Mitas https://ampelab.com Fri, 30 Jan 2026 07:42:29 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 NearFi Delivers Contactless Power and Data for Automation https://ampelab.com/nearfi-delivers-contactless-power-and-data-for-automation-140/ https://ampelab.com/nearfi-delivers-contactless-power-and-data-for-automation-140/#respond Fri, 30 Jan 2026 07:39:01 +0000 https://ampelab.com/?p=140 A single damaged cable on a rotary table can quickly shut a line down in a factory setting. This means stopping production, calling maintenance, and eating the cost of downtime. In systems that operate nonstop, standard wiring just isn’t made for that kind of motion.

To keep these continuous systems running efficiently, engineers have to think about more than just power. They need data and control signals to keep moving, even while everything else is in motion. When motion becomes the norm, reliability must be a design priority rather than a convenience.

As this blog explores the motion-based design challenges engineers face in powering and communicating with work carriers and rotary tables, it will demonstrate how NearFi technology from Phoenix Contact provides a contactless, real-time solution for the deficiencies of traditional wiring, slip rings, and wireless communication methods.

Motion-Based Automation Components

Motion-based automation components, like work carriers and rotary tables, are basic components in industrial automation. They are responsible for constantly moving and positioning workpieces through the manufacturing, testing, and assembly processes. These systems move and position parts between stations, such as robotic arms, inspection points, or machining tools, as part of the steady production flow.

Work carriers, also known as workpiece carriers, move products along linear paths, between levels using elevators, or across overhead tracks (Figure 1). Since they operate repeatedly in fast-paced production cycles—often completing hundreds or thousands of transfers per shift—they are designed for constant motion under varying loads and travel distances.

Rotary tables are also developed for repeated motion, but they rotate workpieces in predefined increments to support assembly, machining, inspection, and surface treatment operations. These tables commonly perform full 360° rotations and frequently reposition products across multiple tooling or inspection stations during each cycle (Figure 2).

Figure 2: A standard rotary table. (Source: Aania/stock.adobe.com)

Because each of these automation systems run in constant motion, power and data connections that depend on physical wiring are repeatedly stressed and become prone to failure as a result.

The Power and Signal Transmission Challenge

Designing power and data delivery systems for motion-based automation equipment presents multiple reliability challenges. Traditional wiring is not dependable in these environments because constant motion can cause conductors to tire, tangle, or break over time. For rotary motion, slip rings are often used as an alternative power-transfer method, but their brushes are still in constant contact with the rotating ring, similarly leading to friction, wear, and regular maintenance. Under changing loads, slip rings can also present electromagnetic interference (EMI) that disrupts system performance.

Data transmission presents its own set of issues. In high-speed automation, receiving control signals or fault alerts in real time is critical. Even a millisecond delay can affect process accuracy or cause mechanical damage. In some cases, wireless systems such as WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) and Wi-Fi® are used to eliminate physical connections, especially when parts are moving and it’s difficult to keep wires attached. Those connections, though, may not consistently maintain deterministic, low-latency communication in demanding industrial conditions.

These challenges illustrate why there’s a need for transmission methods that can support continuous motion without mechanical wear, all while providing real-time Ethernet communication with high reliability.

NearFi Technology Designed for Reliability

Phoenix Contact’s NearFi technology was developed specifically to resolve the power and data transmission challenges that come with continuous motion in automation systems. NearFi doesn’t depend on physical contacts or cables that eventually wear out or introduce electrical noise. Instead, it transfers both power and Ethernet data wirelessly across a short air gap, while maintaining real-time performance.

Phoenix Contact’s lineup of NearFi couplers includes the NEARFI PD 2A ETH B, NEARFI P 2A B, and NEARFI P 2A R, which enable contactless, real-time Ethernet connections and power transmission up to 50W across an air gap of a few centimeters (Figure 3). This approach eliminates slip ring brush wear and avoids cable failure caused by rotational or linear stress. Since they use common A-coded M12 connectors, these couplers can drop into typical automation wiring schemes without special adapters.

