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Person Detection vs. Object Detection: How SICK Visionary AI-Assist Tells the Difference in Restricted Zones

Person vs. Object Detection.How SICK Visionary AI-Assist Tells the Difference A 3D outdoor-rated camera with AI trained specifically to recognize people — so restricted zones and ride paths only trigger when a person is actually there. EandM is an authorized SICK distributor serving manufacturers, system integrators, and industrial facilities across the West Coast — California, Oregon, and Washington — including full support for SICK vision sensors, safety scanners, safety sensors, and IO-Link devices. The problem with ‘something's in the zone’ — Any theme park or attraction team responsible for ride safety runs into the same gap. A sensor detects something in a restricted zone — but detection alone doesn't answer the question that actually matters: is that a person, or is it a backpack, a stroller, or debris that fell off a ride? Standard motion and presence sensors can't make that distinction.

TJ Singh

EandM Product Specialist

Posted on Aug 04, 2026

FESTO

Where to Buy Festo Pneumatics and Electric Automation on the West Coast

EandM is an authorized Festo distributor serving manufacturers, system integrators, and industrial facilities across the West Coast — California, Oregon, and Washington. With 160,000 parts in stock shipping out of Healdsburg, California, and a fully West Coast-based team covering inside sales, technical support, product specialists, and pre-sales engineering, EandM is the local source for the complete Festo automation portfolio: pneumatic cylinders and actuators, valve terminals, air preparation components, electric drives, and motion controllers. ✦ Authorized Festo Distributor — Certified Festo Distributor Assembly Program Member

Joe Schlitzer

Siemens Product Specialist in Northern Calif.

Posted on Jul 30, 2026

Unpredictable Defects, Predictable Results: Where AI Anomaly Detection Gets It Right

EandM is an authorized SICK distributor serving manufacturers, system integrators, and industrial facilities across the West Coast — California, Oregon, and Washington. Among SICK's photoelectric sensors, safety sensors, safety scanners, vision sensors, encoders, and IO-Link devices, one of the most common questions we get is how to inspect for defects that don't follow a pattern.

Jean Lim

SICK Pacific Northwest Product Specialist

Posted on Jul 29, 2026

Robotunits

Slat Top Conveyors: What They Are and Why They Matter for Complex Layouts

EandM is an authorized Robotunits distributor for the West Coast. Facilities often need product to travel on a conveyor that isn't a straight line, is around existing equipment, up to another level, or across a long run without adding a drive unit at every turn. Standard belt conveyors struggle with that kind of path, especially when the curves get tight. Instead of a continuous belt, the Robotunits Slat Top Conveyor moves product on a chain made of individual, interlocking slats. Because the chain is built from separate links rather than one solid loop, it can bend around tighter curves than a standard belt. A single drive unit can also cover longer distances, instead of needing multiple drives along the run.

EandM Marketing

EandM Marketing Team

Posted on Jul 23, 2026

Where to Buy Siemens Industrial Automation on the West Coast

EandM is an authorized Siemens industrial automation distributor serving manufacturers, system integrators, and industrial facilities across the West Coast — California, Oregon, and Washington. With 160,000 parts in stock shipping out of Healdsburg, California, and a fully West Coast-based team covering inside sales, technical support, product specialists, and pre-sales engineering, EandM is the local source for the complete Siemens automation portfolio. If you're specifying or purchasing Siemens industrial automation products — from SIMATIC PLCs and HMIs and SINAMICS drives to SIMOTICS motors, Siemens circuit protection and switchgear, or SIRIUS motor controls — distributor selection matters as much as product selection. Inventory availability, application knowledge, and responsive local support directly affect your project timelines and your team's ability to get systems running correctly the first time.

Joe Schlitzer

Siemens Product Specialist in Northern Calif.

Posted on Jul 21, 2026

Is it time to upgrade your industrial WLAN? Here's how to think about it.

EandM, An authorized Siemens industrial automation distributor — and a Platinum partner, the highest tier in Siemens' distribution program. Representing Siemens full industrial automation portfolio: SIMATIC PLCs (S7-1200, S7-1500), SINAMICS drives, SIMOTICS motors, SENTRON breakers and switchgear, SIRIUS motor controls, and SCALANCE industrial networking products. EandM is an authorized Siemens industrial automation distributor serving manufacturers, system integrators, and industrial facilities across the West Coast. One question we're hearing more often lately: 'Our Wi-Fi 4 IWLAN is working fine. Do we actually need to upgrade?' It's a fair question. Here's a practical way to think through it.

Jon Hill

Siemens Product Specialist in PNW

Posted on Jul 13, 2026

Festo Now Has a Washdown-Rated Electric Motion Solution — and It Opens the Door to Food and Beverage

Festo has long been a go-to for pneumatics and general automation—excellent technology, strong support, and a broad portfolio. But when the conversation turned to electric cylinders and motors that needed to survive daily high-pressure washdown, engineers specifying food, beverage, and pharmaceutical lines had to look elsewhere. "Stainless steel" and "washdown-rated" are not the same thing—and that distinction has limited Festo's electric motion portfolio in some more hygienic F&B applications. Until now. The Festo EPRF stainless steel electric cylinder and EMMH-AS stainless steel servo motor are purpose-built to broaden Festo's electric automation portfolio into these washdown zones.IP69K-rated electric cylinders and servo motors, built for washdown environments. 316L stainless housing, NSF-H1 food-grade grease, dual-seal technology. Feed forces to 12,500 N • speeds to 1 m/s • strokes to 1,000 mm. Complete servo solution—cylinder, motor, drive, cables from one source. Designed for food, beverage, pharma, packaging, and corrosive environments. Available through EandM across CA, OR, and WA

Sam Biddlecom

Siemens Motion Product Specialist

Posted on Jun 25, 2026

Siemens LOGO! 9 Is Here

EandM is an authorized Siemens industrial automation distributor serving manufacturers, system integrators, and industrial facilities across the West Coast—California, Oregon, and Washington—including full support for LOGO! 9 logic modules. Siemens just released LOGO! 9—the first full generational update to its compact logic controller in over a decade. More I/O, double the processing capacity, a color touchscreen, and built-in security. Here's what changed and what it means for your application. USB Deployment: No more DVD-ROMs; use the included USB stick for all OS installers. Cross-Platform: Runs natively on Windows, macOS, and Linux (including Apple Silicon/ARM). Integrated Web Editor: Programming, simulation, and web visualization in one tool—no more switching between separate apps. Backward Compatibility: Existing programs convert and transfer cleanly to protect your prior engineering investment.

Joe Schlitzer

Siemens Product Specialist in Northern Calif.

Posted on Jun 23, 2026

The SICK deTec4 just got smarter — 6 things it can do now

EandM is an authorized SICK distributor serving manufacturers, system integrators, OEMs and industrial facilities across the West Coast — California, Oregon, and Washington — including full support for SICK safety light curtains, safety sensors, safety scanners, and IO-Link devices. The deTec4 you already know, paired with the new DCM4 extension module, goes well beyond basic guarding. Here's what changed and why it matters on the floor. Most safety light curtains do one thing well: they stop the machine when someone breaks the beam. That's the baseline. What engineers have historically had to figure out on their own is everything around that—how to let material through without triggering a shutdown, how to handle tools or fixtures that routinely interrupt the field, how to diagnose a fault at 2am without a laptop and a proprietary cable. The deTec4 has always been a strong platform. What's new is the DCM4—a separate extension module from SICK that connects to the deTec4 and unlocks a suite of smart functions the curtain can't perform on its own. Together, they address the workarounds engineers have been building around for years.

TJ Singh

EandM Product Specialist

Posted on Jun 18, 2026

What Is an RFID Gate, and Does Your Conveyor Line Need One?

EandM is an authorized Siemens industrial automation distributor serving manufacturers, system integrators, and industrial facilities across the West Coast—California, Oregon, and Washington—including full support for SIMATIC PLCs, SINAMICS drives, and SIMATIC RFID systems. If you run a production or distribution line and you're still relying on manual scans, barcodes, or spot-check processes to track what's moving through, there's a better way. This is one of the most common conversations we have with plant managers who come to us looking to eliminate tracking bottlenecks. Below is a quick breakdown of how industrial RFID works, how the pre-engineered Siemens CB Gate puts it to work, and how to select the right configuration for your plant floor. First: What Is RFID? RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. A small tag—essentially a durable label embedded with a miniature chip and antenna—is attached to a product, pallet, tool, or industrial container. An optical or proximity sensor detects an oncoming asset, the reader fires a localized radio frequency wave, the tag responds with its programmed dataset, and your control system logs it instantly. No line-of-sight scanning or manual barcode gunning required. The Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) spectrum utilized by the SIMATIC CB Gate can parse multiple target tags simultaneously at multi-meter ranges, even while assets move at full production speeds. This makes it ideal for sorting, pallet validation, tool tracking, and tire identification arrays.

