Duncan and James Anderton from Engineering.com.
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New Sensing Surface on Inductive Sensors for Welding
With weld-spatter burnthrough a constant challenge with inductive sensors in automated welding applications, Balluff has announced the new BES R01 series of inductive flatpack...
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Balluff creates sensor protection device to reduce impact damage
Balluff has introduced Face Savers — a game-changing accessory to extend sensor life.
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Which Devices Do it All For Presence Sensing?
How to choose between proximity sensor, photo eye and fiberoptic sensor.
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True-color sensor with IO-Link ensures consistent color verification
Verification of product color is a constant challenge for many industries. This is why Balluff has launched its BFS 33M true color sensor with IO-Link to provide a solution to this...
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Simplify press maintenance and management through IIoT innovation
Press builder Eagle Press & Equipment is using machine-mount I/O and the technology of IO-Link.
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The Stack Light Gets Brighter
New technology adds intelligence and customization to industry\'s time-tested indicator of machine state.
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New Balluff 18-mm IO-Link photoelectric smart sensor
Balluff released added functionality to its standard 18-mm tubular photoelectric sensors.
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The Key Advantages of IO-Link
Simple ways that IO-Link can save you money and improve your equipment effectiveness during design, build or production.
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Powering Africa
Getting a hydroelectric power plant online quicker using intelligent cabling technology.
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Inspection With Thermal Imaging
Manufacturers are using infrared cameras to aid preventive maintenance and find defects in heat-related assembly processes.
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Machine Designs November Product Roundup
IO-Link Feature Supports Multiple Linear Sensors at a Time
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Balluff: IO-link master
Balluff introduces a compact, rugged, and reliable 4-Port IO-Link master for EtherNet/IP, PROFINET and EtherCAT networks.
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FAQs on Level Sensing with Capacitive Sensors
How does a capacitive sensor work? What mechanical factors do I have to consider once I know the precision I need?
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Smart Hydraulic Power Units for Smart Factory
What is “smart factory”? What is smart HPU? What is the purpose of smart HPUs in the context of smart factory?
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Why Manufacturers Must Embrace Industry 4.0
Data-driven insights reduce manufacturing downtime.
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Ready for takeoff to Industry 4.0
Tool coding using radio-frequency identification (RFID) has been used successfully since long before Industry 4.0. Premium AEROTEC, one of the world’s leading Tier 1 suppliers for...
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Balluff manufacturing round table hosts Kentucky Governor, local manufacturers
Balluff hosted a manufacturing roundtable event at its Independence, Kentucky location. This event included more than 20 Kentucky manufacturers, government officials such as...
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Balluff: Functional safety solution
Balluff Inc. announces the industry\'s first and unique functional safety solution that combines PROFIsafe, an industry standard safety communication protocol, with IO-Link, a...
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Keeping error-proofing sensors working in harsh welding environments
Problems related to sensored error-proofing systems encountered during automated welding usually can be attributed to weld spatter, connectivity damage, heat, electrical noise, or...
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In-Die Sensing: Do it Now!
Improper feeding of sheet or strip into press tooling, improper part ejection from the press, slugs gumming up the press and dies. Has this ever happened to you?
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Balluff introduces safety solution combining PROFIsafe with IO-Link
When used in conjunction with a PROFIsafe controller, the PROFIsafe IO-Link safety I/O hub can achieve Safety Integrity Level (SIL) CL 3 according to EN/IEC 62061 or Safety...
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Compact bidirectional data memory module
Balluff offers a compact, bidirectional data memory module for tight mounting spaces. The compact memory module with IP 67 protection is just 34 x 16 x 8 mm in size and can be used...
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Machine Mount IO-Link Mini-Masters for Industrial Ethernet
Balluff’s new 4-port slim design IO-Link masters can connect a multitude of smart devices over IO-Link to build a truly distributed machine mount controls architecture for today’s...
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Enabling CC-Link IE communication using general-purpose 100Mbps Ethernet
The CC-Link Partner Association, working to expand the adoption of the industrial open network CC-Link IE, has announced the launch of CC-Link IE Field Basic.
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Washdown-ready distributed I/O
<p>With an IP69K rating, machine mount IO-Link master and I/O blocks are ready for food, dairy and beverage.</p>
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Balluff: Explosion proof linear position sensor
Balluff\'s Micropulse TA12 hazardous area linear position sensor is now available with new features and improved performance, while maintaining 100% backward compatibility to the...
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Balluff: Explosion proof linear position sensor
Balluff\'s Micropulse TA12 hazardous area linear position sensor is now available with new features and improved performance, while maintaining 100% backward compatibility to the...
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Balluff certified for ISO 9001:2015
Florence, Ky.-based Balluff, a provider of sensors, machine vision, industrial RFID, and distributed I/O for such industries and stamping and welding, has announced its...
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What’s New With Machine Vision Systems
New technology is making vision systems faster, more reliable and easier to use.
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Balluff Open House a fun celebration
On October 12, 2016, Balluff Canada held an Open House at its Mississauga facility to celebrate 18 years as a subsidiary of Balluf Inc.