Figure 3: Phoenix Contact NearFi Couplers enable contactless, real-time Ethernet connections and power transmission up to 50W across an air gap of a few centimeters. (Source: Mouser Electronics)

Thanks to NearFi technology, these couplers deliver protocol-independent, near-latency-free, and full-duplex Ethernet data at speeds up to 100Mbps. Because these couplers work with all industrial Ethernet protocols, including EtherNet/IP, PROFINET (Process Field Net), Modbus, and EtherCAT, they can be dropped into existing network architectures without requiring a protocol change.

]]> https://ampelab.com/nearfi-delivers-contactless-power-and-data-for-automation-140/feed/ 0 Emerging Battery Testing Approaches: A New Era of Diagnostics https://ampelab.com/emerging-battery-testing-approaches-a-new-era-of-diagnostics-138/ https://ampelab.com/emerging-battery-testing-approaches-a-new-era-of-diagnostics-138/#respond Fri, 30 Jan 2026 07:38:50 +0000 https://ampelab.com/?p=138 A single damaged cable on a rotary table can quickly shut a line down in a factory setting. This means stopping production, calling maintenance, and eating the cost of downtime. In systems that operate nonstop, standard wiring just isn’t made for that kind of motion.

To keep these continuous systems running efficiently, engineers have to think about more than just power. They need data and control signals to keep moving, even while everything else is in motion. When motion becomes the norm, reliability must be a design priority rather than a convenience.

As this blog explores the motion-based design challenges engineers face in powering and communicating with work carriers and rotary tables, it will demonstrate how NearFi technology from Phoenix Contact provides a contactless, real-time solution for the deficiencies of traditional wiring, slip rings, and wireless communication methods.

Motion-Based Automation Components

Motion-based automation components, like work carriers and rotary tables, are basic components in industrial automation. They are responsible for constantly moving and positioning workpieces through the manufacturing, testing, and assembly processes. These systems move and position parts between stations, such as robotic arms, inspection points, or machining tools, as part of the steady production flow.

Work carriers, also known as workpiece carriers, move products along linear paths, between levels using elevators, or across overhead tracks (Figure 1). Since they operate repeatedly in fast-paced production cycles—often completing hundreds or thousands of transfers per shift—they are designed for constant motion under varying loads and travel distances.

Rotary tables are also developed for repeated motion, but they rotate workpieces in predefined increments to support assembly, machining, inspection, and surface treatment operations. These tables commonly perform full 360° rotations and frequently reposition products across multiple tooling or inspection stations during each cycle (Figure 2).

Figure 2: A standard rotary table. (Source: Aania/stock.adobe.com)

Because each of these automation systems run in constant motion, power and data connections that depend on physical wiring are repeatedly stressed and become prone to failure as a result.

The Power and Signal Transmission Challenge

Designing power and data delivery systems for motion-based automation equipment presents multiple reliability challenges. Traditional wiring is not dependable in these environments because constant motion can cause conductors to tire, tangle, or break over time. For rotary motion, slip rings are often used as an alternative power-transfer method, but their brushes are still in constant contact with the rotating ring, similarly leading to friction, wear, and regular maintenance. Under changing loads, slip rings can also present electromagnetic interference (EMI) that disrupts system performance.

Data transmission presents its own set of issues. In high-speed automation, receiving control signals or fault alerts in real time is critical. Even a millisecond delay can affect process accuracy or cause mechanical damage. In some cases, wireless systems such as WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) and Wi-Fi® are used to eliminate physical connections, especially when parts are moving and it’s difficult to keep wires attached. Those connections, though, may not consistently maintain deterministic, low-latency communication in demanding industrial conditions.

These challenges illustrate why there’s a need for transmission methods that can support continuous motion without mechanical wear, all while providing real-time Ethernet communication with high reliability.

NearFi Technology Designed for Reliability

Phoenix Contact’s NearFi technology was developed specifically to resolve the power and data transmission challenges that come with continuous motion in automation systems. NearFi doesn’t depend on physical contacts or cables that eventually wear out or introduce electrical noise. Instead, it transfers both power and Ethernet data wirelessly across a short air gap, while maintaining real-time performance.