Hardik Thakkar

Siemens Product Specialist in Southern California

Posted on Jun 12, 2026

Introducing SmartAdvisor V21.6 for TIA Portal

EandM is an authorized Siemens industrial automation distributor serving manufacturers, system integrators, and industrial facilities across the West Coast—California, Oregon, and Washington—including full support for TIA Portal software and WinCC Unified projects. Siemens SmartAdvisor V21.6 Configuration Interface Siemens' modular add-in for WinCC Unified project analysis and optimization has been updated with full TIA V21 support and several brand-new features for control engineers. The SmartAdvisor Add-in is a specialized utility developed by Siemens that extends standard TIA Portal functionality by leveraging the native TIA Openness programming interface. It is engineered specifically to automate the deep analysis and optimization of WinCC Unified projects—helping engineering teams flag configuration inefficiencies, maximize runtime performance, and simplify long-term project maintenance through a highly structured workspace workflow.

Hardik Thakkar

Siemens Product Specialist in Southern California

Posted on Jun 11, 2026

Siemens S7-1200 G2: Migrating is easier than you think

EandM is an authorized Siemens industrial automation distributor serving manufacturers, system integrators, and industrial facilities across the West Coast—California, Oregon, and Washington—including full support for SIMATIC PLCs, SINAMICS drives, and TIA Portal software. Thinking about migrating to the new SIMATIC S7-1200 G2 platform but not sure what the physical or software switch actually involves? The entire upgrade framework has been engineered to be as straightforward as possible: Your existing automation projects carry forward with exceptional software compatibility. Most fundamental S7-1200 operational profiles are natively supported on G2 architecture. A free integrated TIA Portal migration add-in handles the conversion heavy lifting.

EandM Marketing

EandM Marketing Team

Posted on Jun 09, 2026

Which Siemens Servo Drive Do I Actually Need?

EandM is an authorized Siemens industrial automation distributor serving manufacturers, system integrators, and industrial facilities across the West Coast—California, Oregon, and Washington—including full support for SINAMICS drives and SIMATIC PLC platforms. This is one of the most common questions we get. Each drive in the SINAMICS lineup exists for a specific reason—once you know what problem each one solves, the decision gets a lot clearer. Five Questions That Define Your Drive Choice 1. How many axes are inside the footprint, and do they require coordination? Isolated independent stations with simple index pathways pull neatly toward V90 or S200/S210 options. Interdependent, high-speed multi-axis interpolation demands the shared DC bus backbone of the S120 or S220 systems. 2. Does your safety audit demand drive-level network safety evaluation? If complex safety boundaries, zones, or safe speed loops (SLS) are required over networks, use the S210, S120, or S220. If basic terminal-wired STO is sufficient, the V90 or S200 fits seamlessly. 3. What is the maximum torque/power demand per axis? Anything scaling comfortably beneath the 7 kW threshold leaves the compact standalone units on the table. Heavy industrial loads passing 7 kW push automatically into the S120 or S220 modular frames. 4. Which master hardware controller runs your logic? An S7-1200 basic master points straight toward the V90 or S200. Moving up to an S7-1500 or advanced motion S7-1500T CPU opens access to all five drive options, while a SINUMERIK CNC core pairs with the S120 or S220. 5. Is this a clean-sheet design or an asset expansion? Clean sheets targeting advanced, future-proof facilities benefit directly from the S220's digital tools. Expanding active panels should stay consistent with existing S120 configurations to keep spares uniform.

Sam Biddlecom

Siemens Motion Product Specialist

Posted on Jun 02, 2026

Where to Buy SICK Safety Laser Scanners on the West Coast

Authorized Distribution: EandM is the only Elite Gold SICK distributor serving manufacturers, machine builders, and system integrators across the West Coast—California, Oregon, and Washington. This is the highest tier of partnership and recognition SICK awards its channel partners. If you are specifying or purchasing SICK safety laser scanners—such as the nanoScan3 or microScan3—distributor selection matters just as much as product selection. Local inventory availability, direct application support history, and engineering response times directly impact your production timelines and your team's ability to get safety systems commissioned correctly the first time. EandM has backed West Coast industrial infrastructure since 1955 with local warehousing, certified on-staff product specialists, and no-cost troubleshooting lines. Patented safeHDDM® Technology - Both leading scanner families are built on SICK’s patented safeHDDM® (High Definition Distance Measurement) optical scanning process. This framework generates up to 88,000 distinct high-frequency laser pulses per revolution—compared to roughly 500 pulses on older traditional safety scanners. This immense data density enables the scanner's internal digital signal processors to confidently filter out ambient plant floor anomalies like heavy dust particles, localized weld sparks, stray oil mist, and extreme lighting shifts, entirely preventing nuisance line trips.

Jean Lim

SICK Pacific Northwest Product Specialist

Posted on May 28, 2026

Industrial Connectivity in 2026: A Protocol Selection Guide

EandM is an authorized industrial automation distributor serving manufacturers, system integrators, and industrial facilities across the West Coast — California, Oregon, and Washington — carrying Siemens, SICK, Balluff, HMS, and other leading automation brands across the full protocol stack. The question isn't which protocol is best — it's how they work together. Here's the framework engineers actually need. The modern smart factory doesn't run on a single protocol. It runs on a layered stack — deterministic real-time control at the floor level, structured data modeling in the middle, and lightweight cloud transport at the edge. Choose the wrong protocol for the wrong tier and you'll pay for it in latency, integration cost, and data blind spots.

Hardik Thakkar

Siemens Product Specialist in Southern California

Posted on May 26, 2026

Migrating from the S3000, S300, or S300 Mini? Here's what SICK built to make it easier.

EandM is an authorized SICK distributor serving manufacturers, system integrators, and industrial facilities across the West Coast — California, Oregon, and Washington. The S3000 has been phased out for a year with the S300/S300 Mini phasing out the end of 2026. If you're running any of them, the question isn't if you'll replace them—it's how hard the transition is going to be. The most common concerns we hear: reworking all the wiring, dealing with mounting mismatches, and rebuilding configurations from scratch. SICK addressed all three. The S3000 succeeds to the microScan3; the S300 and S300 Mini succeed to the nanoScan3. Here's how the migration tools work and which situations each one covers. The Only SICK Elite Gold Distributor on the West Coast Elite Gold is the highest level of recognition a SICK distributor can achieve. It means we're not just a reseller — we're a certified partner with deep product knowledge, West Coast inventory on hand, and a team that's worked through migrations like this one many times before. Expert Guidance: Product specialists help you identify the right solution for your specific application. Reliable Inventory: Stock on hand to deliver what you need, when you need it. Responsive Support: Fast quotes and responsive technical help from a West Coast-based team. Let's figure out the right path for your setup. Whether you're migrating one scanner or dozens, we can help you identify which adapters apply, walk through the configuration transfer process, and make sure you have the right parts in hand. Reach out to the EandM team to get started.

Jean Lim

SICK Pacific Northwest Product Specialist

Posted on May 20, 2026

How to Size a Siemens Servo System Using TIA Selection Tool

EandM is an authorized Siemens industrial automation distributor serving manufacturers, system integrators, and industrial facilities across the West Coast—California, Oregon, and Washington—including full support for SINAMICS drives, SIMOTICS motors, and TIA Portal software. If you are still using Siemens' older standalone Sizer configuration software to size drives and motors, you might not realize it has been fully phased out. Everything Sizer did—and considerably more—is now natively built directly into the cloud-connected TIA Selection Tool (TST). This free utilities package covers the full range of current Siemens hardware, including next-generation single-axis and common DC bus drives coming to market. The interface has evolved significantly, and the updated dimensioning workflow is exceptionally fast once you know how to leverage it. Here is a complete walkthrough showing how to size a single-axis SINAMICS S210 servo platform from scratch. Starting Point: Project View vs. Portal View - When you initially fire up the TIA Selection Tool, the landing workspace defaults to Portal View. For day-to-day engineering sizing and motor calculations, you want to skip past this interface and navigate straight into Project View. Toggle between these environments by clicking the option toggle positioned in the bottom-left corner of the master project window. Once inside Project View, you gain access to a traditional, functional device tree on your left panel and a central configuration window where calculation steps occur. Every component you introduce will dynamically compile inside a unified Properties pane, showing specific asset naming tags, editor annotations, custom timing markers, and data logs—ideal when dividing mechanical sizing records across engineering teams.

