In today's advanced industrial landscape, automation plays a crucial role in optimizing processes and improving efficiency. More specifically, the use of autonomous systems to control machinery stands out. One essential component in industrial automation is the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), a powerful device used to control and monitor various industrial systems. In the paragraphs below, we will explore what a PLC is, its functionality, and how it works so that you can best understand and make use of this valuable equipment.


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When working on various assemblies that involve the use of nuts, bolts, and other various rounded metal pieces, it is common to use a wrench for tightening and loosening objects. Depending on the types of fasteners present and other various factors, a number of wrenches may be used. One popular type of wrench for installation and removing rounded objects is the pipe wrench, and it is commonly used on bolts, pipes, and rods. As a common tool for those working in a number of industries, it can be beneficial to have a basic understanding of their design, application, and subtypes.


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An electric motor is an electromechanical machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. These devices produce a rotational force that can be processed through operative automation, and their operation relies on the interaction of magnetic and electric fields. Electric motors consist of a central motor shaft, windings, bearings, an armature, brushes, terminals, a frame, and end shields. In general, electric motors can be classified into two types: AC motors and DC motors. AC motors take alternating current as an input, while DC motors take direct current.


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When you are looking to level, smooth, or flatten pieces of wood for any application, you should consider procuring a belt sander. Sanders are multi-use tools that use linear motion to alter surfaces, and they work well for a variety of purposes. Although these are not always essential tools, a belt sander can make many projects easier and quicker, so it might be in your best interest to consider procuring one for your tool collection. For your better knowledge, this blog will cover the functions of a typical belt sander, and how to use one for optimal results.


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Within applications that feature robotics, end effectors are essential devices for their proper functionality. With end effectors, robots are able to interact with various components, ensuring that they can carry out desired operations with ease. However, one may wonder what end effectors really are, as well as how they are used, procured, etc. In this blog, we will discuss end effectors in brief detail, allowing you to gain a general understanding of these parts and how they are used within robotics.


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Toolboxes are invaluable items for safely storing tools of all sorts, and can benefit technicians in an array of industries, including the automotive sector. As such, companies like US General Motors have been manufacturing tool boxes for usage in vehicle maintenance and other applications for decades. Over time, the highly popular tool boxes made by US General Motors have served a number of professional mechanics and car owners alike. Looking at the name, it may seem simple to identify the origin of US General tool boxes, but the answer is not so clearcut. If you would like to learn more about the manufacturing practices of US General Tool Storage and other tool chest manufacturers, keep reading as we explore the origin of these products.


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Pumps are a type of technology that is often taken for granted, allowing us to transfer liquids between two places with ease, even when the end destination is much higher than the start. While all pumps can move liquids, not all can perform the same type of jobs. For example, water transfer pumps in particular are specifically designed for the transportation of water, allowing them to serve a number of common household needs. In this blog, we will discuss water transfer pumps and their functionality, allowing you to better understand their use and importance in various settings.


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Vacuum lifters are designed to lift materials and components with smooth or flat surfaces. Since they can be easily adapted for any application, vacuum lifters are ideal for a myriad of industries. Making a decision regarding the appropriate material handling equipment for your operations can be difficult. For example, industrial manipulators are another popular form of lifting equipment, but may not be the best solution for certain material handling problems. In some cases, vacuum lifters can be most effective, but it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of how they work.


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Interestingly, diamond blades are not named for their shape, but rather for the actual “diamond” crystals used in the material of the blade. The diamonds are not true diamonds, but rather synthetically manufactured diamond-like crystals. These diamonds are a critical part of the blade, and are only one half of a diamond blade’s basic design. This blog will explore the many ways diamond blades can be produced and used, alongside how specific designs determine the individual function of each blade.


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Airplanes encompass confined spaces which can turn into combustible, oxygen-enriched or oxygen-deficient chambers at the slightest mishap. This is where the role of gas detection sensors becomes prominent, as they allow the maintenance of optimum gas levels to preemptively avoid instances of in-flight explosion, considering overall aircraft safety.


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A gearmotor is a type of electric motor that utilizes a gear system at its output, and the assembly is often referred to as a gearbox or gear reducer. With a gearbox paired alongside an electric motor, the complexity and cost of a design can be minimized, ensuring an optimal solution for motors that perform in high torque, low speed operations. In this blog, we will discuss gearmotors in more detail, allowing you to better understand their use and the various options that one has when purchasing them.


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While freezers are often appliances that many take for granted, they are a relatively new technology that became more widespread following World War II. In modern days, they have become a staple of countless businesses and homes, allowing for meats, frozen foods, and other perishable items to be preserved with ease. Freezing food is important for health and safety when one buys in bulk, as unprotected food can lead to the growth of bacteria and mold. While more industrial settings feature largely constructed freezer rooms, a standalone option is perfect for saving money and space. In this blog, we will discuss the most common types of freezers, allowing you to determine the best fit for your particular needs.


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Electronic machines, systems, and devices have become commonplace in our modern society, allowing us to interact with each other and the wider world with ease as various tools and resources are readily available at our fingertips. While advanced systems have heavily permeated our daily lives, they require the ability for a person to interact with them to be useful. Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) are interfaces or dashboards present on a system, allowing for an individual to interact with them. Despite accounting for any type of screen that permits interaction, the term “HMI” is most commonly attributed to industrial processes specifically.