Phoenix Contact’s lineup of NearFi couplers includes the NEARFI PD 2A ETH B, NEARFI P 2A B, and NEARFI P 2A R, which enable contactless, real-time Ethernet connections and power transmission up to 50W across an air gap of a few centimeters (Figure 3). This approach eliminates slip ring brush wear and avoids cable failure caused by rotational or linear stress. Since they use common A-coded M12 connectors, these couplers can drop into typical automation wiring schemes without special adapters.

Figure 3: Phoenix Contact NearFi Couplers enable contactless, real-time Ethernet connections and power transmission up to 50W across an air gap of a few centimeters. (Source: Mouser Electronics)

Thanks to NearFi technology, these couplers deliver protocol-independent, near-latency-free, and full-duplex Ethernet data at speeds up to 100Mbps. Because these couplers work with all industrial Ethernet protocols, including EtherNet/IP, PROFINET (Process Field Net), Modbus, and EtherCAT, they can be dropped into existing network architectures without requiring a protocol change.

]]> https://ampelab.com/emerging-battery-testing-approaches-a-new-era-of-diagnostics-138/feed/ 0 Combatting the Dead Internet Theory in an AI World https://ampelab.com/combatting-the-dead-internet-theory-in-an-ai-world-136/ https://ampelab.com/combatting-the-dead-internet-theory-in-an-ai-world-136/#respond Fri, 30 Jan 2026 07:38:42 +0000 https://ampelab.com/?p=136 A single damaged cable on a rotary table can quickly shut a line down in a factory setting. This means stopping production, calling maintenance, and eating the cost of downtime. In systems that operate nonstop, standard wiring just isn’t made for that kind of motion.

To keep these continuous systems running efficiently, engineers have to think about more than just power. They need data and control signals to keep moving, even while everything else is in motion. When motion becomes the norm, reliability must be a design priority rather than a convenience.

As this blog explores the motion-based design challenges engineers face in powering and communicating with work carriers and rotary tables, it will demonstrate how NearFi technology from Phoenix Contact provides a contactless, real-time solution for the deficiencies of traditional wiring, slip rings, and wireless communication methods.

Motion-Based Automation Components

Motion-based automation components, like work carriers and rotary tables, are basic components in industrial automation. They are responsible for constantly moving and positioning workpieces through the manufacturing, testing, and assembly processes. These systems move and position parts between stations, such as robotic arms, inspection points, or machining tools, as part of the steady production flow.

Work carriers, also known as workpiece carriers, move products along linear paths, between levels using elevators, or across overhead tracks (Figure 1). Since they operate repeatedly in fast-paced production cycles—often completing hundreds or thousands of transfers per shift—they are designed for constant motion under varying loads and travel distances.

Rotary tables are also developed for repeated motion, but they rotate workpieces in predefined increments to support assembly, machining, inspection, and surface treatment operations. These tables commonly perform full 360° rotations and frequently reposition products across multiple tooling or inspection stations during each cycle (Figure 2).

Figure 2: A standard rotary table. (Source: Aania/stock.adobe.com)

Because each of these automation systems run in constant motion, power and data connections that depend on physical wiring are repeatedly stressed and become prone to failure as a result.

The Power and Signal Transmission Challenge

Designing power and data delivery systems for motion-based automation equipment presents multiple reliability challenges. Traditional wiring is not dependable in these environments because constant motion can cause conductors to tire, tangle, or break over time. For rotary motion, slip rings are often used as an alternative power-transfer method, but their brushes are still in constant contact with the rotating ring, similarly leading to friction, wear, and regular maintenance. Under changing loads, slip rings can also present electromagnetic interference (EMI) that disrupts system performance.

