Festo Introduces the CPX-AP-A line of Distributed I/O

By

Shawn Tierney

-

September 7, 2023

With its recent introduction of its CPX-AP-A DIO solution, coupled with its established CPX-AP-I decentralized I/O (see TAD006 for demo on how to use it in Studio 5000,) Festo now offers one of the broadest ranges of electric and pneumatic automation solutions in the world.

Now if you were wondering what the “AP” stands, it represents Festo’s Automation Platform of products, and Festo states that this backplane-based distributed I/O system has been in development for a decade.

Quoting Tim Sharkey, Director of Electric Automation, in the company’s recent press release, “The Festo AP backplane communications platform that provides a central communication and data transfer I/O interface, is a combination of everything that we’ve learned over the past 25 years of doing electric and pneumatic linear automation solutions.”

For a summary of this article and our reflections, see the below video clip. You can also read the original article via this link: https://press.festo.com/en-US/technologies-and-products-1/festo-electric-and-pneumatic-motion-reaches-a-pinnacle-in-north-america-1

Automation Morning Show News Clip:

Until next time, Peace ✌️

If you enjoy this episode please give it a Like, and consider Sharing as this is the best way for us to find new guests to come on the show.

Shawn M Tierney
Technology Enthusiast & Content Creator

Eliminate commercials and gain access to my weekly full length hands-on, news, and Q&A sessions by becoming a member at The Automation Blog or on YouTube. You'll also find all of my affordable PLC, HMI, and SCADA courses at TheAutomationSchool.com.

Author
Recent Posts

Shawn Tierney

I'm a lifelong Technology Enthusiast who began programing in the early 80's on the Apple II and VIC-20 personal computers. After earning a degree in Electronics, I worked as a Certified Controls and Information Automation Specialist for 25 years before leaving to become a full time Industrial Automation instructor and mentor at TheAutomationSchool, as well as publishing industry interviews, news, and product how-to’s at TheAutomationBlog.com. If you're interested in my training, mentoring, or becoming a sponsor, please schedule a teams meeting with me via https://calendly.com/shawntierney/business-meeting

Latest posts by Shawn Tierney (see all)

First Look: Siemens S7-1200 G2 – Unbox, Wire, Program (S2E13) - April 17, 2025
MaintainX: Prevent Unplanned Downtime (P236) - April 9, 2025
First Time Using Ignition: Tags and Views (P235) - March 24, 2025

News for September 7, 2023 (N101)

By

Shawn Tierney

-

September 7, 2023

Daily Industrial Automation News Roundup:

Today we’re covering news about Festo’s CPX-AP-A, Festo’s Multi-Protocol Servos, New IO-Link products for September, Short history of Industrial Ethernet, Yaskawa Robot Power, Grace Temp Monitoring, How Actuators Differ, The Linmot Difference, Exida & Machine Safety and more in our Automation Morning Show for September 7, 2023.

Watch the show:

The Automation Morning Show is also available on most Video and Podcasting platforms, and direct links to each can be found here.

Listen to the Podcast:

Podcast (morningshow): Play in new window | Download

Show Notes:

Thanks to everyone who watched or listened today! All the links to today's news can be found on our sister site, Automate.News, and if you think we missed something, or just want to share a news tip, please do so using this link.

Vendors who'd like to sponsor our show can learn about the options we offer, as well as contact us directly, using this link.

And if you'd like to join our community and support our work, you can do so for the price of a cup of coffee each month at TheAutomationBlog.com/join.

Huge thanks to all our supporters there!

Until next time, Peace ✌️

If you enjoy this episode please give it a Like, and consider Sharing as this is the best way for us to find new guests to come on the show.

Shawn M Tierney
Technology Enthusiast & Content Creator

Eliminate commercials and gain access to my weekly full length hands-on, news, and Q&A sessions by becoming a member at The Automation Blog or on YouTube. You'll also find all of my affordable PLC, HMI, and SCADA courses at TheAutomationSchool.com.

