Industrial Automation Parts Blog

Whether used in complex industrial machinery or everyday household equipment, sealing gaskets are fundamental to maintaining optimal performance in many applications. These components serve the crucial roles of maintaining airtight or fluid-tight seals, preventing leaks, and minimizing contamination risks, where even the most advanced machinery would be vulnerable to efficiency issues and safety concerns without them. Read on as we explore the common functions, types, and materials of sealing gaskets to aid you in making an ideal selection for your operations.

Industrial automation systems are the backbone of modern manufacturing and production processes, serving to integrate various industrial components to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and safety. Understanding the key components commonly found in industrial automation systems is essential for optimizing operations and achieving high performance, as well as for making optimal investment choices. As such, read on as we provide a brief overview for your benefit.

In the practice of crafting and building, tools act like threads, turning creative ideas into real things. Tools, diverse in their form and function, can be broadly categorized into four distinct types, each contributing its unique essence to the vast spectrum of tasks encountered in various industries.

In the realm of HVAC systems and industrial equipment, air curtains play a vital yet often understated role in maintaining comfortable indoor environments while conserving energy. These unassuming devices are a pivotal part of climate control, creating an invisible barrier of air that separates indoor and outdoor environments. In this blog, we will cover what an air curtain is, how it works, and its significance in various applications.

In every handyman's arsenal, a collection of reliable hand tools is an indispensable asset. From household repairs to professional projects, having the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference. In this article, we will dive into the world of hand tools and explore the most common ones, along with their practical uses.

Flashlights are universally used to make dark areas and objects visible in the absence of natural light. Consisting of several parts, they are typically made of different kinds of metal, glass, and/or plastic, with key components including a switch, case, battery, wiring, reflector, transparent lens, and lightbulb. Furthermore, the performance of various flashlights is impacted by the battery and light bulb type employed. To get a better understanding on how plastic and metal flashlight variations are created, we invite you to read on.

Pneumatic devices create and use compressed air for their functionality, and rock drills, pavement breakers, riveters, forging presses, paint sprayers, blast cleaners, and atomizers are all common examples. Compressed air power is a safe, economically-friendly, and flexible option which causes no spark hazards in an explosive system. Furthermore, it is usable in wet conditions without the risk of electric shock. Pneumatic devices are also able to fill a storage tank for occasional use and do not require return lines. Additionally, it is possible to connect components like a valve or cylinder and piston to one another through a pipe, tubing, or a flexible hose. Pneumatic devices also can perform actions such as changing the movement of an actuating piston in a cylinder without shock by manipulating the valves. Air systems like these offer flexibility, speed, and motion control, utilizing relief valves to protect equipment. They are also easy to operate and have few moving parts which makes them reliable and easy to maintain.

Fluid systems are a staple of countless buildings and spaces, allowing for potable water, sewage, and other materials to be transported as needed. While modern plumbing systems are expertly designed with robust piping and advanced valves that promote optimal flow, they are still at risk of various issues like blockages, leaks, etc. As plumbing issues can quickly become disastrous if not solved right away, it is essential that one has the right types of tools needed to get the job done. In the case that you are unable to find a reputable professional to help you solve plumbing issues, we will discuss the most common types of tools that one should have on hand.

The electrical busbar is a common element of various electrical devices and systems, coming in the form of a metallic bar that can transfer electrical power between incoming and outgoing feeders. As such, it can simply be explained as a type of electrical junction that exchanges incoming and outgoing currents. The various electrical lines contained within the busbar will operate on the same voltage and frequency as one another, and the busbar itself will be manufactured from either copper or aluminum. In this blog, we will discuss the functionality of busbars in more detail, also covering the various types that one may come across.

Electrical connectors are a standard element of countless electrical devices and systems, serving to establish an electrical connection between parts so that circuits can be established. Depending on the type of system one is using, the signal form that is being sent, and other various factors, a number of connector types may be utilized. One common connector type that is found in computer networking, telecommunication equipment, and audio headsets is the modular connector. Originally coming about in the 1960s for use in Bell System telephone systems, the modular connector has continued to be used into the modern day with its ability to support a number of telephone and Ethernet applications.

Industrial fans, also referred to as blowers, are large-scale fans used to supply high amounts of air flow or gas flow to a building or other structure. The term blower refers to any fan in which the resistance to the flow is primarily on the downstream side of the fan. Similar to a common house fan, industrial fans comprise blades, a hub and shaft, and a motor or turbine; however, they reach much higher flow rates, ranging from 200 cubic feet to an impressive 2 million cubic feet per minute. Specifically, industrial exhaust fans are a relatively inexpensive, medium-duty, steeply inclined flat-bladed option for exhausting gasses. For your better knowledge of exhaust fans and other fans used for industrial applications, this blog will explore the blowers available on the market and the components that comprise a reliable industrial fan.

Material handling involves the movement of material, either manually or mechanically, in batches or one item at a time. Generally, the movement is horizontal, vertical, or a combination of both. Regardless of the method, material handling is the movement, storage, control, and protection of materials, goods, and products through the process of manufacturing, distribution, consumption, and disposal. The focus lies primarily on the methods, mechanical equipment, systems, and related controls used to achieve these functions.

Material handling equipment and systems provide many entities with ways of handling and storing bulk material. Typically, material handling equipment refers to equipment that is designed to move, control, protect, and store material through various processes at warehouses and facilities. However, this equipment finds use in a myriad of industries, making it incredibly versatile. To better understand how material handling equipment works, this blog will cover its primary advantages and applications.