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Within the realm of mechanical engineering, turbomachinery refers to any equipment that is capable of transferring energy between a rotor and a fluid. Extracting or adding energy, turbomachinery will typically take advantage of a fluid such as a liquid or gas. Fans, blowers, and compressors are all common types of turbomachinery, and it is important to understand their distinctions as they perform different roles in similar applications.


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Bolt cutters, sometimes referred to as bolt croppers, are heavy-duty, hand-held tools that are used for the means of slicing through hard metallic objects. Generally, such tools are relied on for cutting through chains, bolts, rods, and padlocks that are difficult to remove manually, or such tools may be used for construction. While most variations have short blades and long handles, bolt cutters can differ from one another in their design based on their type. As a result, it can be beneficial to become familiar with the most common variations so that one may procure the right tools for their operation.


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Valves are used in a variety of applications that involve the flow of a liquid or gas. While you may be more familiar with the kind of valves that bring propane gas to your stove top burners or valves that control the flow of water in your sink, outside of the home, the most common type of valve employed is an industrial valve. Industrial valves are made to withstand high pressure, either from a fluid or a gas, and are meant to handle a number of harsh environments. This makes them ideal for various commercial construction and automation projects. This blog is going to discuss various types of industrial valves, their pros, cons, and applications. To begin, there are five main types of valves: gate valves, globe valves, ball valves, butterfly valves, and check valves.


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When deciding between various drills for work on masonry and other materials, the hammer drill and rotary hammer are both optimal choices. Despite this, each slightly differs in its capabilities, the rotary hammer providing increased power and hammer-only modes while hammer drills excel in quick drilling with minimal effort. To find which tool option is best for your particular application and requirements, one should familiarize themselves with each and their functionality.


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When measuring various electrical components for resistance, continuity, capacitance, temperature, and more, the various multimeters, clamp meters, and other equipment types provided by Amprobe can be highly beneficial. When measuring AC and DC voltage or current, Amprobe equipment can ensure that electrical equipment always functions optimally and as intended with their capabilities. In this blog, we will discuss how such tools can be used for measuring the voltage and current of electrical components, allowing you to best manage the wellbeing and performance of your systems with ease.


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As technology continues to advance at such a rapid pace, we are often quick to lose appreciation for the various components that are paramount to the operation of countless common devices, systems, and equipment pieces. The servo motor is an example of such an important, yet underappreciated, technological marvel which has greatly increased the efficiency and convenience of various devices and made certain functionalities possible. As equipment that may be found in numerous applications that we regularly take advantage of, it can be very useful to familiarize oneself with such technology and how it benefits our daily lives.


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As we are ever reliant on electricity to fuel daily applications, one may wonder what happens when there is too much incoming electricity overloading a circuit at once. In such instances, electrical protection devices like fuses and circuit breakers are specially designed and implemented to prevent circuit overloads. If not applied, electrical circuits without precautionary measures are susceptible to overflows in electricity. When unmitigated, an overflow can result in an electrical unit short-circuiting, potentially causing a fire within itself and in its surroundings, resulting in a hazard for nearby individuals. Posing as a safety device for circuits within electronics, homes, commercial buildings, and a variety of other circumstances, we will discuss how fuses and circuit breakers differ and why they are an integral part in maintaining electrical safety.


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Fasteners are paramount for the construction of aircraft to ensure that assemblies are secured together with high strength. A standard aircraft will often utilize a grand number of fasteners with models such as the Boeing 787 containing around 2.4 million fasteners for a single model, those of which account for around half of their total parts. Out of these 2.4 million fasteners, almost 80% come in the form of rivets, those of which are permanent mechanical fasteners that can support tension and shear loads. In order to install rivets, an individual will often rely on an air hammer rivet gun to drive each rivet into a joint.


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Hammers are a basic tool used in a wide range of applications. Due to the many types of hammers that exist, each constructed and used differently than others, choosing the right hammer for your project can be daunting. In this blog, we will discuss the most common types of hammers to help you get an idea of which one is ideal for you.


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CNC machining, or computer numerical control machining, uses advanced computer software to control fabrication tools such as mills, grinders, lathes, routers, and more. Although CNC technology is used throughout many industries, it is especially useful for the fabrication of parts for aerospace. As aerospace parts must function reliably for long periods of time in harsh conditions, they need to be produced with extreme precision. Even the smallest errors can lead to system failures during critical applications. By automating the production process, CNC machining reduces the potential for human error. Furthermore, it allows aerospace machine shops to produce parts more quickly, accurately, and repeatedly than traditional machining processes.


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Aircraft are extremely robust and advanced vehicles, capable of allowing individuals to traverse the globe in times never before thought possible. Additionally, aircraft can benefit countless applications and industries ranging from agriculture to defense. With the complexity in design that enables aircraft to withstand the extreme forces and maintain heavier-than-air flight, they require high amounts of precision any time they are worked on whether it is for manufacturing or maintenance. To ensure that installations and changes to the aircraft are always precise, engineers require a number of measuring instruments to accommodate varying needs. As certain areas of the aircraft may require specific tools, being familiar with common types is crucial for anyone working in the aerospace industry.


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