Author
Recent Posts

Shawn Tierney

I'm a lifelong Technology Enthusiast who began programing in the early 80's on the Apple II and VIC-20 personal computers. After earning a degree in Electronics, I worked as a Certified Controls and Information Automation Specialist for 25 years before leaving to become a full time Industrial Automation instructor and mentor at TheAutomationSchool, as well as publishing industry interviews, news, and product how-to’s at TheAutomationBlog.com. If you're interested in my training, mentoring, or becoming a sponsor, please schedule a teams meeting with me via https://calendly.com/shawntierney/business-meeting

Latest posts by Shawn Tierney (see all)

First Look: Siemens S7-1200 G2 – Unbox, Wire, Program (S2E13) - April 17, 2025
MaintainX: Prevent Unplanned Downtime (P236) - April 9, 2025
First Time Using Ignition: Tags and Views (P235) - March 24, 2025

Softing’s dataFEED OPC Suite (D012)

By

Shawn Tierney

-

September 6, 2023

On today’s show Quinton Lowry of Softing demos and answers questions on their OPC UA Server, dataFEED OPC Suite in this episode of The Automation Demo (D012.)

For more information check out the “Show Notes” located below the video.

The Automation Demo, Episode 12 Show Notes:

Special Thanks to Quinton Lowry of Softing for coming on the show and demoing how to use the dataFEED OPC Suite.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Vendors: Would you like your product featured on the Show, Podcast, and Blog? If you would, please contact me at: https://theautomationblog.com/contact

Until next time, Peace ✌️

If you enjoy this episode please give it a Like, and consider Sharing as this is the best way for us to find new guests to come on the show.

Shawn M Tierney
Technology Enthusiast & Content Creator

Eliminate commercials and gain access to my weekly full length hands-on, news, and Q&A sessions by becoming a member at The Automation Blog or on YouTube. You'll also find all of my affordable PLC, HMI, and SCADA courses at TheAutomationSchool.com.

Author
Recent Posts

Shawn Tierney

I'm a lifelong Technology Enthusiast who began programing in the early 80's on the Apple II and VIC-20 personal computers. After earning a degree in Electronics, I worked as a Certified Controls and Information Automation Specialist for 25 years before leaving to become a full time Industrial Automation instructor and mentor at TheAutomationSchool, as well as publishing industry interviews, news, and product how-to’s at TheAutomationBlog.com. If you're interested in my training, mentoring, or becoming a sponsor, please schedule a teams meeting with me via https://calendly.com/shawntierney/business-meeting

Latest posts by Shawn Tierney (see all)

First Look: Siemens S7-1200 G2 – Unbox, Wire, Program (S2E13) - April 17, 2025
MaintainX: Prevent Unplanned Downtime (P236) - April 9, 2025
First Time Using Ignition: Tags and Views (P235) - March 24, 2025

Panduit Details The Advantages Of Single Pair Ethernet

By

Shawn Tierney

-

September 6, 2023

More and more Industrial Ethernet products are coming with embedded two port switches, which is a welcome trend and is making the daisy chaining of Distributed I/O a growing trend in control system topologies.

But daisy chaining your I/O drops can only take you so far (pun intended,) and doesn’t work in all applications. When that’s the case, the cost to connect to far off drops of I/O (and other devices) beyond the 100m limit of Copper Ethernet connections quickly raises the cost as it typically requires the implementation of Fiber, including Copper to Fiber converters on either side of the connection.

But with Single Pair Ethernet products now entering the market, a new and much lower cost option is becoming available for both standard and PoE applications, and this topic gets some well deserved coverage in the latest article from Panduit.

For a summary of the article and our reflections, see the below video clip. You can also read the original article via this link: https://www.panduit.com/en/about/blogs/single-pair-ethernet–data-and-power-for-the-future.html

Automation Morning Show News Clip:

Until next time, Peace ✌️

If you enjoy this episode please give it a Like, and consider Sharing as this is the best way for us to find new guests to come on the show.