Data transmission presents its own set of issues. In high-speed automation, receiving control signals or fault alerts in real time is critical. Even a millisecond delay can affect process accuracy or cause mechanical damage. In some cases, wireless systems such as WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) and Wi-Fi® are used to eliminate physical connections, especially when parts are moving and it’s difficult to keep wires attached. Those connections, though, may not consistently maintain deterministic, low-latency communication in demanding industrial conditions.

These challenges illustrate why there’s a need for transmission methods that can support continuous motion without mechanical wear, all while providing real-time Ethernet communication with high reliability.

NearFi Technology Designed for Reliability

Phoenix Contact’s NearFi technology was developed specifically to resolve the power and data transmission challenges that come with continuous motion in automation systems. NearFi doesn’t depend on physical contacts or cables that eventually wear out or introduce electrical noise. Instead, it transfers both power and Ethernet data wirelessly across a short air gap, while maintaining real-time performance.

Phoenix Contact’s lineup of NearFi couplers includes the NEARFI PD 2A ETH B, NEARFI P 2A B, and NEARFI P 2A R, which enable contactless, real-time Ethernet connections and power transmission up to 50W across an air gap of a few centimeters (Figure 3). This approach eliminates slip ring brush wear and avoids cable failure caused by rotational or linear stress. Since they use common A-coded M12 connectors, these couplers can drop into typical automation wiring schemes without special adapters.

Figure 3: Phoenix Contact NearFi Couplers enable contactless, real-time Ethernet connections and power transmission up to 50W across an air gap of a few centimeters. (Source: Mouser Electronics)

Thanks to NearFi technology, these couplers deliver protocol-independent, near-latency-free, and full-duplex Ethernet data at speeds up to 100Mbps. Because these couplers work with all industrial Ethernet protocols, including EtherNet/IP, PROFINET (Process Field Net), Modbus, and EtherCAT, they can be dropped into existing network architectures without requiring a protocol change.

]]> https://ampelab.com/combatting-the-dead-internet-theory-in-an-ai-world-136/feed/ 0 New Tech Tuesdays: Edge AI Motion Sensing for Wearables https://ampelab.com/new-tech-tuesdays-edge-ai-motion-sensing-for-wearables-134/ https://ampelab.com/new-tech-tuesdays-edge-ai-motion-sensing-for-wearables-134/#respond Fri, 30 Jan 2026 07:38:33 +0000 https://ampelab.com/?p=134 A single damaged cable on a rotary table can quickly shut a line down in a factory setting. This means stopping production, calling maintenance, and eating the cost of downtime. In systems that operate nonstop, standard wiring just isn’t made for that kind of motion.

To keep these continuous systems running efficiently, engineers have to think about more than just power. They need data and control signals to keep moving, even while everything else is in motion. When motion becomes the norm, reliability must be a design priority rather than a convenience.

As this blog explores the motion-based design challenges engineers face in powering and communicating with work carriers and rotary tables, it will demonstrate how NearFi technology from Phoenix Contact provides a contactless, real-time solution for the deficiencies of traditional wiring, slip rings, and wireless communication methods.

Motion-Based Automation Components

Motion-based automation components, like work carriers and rotary tables, are basic components in industrial automation. They are responsible for constantly moving and positioning workpieces through the manufacturing, testing, and assembly processes. These systems move and position parts between stations, such as robotic arms, inspection points, or machining tools, as part of the steady production flow.

Work carriers, also known as workpiece carriers, move products along linear paths, between levels using elevators, or across overhead tracks (Figure 1). Since they operate repeatedly in fast-paced production cycles—often completing hundreds or thousands of transfers per shift—they are designed for constant motion under varying loads and travel distances.

Rotary tables are also developed for repeated motion, but they rotate workpieces in predefined increments to support assembly, machining, inspection, and surface treatment operations. These tables commonly perform full 360° rotations and frequently reposition products across multiple tooling or inspection stations during each cycle (Figure 2).

Figure 2: A standard rotary table. (Source: Aania/stock.adobe.com)

Because each of these automation systems run in constant motion, power and data connections that depend on physical wiring are repeatedly stressed and become prone to failure as a result.