Sam Biddlecom

Siemens Motion Product Specialist

Posted on May 15, 2026

AI-powered TIA Portal assistant - Eigen Engineering Agent

EandM is an authorized Siemens industrial automation distributor serving manufacturers, system integrators, and industrial facilities across the West Coast—California, Oregon, and Washington—including full support for TIA Portal software packages. Siemens TIA Portal AI Integration Blueprint - Why Integrate the Eigen Engineering Agent? The Eigen Engineering Agent is a generative AI-powered assistant natively connected to the TIA Portal framework. Designed to boost overall engineering efficiency, it eliminates highly repetitive programming tasks and embeds intelligent assistance directly into automation design loops. Siemens Industrial Domain Benchmarks: Pulls from verified industrial domain logic to deliver precise, context-aware layout guidance that directly matches your active project files. Lifecycle Engineering Capabilities: Accelerates everything from initial hardware network layouts and automated testing scripts up to live structured code compilation. Key Operational Benefits: Scale Your Existing Team - Experienced control specialists are scarce. Automating code generation and validation allows existing engineering teams to increase project output with significantly fewer deployment errors. 2× to 5× Faster Execution: Accelerate Without Risk - Accelerating development cycles leaves no margin for runtime errors. The Engineering Agent handles mundane scripting and boilerplate coding so you hit commissioning windows confidently. Up to 80% Higher Solutions Quality: Shift Focus to High Value - Automation engineers waste too many hours on repetitive logic. By scanning project trees to deliver clean code chunks, the agent frees your specialists for high-impact architecture paths. Up to 50% Higher Efficiency

Hardik Thakkar

Siemens Product Specialist in Southern California

Posted on May 13, 2026

nanoScan3 vs. microScan3: How to Choose

EandM is an authorized SICK distributor serving manufacturers, system integrators, and industrial facilities across the West Coast—California, Oregon, and Washington. The Two Scanner Families - Both scanner families are anchored by SICK's patented safeHDDM® technology, generating up to 88,000 pulses per revolution compared to roughly 500 pulses on standard traditional laser scanners. This immense pulse density allows internal digital signal processors to confidently filter out ambient plant floor anomalies like heavy dust particles, localized weld sparks, stray oil mist, and extreme lighting shifts, entirely preventing false line trips. Where they diverge is the form factor and networking depth: the nanoScan3 offers an ultra-compact footprint, while the microScan3 offers longer operational range and safety network flexibility. More Info: 1. SICK nanoScan3 - World's Lowest-Profile Safety Scanner: When envelope constraints dictate your machine layouts, this is the solution. Standing just 80 mm tall with a compact 107 mm × 118 mm footprint, you gain safeHDDM® reliability and complex field configurations inside a ultra-miniature hardware build. Ideal for low-slung AMR chassis and tight stationary cells. 2. SICK microScan3 - The Heavy-Duty Industrial Workhorse: When broad scanning coverage and native safety bus integrations drive your specifications, look here. Available in both Core and Pro variants, the microScan3 protects wide fields up to 9 meters and interfaces smoothly with multiple advanced fieldbus environments. Best for massive AGV platforms and multi-zone cells.

Jean Lim

SICK Pacific Northwest Product Specialist

Posted on May 12, 2026

TIA Portal to PLC Communication Troubleshooting

EandM is an authorized Siemens industrial automation distributor serving manufacturers, system integrators, and industrial facilities across the West Coast — California, Oregon, and Washington — including full support for SIMATIC PLCs and TIA Portal software. A practical reference for engineers working with Siemens PLCs — from finding your device on the network to downloading your project. Finding a PLC - To begin troubleshooting communication, make sure you are in Project view in TIA Portal. The bottom left corner will show a link to Portal view if you are correctly in Project view. Click Online and then in the dropdown click Accessible devices, or you can click the Accessible devices icon in the toolbar. TIA Portal to PLC Communication Troubleshooting Article Image - Open 'Accessible devices' from the Online menu or toolbar icon. Make sure you are in Project view first. With the Accessible devices window open, choose PN/IE in the Type of the PG/PC interface dropdown. Next, select your ethernet adapter from the PG/PC interface dropdown. This could be a USB to ethernet adapter, or an ethernet adapter that is part of your computer. Click Start search to begin the scan for devices. Any devices found will be displayed in the list. If they have an IP address that will be displayed as well. 1. Set the interface type - Set the Type of the PG/PC interface dropdown to PN/IE. 2. Select your ethernet adapter - Choose your ethernet adapter from the PG/PC interface dropdown. This may be a USB-to-ethernet adapter or an onboard ethernet port. 3. Start the scan - Click Start search. Any found devices — along with their IP addresses if already assigned — will appear in the list.

Steven Sigley

Siemens Product Specialist in Southern California

Posted on May 06, 2026

Do You Still Like the Old School Function Keys on your HMI?

EandM is an authorized Siemens industrial automation distributor serving manufacturers, system integrators, and industrial facilities across the West Coast—California, Oregon, and Washington—including full support for SIMATIC HMI panels and TIA Portal software. Siemens SIMATIC Key Panel KP8 PN LX Lifecycle Installation: Touchscreens are great for complex diagnostic menus and trend charts, but when it comes to high-frequency, repetitive machine cycles, operators still crave tactile feedback. The SIMATIC Key Panel KP8 PN LX perfectly bridges that gap—providing a hardened mechanical interface that coordinates directly with your on-screen graphics via PROFINET. No layout wiring, no label strips, and no special mounting cuts required. Core Product Features: 3. 8 Programmable Tactile Keys: 19 × 19 mm industrial short-stroke keys that give distinct mechanical feedback. Fully configurable as direct Digital Inputs (DI) or Digital Outputs (DO). 4. Dynamic On-Screen Labeling: Key labels render dynamically on the adjacent WinCC HMI software screen. Eliminates the hassle of sliding custom paper label strips into the keys. 5. IP64 Front Panel Protection: Rugged industrial rating ideal for manufacturing floors. Front-panel dust and fluid protection is secured via the included captive mounting clips. 6. 5 LED Backlight Key Colors: Assign red, green, blue, yellow, or white illumination based on machine states. Features fully adjustable software brightness levels. 7. Native TIA Portal Integration: Menu-dependent button behavior maps smoothly inside your PLC logic tree. The keys instantly update behavior according to the open screen menu. 6. Slim-Line Form Factor: Ultra-slender chassis profile (40.7 × 252.4 mm). Fits seamlessly to the left, right, or directly underneath any standard touchscreen display frame.

Hardik Thakkar

Siemens Product Specialist in Southern California

Posted on May 05, 2026

Beyond 2D Safety: Adding 3D Visibility with SICK safevisionary2

EandM is an authorized SICK distributor serving manufacturers, system integrators, OEMs and industrial facilities across the West Coast — California, Oregon, and Washington — including full support for SICK safety light curtains, safety sensors, safety scanners, and IO-Link devices. If you are using 2D safety systems like safety scanners, they do a great job protecting areas on the factory floor. 2D safety systems monitor a flat plane, like a single layer across the factory floor. But here’s a common issue we see in certain applications: not all hazards stay at floor level. People reach over barriers. Loads stick out. Robots move in multiple directions. This is where 2D safety systems start to fall short.

Akshay Bhati

SICK Northern California Product Specialist

Posted on Apr 23, 2026

How to Build a Purchase List for the Siemens S7-1200 G2 using the TIA Selection Tool

EandM is an authorized Siemens industrial automation distributor serving manufacturers, system integrators, and industrial facilities across the West Coast—California, Oregon, and Washington—including full support for SINAMICS drives, SIMOTICS motors, and TIA Portal software. Specifying the new Siemens S7-1200 G2 and need to put together a bill of materials? The TIA Selection Tool is the fastest way to get there. Here's what our product specialists have seen work including a few G2-specific things worth knowing before you start. Step 1: Use the Cloud Version (this part matters) - The TIA Selection Tool has two versions—cloud and offline. For the S7-1200 G2, you must use the cloud version. The offline tool shows the G2 in the catalog, but trying to configure it there forces a full project migration to the cloud anyway. Siemens has indicated it will slowly be dropping support for the offline version so we might as well start migrating for those users who haven’t already. Search 'TIA Selection Tool' and select TIA Selection Tool Cloud: Combining G2 hardware with an S7-1500, ET 200SP, or other families? Start in the cloud from the beginning. The interface looks slightly different from the offline version, but the overall workflow is the same. Step 2: Set Up your Project: Once loaded, the tool auto-creates a new project. Navigate to Controllers, select the S7-1200 G2, and you'll land on the properties page. Choose Standard or Failsafe application - this determines which CPU's are available - Safety processors are available for the G2; safety I/O modules are still pending release - verify current availability with your account manager

Jon Hill

Siemens Product Specialist in PNW

Posted on Apr 21, 2026

Migrating to the SIMATIC S7-1200 G2: Your Questions Answered

Why Partner with EandM on Your G2 Migration? EandM stands as an authorized Siemens industrial automation distributor and a certified Platinum Partner—the highest integration tier awarded within Siemens' channel network. We staff a dedicated team of Siemens application specialists who work hands-on with these hardware systems daily. We can review your field drawings to confirm Signal Board analog assignments, clarify I/O expansion sizing rules, and validate parts lists before procurement loops close. We offer certified local TIA Portal technical training workshops, hands-on sizing labs, and free local tech support lines across your West Coast plant installations—no automated voicemail queues, just straight technical guidance.