Shawn M Tierney
Technology Enthusiast & Content Creator

Eliminate commercials and gain access to my weekly full length hands-on, news, and Q&A sessions by becoming a member at The Automation Blog or on YouTube. You'll also find all of my affordable PLC, HMI, and SCADA courses at TheAutomationSchool.com.

Author
Recent Posts

Shawn Tierney

I'm a lifelong Technology Enthusiast who began programing in the early 80's on the Apple II and VIC-20 personal computers. After earning a degree in Electronics, I worked as a Certified Controls and Information Automation Specialist for 25 years before leaving to become a full time Industrial Automation instructor and mentor at TheAutomationSchool, as well as publishing industry interviews, news, and product how-to’s at TheAutomationBlog.com. If you're interested in my training, mentoring, or becoming a sponsor, please schedule a teams meeting with me via https://calendly.com/shawntierney/business-meeting

Latest posts by Shawn Tierney (see all)

First Look: Siemens S7-1200 G2 – Unbox, Wire, Program (S2E13) - April 17, 2025
MaintainX: Prevent Unplanned Downtime (P236) - April 9, 2025
First Time Using Ignition: Tags and Views (P235) - March 24, 2025

Schneider Shares Best Practices For Energy Savings

By

Shawn Tierney

-

September 6, 2023

There’s no denying energy prices are soaring. Just filling the tank on the average car today will run you anywhere from $55 to $75 or more. And as Schneider puts it in their latest article, “Energy inflation has taken its toll through cost increases, contract constraints, labor shifts, and supply issues. High fuel costs have even caused some factories to curtail production or shut down altogether.”

To address this, they recommend a three pronged approach, consisting of (1) tapping into available incentives and technology funding aimed at energy efficiency, (2) conducting energy audits to learn where most of your energy is being used, and how efficiently those processes are using it, and (3) implementing a measuring and monitoring system to keep track of increases in energy use, as well as to document savings from ongoing efforts to reduce waste and increase efficiency.

For a summary of this article and our reflections, see the below video clip. You can also read the original article via this link: https://blog.se.com/industry/2023/09/05/best-practices-for-industries-seeking-to-lower-energy-bills/

Automation Morning Show News Clip:

Until next time, Peace ✌️

If you enjoy this episode please give it a Like, and consider Sharing as this is the best way for us to find new guests to come on the show.

Shawn M Tierney
Technology Enthusiast & Content Creator

Eliminate commercials and gain access to my weekly full length hands-on, news, and Q&A sessions by becoming a member at The Automation Blog or on YouTube. You'll also find all of my affordable PLC, HMI, and SCADA courses at TheAutomationSchool.com.

Author
Recent Posts

Shawn Tierney

I'm a lifelong Technology Enthusiast who began programing in the early 80's on the Apple II and VIC-20 personal computers. After earning a degree in Electronics, I worked as a Certified Controls and Information Automation Specialist for 25 years before leaving to become a full time Industrial Automation instructor and mentor at TheAutomationSchool, as well as publishing industry interviews, news, and product how-to’s at TheAutomationBlog.com. If you're interested in my training, mentoring, or becoming a sponsor, please schedule a teams meeting with me via https://calendly.com/shawntierney/business-meeting

Latest posts by Shawn Tierney (see all)

First Look: Siemens S7-1200 G2 – Unbox, Wire, Program (S2E13) - April 17, 2025
MaintainX: Prevent Unplanned Downtime (P236) - April 9, 2025
First Time Using Ignition: Tags and Views (P235) - March 24, 2025

Beckhoff Talks Future Proofing Automation

By

Shawn Tierney

-

September 6, 2023

In Beckhoff’s latest article, “Digitalization for the process industry,” they share their vision on how engineers can make their plants “fit for the future” by providing an overview of various concepts for digitalization and flexibility, including:

Implement continuous monitoring via NOA Edge Devices
Ease field device installation via Ethernet APL
Maintain flexible production using MTP for modularization

For a summary of this article and our reflections, see the below video clip. You can also read the original article via this link: https://www.beckhoff.com/en-us/industries/process-industry/digitalization-for-the-process-industry/

Automation Morning Show News Clip:

Until next time, Peace ✌️

If you enjoy this episode please give it a Like, and consider Sharing as this is the best way for us to find new guests to come on the show.