The Power and Signal Transmission Challenge

Designing power and data delivery systems for motion-based automation equipment presents multiple reliability challenges. Traditional wiring is not dependable in these environments because constant motion can cause conductors to tire, tangle, or break over time. For rotary motion, slip rings are often used as an alternative power-transfer method, but their brushes are still in constant contact with the rotating ring, similarly leading to friction, wear, and regular maintenance. Under changing loads, slip rings can also present electromagnetic interference (EMI) that disrupts system performance.

Data transmission presents its own set of issues. In high-speed automation, receiving control signals or fault alerts in real time is critical. Even a millisecond delay can affect process accuracy or cause mechanical damage. In some cases, wireless systems such as WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) and Wi-Fi® are used to eliminate physical connections, especially when parts are moving and it’s difficult to keep wires attached. Those connections, though, may not consistently maintain deterministic, low-latency communication in demanding industrial conditions.

These challenges illustrate why there’s a need for transmission methods that can support continuous motion without mechanical wear, all while providing real-time Ethernet communication with high reliability.

NearFi Technology Designed for Reliability

Phoenix Contact’s NearFi technology was developed specifically to resolve the power and data transmission challenges that come with continuous motion in automation systems. NearFi doesn’t depend on physical contacts or cables that eventually wear out or introduce electrical noise. Instead, it transfers both power and Ethernet data wirelessly across a short air gap, while maintaining real-time performance.

Phoenix Contact’s lineup of NearFi couplers includes the NEARFI PD 2A ETH B, NEARFI P 2A B, and NEARFI P 2A R, which enable contactless, real-time Ethernet connections and power transmission up to 50W across an air gap of a few centimeters (Figure 3). This approach eliminates slip ring brush wear and avoids cable failure caused by rotational or linear stress. Since they use common A-coded M12 connectors, these couplers can drop into typical automation wiring schemes without special adapters.

Figure 3: Phoenix Contact NearFi Couplers enable contactless, real-time Ethernet connections and power transmission up to 50W across an air gap of a few centimeters. (Source: Mouser Electronics)

Thanks to NearFi technology, these couplers deliver protocol-independent, near-latency-free, and full-duplex Ethernet data at speeds up to 100Mbps. Because these couplers work with all industrial Ethernet protocols, including EtherNet/IP, PROFINET (Process Field Net), Modbus, and EtherCAT, they can be dropped into existing network architectures without requiring a protocol change.

]]> https://ampelab.com/new-tech-tuesdays-edge-ai-motion-sensing-for-wearables-134/feed/ 0 Why the First True AI Revolution Will Happen on the Factory Floor https://ampelab.com/why-the-first-true-ai-revolution-will-happen-on-the-factory-floor-132/ https://ampelab.com/why-the-first-true-ai-revolution-will-happen-on-the-factory-floor-132/#respond Fri, 30 Jan 2026 07:38:24 +0000 https://ampelab.com/?p=132 A single damaged cable on a rotary table can quickly shut a line down in a factory setting. This means stopping production, calling maintenance, and eating the cost of downtime. In systems that operate nonstop, standard wiring just isn’t made for that kind of motion.

To keep these continuous systems running efficiently, engineers have to think about more than just power. They need data and control signals to keep moving, even while everything else is in motion. When motion becomes the norm, reliability must be a design priority rather than a convenience.

As this blog explores the motion-based design challenges engineers face in powering and communicating with work carriers and rotary tables, it will demonstrate how NearFi technology from Phoenix Contact provides a contactless, real-time solution for the deficiencies of traditional wiring, slip rings, and wireless communication methods.

Motion-Based Automation Components

Motion-based automation components, like work carriers and rotary tables, are basic components in industrial automation. They are responsible for constantly moving and positioning workpieces through the manufacturing, testing, and assembly processes. These systems move and position parts between stations, such as robotic arms, inspection points, or machining tools, as part of the steady production flow.

Work carriers, also known as workpiece carriers, move products along linear paths, between levels using elevators, or across overhead tracks (Figure 1). Since they operate repeatedly in fast-paced production cycles—often completing hundreds or thousands of transfers per shift—they are designed for constant motion under varying loads and travel distances.

