2020 has brought many changes to the way we operate and perform our day-to-day tasks. In the automation world, facilities are limiting the number of people they have on-site to essential personnel only. All other employees are working remotely. In some roles, this is unproblematic and easy to manage, but in others it is tedious and many responsibilities cannot be performed.

For automation sites that have implemented a Pepperl+Fuchs VisuNet RM Shell thin-client-based architecture for their HMI systems, VisuNet Control Center can be used to make life more manageable inside and outside of the facility. The software allows users to easily communicate, manage, and interface with their entire RM Shell-based thin client installation—whether it consists of desktop thin clients in non-hazardous areas or workstation thin clients in Division 1 areas.

The internationally standardized IO-Link technology offers many new features and benefits that help modernize existing systems for Industry 4.0. And with the massive shift to smart manufacturing in modern production environments, many companies are beginning to consider implementing IO-Link in their existing manufacturing systems. In this article, you will learn more about the advantages of intelligent communication technology and how you can modernize existing systems with IO-Link masters from Pepperl+Fuchs.

When selecting an intrinsic safety barrier for an analog input application, one of the biggest issues customers face is differentiating between sinking and sourcing. These terms are used to refer to where the power of the current signal is coming from. Not sure what they mean? Keep reading.

PortVision® DX is a Pepperl+Fuchs management software included with all DeviceMaster® serial gateways, ICE2 and ICE 3 series IO-Link Masters, and managed RocketLinx® Ethernet switches. This free software allows you to configure network settings, upload firmware, manage, and monitor Ethernet-attached devices within one application. PortVision DX detects Pepperl+Fuchs Ethernet-attached devices, eliminating the complicated patchwork of separate drivers, web interfaces, and proprietary software typically needed to deploy a network of industrial communication devices.

Picking up, securing, and safely transporting cargo is the most important task of any automated guided vehicle (AGV) or autonomous mobile robot (AMR). In order to successfully complete this task, the proper sensors are required. This blog article shows which sensor solution may be suitable based on the cargo type.

As Industry 4.0 grows, interest in radio-based sensors is also increasing. LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) is one technology that is becoming more and more popular in this context and is attracting the attention of industrial companies. In this blog article, find out what advantages LoRaWAN technology offers and if it could benefit your application.

Autonomous mobile robots, AMRs, typically use LiDAR sensors for the detection of objects. These sensors emit light and rely on a reflection to measure the distance to a particular surface. This is a great method for detecting solid objects but can create challenges when surrounded by transparent materials like glass. In these cases, the emitted light can pass through the material and cause collisions or false readings and loss of position. This type of false reading can result in product damage, downtime, or human injury.  

Mobile robots typically use some version of a LiDAR sensor for navigation. LiDAR, which stands for light detection and ranging, is a remote sensing method that measures variable distances using light in the form of a pulsed laser. LiDAR helps localize, navigate, and avoid obstacles so the robot can perceive surroundings and select a collision-free path. As new industries continue to adopt mobile robots, they must be able to navigate new, dynamic environments. One of the challenges in these environments is navigating around drop-offs or cliffs, also known as negative obstacles.

Data Matrix codes pack a tremendous amount of digital information into a postage-stamp-sized footprint. Found in seemingly endless commercial and consumer areas, such as warehouses, distribution centers, automotive, and production facilities, their full potential in industrial automation applications is only now being tapped. Want to elevate your logistics? Read on to learn how this powerful technology enhances the control of autonomous mobile robots (AMR) and automated guided vehicles (AGV).

In the automation world, many different types of positioning systems are available. Whether mechanical, optical, magnetic, ultrasonic, inductive, camera-based systems, or a combination of technologies, determining which of these is effective for your positioning application is critical to the success of your automated processes.