Radwell International’s Blog

In the ever-evolving landscape of industrial engineering, staying aware of the latest advancements and trends in electrical engineering is crucial for success. Industrial electrical engineers play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth functioning of manufacturing processes, optimizing energy efficiency, and maintaining a safe working environment. In this blog post, we will delve into several key electrical engineering topics that are highly relevant to industrial engineers, offering insights and strategies to navigate the complexities of the field.

AI has been a popular topic of conversation recently. Every industry, including the manufacturing industry, is asking themselves how they can use AI to their advantage. Some people are apprehensive about these advancements, but AI is taking the world by storm, and it is important be educated on how it will apply to you. In a recent chat for USA Manufacturing Hour, on Twitter, Jim Palmer from BuyDirectUSA.com led a discussion on the topic of AI.

A modern machine shop automatically adds value within a manufacturing operation. For starters, a modern machine shop houses equipment, usually old and new, that enhances manufactured products in some way. The machine shop is a value-added aspect because anything that happens in the machine shop further enhances and completes a product that is being produced in a facility. Adding value is the enhancement of a product during the process. Let’s look at why a machine shop adds value.

Any machine in a machine shop environment that is machining, plating, polishing, cleaning, or assembling is making money for a manufacturing operation. The nature of adding value is the transformation of the item during the process.

Obsolescence is an unavoidable part of any manufacturing endeavor. No matter how well your company has planned, some factors are more challenging to consider in advance than others.

In the era of Industry 4.0, new technology continues to revolutionize the manufacturing industry. Industry professionals view it as the latest industrial revolution, hence the Industry 4.0 moniker. Big data and computing technologies are the front-runners in innovations proving value to manufacturers. It is more crucial now than ever to remain on the leading edge of new technology. Upgrading equipment to provide greater efficiencies will provide a greater return on the investment.

The decision to go wireless for machine communication comes down to how much the benefits outweigh the challenges.

Wireless communication in our everyday electronic mobile devices has become so pervasive that it’s difficult to remember when such connectivity didn’t exist. Conversely, this level of connectivity has yet to dominate the factory floor. However, with the increased focus on IIoT, this may soon become a reality.

Pneumatic solenoid valves for many decades have been controlled through discrete wiring, with each solenoid individually wired and connected to a common cable, such as a 25-pin D-sub connector. This has progressed to fieldbus for quicker installation times, reduced wiring errors, and more importantly, diagnostic feedback capabilities.

Companies today see the potential that exists with automation. When looking towards the optimization of a facility, it is imperative to plan and understand the needs of the operation. Depending on each given business, different automated applications will be best-suited for each respective operation.

What is a Photoelectric Sensor?

Photoelectric sensors are able to detect objects using a light transmitter and a photoelectric receiver. These sensors can assess their surroundings and process the distance of an object and recognize if the object is nearby or absent. Also referred to as the “Photo Eye”, these systems detect a change in light instantly and can easily be incorporated into a variety of different equipment. There are three main ways photoelectric sensors utilize target detection; through-beam, retro-reflective, and proximity or diffused mode.

Cybersecurity poses a serious threat to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) enabled devices and robotic automation equipment. Attackers who gain access to industrial networks have a number of devastating options available to them, from changing production data to causing harmful production errors.

Cybersecurity in the robotics field is still immature, but manufacturers are starting to realize the vulnerability that connected robots and automation equipment creates in their operations. For those seeking to beef up their cybersecurity and protect their business, there are a number of options available to them.

ISO Certification is a process that enhances the offerings of a business. By showcasing how an organization meets or exceeds certain defined certification standards, they announce to the world the highest level of quality, safety, and efficiency in their daily methods of operation.

What is ISO? ISO is an independent, non-governmental international organization. Through its members, it brings together experts to share knowledge and develop voluntary, market-relevant International Standards that support innovation and provide solutions to global challenges.

The ISO story began in 1946 when delegates from 25 countries met at the Institute of Civil Engineers in London and decided to create a new international organization ‘to facilitate the international coordination and unification of industrial standards.' On February 23rd, 1947 the new organization, ISO, officially began operations. It operates in a similar way to this day.

In this day and age, human machine interfaces are everywhere. Think about every point of contact a human has with technology and it becomes a reminder that as humans, we interact with machines in just about every aspect of our lives today. Self-service checkout at the grocery store, plugging an address into your car’s GPS or getting some cash at the ATM are all examples of instances when humans interact with an interface designed to help foster human/machine communication.

As it applies to automation equipment in a manufacturing facility, human machine interface products offer the necessary electronics to easily control automation equipment in an industrial environment. HMI products can range from a simple design with basic screen controls to a more complex touchscreen with numerous features and windows. In most environments, whether for service oriented tasks or in an industrial environment, HMI systems must be resistant to dust, water, moisture, high or low temperatures and even chemicals.