Rotary tables are also developed for repeated motion, but they rotate workpieces in predefined increments to support assembly, machining, inspection, and surface treatment operations. These tables commonly perform full 360° rotations and frequently reposition products across multiple tooling or inspection stations during each cycle (Figure 2).

Figure 2: A standard rotary table. (Source: Aania/stock.adobe.com)

Because each of these automation systems run in constant motion, power and data connections that depend on physical wiring are repeatedly stressed and become prone to failure as a result.

The Power and Signal Transmission Challenge

Designing power and data delivery systems for motion-based automation equipment presents multiple reliability challenges. Traditional wiring is not dependable in these environments because constant motion can cause conductors to tire, tangle, or break over time. For rotary motion, slip rings are often used as an alternative power-transfer method, but their brushes are still in constant contact with the rotating ring, similarly leading to friction, wear, and regular maintenance. Under changing loads, slip rings can also present electromagnetic interference (EMI) that disrupts system performance.

Data transmission presents its own set of issues. In high-speed automation, receiving control signals or fault alerts in real time is critical. Even a millisecond delay can affect process accuracy or cause mechanical damage. In some cases, wireless systems such as WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) and Wi-Fi® are used to eliminate physical connections, especially when parts are moving and it’s difficult to keep wires attached. Those connections, though, may not consistently maintain deterministic, low-latency communication in demanding industrial conditions.

These challenges illustrate why there’s a need for transmission methods that can support continuous motion without mechanical wear, all while providing real-time Ethernet communication with high reliability.

NearFi Technology Designed for Reliability

Phoenix Contact’s NearFi technology was developed specifically to resolve the power and data transmission challenges that come with continuous motion in automation systems. NearFi doesn’t depend on physical contacts or cables that eventually wear out or introduce electrical noise. Instead, it transfers both power and Ethernet data wirelessly across a short air gap, while maintaining real-time performance.

Phoenix Contact’s lineup of NearFi couplers includes the NEARFI PD 2A ETH B, NEARFI P 2A B, and NEARFI P 2A R, which enable contactless, real-time Ethernet connections and power transmission up to 50W across an air gap of a few centimeters (Figure 3). This approach eliminates slip ring brush wear and avoids cable failure caused by rotational or linear stress. Since they use common A-coded M12 connectors, these couplers can drop into typical automation wiring schemes without special adapters.

Figure 3: Phoenix Contact NearFi Couplers enable contactless, real-time Ethernet connections and power transmission up to 50W across an air gap of a few centimeters. (Source: Mouser Electronics)

Thanks to NearFi technology, these couplers deliver protocol-independent, near-latency-free, and full-duplex Ethernet data at speeds up to 100Mbps. Because these couplers work with all industrial Ethernet protocols, including EtherNet/IP, PROFINET (Process Field Net), Modbus, and EtherCAT, they can be dropped into existing network architectures without requiring a protocol change.

]]> https://ampelab.com/why-the-first-true-ai-revolution-will-happen-on-the-factory-floor-132/feed/ 0 Modernising Power Path Design with Nexperia Ideal Diode Devices https://ampelab.com/modernising-power-path-design-with-nexperia-ideal-diode-devices-130/ https://ampelab.com/modernising-power-path-design-with-nexperia-ideal-diode-devices-130/#respond Fri, 30 Jan 2026 07:38:15 +0000 https://ampelab.com/?p=130 A single damaged cable on a rotary table can quickly shut a line down in a factory setting. This means stopping production, calling maintenance, and eating the cost of downtime. In systems that operate nonstop, standard wiring just isn’t made for that kind of motion.

To keep these continuous systems running efficiently, engineers have to think about more than just power. They need data and control signals to keep moving, even while everything else is in motion. When motion becomes the norm, reliability must be a design priority rather than a convenience.