Hardik Thakkar

Siemens Product Specialist in Southern California

Posted on Apr 16, 2026

Festo MSB6 Air Prep Combination Unit - Configurator Tips & Reverse Flow Workaround

When configuring a Festo MSB6 air preparation combination unit using a right-to-left (reverse) flow direction along with an AD11 or AD12 electrical connection module (M12 or M8), Festo’s online configurator will flag the combination as invalid or throw an error. Why It Happens- This restriction is a software database limitation rather than a physical or pneumatic incompatibility. Festo's backend database is actively being updated for soft-start modules, and this specific reverse-flow combination has not yet been fully mapped in the digital tool. The Engineering Workaround - To bypass the software blocker and get the exact assembly required for your project: Build a Forward Baseline: Configure the exact unit in the software using standard left-to-right flow direction (including the shutoff valve, filter regulator, soft-start valve, and connection module). • Extract the BOM: Pull the itemized Bill of Materials / spare parts list from the baseline setup. • Identify Component Gaps: Check for any single-part number gaps on soft-start components. • Reconfigure Single Units: Order or reconfigure each standalone pneumatic module individually, ensuring each is flagged for right-to-left reverse flow. • Compile the Master Bill: Combine the single components into a master parts list for final physical assembly on-site.

Jon Hill

Siemens Product Specialist

Posted on Apr 14, 2026

How to Share Siemens Licenses and Setup a License Server

This white paper by EandM outlines how to set up a central Siemens Automation License Manager (ALM) license server to share floating licenses across a network, allowing client PCs to check out licenses as needed rather than using dedicated local licenses. 1. Server Configuration - To host licenses centrally: -Install ALM on the designated server PC and transfer all license keys to it. -Enable 'Allow remote connections' in ALM Settings (Connection tab) and restart the service. -'Enable Check out' under Transfer Mode (License keys tab). -Ensure 'Forbid remote use of license keys' is unchecked (General tab). 2. Connecting Client PCs - To access the floating licenses from a client machine: Open ALM on the client PC and go to Edit > Connect Computer. Enter the server's Computer Name, Domain name, or IP address (or browse the network to find it). Option to save the server to the navigation window and search list so it remains available automatically. 3. Key Operational Details: Automatic Checkout - Opening a Siemens application on a connected client PC automatically checks out an available floating license. Disconnections & License Release: If a client PC loses connection to the license server, ALM automatically releases the license back into the server pool after 3 hours, making it available for other users.

Hardik Thakkar

Siemens Product Specialist in Southern California

Posted on Apr 08, 2026

SICK 2D LiDAR vs 3D ToF vs Radar: Which Safety Scanner Do You Need?

I get this question all the time: 'Which safety scanner should I use?' After years of helping customers spec safety scanners in their systems, it comes down to what you're protecting and where. The three main technologies—2D LiDAR, 3D Time of Flight (ToF), and Radar—each excel in different scenarios. Here are some questions I hear most often: -'Can this work in dirty and dusty environments?' -'How can this scanner ignore X material going through?' -'What's best for a mobile application?' Available Through EandM—Elite Gold SICK Distributor: EandM is the only Elite Gold SICK distributor on the West Coast. This is the highest level of recognition a SICK distributor can achieve, and it reflects our strong partnership with SICK and our commitment to providing the best support, service, and solutions for your automation needs. What does this mean to you? It proves we are the best source for SICK on the West Coast! Expert Guidance: Our product specialists help you identify the best solution for your specific application. Responsive Support: Our sales team ensures you get fast quotes and that support you need, when you need it. Reliable Inventory: We have the stock on hand to deliver what you need right when you need it.

Jean Lim

SICK Pacific Northwest Product Specialist

Posted on Apr 02, 2026

Why Your Photoelectric Sensor Keeps Missing Clear and Transparent Bottles and What to Do About It

Summary: Solving Transparent Bottle Detection Issues with the SICK W16: Standard photoelectric sensors struggle to detect clear glass and transparent plastic bottles because light passes through them instead of reflecting back, causing false triggers and line stoppages—especially on high-speed lines or under bright lighting. Key Solution Features- The SICK W16 photoelectric sensor family addresses these challenges using integrated specialized technologies: 1. ClearSens Technology: Specifically designed to reliably detect clear glass and thin-wall plastic containers at high speeds. 2. TwinEye Technology: Employs dual receivers to ensure consistent detection on shiny, reflective, or uneven surfaces. 3. AutoAdapt & OptoFilter: Automatically adjusts switching thresholds as dust or buildup accumulates and guards against ambient lighting glare. 4. BluePilot Alignment: Features a visual LED indicator bar that simplifies physical alignment and setup in seconds. 5. IO-Link v1.1 & Diagnostics: Enables remote configuration changes, real-time status monitoring, and early warning health alerts to prevent unexpected downtime. 6. Mounting & Setup Options: To suit different packaging line configurations, the W16 is available in Retroreflective (most common for clear bottles using a reflector), Through-Beam (for ultra-thin materials and maximum speed), and Background Suppression (BGS) (when a reflector cannot be mounted).

Akshay Bhati

SICK Pacific Northwest Product Specialist

Posted on Mar 25, 2026

Thinking About Migrating to the S7-1200 G2? Read This First.

Summary: Thinking About Migrating to the Siemens S7-1200 G2? - This article by Hardik Thakkar (Siemens Product Specialist at EandM) breaks down the key changes, benefits, and considerations when migrating from the first-generation Siemens S7-1200 PLC to the new S7-1200 G2 platform. | Key Takeaways & Timeline - 1.Phase-Out Schedule: Siemens has announced that first-generation S7-1200 controllers will be phased out through 2027. 2.Recommendation: Specify the G2 for all new builds or hardware refreshes, though immediate migration may not be necessary for every existing application. 3.Pricing: The G2 is competitively priced, starting around $395, making the upgrade cost-effective relative to legacy hardware. | Major Hardware & Performance Enhancements: 1. Smaller DIN Rail Footprint: Offers a ~25% overall reduction in DIN rail width (e.g., CPU 1214C drops from 110 mm to 80 mm wide), though units are slightly deeper and taller. 2. 2x Processing Speed: Bit execution time drops from 85 ns to 40 ns with multi-core parallel processing. Dedicated PROFINET channels prevent network traffic from slowing scan cycles. 3. Expanded Memory: CPU 1214C now features 250 kB program memory and 750 kB data RAM. 4. Integrated Motion Control: Supports up to 4 positioning axes per CPU, including coordinated axes (gearing/camming) and basic kinematics natively. | NFC & Push-In Wiring: Features built-in NFC for iOS app diagnostics/configuration and push-in terminals replacing traditional screw terminals. Hardware Note: G2 CPUs do not have integrated onboard analog I/O (like the older 1215C/1217C); analog expansion must be handled via signal boards or expansion modules. Legacy signal modules are not mechanically compatible. Software & Migration Workflow- 1.TIA Portal Requirement: Requires TIA Portal V21 (G2 is not supported on V19 or earlier). Fail-safe/Safety engineering is now included directly inside STEP 7 Basic V21 without needing a separate Safety Basic license. 2.Migration Process: Uses the S7-1200 G2 Migration Tool Add-in via the Change Device function in TIA Portal. Program blocks, data blocks, and tag tables carry over directly after running compatibility checks.

Hardik Thakkar

Siemens Product Specialist in Southern California

Posted on Mar 24, 2026

5 Reasons to Upgrade to TIA Portal V21

Summary: 5 Reasons to Upgrade to TIA Portal V21 - This article by Hardik Thakkar outlines the primary benefits, new feature releases, and compatibility details for Siemens TIA Portal V21. Top 5 New Features & Capabilities: 1. Prerequisite for S7-1200 G2: The new Siemens S7-1200 G2 CPUs (firmware v4.1) can only be configured inside TIA Portal V21. 2. WinCC Unified Features: The latest WinCC Unified HMI capabilities are gated exclusively to V21. 3. SIMATIC AX Integration: Brings IT-style software engineering workflows (version control, package management, and collaboration tools) into industrial automation engineering. 4. Automatic Change Tracking: Tracks all project changes with integrated timestamps and usernames via direct object links to streamline audit trails and multi-engineer projects. 5. AI-Assisted Documentation Search: Features an integrated chat interface that allows users to query TIA Portal documentation directly to find quick answers. Migration & Compatibility Details: 1. Direct Upgrade: Projects from TIA Portal V14 and later can be upgraded directly to V21 without intermediate version conversions. 2. Side-by-Side Support: V21 can coexist on the same PC alongside older versions ranging from V13 SP2 through V21. 3. Backwards Compatibility: STEP 7 V21 licenses cover legacy versions all the way back to V11.

