Shaun Edwards

Why MQTT is the "Cheers" of Industrial Protocols** 🍻 Think of MQTT as the "Cheers" of industrial protocols. Just as Norm walks into his favorite bar and everyone knows his name, MQTT ensures that your data and systems are always greeted with a warm welcome. Here’s how it works: In a unified namespace (UNS)—the "bar" in this analogy—everyone, from your devices to your data streams, is connected in a familiar and organised way. MQTT is like that friendly bartender who knows exactly how to handle your message, whether it's a quick update or a complex data exchange. Just as "Cheers" provides a place where “troubles are all the same,” MQTT provides a unified communication environment where your data and devices interact seamlessly. No matter how complex your architecture, MQTT ensures that everyone is on the same page and that your messages are reliably delivered. So next time you think about your data architecture, imagine MQTT as the friendly place where all your digital interactions come together effortlessly. Cheers to that! 🍹 #mqtt #unifiednamespace #IndustrialIoT #TechHumor #CheersToProtocols #industrialautomation

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READY Robotics 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧. From at least $41.5 Million in investments from companies like Rockwell Automation and NVIDIA. To being auctioned off. 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: 1️⃣ I feel bad for the employees, a startup shutting down is never fun. 2️⃣ Is this a sign to come for VC money? I've talked about what I think is the inevitable rollup of these VC-funded startups. It will be interesting at the end of 2024 as we see funding rounds close (or not). 3️⃣ I like the moonshot of a robot OS across brands. This is just a reminder of how difficult building a company can be when you rely on access to other organizations.    It was reported that funding fell apart at the very end. Rockwell invested, Rockwell was using the READY Pallets. Shout out to The Robot Report, who has the best (and maybe the only) article about this. 👇👇 ********** Follow Dave Griffith and 🔔. Manufacturing Hub Network. #manufacturing #automation #robotics #ai

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Installing MySQL Server for an Ignition Data Historian? It's simple! Follow this page of the 8.1 manual. https://lnkd.in/gJuMYkWQ #ignition #data #databases

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If you’re an Engineer or want to understand automation you need to add a raspberrypi or Sbc to your tool kit…. Why? This is the perfect way to understand IIOT and Industrial devops/dataops. Pair an SBC with Node-Red and you can create anything at a fraction of the cost. SBC’s give you the environment to.. - Learn new programming languages - IIOT Protocols - IT terminology - Learn new environments like linux,docker,potainer. - Start moving data.. - Build applications and solve problems - Most importantly, Have fun… Industrial Hardware is Exspensive especially when your learning. Arduino and Raspberrypi’s are relatively cheap and easy to access. So in my opinion everyone should have a SBC in their toolkit! #iiot #industrialautomation #automation #learning #coding #plc #raspberrypi #arduino

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#Micro800 TAB Tip 10: We take a first look at Micro800 Expansion I/O in this episode of #TheAutomationMinute -> https://lnkd.in/gY5NjstY #Automation #RockwellAutomation #TheAutomationBlog

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#Micro800 TAB Tip 10: We take a first look at Micro800 Expansion I/O in this episode of #TheAutomationMinute -> https://lnkd.in/gY5NjstY #Automation #RockwellAutomation #TheAutomationBlog

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🚀 Elevate Your Automation Game with the Robotique Palletizer and UR Robot Combo! 🤖📦 We're excited to offer you a FREE eBook titled "Automating a Palletizing Cell: Basics, Essentials, and Decision-Making Approaches." This comprehensive guide will walk you through the fundamentals of automation, essential components, and strategic decision-making processes to ensure you make the best choices for your business. 📘DIrect Message me and I will send it over for free! Are you ready to take your palletizing process to the next level? Discover the power of the Robotique Palletizer combined with the versatility of the UR robot, a dynamic duo designed to streamline your operations, boost productivity, and ensure seamless automation. 🔹 Efficiency: Minimize downtime and maximize output with precision palletizing. 🔹 Flexibility: Adapt to various palletizing needs with ease, thanks to the UR robot's versatile capabilities. 🔹 User-Friendly: Simplify the integration process and reduce training time with intuitive controls and software. 📘 Get Your Free eBook Now! Don't miss out on this opportunity to revolutionize your palletizing operations. #Automation #Palletizing #Robotics #Productivity #Efficiency #URRobot #Robotique #FreeEbook #SmartManufacturing #iptech1 #INPositionTechnologies #motioncontrols #warehouse #factories

