Manufacturing and Automation White Papers

In a new paper, Shackelford examines the cyber risk in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), including security implications in the smart factory revolution and associated policy implications. Although there has been progress in some areas (e.g., making attacks on civilian critical infrastructure, like smart factories, off limits), there is still much to be done. There are several options to consider for IIoT: self-regulation/cyber due diligence, insurance and/or proposed federal policies, like the IoT Cybersecurity Act of 2017, Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights and the Active Cyber Defense Certainty Act.

Static electricity can be a major nuisance in manufacturing facilities. It can affect the finish/quality of the products being produced, impact the speed of the operation, and cause workers to experience uncomfortable shocks. But it doesn’t have to be this way. There are steps that can be taken to eliminate or control static within a facility, and EXAIR can help. EXAIR's White Paper "Basics of Static Electricity" is designed to help readers learn about the causes of static electricity, the steps that can be taken to eliminate static, and the products available to help control it.

Connectors act as the vital link between the cables carrying data and the devices that record and communicate information. The demand for faster data transmissions that can accommodate visuals has driven the development of connectors able to support the gigabit data requirements for the latest sensors.

This 5G Americas’ white paper explores Edge Computing’s role in the evolution of 5G architecture, the application of Cloud-native principles such as software defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV), and identifies various methodologies currently being adopted for 5G applications. It covers detailed emerging use cases and outlines the stringent requirements needed to facilitate advanced mobility, compute, storage capabilities for emerging 5G wireless networks.

PostProcess Technologies, in collaboration with the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), has conducted the first-ever Additive Manufacturing Post-Printing Survey in 2019. This report will give you an in-depth look from the end-user perspective of common practices and challenges in 3D Post-Printing, also known as Post-Processing. Data from the survey of industry participants have been tabulated and summarized with key highlights and insights now published in a first-of-its-kind comprehensive report, exclusively available here.

The whitepaper from HMS Networks provides an overview of the industry’s opinions towards 5G technology as an emerging trend and future standard in the manufacturing and industrial automation industry. It also touches on the use of wireless technologies in the industry today and future directions of this technology.

Building new machines for today’s smart factories requires sophisticated control and automation that can only be delivered through multiple solutions and components – including a PLC, HMI, and VFD (Variable Frequency Drive). As all components must be integrated, selecting the right combination is crucial to the efficiency and success of the machine development project.

In the paper, ADDere addresses some of the more important aspects to consider, from beginning the design phase into using the systems for production. Knowing what’s possible and the best practices for the process reduces surprises and ensures success. It also opens an array of opportunities where the large-scale additive system can really make an impact in the production process.

You can lower labor costs, increase accuracy and reduce processing time by automating the control panel modification process. The Rittal Automation Systems Handbook identifies products that provide solutions to all of these plus more.

As AI becomes more prevalent in various aspects of business management and operations, investing in people will become even more important. AI and automation will not displace people but rather combine their capabilities in new ways to create new forms of value and new opportunities. The manufacturers that identify how to empower their workforces through AI applications will create the greatest value going forward.

Designed for stakeholders involved in cybersecurity, privacy and IIoT trustworthiness, the paper describes best practices that can be applied to protect various types of IIoT data and systems. The 33-page paper covers multiple adjacent and overlapping data protection domains, for example data security, data integrity, data privacy, and data residency.

Choosing the right compact enclosure is overwhelming. Hundreds of choices in materials, configurations and ratings can lead to confusion and mistakes when specifying the right product.

Learn how to save on energy costs by optimizing your facility flows that impact costs like compressed air, natural gas, steam, and hot or chilled water.

Aging manufacturing equipment, including industrial parts washers, continues to be a challenge to maintaining operational effectiveness. Parts washers can be designated as either outmoded or “Legacy” in their status, as they outlive their efficient usefulness. The evolution of modern aqueous parts washers is the result of technological innovation in operation and functionality for a wide range of industrial applications. In production process operations, cleanliness of parts and components is directly related to quality and reliability of the final product. This white paper explores the main factors to consider when replacing or upgrading legacy parts washer equipment, including important innovations in automation, functionality and the and the wide variety of parts washers now available.

The Manufacturer’s Guide to Business Process Improvement. The most successful ERP project teams understand the value of putting into place enterprise technology best practices. Most manufacturers and distributors benefit from guidance when embarking on their technology journey. Download a comprehensive eBook that shares enterprise technology educational resources specifically developed for the manufacturing and distribution sector.

This eBook is for users who wish to advance their pneumatic knowledge. It covers a wide range of topics such as circuit symbols, component capability, integrating pneumatics with controls as well as improving pneumatic efficiency.

Written by Khagendra Thapa, VP Current Sensor Product for ACEINNA, this new whitepaper outlines the basic issues that are addressed by current sensors and why they are important. The white paper also explains what AMR (Anisotropic Magnetoresistive) technology is and what are its advantages for current sensing versus other technologies like hall effect, transformers and shunt resistor.

Electromechanical actuators offer a higher degree of accuracy and programmability than hydraulic and pneumatic actuators. They’re an attractive option for designers as they also reduce operating costs due to less energy needed. However, there are some key differences in selecting the proper electromechanical actuator vs. hydraulics or pneumatics.

The extensive collection with illustrations and descriptions includes formulas, terminology and explanations of the calculations that are relevant for drive systems. A flow chart provides assistance in selecting the right drive for each purpose. Author: Jan Braun; 60 pages.

The e-book—featuring 23 concise pages covering essential topics related to effectively managing a calibration program—is a follow up to Calibration Essentials, the first collaborative publication on calibration between ISA and Beamex that was made available in February of 2018. The second edition explores those strategies and technologies—applicable to both executives and technicians—that support a comprehensive calibration program, ensure efficiency and effectiveness, and help facilitate ongoing gains in productivity.

This Case Study will show how 3D Modeling Software created an aesthetically pleasing product for Keuka Studios that support design, fit and functions.

The Emory University Impact of Maintenance 4.0 on OEMs research study was designed to assess how digitalization will disrupt the relationship between OEMs and industrial plants. For this purpose, we interviewed Maintenance and Reliability professionals responsible for Predictive Maintenance in their organizations.

SE 8 or TS 8? Choosing the right enclosure means understanding a wide variety of issues from material selection to safety and security. Rittal designs and manufactures the industry’s most durable and innovative enclosures for companies around the world. Our enclosures are ready to scale when it's time to grow your business. And a wide selection of configurations and accessories mean that your enclosure can be customized to your exact specifications. The Large Enclosure Selector Guide will walk you through the advantages of choosing Rittal and help you select the right enclosure for your business.

An explanation of what a gas spring is, component parts, and how they are both constructed and operate. It gives the reader a basic understanding of the workings and terminology used when specifying gas springs. It offers technical recommendations and guidelines for different mounting positions on applications. It also describes the differences orientation and damping effects are to be expected dependent upon the chosen mounting position.

There is an increasing demand for collaborative robots that can work autonomously and adapt to changing production conditions. This requires reliable sensors that detect human presence and can overcome future challenges associated with the development of collaborative technologies. Learn more about SICK and their approach to safe, collaborative robot systems.