Hardik Thakkar

Siemens Product Specialist in Southern California

Posted on Mar 18, 2026

Why Won't My Sensor Detect That?

Why Won't My Sensor Detect That? Five Object Detection Challenges and How the SICK W4 Solves Them | Published on March 12, 2026 | This is one of the most common questions we get: 'The sensor should be seeing this object — why isn't it working?' Many jump to the conclusion that the sensor is broken, but most of the time, it simply isn't tailored to detect that specific object or material profile. SICK’s W4 sensors are engineered specifically for these challenging anomalies. It is our most versatile miniature photoelectric sensor line. As the only SICK Elite Gold Distributor on the West Coast, EandM carries the full W4 lineup to help you target and secure the correct variant fast. Here are five common detection challenges we intercept in the field, and exactly how a tailored W4 variant eliminates them. Challenge 1: Your Object Is Transparent: Clear objects are notoriously tough. Light passes straight through instead of reflecting back reliably, causing standard sensors to miss them completely or false-trigger on background elements. Challenge 2: Your Object Has Holes, Grooves, or Perforations: When a standard sensor's single light spot drops into a cutout, recess, or perforation, it instantly loses the object. This sends an immediate, false 'off' signal to your PLC, causing missed counts and nuisance sync faults. Challenge 3: Your Environment Requires Heavy Washdowns: Most standard miniature sensors top out at IP67 ratings. While they can survive basic fluid splashes, they will quickly fail under the extreme pressures, chemicals, and high temperatures of sanitary washdown cycles. Challenge 4: Your Object Is Glossy or Highly Reflective: Mirror-like finishes reflect light directly back into standard receivers at blinding intensities. This specular reflection over-saturates standard optical receivers, causing them to completely misread or skip the object. Challenge 5: Detecting Sub-Millimeter Objects Through Tight Openings: When tracking tiny targets or shooting through narrow viewports, typical sensor beams bloom too wide at distance. This causes light to bleed onto surrounding framing, or skip miniature features entirely.

Jean Lim

SICK Pacific Northwest Product Specialist

Posted on Mar 12, 2026

Benefits of SICK Safety Designer Software

Summary: Benefits of SICK Safety Designer Software - SICK Safety Designer is a comprehensive engineering environment for configuring, commissioning, and maintaining SICK safety devices, designed to support robust functional safety while improving engineering efficiency across the entire machine lifecycle. 1. Unified Environment for Safety Engineering: SICK Safety Designer offers a single, integrated platform for configuring laser scanners, safety controllers, and series-connected safety devices, reducing the need for multiple vendor-specific tools. Within one project, users can define devices, set parameters, manage communication, and structure safety functions, ensuring consistency from initial design through to operation and maintenance. 2. Lifecycle-Oriented Workflow: The software is built around the safety lifecycle, guiding users through design, configuration, validation, and documentation in a structured way that supports compliance with relevant standards. Task- and project-oriented views make it clear which steps are complete, and which remain open, improving traceability and reducing the risk of partially implemented or undocumented safety changes. 3. Advanced Device and Field Configuration: For safety scanners and 3D safety sensors, Safety Designer provides graphical tools to define protective and warning fields directly on measured contours or imported layouts, improving accuracy and reducing commissioning time. Support for multiple field sets, monitoring cases, and virtual group concepts allows complex cells and mobile applications to implement dynamic protective fields without excessive PLC customization. 4. Safety Controller and Logic Engineering: When working with safety controllers such as Flexi-based systems, Safety Designer and its companion environments provide modular hardware configuration and a structured logic editor with pre-certified function blocks. This block-based approach reduces manual coding errors, shortens design reviews, and facilitates standardization of safety logic across machine families and projects. 5. Diagnostics, Monitoring, and Data Recording: Centralized diagnostics present the status of all connected safety devices and communication paths, enabling rapid identification of which sensor, input, or logic path has triggered a stop. Integrated data recording and event history capture key process and status information over time, supporting root cause analysis, troubleshooting of intermittent faults, and more informed maintenance decisions. 6. Documentation, Reporting, and Traceability: Safety Designer automatically generates structured project documentation, including device inventories, wiring overviews, parameter sets, and logic diagrams, which supports safety assessments. Versioning and project-based storage help maintain a clear record of configuration changes, providing traceability for modifications and simplifying handover between engineering, commissioning, and operations teams. 7. Operational and Business Benefits: By standardizing a unified software environment, organizations reduce engineering hours, minimize configuration errors, and accelerate commissioning of new or modified machines. In operation, consistent diagnostics, transparent safety logic, and high-quality documentation contribute to shorter downtimes, safer interventions, and a more maintainable safety architecture over the machine’s service life.

EandM Marketing

EandM Engineering Insights

Posted on Mar 12, 2026

Next-Generation 2D LiDAR for Industrial Automation: SICK picoScan

Summary: Next-Generation 2D LiDAR for Industrial Automation: SICK picoScan - EandM is an authorized industrial automation distributor serving manufacturers, system integrators, and industrial facilities across the West Coast—California, Oregon, and Washington—including full support for SICK sensors. Industrial automation increasingly relies on precise environment sensing to operate safely and efficiently. The new picoScan 2D LiDAR sensor from SICK addresses this need with advanced detection capabilities in a compact, cost-effective package. 1. What Makes the picoScan Different?: LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors use laser pulses to measure distances and create detailed maps of their surroundings. The picoScan150 offers a configurable scanning range that depends on the selected performance profile and the reflectivity (remission) of the target object. Depending on configuration and target properties, scanning ranges of up to 120 meters are achievable. Angular resolution can be configured down to 0.05°, enabling precise object detection and positioning. This enables detection of small objects, with performance depending on distance and surface reflectivity, a critical capability for navigation, collision avoidance, and monitoring applications. 2. With a 276° scanning field (–138° to +138°), the picoScan150 provides wide-area coverage from a single LiDAR. For comparison, many competitive sensors require multiple units to achieve similar coverage, increasing both cost and installation complexity. 3. Three Performance Levels for Different Needs: SICK offers the picoScan in configurations matched to specific application requirements. The picoScan150 includes integrated cables and pre-configured software, making it ideal for indoor mobile robot applications where simplicity matters. 4. The picoScan150 is available in 3 variants: Core, Prime, and Pro, which offer different maximum range capabilities under specified remission conditions. Depending on target reflectivity and selected performance profile, typical maximum ranges are approximately 25 m, 60 m, and up to 120 m. This tiered approach allows users to select exactly the performance level their application requires without paying for unnecessary capabilities. 5. Each configuration can be further customized with software features like multi-echo technology, which evaluates up to 3 returned signals per beam to improve measurement reliability. In combination with integrated fog, echo, and particle filters, the sensor can reduce unwanted reflections caused by rain, fog, or airborne particles, making it well suited for outdoor or harsh industrial environments.

EandM Marketing

EandM Engineering Insights

Posted on Mar 02, 2026

S7-300 to S7-1500 Migration: When Testing Windows Are Weeks Apart

Summary: How do you migrate a PLC system when you can only test during planned shutdowns? One manufacturing customer reached out in June 2025 with a large S7-300 PLC project that needed to migrate to S7-1500. Their biggest constraint: they can only test during planned maintenance shutdowns—sometimes weeks or months between opportunities. Downtime isn't an option. Their engineer is extremely proficient in Siemens PLCs and used the S7-300 to S7-1500 migration guide from Siemens' SiePortal. The basic migration went smoothly: checked block consistency, fixed program errors, used the Migration Tool to generate the intermediate file from TIA V19 to V20, and successfully compiled. Then real-world testing started. 1. RFID Communication Blocks - The first issue: communication blocks used for reading RFID tags didn't migrate correctly. They found a Siemens document on migrating MOBY function blocks to S7-1500, but it was outdated and didn't work with newer TIA Portal versions. Rather than troubleshooting the migrated block, we detailed steps to recreate the functionality using an RFID technology object. That worked. 2. Proprietary SCADA System - Next: communication between the S7-1500 and their proprietary EMES SCADA system. Built by a third party with no source code access, they needed to ensure communications would work exactly like they did with the S7-300. We kept all data blocks non-optimized and enabled GET-PUT communications in the S7-1500 to match the old configuration. After testing, communications worked correctly. We also provided guidance on getting VFD parameters from their existing G120 drives into TIA Portal—a straightforward process with Startdrive installed. 3. ProfiSafe Communications - During testing, ProfiSafe communications with other S7-300 PLCs using Siemens PN/PN couplers weren't working. Safety interlock signals that pass to multiple PLCs failed in the migrated S7-1500. After digging through manuals, we found capability restrictions with communication blocks in their S7-1500 safety program and with the S7-300s they were communicating with. The SENDDP and RCVDP blocks were configured using the latest version. The solution: roll back to a previous version of the communication blocks to ensure compatibility. That worked. 4. Safety Logic Optimization - At a recent in-person meeting, we saw the migrated code running live. They're very happy with how it's working so far. While examining the PLC code, we found portions of the safety logic that needed optimization for the S7-1500 architecture. This was a quick fix: rebuilding the F-runtime blocks, putting the safety logic back in, and properly configuring the F-runtime group properties. 5. Why This Worked - They're still testing and qualifying the migrated code, but so far everything is working as expected. This migration worked because the customer, Siemens, and EandM worked as a team to resolve each issue thoroughly. When your testing windows are weeks or months apart, you can't afford to spend that time troubleshooting alone. Having a partner who's seen these issues before—RFID blocks that won't migrate, proprietary SCADA configurations, ProfiSafe compatibility problems—means you resolve problems faster. The standard migration guide gets you most of the way there. The real-world issues that show up during testing? That's where experience matters.