As this blog explores the motion-based design challenges engineers face in powering and communicating with work carriers and rotary tables, it will demonstrate how NearFi technology from Phoenix Contact provides a contactless, real-time solution for the deficiencies of traditional wiring, slip rings, and wireless communication methods.

Motion-Based Automation Components

Motion-based automation components, like work carriers and rotary tables, are basic components in industrial automation. They are responsible for constantly moving and positioning workpieces through the manufacturing, testing, and assembly processes. These systems move and position parts between stations, such as robotic arms, inspection points, or machining tools, as part of the steady production flow.

Work carriers, also known as workpiece carriers, move products along linear paths, between levels using elevators, or across overhead tracks (Figure 1). Since they operate repeatedly in fast-paced production cycles—often completing hundreds or thousands of transfers per shift—they are designed for constant motion under varying loads and travel distances.

Rotary tables are also developed for repeated motion, but they rotate workpieces in predefined increments to support assembly, machining, inspection, and surface treatment operations. These tables commonly perform full 360° rotations and frequently reposition products across multiple tooling or inspection stations during each cycle (Figure 2).

Figure 2: A standard rotary table. (Source: Aania/stock.adobe.com)

Because each of these automation systems run in constant motion, power and data connections that depend on physical wiring are repeatedly stressed and become prone to failure as a result.

The Power and Signal Transmission Challenge

Designing power and data delivery systems for motion-based automation equipment presents multiple reliability challenges. Traditional wiring is not dependable in these environments because constant motion can cause conductors to tire, tangle, or break over time. For rotary motion, slip rings are often used as an alternative power-transfer method, but their brushes are still in constant contact with the rotating ring, similarly leading to friction, wear, and regular maintenance. Under changing loads, slip rings can also present electromagnetic interference (EMI) that disrupts system performance.

Data transmission presents its own set of issues. In high-speed automation, receiving control signals or fault alerts in real time is critical. Even a millisecond delay can affect process accuracy or cause mechanical damage. In some cases, wireless systems such as WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) and Wi-Fi® are used to eliminate physical connections, especially when parts are moving and it’s difficult to keep wires attached. Those connections, though, may not consistently maintain deterministic, low-latency communication in demanding industrial conditions.

These challenges illustrate why there’s a need for transmission methods that can support continuous motion without mechanical wear, all while providing real-time Ethernet communication with high reliability.

NearFi Technology Designed for Reliability

Phoenix Contact’s NearFi technology was developed specifically to resolve the power and data transmission challenges that come with continuous motion in automation systems. NearFi doesn’t depend on physical contacts or cables that eventually wear out or introduce electrical noise. Instead, it transfers both power and Ethernet data wirelessly across a short air gap, while maintaining real-time performance.

Phoenix Contact’s lineup of NearFi couplers includes the NEARFI PD 2A ETH B, NEARFI P 2A B, and NEARFI P 2A R, which enable contactless, real-time Ethernet connections and power transmission up to 50W across an air gap of a few centimeters (Figure 3). This approach eliminates slip ring brush wear and avoids cable failure caused by rotational or linear stress. Since they use common A-coded M12 connectors, these couplers can drop into typical automation wiring schemes without special adapters.

Figure 3: Phoenix Contact NearFi Couplers enable contactless, real-time Ethernet connections and power transmission up to 50W across an air gap of a few centimeters. (Source: Mouser Electronics)

Thanks to NearFi technology, these couplers deliver protocol-independent, near-latency-free, and full-duplex Ethernet data at speeds up to 100Mbps. Because these couplers work with all industrial Ethernet protocols, including EtherNet/IP, PROFINET (Process Field Net), Modbus, and EtherCAT, they can be dropped into existing network architectures without requiring a protocol change.

