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Author Archives: Doug Brock
Stuxnet and Espionage Segment on 60 Minutes
60 Minutes had a segment discussing the Stuxnet Virus and some of the espionage behind it last week. There isn’t any new information for anyone that has followed the Stuxnet story over the last 18 months or so but it’s … Continue reading
Posted in Factory Automation Industry, Security
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The State of Manufacturing and High-Tech Manufacturing Jobs
Do you ever get completely frustrated by the news and the pessimistic outlook on our economy – specifically the gloomy news surrounding manufacturing in the U.S.? I know I do! Mostly because business is pretty dog-gone good for us – … Continue reading
Updated Compatibility Information for Rockwell Software and Windows 7
Rockwell Software has updated tech notes regarding the compatibility of software packages with Windows 7 and the Windows XP Mode included with Windows 7. I covered some of the potential issues using XP Mode and Windows 7 with older versions … Continue reading
Posted in Software
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Smart Grid made here in America
The United States spent over $7 billion in 2010 on Smart Grid technologies. That’s second only to China. Geoff Zeiss provides some really interesting posts on his Between the Poles blog discussing a number of energy production and usage issues … Continue reading
Posted in Factory Automation Industry
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Why don’t more young engineers pursue Automation and Control Engineering careers?
Why don’t more young engineers pursue careers in Automation and Control Engineering? We could all probably make some general assumptions. there is a perception that it’s dirty factory work there is a perception that all of these jobs moved overseas … Continue reading
Posted in Factory Automation Industry
49 Comments
Minimize Noise in Control Panels with Panduit’s Shielded Wire Duct
One of the most common control panel problems is noise. Electrical noise problems in enclosures and control systems are typically intermittent and difficult to troubleshoot. Customers frequently ask questions about how best to minimize the electrical noise in their control … Continue reading
Posted in Automation Devices
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Robots and Programmable Controllers are Coming to Eat Your Brains
We all know that the robots are eventually going to rise up and kill us all. We are getting closer each day to Skynet becoming self-aware and impending doom. If this image doesn’t convince you then watch the Hummingbird Spybot … Continue reading
Posted in Factory Automation Industry
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The Micro 800 is Coming (Late April or May)
The new Micro 800 PLC from Rockwell Automation won’t be for everybody. But it has a lot of power for small stand alone systems where one of the more powerful Rockwell Automation controllers is overkill. The Micro 810 and the … Continue reading
Posted in Controllers and Accessories
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Using VMWare and Automation Software (part 3 of 3)
Post number three of three in a series dealing with Windows operating system compatibility with Rockwell Software products and factory automation software in general. I will post a follow up with links to demos of some of the solutions and … Continue reading
Posted in Software
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