Electric power tools are instruments that are actuated by a power source. Most power tools utilize electric motors, internal combustion engines, or compressed air mechanisms. Other common power sources include steam engines, fuel and propellant combustion, and natural power sources like wind or moving water to operate power tools.

In many industries and applications, there may be a need for a controllable supply of air or gas to carry out various operations. This is generally made possible with the use of an industrial blower that can supply large flows of air or gas to a space. Consisting of an electric motor, an impeller, and airfoils, industrial blowers are able to enhance the flow of air in a given space. In this blog, we will discuss the design and functionality of industrial blowers, allowing you to better understand their applicational use.

Since the early days of aviation, metals and metalloids have been implemented in the majority of components that make up an aircraft. While metals may differ significantly in physical and chemical properties, they are generally rigid and suitable for a wide range of applications. In this blog, we will discuss the several metals and metal-containing elements used in modern aviation.

The world continuously changes around us due to advancements in the technological realm. Such advancements and progress can be readily seen in industrial automation. Automation includes everything from conveyor systems to full production lines with safety systems, data collection, and more. Today, we will take a look at the trends that are surfacing in industrial automation, allowing you to get a better understanding of what advancements we expect to see in this industry in the coming years.

A majority of electrical equipment like consumer appliances, industrial utilities, handheld tools, and more, necessitate a steady power supply. However, it is important to note that these types of equipment typically do not run on electricity that is directly connected to them. Instead, electricity is routed via alternating current (AC) that is changed into direct current (DC). AC-DC converters are electrical circuits that change this AC input into DC output.

Welding has long been used in aviation manufacturing to construct and repair aircraft. While aerospace manufacturing has become increasingly advanced with more robust technology and lighter materials, welding is still one of the primary methods of joining two metals together. In this article, we will discuss the history and current practices of aircraft welding.

Each sharing a similar purpose, welding, brazing, and soldering are all methods which can be used to effectively join parts together. Often requiring intense heat which can be supplied through the implementation of various tools and techniques, the option for brazing, welding, or soldering is generally chosen depending on which metals need to be joined and how the application process can best be achieved. To better familiarize yourself with welding, brazing, and soldering, we will briefly discuss the differences of each type, and how they should be applied to promote a reliable joint.

When establishing a cable network and working with various connectors, it is important that such components are attached to one another in the correct way. If the wrong method for cable and connector attachment is carried out, the resulting connection may either be unreliable or outright non-functional. Cable connections are typically executed through one of two methods, those of which are crimping and soldering. As both methods involve different tools and procedures, it can be very beneficial to have a basic understanding of each.

Warehouses and their operations can often be complex, requiring the constant storage and movement of various items as needed. As moving items is a major aspect of many warehouses, the faster an item can be moved, the more efficient a space can be. While various efforts can be made to better organize a space, there are also numerous equipment pieces and vehicle types that can greatly increase efficiency. To help you revolutionize your warehouse operations, we will discuss some of the main vehicles and equipment that may be relied on for increasing speed and handling.

Industrial automation systems are responsible for many operational functions and construction processes today. Although there are various types of automation systems, those specifically implemented for industrial means require the employment of specialized subsystems and components. Utilizing various automatic controls, automated systems reduce human intervention and allow for unmanned operation in various equipment. Whether partially or completely automated, the jump towards automation provides improved precision and accuracy in a myriad of environments not otherwise suited for human intervention. Within this blog, we will go over the common tools responsible for driving automated parts and their processes.

Ambiguous in nature, sealants and adhesives can be interchangeably used depending on the job at hand. Due to having similar properties to one another, adhesives and sealants are commonly confused for each other. Despite this, each material may be superior in performance for specific applications depending on how an item needs to be affixed to a surface. Providing a certain level of overlapping characteristics, adhesives and sealants exhibit properties that make them suitable for aircraft, aerospace, and electronic purposes. Going over the primary differences separating a sealant from an adhesive, we will discuss their key qualities and how each serves similar, yet unique functions.

In our modern society, we are very dependent on electricity and the benefits that it provides us. From connecting with others across the world for business to simply maintaining lighting in a home for comfort in the dark, there are countless ways in which we take advantage of electricity. For electricity to be harnessed by individuals in the way that it is, it must go through the stages of generation, transmission, and distribution which encompass the production of energy to the point it reaches the power outlet of a home or business. Each stage also contains various steps and hazards, warranting the need for safety measures due to the volatile nature of electricity.

When taking advantage of fluid power transmission for various applications, the choice between pneumatic and hydraulic systems can be tough. With either gases or liquids that are compressed within assemblies, large amounts of power can be used to actuate processes and carry out operations much more efficiently than more manual alternatives. While each system presents its unique advantages and disadvantages, neither system is particularly better than the other as they each may be fit for differing needs. To help you understand the difference between hydraulic and pneumatic systems as well as which may be the best for your application, we will provide a brief overview of each and how they function.

Businesses and commercial entities of all types and sizes significantly benefit from the energy savings and productivity gained through the automation and control of HVAC systems. As HVAC continues to evolve, even small changes like smart thermostats can impact the state of your business’ finances. In this blog, we will cover the many ways HVAC automation can improve your company both financially and otherwise.

Automation has radically changed how we manufacture parts, allowing for machinery to undertake various tasks without the need of a human operator. Through energy, motion, power, and force, industrial automation machine parts can increase efficiency, profits, and quality while reducing cost, risk, and energy consumption. While industrial automation may come in a variety of forms, the most common components include those that are structural, mechanical, field level, control, or communication based.