Learn moreBalluff hosts Manufacturing Day Event with over 200 students and community members
Balluff hosted its second annual Manufacturing Day event on October 7. Over 200 students and local community members attended the event to learn more about modern manufacturing and...
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The smart factory of the future
What will Industry 4.0 and Internet of Things actually do for metal fabricators?
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Balluff hosts Manufacturing Day Event with over 200 students and community members
Balluff hosted its second annual Manufacturing Day event on October 7. Over 200 students and local community members attended the event to learn more about modern manufacturing and...
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Bi-Directional Inductive Coupler Powered by IO-Link
Balluff announces the expansion of its IO-Link enabled inductive-coupling product family to include bi-directional IO-Link communication.
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Partnering for Best-in-Class Sensing Solutions
To overcome the limitations, Balluff Inc. partnered with InformaTrac, Inc. Together, the two companies can provide a complete RFID and Asset Management Solution.
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Balluff: Stainless steel fork sensors
Balluff\'s rugged self-contained through-beam sensors are designed for challenging environments in the food and beverage, packaging, metalworking, and pharmaceutical industries.
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Fork sensor series for harsh environments
Balluff’s F series of fork sensors includes IP69K rated stainless steel self-contained through-beam sensors designed for the most challenging environments such as the food and...
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Position-Sensing Options for Air Cylinders
Choosing a position feedback solution for air cylinders presents a challenge because the best solution should surpass the speed and life of the cylinder itself.
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New IP69K Rated Stainless Steel Fork Sensors from Balluff
Balluff’s newest addition to the industry’s leading line of fork sensors now includes IP69K rated stainless steel self-contained through-beam sensors designed for the most...
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NKY Chamber’s Eggs ‘N Issues ‘Made in Northern Kentucky’ focuses on sustainability, workforce
Environmental sustainability and workforce development were hot topics at the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Eggs ‘N Issues “Made in Northern Kentucky” panel discussion...
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CC-Link IE Field Machine Mount I/O blocks
Balluff\'s CC-Link IE network portfolio consists of machine mount I/O devices and IO-Link masters.
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Improving The Reliability of Hydraulic Cylinder Position Sensors
Today\'s highly demanding industrial applications for linear position sensors in hydraulic cylinders sometimes exceed the limits of survivability for standard product designs.
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Balluff introduces industrys first CC-Link IE Field machine mount I/O blocks
Balluff is pleased to announce the new family of network solutions based on the Industry\'s newest and fastest industrial Ethernet network – CC-Link IE Field.
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Network portfolio for industrial automation
Balluff\'s CC-Link IE field is a 1GBPS network designed for industrial automation applications and the network portfolio consists of IP67 protection rated machine mount I/O devices...
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Sensor Choices for Pneumatic Cylinder Positioning
Pneumatic cylinders carry many advantages in terms of relatively low first cost, application simplicity, and durability. To integrate a pneumatic cylinder into an automated system,...
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Balluff Receives 2016 Employee Development Award From Gateway Corporate College
Balluff was recently named a 2016 Corporate College Award Winner by Gateway Corporate College.
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Balluff receives 2016 Employee Development Award
Balluff was recently named a 2016 Corporate College Award Winner by Gateway Corporate College.
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Linear position sensors help cylinders control air and fuel in blast furnaces and power plants
A popular application for linear position sensors is hydraulic cylinder position feedback for valve actuators. The position sensor is installed into the back end of the cylinder.
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Explosion-proof linear position sensor
Balluff\'s Micropulse TA12 hazardous area linear position sensor is designed for position feedback applications on hydraulically-actuated valves and in hydraulic cylinders located...
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Hazardous area explosion proof linear position sensor
Balluff’s Micropulse TA12 hazardous area linear position sensor is now available with new features and improved performance, while maintaining 100% backward compatibility to the...
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Hazardous Area Explosion Proof Linear Position Sensor from Balluff
Balluff\'s Micropulse TA12 hazardous area linear position sensor is now available with new features and improved performance, while maintaining 100% backward compatibility to the...
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How distributed I/O can work on packaging lines
Alternatives to running servo power and feedback cables, as well as wiring to sensors and solenoids.
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Background suppressing sensors
Background suppression sensors are becoming more popular because of their ability to ignore backgrounds, thus preventing false triggering.
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Balluff ranked one of the best places to work in Kentucky
Balluff Inc. has been recognized as the thirteenth Best Place to Work in Kentucky by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the Kentucky Society for Human Resource Management...
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Automation-In-Action college tour
The Balluff Automation-In-Action demo van visited seven universities and colleges in five days during the week of April 11th 2016.
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Balluff: Bi-directional inductive coupler
Balluff has expanded its IO-Link enabled Inductive coupling product family to include bi-directional IO-Link communication; the inductive coupling solution enables transfer of...
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Balluff: 16 Port IO-Link Master with PROFINET
Scalable, distributed controls architecture for high I/O density applications.
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Balluff: Capacitive sensors
The newest member of Balluff’s line of capacitive sensors is the Advanced Smart Level, combining standard capacitive sensing technology and patented Smart Level technology, and...
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Network I/O Blocks
Balluff\'s network I/O Weldblocks are optimized for extremely noisy electrical environments, such as welding.