Joe Schlitzer

Siemens Product Specialist in Northern Calif.

Posted on Feb 26, 2026

Stop Replacing Your Inductive Sensors Every Few Months

Summary: Stop Replacing Your Inductive Sensors Every Few Months - You know why your inductive sensors keep failing? They're too close to the parts they're detecting. Standard inductive proximity sensors mounted 2-4mm from moving parts take constant hits from vibration, misalignment, and part variation. Eventually, they break. You replace them. Three months later—same inductive sensor, same location, same failure. --Here's how to stop the cycle. Same Thread Size, Longer Sensing Range - Position Farther Away - IMX inductive sensors from SICK deliver 4x the sensing range of standard proximity sensors—4mm to 50mm depending on housing size. An IMX M8 inductive sensor detects targets from 8mm away—the same range you'd get from a standard M12 sensor, but positioned twice as far from moving parts. An IMX M30 detects from up to 50mm. You get the same detection performance with inductive sensors mounted outside the damage zone. Key Benefit: Mount inductive sensors 4x farther from moving parts while maintaining the same detection reliability.

TJ Singh

EandM Product Specialist

Posted on Feb 19, 2026

PATLITE

Bluetooth 5.0 in Manufacturing: Why PATLITE WIO's Long Range Technology Changes Everything

Summary: Bluetooth 5.0 in Manufacturing: Why PATLITE WIO's Long Range Technology Changes Everything - For decades, manufacturers have relied on hardwired systems which are complex to install, expensive to maintain, and difficult to reconfigure. PATLITE’s WIO Series changes this with Bluetooth 5.0 Long Range technology, delivering reliable industrial communication without a single wire. 1. Bluetooth 5.0 Long Range: A Game Changer: PATLITE’s WIO Series uses Bluetooth 5.0 Long Range to expand wireless communication capability. It supports up to 100 meters line-of-sight and can extend to 400 meters with daisy-chained relay units. This allows seamless facility-wide monitoring without the need for cabling. 2. Reliability Built for Industry: Unlike standard Bluetooth, WIO is engineered for industrial environments. It uses advanced error correction and frequency hopping to ensure consistent performance even in RF-heavy spaces. Real-time connection indicators notify users of communication quality, and the IP65 rating ensures resilience against dust, water, temperature swings, and vibration. 3. Smart Power for Industrial Use: WIO units connect directly to 12–24V DC power sources, making them ideal for continuous industrial operation. There’s no need for battery charging or replacement, and integration with existing electrical infrastructure is seamless. 4. Practical Applications: The WIO Series enables monitoring of equipment in blind spots and delivers alerts from hard-to-access utility stations. It improves safety by allowing mobile machinery like forklifts to issue proximity alerts and helps maintenance teams respond quickly to equipment issues, reducing downtime.

EandM Marketing

EandM Marketing Team

Posted on Jun 25, 2025

Push-In Wiring Made Simple: A Guide for the New Siemens S7-1200 G2 Controller

Summary: Push-In Wiring Made Simple: A Guide for the New Siemens S7-1200 G2 Controller - Siemens S7-1200 G2 Controller: The New Way to Wire Your Controller - If you're new to industrial automation or have been working with older PLC systems, you'll be pleased to discover that the new Siemens S7-1200 G2 controller features push-in technology that makes wiring significantly easier than traditional screw terminals. What is Push-In Wiring? Push-in wiring is exactly what it sounds like—a connection technology where you can simply push the wire into a terminal to create a secure electrical connection. No more tightening screws and worrying if they're too loose or too tight! Why You'll Love Push-In Wiring: Time-saving: Up to 50% faster than traditional screw terminal wiring. Tool-free: Most connections require no tools. Secure connections: Spring-loaded mechanism creates consistent pressure. Vibration-resistant: Connections stay tight even in high-vibration environments. What You'll Need: -Wire stripping tool, -Wires (solid or stranded) sized: -0.2 mm² to 1.5 mm² (24 AWG to 16 AWG) for CPU/module connections, -0.2 mm² to 0.8 mm² (24 AWG to 18 AWG) for signal board connections, -Small flathead screwdriver for wire removal or stranded wire insertion, -Copper ferrules for stranded wire (recommended but optional), -Crimping tool if using ferrules. Step-by-Step Wiring Guide: Preparation: 1. Safety first! Always ensure power is disconnected from your S7-1200 G2 and all connected equipment. 2. Remove the terminal block by pressing the release levers or applying firm pressure as shown in your device instructions. 3. Strip your wire to the correct length: -9-10 mm for CPU and module terminals, -7 mm for signal board terminal

EandM Marketing

EandM Marketing Team

Posted on May 29, 2025

Why Your Variable Frequency Drives Might Be Sabotaging Your Power Quality and What to Do About It

Summary: Why Your Variable Frequency Drives Might Be Sabotaging Your Power Quality and What to Do About It - Power quality isn't just an electrical engineering buzzword—it's the difference between a smooth-running facility and one plagued by mysterious equipment failures, excessive energy bills, and frustrated maintenance teams. If you've ever wondered why some variable frequency drives (VFDs) seem to create more problems than they solve, the answer often lies in harmonics. 1. The Hidden Problem with Traditional VFDs: Traditional VFDs are power quality polluters. When these drives convert AC power to control motor speed, they generate harmonic distortion that flows back into your electrical system. These harmonics can cause transformer overheating, neutral conductor overloading, and interference with sensitive equipment. You might notice drives overheating or experience power insufficiencies. Most traditional VFDs produce total harmonic distortion (THDi) levels of 30% or higher, forcing facilities to install additional equipment like harmonic filters or line reactors—band-aid solutions that add cost and complexity while only partially addressing the root problem. 2. How Siemens G220 Clean Power Technology Changes the Game: The Siemens SINAMICS G220 with Clean Power technology keeps harmonics below 2%, meeting the stringent IEEE 519 standard that many facilities struggle to achieve. The secret lies in the integrated Active Infeed Unit, which actively conditions the power flowing back to your electrical system. Think of it as having a built-in power quality filter that works continuously to clean up the electrical signal—a fundamental shift in how drives interact with your facility's electrical infrastructure. 3. Real-World Impact on Your Operations: Reduced Heat: Less heat generation in transformers and electrical panels extends their lifespan and reduces cooling costs. Safety: Neutral conductors are no longer overloaded with harmonic currents, eliminating a common source of electrical fires. Energy Efficiency: You'll see reduced overall system energy losses, as clean power flows more efficiently through your distribution system. The G220 Clean Power delivers the same precise motor control, safety features, and energy efficiency you'd expect from a premium drive, while simultaneously solving the harmonic problem that traditional VFDs create. 4. Industry Applications and Economics: The marine industry has quickly adopted Clean Power technology for deck machinery and winches, where harmonic standards are strictly enforced. Food and beverage processors, chemical plants, and manufacturing facilities with multiple drives all benefit from cleaner power that doesn't compromise electrical system integrity. In addition, facilities in industries with evolving power compliance regulations—like data centers and medicinal/pharmaceutical plants—would also benefit from the G220 with Clean Power. While the initial investment might be higher than a standard G220, the elimination of power quality problems and improved energy efficiency create compelling returns. The G220 Clean Power accomplishes in one integrated solution what traditionally required multiple separate components.

EandM Marketing

EandM Marketing Team

Posted on May 28, 2025

Understanding safeHDDM® Technology: How the nanoScan3 Maintains Reliability in Challenging Environments

Summary: Understanding safeHDDM® Technology: How the nanoScan3 Maintains Reliability in Challenging Environments - Industrial safety systems frequently struggle with false alarms in harsh environments. Dust particles, ambient light, and reflective surfaces can trigger unnecessary shutdowns in conventional safety scanners. SICK's nanoScan3 with safeHDDM® (Safe High Definition Distance Measurement) technology offers a solution specifically engineered to overcome these challenges. 1. The Technical Advantage of Multi-Pulse Detection: Traditional safety scanners use single-pulse time-of-flight measurement, making them vulnerable to environmental interference. The nanoScan3 takes a fundamentally different approach with safeHDDM® technology. 2. Rather than relying on a single measurement point per angular resolution, safeHDDM® emits multiple pulses per revolution—effectively 80,000 laser pulses within each scan of its 275° scanning range. This creates a high-density measurement field that enables advanced signal processing to distinguish between actual obstacles and environmental conditions. 3. These small bundles of pulses also provide small bundles of remission values, allowing the scanner to create a histogram to effectively maintain detection capability. As a result, incredibly black surfaces down to a 1.8% remission value can be reliably detected.

