When Google bought a small mobile software company in 2005, there was no way of knowing how prosperous the acquisition would be. Although the mammoth technology company has a habit of hoovering up exciting start-ups that tend to go on to become prestigious success, there have been a few not so awe-inspiring purchases - namely Motorola and dMarc Broadcasting.

Back in June 2010, malware computer programme Stuxnet hit the headlines as the first computer worm to target modern supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and programmable logic controller (PLC) systems. Industrial Control System (ICS) users became aware of how software hackers and malware could affect operation. Back then, you'd be forgiven for thinking that as a regular ICS or SCADA user, you had nothing to worry about. Five years on,...

According to scientists and the internet, the Earth is 4.543bn years old. In comparison, humans have been around for a modest 200,000 years. The consensus is that we would like to continue our existence for as long as possible and anything that can be done to extend the life of our home planet should be trialled and tested. Here, Mark Proctor, Managing Director of European Automation, unveils his top five emerging environmental technologies to lo...

Traditionally, the manufacturing industry has been slow to embrace new technological platforms, but in recent years the introduction and success of cloud computing has meant this technology is becoming vital for manufacturers. Jonathan Wilkins, Marketing Director of industrial automation supplier European Automation, examines how cloud computing is disrupting industrial automation.

If we were to personify the variable speed drive (VSD), it would have to be the underrated middle child in the family. Motors would be the problematic first born - the result of parenting inexperience - and PLCs represent the youngest child, the know-it-all. Although often overlooked, the VSD is the apple of our energy efficiency eye. Here, Jonathan Wilkins, Marketing Director, European Automation, discusses the milestones in the history of the v...

First noted in the United Kingdom in the early 1900s, highly concentrated, localised industries, otherwise known as industry clusters, gave some of England’s towns the iconic nicknames they go by today. Stoke-on-Trent is widely referred to as ‘The Potteries’ due to its historic pottery industry and ‘The Black Country’, an area of the West Midlands, gained its title due to the excessive smoke and pollution caused by s...

You may have noticed the increasing number of space and sci-fi film releases over the past few years. From the renowned Apollo films to the 2014 release, Gravity, everyone has a favourite that they can watch over and over. I try not to judge, but if you haven't heard of Interstellar by now you must have spent the last year hiding under a rock. Personally, I didn’t notice any industrial automation parts floating in the background, but if the...

Historically, manufacturing has been limited to the things we could physically see and touch. However, over the last few decades advances in science and technology have smashed these limitations. Now, consumer goods are lighter than ever, sportswear and equipment is more aerodynamic and flexible and advanced packaging enables food and drinks stay fresher for longer. Even your evening lager will now keep itself carbonated right through to the end ...

Back in April 2015, Japan's oldest department store chain Mitsukoshi implemented a robot receptionist into its foyer with the purpose of greeting shoppers. The Android, with lifelike skin and almost natural looking movements, was created by Toshiba. The multi-national conglomerate is now aiming to take it up a notch by developing a robot that can gradually more of what a human does. After being unveiled at a Japanese tech fair last year, the robo...

With its depth of only 6.7mm, the iPhone 6 holds more processing power than was used by NASA at the time of the 1969 moon landing and over four times that of the Mars Curiosity Rover. Here, Jonathan Wilkins, Marketing Director, European Automation, analyses the rate of technological progress and discusses the validity of Moore’s Law.

In this day and age it’s almost impossible to find a place in the world without a wireless internet connection. In fact, in 2010, Ncell (a Nepalese Telecommunications company) provided Mount Everest’s peak with 3G data connection, perfect for posting that 8,848 metre high selfie. The North Pole, the International Space Centre and even the Moon are amongst some of the world’s most surprising WiFi hotspots.

European Automation has published a special industry report about the importance of the M2M communication protocol OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) in achieving Industry 4.0 goals. A comprehensive look at the benefits, achievements and future prospects of the industrial communication protocol, the report is available for download on European Automation’s website in the special reports section.

Since manufacturers introduced the first robot arms onto assembly lines in the early 1960s, the fear that they will take human jobs has slowly spread. And it's true; many jobs have already been delegated to robots, including assembly, farming, surgery and even vacuuming. Here European Automation's Darren Halford continues the discussion.

There's a reason why things like vinyl records, books and vintage cars are still around, despite the availability of alternatives which are more modern and - some would have you believe - better. It's not just because retro is cool, it's because they still have something to offer. It's the same reason why manufacturers around the world still use Eco Obsolete Technology (EOT) instead of switching to the latest upgrades.

Industrial automation parts supplier European Automation has published a one page guide to Remote Data Access (RDA), highlighting the freeing benefits of the compliant technology and drawing attention to the requisite security measures. The short guide is available for download on European Automation’s website, in the industry guide section.

Do you remember that time your car wouldn’t start because the battery died at the very moment you were about to set off on holiday? Or when the washing machine belt broke that day you really needed a clean shirt? It’s never pleasant when everyday technologies fail, but when equipment breaks down in an industrial production environment, the results can be ruinous.

More robust than barcodes and with a longer range, RFID tags have been underutilised in the manufacturing world so far. However, as companies begin to see the practical benefits of the technology, RFID implementation has increased. European Automation has now created a handy bitesize guide for using RFID in a manufacturing environment.

Big data; a hugely popular buzzword and an even grander concept! Everyone has had something to say about it. However, a new movement threatens to topple this Goliath from its tech celebrity status. It’s the David of industrial computing, small data! Jonathan Wilkins, Marketing Manager, European Automation, discusses how data analytics can really help manufacturers grow and become more efficient.

At this year’s CeBIT, the main event was CODE_n15’s demonstration of Industry 4.0 using its ROBOCHOP industrial six-axis robots. Internet users from around the world accessed the four robots via the ROBOCHOP website, where a 3D web app allowed them to create small cubist designs. The devices then sculptured the polystyrene cube designs with a hot-wire cutting tool with coaxial cooling.

The close of 2014 bought with it a spate of high profile cyber attacks. In light of the current cyber climate, European Automation has published an industry report about information security and its growing importance. The comprehensive report looks at where threats come from, how they can be avoided and the need of raising the conversation about information security to board level.