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Balluff: Tube sensors for microbubble detection
The Balluff microbubble detection sensor is used in special cases where free-floating, microbubbles need to be detected within a tube.
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How To Control Delicate Parts in Feeder Bowls
There are two main sensing applications for controlling delicate parts in feeder bowls: Accurate Bowl Level and Feed Track Detection.
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Network I/O Weldblocks
Balluff, Florence, KY has introduced a new family of network I/O blocks optimized for extremely noisy electrical environments, such as those created by welding.
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New IO-Link Power Supplies From Balluff
Power supplies are key components in automation but can easily be overlooked or last on the agenda.
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New advanced level sensor
Balluff’s newest member is the Advanced Smart Level. This sensor combines standard capacitive sensing technology and the patented Smart Level technology enabling the ability to...
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New network I/O Weldblocks from Balluff
Balluff is pleased to announce an entire new family of network I/O blocks optimized for extremely noisy electrical environments, such as welding.
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New Advanced Level Sensor from Balluff
Balluff’s state-of-the-art, industry leading line of capacitive sensors newest member is the Advanced Smart Level.
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Networked LED tower lights indicate machine and process status
Balluff Inc., Florence, KY, has expanded its SmartLight line of LED tower lights, fully programmable multi-purpose lights that indicate the status of virtually any plant operation.
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Students today, engineers tomorrow: Our future lies in their education
Davis’ quote applies to many industries besides fluid power. There needs to be a push toward hands-on project-based learning across all fields.
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Balluff hosts Manufacturing Day event for students and community
In celebration of Manufacturing Day 2015, Balluff opened its doors on Oct. 2 to more than 100 students and community members as part of an effort to change perceptions about...
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Why applications need a full spectrum of color sensors
How to choose microprocessor-equipped sensors, monochrome sensors, contrast sensors and fast color sensors.
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Meeting the requirements of Industry 4.0
Achieving smarter factories and reaching the goals set by the Industry 4.0 initiative can be helped by what CC-Link IE has to offer, as Control Engineering Europe editor-in-chief...
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The impact of wireless technology on presence sensors with robots
Has there been an impact? We posed the question to a panel of industry veterans.
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The role of presence sensing in collaborative robot applications
What should we expect from presence sensing with the increase in collaborative robot applications—where humans and robots work in the same space?
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FAQs on What type of cylinder stroke sensor do I need?
There are lots of products out there for sensing the stroke position of a hydraulic cylinder. How do I know which one to use? What’s the difference? Aren’t these the same thing?
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Machine builder masters assembly line uptime, flexibility
Made by Balluff Inc., the distributor is fieldbus independent and vendor neutral. It carries a digital signal over pin 4 of a standard cable and provides 24-volt power to a...
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Today’s Versatile Transducers Step Up Performance
Mechanical pressure gauges and switches still have their place in fluid power, but with more features and greater accuracy and life, transducers are being specified in a wide...
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Balluff appoints new president/CEO
Sensor provider Balluff Inc., Florence, Ky., has appointed Tony Canonaco as president effective immediately and as CEO effective Aug 1st.
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How sensors enable information-based decisions
Optimize production, eliminate manual intervention and incorporate quality checks.
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Is wireless I/O up to the challenge?
Technology improvements create a valid alternative to hardwired connections.
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The rise of robots and the enabling sensing technology
The increase in robotic integration may be due to affordability and easier programming, but sensors collect the information they need to be productive.
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Machine-Mount I/O for Harsh Environments
Reducing the distance between I/O devices and the signals being monitored can eliminate the cost, inconvenience and possible error sources associated with long wire runs.
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What does your sensing application require?
Because accuracy and precision come at a price, you need to understand just how accurate and how precise a system needs to be.
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Push-pull IO modules with Profinet
Balluff\'s push-pull variants of its Profinet IO-Link master modules are available with a fiber-optic cable or copper cable connection and an integrated display for information and...
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Balluff opens new customer support center, complete with green concepts
A new 48,000-sq.-ft. facility in Florence, KY, is now the home of the Balluff customer-support center, featuring green concepts and worker-friendly features such as collaborative...
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Educational program to promote STEM and healthy lifestyle
The TECHFIT workshop is designed for increasing students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and is offered at Purdue University and the College of...
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Advanced in Die Protection and In-Die Sensing
Let’s look at some new developments, and revisit some old ideas, for addressing the issues of increased productivity and protecting tooling in metalforming and fabrication.
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Vision sensor
The BVS Universal Vision Sensor offers 360° part-position detection, defect finding, contour-based counting and matching, bar-code reading, and optical character verification...
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High-durability electrical cables
A new line of high-durability cables helps prevent downtime and replacement for washdown, temperature, and weld-slag situations.
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Inclination sensors
New liquid-based inclination sensors, for critical applications involving precise position control and continuous positioning of rotational movements, measure the deviation on a...
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Magnetostrictive Position Sensor Increases Sawmill Productivity
The Wood-Mizer line of portable sawmills provides independent woodlot operators with a reliable, efficient means of converting logs into lumber at rates ranging from 100 to 800...
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