Shawn M Tierney
Technology Enthusiast & Content Creator

Eliminate commercials and gain access to my weekly full length hands-on, news, and Q&A sessions by becoming a member at The Automation Blog or on YouTube. You'll also find all of my affordable PLC, HMI, and SCADA courses at TheAutomationSchool.com.

Author
Recent Posts

Shawn Tierney

I'm a lifelong Technology Enthusiast who began programing in the early 80's on the Apple II and VIC-20 personal computers. After earning a degree in Electronics, I worked as a Certified Controls and Information Automation Specialist for 25 years before leaving to become a full time Industrial Automation instructor and mentor at TheAutomationSchool, as well as publishing industry interviews, news, and product how-to’s at TheAutomationBlog.com. If you're interested in my training, mentoring, or becoming a sponsor, please schedule a teams meeting with me via https://calendly.com/shawntierney/business-meeting

Latest posts by Shawn Tierney (see all)

First Look: Siemens S7-1200 G2 – Unbox, Wire, Program (S2E13) - April 17, 2025
MaintainX: Prevent Unplanned Downtime (P236) - April 9, 2025
First Time Using Ignition: Tags and Views (P235) - March 24, 2025

Rockwell To Acquire Clearpath/Otto Robotics

By

Shawn Tierney

-

September 6, 2023

Rockwell Automation announced it has signed an agreement to acquire Ontario, Canada-based Clearpath Robotics Inc., a leader in autonomous mobile robotics (AMRs) which they consider the next frontier in industrial automation, stating that this acquisition will, “supercharge Rockwell’s lead in bringing the Connected Enterprise to life.”

AMRs are often used to transport parts and materials to assembly lines and between manufacturing cells, and autonomous production logistics has the ability to transform workflows throughout manufacturing. In acknowledgement of this, Rockwell states that, “Clearpath’s OTTO Motors Division offers fleet management and navigation software which dramatically increase throughput and reduce costs by ensuring components and subassemblies are in place when needed.”

For a summary of this article and our reflections, see the below video clip. You can also read the original article via this link: https://www.rockwellautomation.com/en-us/company/news/press-releases/Rockwell-Automation-signs-agreement-to-acquire-autonomous-robotics-leader-Clearpath-Robotics.html

Automation Morning Show News Clip:

Until next time, Peace ✌️

If you enjoy this episode please give it a Like, and consider Sharing as this is the best way for us to find new guests to come on the show.

Shawn M Tierney
Technology Enthusiast & Content Creator

Eliminate commercials and gain access to my weekly full length hands-on, news, and Q&A sessions by becoming a member at The Automation Blog or on YouTube. You'll also find all of my affordable PLC, HMI, and SCADA courses at TheAutomationSchool.com.

Author

Recent Posts

Shawn Tierney
I'm a lifelong Technology Enthusiast who began programing in the early 80's on the Apple II and VIC-20 personal computers. After earning a degree in Electronics, I worked as a Certified Controls and Information Automation Specialist for 25 years before leaving to become a full time Industrial Automation instructor and mentor at TheAutomationSchool, as well as publishing industry interviews, news, and product how-to’s at TheAutomationBlog.com. If you're interested in my training, mentoring, or becoming a sponsor, please schedule a teams meeting with me via https://calendly.com/shawntierney/business-meeting

Latest posts by Shawn Tierney (see all)

First Look: Siemens S7-1200 G2 – Unbox, Wire, Program (S2E13) - April 17, 2025

MaintainX: Prevent Unplanned Downtime (P236) - April 9, 2025

First Time Using Ignition: Tags and Views (P235) - March 24, 2025

News for September 6, 2023 (N100)

By

Shawn Tierney

-

September 6, 2023