EandM Marketing

EandM Marketing Team

Posted on May 21, 2025

Technical Guide: Selecting the Optimal SICK W10 Operation Mode for Your Application

Summary: Technical Guide: Selecting the Optimal SICK W10 Operation Mode for Your Application - EandM is an authorized SICK distributor serving manufacturers, system integrators, and industrial facilities across the West Coast — California, Oregon, and Washington. In today's fast-paced manufacturing environment, choosing the right sensor configuration can make the difference between consistent productivity and frustrating downtime. The SICK W10 photoelectric proximity sensor offers multiple operation modes designed to address specific application challenges without requiring different sensor models. Understanding when to apply each mode can help you maximize detection reliability while maintaining production efficiency. Understanding W10 Operation Modes: The W10 sensor features three distinct operation modes—speed, standard, and precision—each engineered to excel in specific industrial scenarios. Rather than stocking multiple sensor variants, this single device can be quickly configured via its touchscreen display to meet changing detection requirements. Speed Mode: When Production Rate Is Critical: When your application demands rapid response times, speed mode delivers optimal performance for high-throughput environments. This configuration is particularly valuable in packaging lines where products move quickly and timing precision affects downstream operations. The sensor maintains reliable detection while prioritizing faster response times, making it ideal for counting applications, high-speed conveyor transfers, or rapid object sorting.

EandM Marketing

EandM Marketing Team

Posted on Apr 30, 2025

SICK SEC110 Industrial EventCam: Visual Insight for Manufacturing and Logistics

Summary: SICK SEC110 Industrial EventCam: Visual Insight for Manufacturing and Logistics - Modern manufacturing environments demand more than basic monitoring. They require visual insight that helps teams understand what happened before, during, and after an event. The SICK sensingCam SEC110 EventCam is designed precisely for this purpose, combining real-time video streaming with event-based recording in a compact, industrial-grade camera built for factory and logistics environments. Industrial-Grade Design and Core Capabilities: The SEC110 is a compact industrial camera measuring 57.5 × 49 × 33.6 mm and weighing just 120 g, making it easy to install even where space is limited. It features a 5-megapixel color CMOS sensor (2880 × 1616 pixels) with a wide 82° × 52° field of view and a working distance from 300 mm up to 10 m, allowing a single camera to cover both close-range processes and larger machine areas. Designed for industrial use, the SEC110 is housed in a robust aluminum and polycarbonate enclosure with a protective glass front, rated IP65 for protection against dust and water ingress. It operates reliably in ambient temperatures from 0 °C to +50 °C, making it suitable for typical factory and logistics environments.

EandM Marketing

EandM Marketing Team

Posted on Apr 23, 2025

Unlocking Precision: How SICK’s picoScan Raises the Bar for LiDAR

Summary: Unlocking Precision: How SICK’s picoScan Raises the Bar for LiDAR - Industrial automation increasingly relies on precise environment sensing to operate safely and efficiently. The new picoScan 2D LiDAR sensor from SICK addresses this need with advanced detection capabilities in a compact, cost-effective package. What Makes the picoScan Different? : LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors use laser pulses to measure distances and create detailed maps of their surroundings. The picoScan150 offers a configurable scanning range that depends on the selected performance profile and the reflectivity (remission) of the target object. Depending on configuration and target properties, scanning ranges of up to 120 meters are achievable. Angular resolution can be configured down to 0.05°, enabling precise object detection and positioning. This enables detection of small objects—with performance depending on distance and surface reflectivity—a critical capability for navigation, collision avoidance, and monitoring applications. With a 276° scanning field (–138° to +138°), the picoScan150 provides wide-area coverage from a single LiDAR. For comparison, many competitive sensors require multiple units to achieve similar coverage, increasing both cost and installation complexity.

EandM Marketing

EandM Marketing Team

Posted on Apr 09, 2025

A Day on the Road: Visiting Heinzen and LetroneX

Summary: A Day on the Road: Visiting Heinzen and LetroneX - The day started earlier than usual—5:45 a.m. wake-up, just enough time to make tea, grab a quick breakfast, and be out the door by 7:00 a.m. I wanted to be sure I was early for my carpool meetup with Tony Laughlin, EandM’s Northern California Regional Sales Manager. The morning was foggy, but I made good time on my drive from Healdsburg to Petaluma, arriving at 7:53 a.m. From there, Tony and I hit the road, making a quick stop to drop off his son at school before beginning our long trek down 680 to Gilroy—an estimated three-hour drive in rush-hour traffic. Not the most thrilling aspect of our day, but our shared love of metal music helped us pass the time. Visiting Heinzen - On the way, Tony gave me some background on our visit. We were to meet a member of our sales team, Ken Solis, to review a number of ongoing projects on site. Heinzen is a machine manufacturer in the food and beverage industry. Specifically, they design and build products that help farms process large amounts of produce. I had the opportunity to see one of these solutions in a finished state, along with some potential future projects. The most impressive? The Sanitary Spin Dryer! Think of the salad spinner in your kitchen, but scaled up to handle 300 pounds of lettuce at a time. These machines wash freshly harvested lettuce and now feature a key addition from EandM, the DSBG family ISO cylinder from Festo.

EandM Marketing

EandM Marketing Team

Posted on Apr 02, 2025

Advanced Motion Control Made Simple: What's New for Motion Applications in TIA Portal V20

Festo Now Has a Washdown-Rated Electric Motion Solution — and It Opens the Door to Food and Beverage - Quick Summary: 1. IP69K-rated electric cylinders and servo motors, built for washdown environments. 2. 316L stainless housing, NSF-H1 food-grade grease, dual-seal technology. 3. Feed forces to 12,500 N • speeds to 1 m/s • strokes to 1,000 mm. 4. Complete servo solution—cylinder, motor, drive, cables from one source. 5. Designed for food, beverage, pharma, packaging, and corrosive environments. 6. Available through EandM across CA, OR, and WA with local technical support. A Gap That Engineers Have Worked Around for Years: Festo has long been a go-to for pneumatics and general automation—excellent technology, strong support, and a broad portfolio. But when the conversation turned to electric cylinders and motors that needed to survive daily high-pressure washdown, engineers specifying food, beverage, and pharmaceutical lines had to look elsewhere. 'Stainless steel' and 'washdown-rated' are not the same thing—and that distinction has limited Festo's electric motion portfolio in some more hygienic F&B applications. Until now. The Festo EPRF stainless steel electric cylinder and EMMH-AS stainless steel servo motor are purpose-built to broaden Festo's EA Portfolio into these washdown zones.

EandM Marketing

EandM Marketing Team

Posted on Feb 26, 2025

SIMATIC S7-1200 G1 vs G2: What a Decade of Innovation Brings to Automation

Summary: SIMATIC S7-1200 G1 vs G2: What a Decade of Innovation Brings to Automation - S7-1200 G1 vs G2 Comparison : After ten years of the original S7-1200 serving as Siemens' workhorse controller, the newly announced G2 series represents a fundamental rethinking of what a PLC can be. Let's examine exactly what's changed between generations. Processing Speed: Cutting Response Time in Half: The G1 offers 85ns bit performance, the G2 slashes this to 40ns—less than half the processing time. This isn't just a specification improvement; it enables much faster scan times and quicker system responses that were impossible with the G1. Memory: Breaking Past Previous Limitations The memory constraints of the G1 series often required careful program optimization. The G2 dramatically expands these boundaries: - CPU 1212C G2: 150kB program / 500kB data memory. - CPU 1214C G2: 250kB program / 750kB data memory. This expansion opens new possibilities for more sophisticated applications that weren't as feasible with the G1's memory constraints. Physical Design: More Capability in Less Space - The G2 manages to pack more features into an even smaller footprint. The CPU 1212C shrinks from 90mm to 70mm, while the CPU 1214C reduces from 110mm to 80mm. The G2 also introduces a new high-density terminal block design with push-in wiring, addressing one of the G1's limitations in installation flexibility. Motion Control: A New Level of Sophistication: The G1 offered basic motion control capabilities, but the G2 brings features previously reserved for advanced controllers. Where G1 focused on single-axis control, G2 adds coordinated multi-axis control and kinematics. This advancement enables sophisticated motion sequences that would have required a more advanced controller in the G1 era. Network Communication: Ready for Modern Industry: The G2 supports up to 31 PROFINET devices and PROFINET IRT capability for synchronized control. Perhaps most significantly, the G2 introduces NFC functionality—completely absent from G1—enabling wireless access to diagnostics and configuration. Safety Integration: The S7-1200 G2's approach to safety marks a significant advance, introducing fail-safe signal boards that mount directly on the CPU for safety applications up to PL e / SIL 3. The engineering experience has been streamlined by fully integrating safety programming into STEP 7 within TIA Portal, with ready-to-use certified program blocks available in the LSafe library. High-Speed I/O: More Precise Control: The G2 increases the number of high-speed counter channels from 6 to 8, enabling more precise motion and position control applications. For users of the original S7-1200, the G2 offers a clear upgrade path that maintains programming compatibility while delivering substantial improvements in every key performance metric. For new installations, it provides capabilities that simply weren't possible with controllers before.