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Manufacturing Automation – Inflexible A custom, reliable and INFLEXIBLE solution will do just Fine! -- "Over the last decade, manufacturing automation developments have focused on the development of flexible, (if not usually Open), architectures both in Software and Hardware with significant strides in both.  The thinking being that the development of common underlying architectures will enable the rapid development of applications built on these architectures leading to flexible and innovative industry solutions …. thereby Propelling increased productivity and faster ROI. Is this the case? Whether multi-axis anthropomorphic robot arms and AMRs used in human labor substitution or AI platforms designed to capture massive amounts of data available or made available through IoT instrumentation on manufacturing assets plant wide in order to gain insights and correlations that can be used to optimize Data, Materials and Labor workflows … this strategy in effect "cements" the process and arrests it’s development to the current state, while automating it where perhaps it shouldn’t be and should in fact be changed. The paradox being that while the underlying automation tools and systems are becoming increasingly flexible, user friendly and all too easy to implement … the entire process is now becoming less flexible as innovation in that most important competitive advantage, (the process itself), becomes prohibitive as the ROI cycle time becomes the “cement” that prevents any change to the process. (In effect wiring the house with RJ45 jacks just before Wi-Fi is introduced.) So how can we have our cake and eat it too? Taking advantage of the increasingly flexible tools for design and construction purposes, bespoke or purpose-built local solutions built around fundamental innovation in our specific process accomplishes exactly that. By following a customized solution to our local process automation, we not only free ourselves from the constraints of the standard architecture solution and recapture the costs of the unused features of that superset, most important, we create a true competitive advantage of the underlying process which becomes proprietary and a true barrier to entry for our competition. Otherwise, if it’s just a “Lego set” available to all … the only competitive advantage is our place in line of adoption of this readily available solution. Not much of an innovation!" -- How do you leverage CUSTOM automation? Your thoughts are appreciated and please SHARE this post if you think your connections will find it of interest. 👉 Comment, follow or connect to COLLABORATE on your automation for increased productivity. Helping manufacturers with the What? and How? of Automation! Reach out if I can help with your funded project! https://lnkd.in/eSzBmwgk #industry40 #automation #productivity #robotics #innovation

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Nowadays, there’s a lot of talk in the automation space about text-based IDEs 🗒️. Many of the main automation vendors understand the value of using version control tools like Git during development—but we still have a long way to go 🚧. Here’s an example of an older HMI framework that is not Git-friendly. On the surface, it appears to store its data in XML files, so that’s text-based, right? Wrong. ❌ In this case, when I move a button a few pixels over in the IDE, many of my XML files are modified behind the scenes. This leads to a diff like the one I’m showing below: a meaningless series of changes because the IDE decided to add a space to every XML tag. The advent of modern IDEs is upon us 🚀: Beckhoff’s PLC++, B&R’s Automation Software 6, and Siemens’ Simatic AX, to name a few. These tools all claim better integration with modern software standards, and I’m hopeful that we can finally move away from noisy Git diffs ✨. What are your thoughts? Have you faced similar frustrations when using version control with automation tools? #IndustrialAutomation #Git #VersionControl #SoftwareDevelopment #ModernIDEs #Engineering #PLCProgramming

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✨ Just published my new article on building a hard robotic arm for the first time. Yep, you heard me right, a hard robotic arm! Pretty crazy right? I have been doing everything soft robotics related since January(10 months) and promoting soft robots over hard robots all the time, but this is different... this is the start of something new! 🚀 I realized that I have been doing soft robots for basically about a year and was like hey, why not start building some hard robots and gain more technical skills there, and that is exactly what I am doing. Even though I started my first hard robotic arm from a kit, this was actually still difficult to connect and put together and it humbled me. The best part about this is once I finished my robot, I just wanted to do build more and 3d model my own, so that's what is in mind for me for the next upcoming month. I may add a soft robotic twist but who knows. Also, expect a video soon of me sharing out how the process went of me building this robot. Overall, this article isn't meant to be long and informative of what each component in my robotic arm is and how it functions, but more focused on my insights and reflection after building it. I also can't wait to learn more about Arduino and building my next robotics project! Side Note: The videos of me showcasing my robot are too long and currently compressing them so that you can see it in my article. Atharva Rao Nitish Manocha Hengbin Fang Syd Korzyniowski Amina Kalandarova Mark-Daniel Leupold Alex Mathew Micah Schmidt Muhammad Hunain Mayank Navneet Mehta Hari Mahesh

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Drive setup can get complex, starting with the basics is the way to go!

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Want to unlock the potential of MQTT in your business? Follow these 5 steps from Kudzai Manditereza. Want to hear a more in depth analysis and Listen to how to implement mqtt to enable your Industry 4.0 strategy? Tune in to the Unplugged: an IIOT Podcast on your major platforms. It was great to talk with kudzai, someone I have admired and learned from for a long time now. From Industry40tv 📺 to HiveMQ 🐝 we talk about his journey and passion for MQTT and sharing his learnings with the community. Check it out link in the comments. #iiot #Unplugged #industrialautomation #industry4 #mqtt