EandM Marketing

EandM Marketing Team

Posted on Feb 19, 2025

The New SIMATIC S7-1200 G2: A Leap Forward in Automation

Summary: The New SIMATIC S7-1200 G2: A Leap Forward in Automation - SIMATIC S7-1200 G2 Controller. Siemens has revolutionized its automation offering with the new SIMATIC S7-1200 G2 controller, bringing high-end features to the entry-level segment for the first time in a decade. 1. Enhanced Processing Power - The G2 stands out with its dramatically improved processing capabilities, featuring a 40-nanosecond bit performance and expanded memory. The 1214C CPU model now packs 250KB of program memory and 750KB of data memory, enabling more sophisticated applications than ever before in a basic controller. 2. Advanced Motion Control Features: Perhaps most significant is the controller's enhanced motion control capabilities. Users can now control multiple coordinated axes and implement simple kinematics—features previously reserved for advanced controllers, like the more expensive S7-1500 family. This makes the G2 ideal for applications like packaging machines and basic robotics, supporting up to four positioning axes or five synchronized axes. 3. Innovative Maintenance Solutions: Innovation extends to maintenance and diagnostics through the addition of Near Field Communication (NFC). Technicians can now access diagnostic and operational data wirelessly without powering up the controller, significantly reducing troubleshooting time. The system provides clear, plain-text diagnostic information about the entire PLC station. 4. Simplified Safety Integration: Safety integration has been simplified with the failsafe versions (CPU 1212FC and CPU 1214FC). Starting with TIA Portal V20, safety programming is included in STEP 7 Basic without requiring a separate license, making safety automation more accessible than ever. 5. Improved Design and Communication: The physical design has been optimized with a 25% smaller DIN rail footprint and convenient push-in wiring terminals. Communication capabilities now include PROFINET RT and IRT support for up to 31 devices of either type, enabling precise synchronization between components. With the S7-1200 G2, Siemens has created a future-ready controller that brings advanced capabilities to the basic automation segment while maintaining simplicity and cost-effectiveness. It's a powerful starting point for those beginning their automation journey, with the scalability to grow as needs evolve.

EandM Marketing

EandM Marketing Team

Posted on Feb 05, 2025

Ease-of-Use Meets Performance: The SICK W10 Photoelectric Sensor

Summary: Ease-of-Use Meets Performance: The SICK W10 Photoelectric Sensor - If you run a packaging or food and beverage line, you've probably seen this: a sensor that works perfectly on opaque containers completely falls apart on clear or transparent bottles. Missed detections. False triggers. Unplanned stops. It's one of the most common calls we get at EandM and it's not a settings problem. It's a technology problem. Here's what's going on, and how to fix it. Why Standard Sensors Miss Clear and Transparent Bottles: Most photoelectric sensors work by sending out a beam of light and detecting how much bounces back. Opaque objects reflect reliably. Clear glass and transparent plastic bottles let light pass through instead of reflecting it back, so the sensor either misses the bottle or produces an unreliable signal. The problem gets worse when you add: 1. High line speeds: less time for the sensor to register each bottle 2. Curved bottle shapes: scatter light differently than flat surfaces. 3. Bright plant lighting or glare: interferes with already-weak return signals. 4. Mixed product runs: lines switching between clear and opaque containers. The result is nuisance downtime, line stoppages, and a lot of troubleshooting time chasing a problem your sensor was never designed to solve. The Fix: ClearSens Technology on the SICK W16 - The SICK W16 product family includes ClearSens technology, which is designed for reliable detection of transparent and clear objects. Unlike standard sensors, it reliably detects glass bottles and clear plastic containers that can be challenging for conventional photoelectric sensors. On high-speed beverage lines where bottles move continuously and changeovers are frequent, reliable transparent detection becomes critical to maintaining throughput and minimizing unnecessary stoppages.

EandM Marketing

EandM Marketing Team

Posted on Jan 29, 2025

SICK S3000 Passes the Baton to the microScan3

Summary: SICK S3000 Passes the Baton to the microScan3 - SICK S3000 and microScan3 Comparison: After many years of successful use in countless industries, the S3000 safety laser scanner is now handing over the baton to its successor, the microScan3. The microScan3 safety laser scanner masters challenges such as ambient light, dust and dirt as well as mutual interference thanks to the safeHDDM® scanning technology. Key Advantages - 1. Increased Productivity. 2. Prevent machine downtime with innovative safeHDDM® scanning technology. Includes easy commissioning and troubleshooting with Safety Designer software and modular system plugs. More Flexibility - Up to 128 monitoring cases and up to 8 simultaneous field evaluations for complex area monitoring and protection. Broad integration through I/O, Ethernet/IP, and various protocols. Future Proof Performance - 1. Robust Diagnostics: Precise measurement data for advanced stationary and mobile applications. 2. Intelligent Safety: Future-ready functionality for complex safety and automation solutions. Learn How to Upgrade: Ready to know more about how you can keep your factory running? Watch this video to learn the important things to know about upgrading to the microScan3.

EandM Marketing

SICK Pacific Northwest Product Specialist

Posted on Jan 28, 2025

The Next Generation of Valve Terminals: Festo VTUX's Top 5 Revolutionary Features

Summary: The New SIMATIC S7-1200 G2: A Leap Forward in Automation - SIMATIC S7-1200 G2 Controller - After ten years of the original S7-1200 serving as Siemens' workhorse controller, the newly announced G2 series represents a fundamental rethinking of what a PLC can be. Let's examine exactly what's changed between generations. 1. Processing Speed: Cutting Response Time in Half - The G1 offers 85ns bit performance, the G2 slashes this to 40ns—less than half the processing time. This isn't just a specification improvement; it enables much faster scan times and quicker system responses that were impossible with the G1. 2. Memory: Breaking Past Previous Limitations - The memory constraints of the G1 series often required careful program optimization. The G2 dramatically expands these boundaries: - CPU 1212C G2: 150kB program / 500kB data memory. - CPU 1214C G2: 250kB program / 750kB data memory. This expansion opens new possibilities for more sophisticated applications that weren't as feasible with the G1's memory constraints. 3. Physical Design: More Capability in Less Space - The G2 manages to pack more features into an even smaller footprint. The CPU 1212C shrinks from 90mm to 70mm, while the CPU 1214C reduces from 110mm to 80mm. The G2 also introduces a new high-density terminal block design with push-in wiring, addressing one of the G1's limitations in installation flexibility. 4. Motion Control: A New Level of Sophistication - The G1 offered basic motion control capabilities, but the G2 brings features previously reserved for advanced controllers. Where G1 focused on single-axis control, G2 adds coordinated multi-axis control and kinematics. This advancement enables sophisticated motion sequences that would have required a more advanced controller in the G1 era. 5. Network Communication: Ready for Modern Industry - The G2 supports up to 31 PROFINET devices and PROFINET IRT capability for synchronized control. Perhaps most significantly, the G2 introduces NFC functionality—completely absent from G1—enabling wireless access to diagnostics and configuration. 6. Safety Integration - The S7-1200 G2's approach to safety marks a significant advance, introducing fail-safe signal boards that mount directly on the CPU for safety applications up to PL e / SIL 3. The engineering experience has been streamlined by fully integrating safety programming into STEP 7 within TIA Portal, with ready-to-use certified program blocks available in the LSafe library. 7. High-Speed I/O: More Precise Control - The G2 increases the number of high-speed counter channels from 6 to 8, enabling more precise motion and position control applications. When the S7-1200 was introduced, it set the standard for automation controllers. Now, the G2 series raises that standard significantly, bringing capabilities that were previously only found in higher-end controllers down to the standard automation level. Available now, the G2 series doesn't just iterate on the original design—it fundamentally advances what's possible in automation. For users of the original S7-1200, the G2 offers a clear upgrade path that maintains programming compatibility while delivering substantial improvements in every key performance metric. For new installations, it provides capabilities that simply weren't possible with controllers before.

EandM Marketing

EandM Marketing Team

Posted on Jan 22, 2025