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Balluff’s code reader with IO-Link now offers even more capabilities.    A firmware update delivers new features:   ➡️ Control of digital outputs allows users to trigger the code reader with a direct input (like a photoeye) and to fire output for read/no read/code mismatch, etc. This allows the IDENT Sensor to easily replace legacy cameras and laser-based barcode readers. ➡️Total sensor backup and teach button lock-out.  ➡️Multiple code tool is an especially helpful addition for applications requiring multiple barcodes/2D codes.  Introduced in 2023, the IDENT sensors read 1D and 2D barcodes and direct part marked codes while providing several other innovative features, including built-in condition monitoring capabilities. And the inclusion of IO-Link allows users to integrate code reading without adding separate Ethernet drops and IP addresses for every reader. In addition to code-reading functions, the sensors can provide visibility into the machine and/or application environment. They can monitor internal temperature, vibration, humidity, inclination, signal quality, and operating time – data that can save operators time and money by minimizing downtime and increasing maintenance efficiency. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3PZSGV8 #Balluff #InnovatingAutomate #CodeReader #IOLink

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Don’t want to use capital funds to purchase warehouse robotics? It’s ok, you aren’t alone. I previously had a customer who I worked with for a while developing an automated solution using mobile robotics. This new system was poised to significantly reduce operating expenses. To the tune of over $6MM per year. The project we were planning cost $10MM. A payback in less than 24 months was very appealing. However, they didn’t have the capital on hand for the project. Instead...they leased the equipment. This approach allowed them to put in valuable automation. While reducing their operating expenses by $4 million per year during the lease. ===== Ready to transform your warehouse? 📩 Message me or schedule a meeting in the “featured” section of my profile to find a solution that is right for you. I integrate technology for small and medium businesses like yours. I am your “easy” button. ♻ Repost if you found this useful.

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In some circles, Automation Contractors have gotten a bad name. This negative perception was created by just a few bad apples. 🍏 At Automate America, we’ve disabled over 400 bad accounts, ensuring our community is composed only of the best, most dependable professionals. 🌟 Our World-Class Contractors are among the most skilled and reliable professionals available. Each one has over 10,000 hours of experience in their field. 🛠️ Only top-tier professionals, brave enough to chart their own course, have the confidence to go independent. **Join the future of work today,** where everyone owns their business and operates as a supplier. 🚀 **Highly specialized skills are available on demand,** anywhere in the country, ready to be applied with confidence. 💼✨ #AutomateAmerica #Automation #IndependentContractors #SkilledProfessionals #FutureOfWork #Reliability #Innovation #porsche911 #mustang #dealsgap #tailofthedragon

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I've been talking about 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 a lot lately. Especially when it comes to the role of the humans in #SmartManufacturing and other industries that are heavily automated. Heck, I dedicated chapter 18 of "𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁'𝘀 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴" to the topic, www.smartstudentsguide.com The folks over at National Association of Colleges and Employers have released their yearly report, and this gem of a graph was included. Turns out, employers feel that new hires are behind their expectations when it comes to these essential soft skills. So, what can be done? The educational experience in nearly any field can be improved with project-based learning and scenarios that resemble the real workplace. Competitions are also a good activity, requiring a more holistic approach to getting things done, versus just learning about them. By the way, there are attempts to rename Soft Skills to something different. The term always seemed to be less important than 'hard skills' people are primarily studying. The first rename I heard was "Durable Skills" referring to the fact that these skills once learned tend to stay with you for your whole career. But "Essential Skills" seems to be pulling ahead, although I have now heard more than once the simple and obvious "Human Skills" being used. What do you call them?

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Excellent discussion about the complexities and evolving nature of data storage for manufacturing. The importance of a single source of truth for real time data is clear - namely Unified Namespace (UNS). But the future is even more exciting! AI is rapidly advancing, promising to revolutionize automation. Soon, we'll see custom automation solutions created simply by observing processes, similar to how Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system was trained with video data from expert drivers. Imagine a team of Optimus robots observing and learning from human operators on the factory floor for a few weeks. They would then analyze the data and produce the smart factory technology to optimize production, eliminating the need for extensive programming. WARP ERP anyone? Thanks David Schultz and Andy German! https://lnkd.in/eJr8Q5Rn

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🚀 Automation in Manufacturing: Calvary Robotics Revolutionizing the Future of Productivity & Profitability! 🚀 Discover how cutting-edge robotics, AI, and advanced machinery are driving unprecedented efficiency, precision, and sustainability. Join the conversation on the transformative impact of automation and its role in shaping a more innovative industrial landscape. #Manufacturing #Automation #Industry40

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Who said Robot Transfer Units (RTU's) are just for horizontal motion? Kaufman RTUs aren’t limited to the flat plane – they’re breaking free and going vertical! It's time to challenge the status quo in automation and rethink how you leverage robotic transfer units. Imagine the possibilities when your system moves beyond one axis. Ready to break through the limits? P.S. Want a free automation evaluation or to receive free monthly newsletter? Visit my profile's Featured Section and book your spot. #Manufacturing #Automation #Robotics #Projectmanagement #Engineering #Fanuc Follow Me @Troy Kudzia for more insights!

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