]]> https://ampelab.com/modernising-power-path-design-with-nexperia-ideal-diode-devices-130/feed/ 0 New Tech Tuesdays: Smarter at the Edge: AI-Accelerated MCUs for Industrial IoT https://ampelab.com/new-tech-tuesdays-smarter-at-the-edge-ai-accelerated-mcus-for-industrial-iot-128/ https://ampelab.com/new-tech-tuesdays-smarter-at-the-edge-ai-accelerated-mcus-for-industrial-iot-128/#respond Fri, 30 Jan 2026 07:38:06 +0000 https://ampelab.com/?p=128 A single damaged cable on a rotary table can quickly shut a line down in a factory setting. This means stopping production, calling maintenance, and eating the cost of downtime. In systems that operate nonstop, standard wiring just isn’t made for that kind of motion.

To keep these continuous systems running efficiently, engineers have to think about more than just power. They need data and control signals to keep moving, even while everything else is in motion. When motion becomes the norm, reliability must be a design priority rather than a convenience.

As this blog explores the motion-based design challenges engineers face in powering and communicating with work carriers and rotary tables, it will demonstrate how NearFi technology from Phoenix Contact provides a contactless, real-time solution for the deficiencies of traditional wiring, slip rings, and wireless communication methods.

Motion-Based Automation Components

Motion-based automation components, like work carriers and rotary tables, are basic components in industrial automation. They are responsible for constantly moving and positioning workpieces through the manufacturing, testing, and assembly processes. These systems move and position parts between stations, such as robotic arms, inspection points, or machining tools, as part of the steady production flow.

Work carriers, also known as workpiece carriers, move products along linear paths, between levels using elevators, or across overhead tracks (Figure 1). Since they operate repeatedly in fast-paced production cycles—often completing hundreds or thousands of transfers per shift—they are designed for constant motion under varying loads and travel distances.

Rotary tables are also developed for repeated motion, but they rotate workpieces in predefined increments to support assembly, machining, inspection, and surface treatment operations. These tables commonly perform full 360° rotations and frequently reposition products across multiple tooling or inspection stations during each cycle (Figure 2).

Figure 2: A standard rotary table. (Source: Aania/stock.adobe.com)

Because each of these automation systems run in constant motion, power and data connections that depend on physical wiring are repeatedly stressed and become prone to failure as a result.

The Power and Signal Transmission Challenge

Designing power and data delivery systems for motion-based automation equipment presents multiple reliability challenges. Traditional wiring is not dependable in these environments because constant motion can cause conductors to tire, tangle, or break over time. For rotary motion, slip rings are often used as an alternative power-transfer method, but their brushes are still in constant contact with the rotating ring, similarly leading to friction, wear, and regular maintenance. Under changing loads, slip rings can also present electromagnetic interference (EMI) that disrupts system performance.

Data transmission presents its own set of issues. In high-speed automation, receiving control signals or fault alerts in real time is critical. Even a millisecond delay can affect process accuracy or cause mechanical damage. In some cases, wireless systems such as WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) and Wi-Fi® are used to eliminate physical connections, especially when parts are moving and it’s difficult to keep wires attached. Those connections, though, may not consistently maintain deterministic, low-latency communication in demanding industrial conditions.

These challenges illustrate why there’s a need for transmission methods that can support continuous motion without mechanical wear, all while providing real-time Ethernet communication with high reliability.

NearFi Technology Designed for Reliability

Phoenix Contact’s NearFi technology was developed specifically to resolve the power and data transmission challenges that come with continuous motion in automation systems. NearFi doesn’t depend on physical contacts or cables that eventually wear out or introduce electrical noise. Instead, it transfers both power and Ethernet data wirelessly across a short air gap, while maintaining real-time performance.

Phoenix Contact’s lineup of NearFi couplers includes the NEARFI PD 2A ETH B, NEARFI P 2A B, and NEARFI P 2A R, which enable contactless, real-time Ethernet connections and power transmission up to 50W across an air gap of a few centimeters (Figure 3). This approach eliminates slip ring brush wear and avoids cable failure caused by rotational or linear stress. Since they use common A-coded M12 connectors, these couplers can drop into typical automation wiring schemes without special adapters.

Figure 3: Phoenix Contact NearFi Couplers enable contactless, real-time Ethernet connections and power transmission up to 50W across an air gap of a few centimeters. (Source: Mouser Electronics)

Thanks to NearFi technology, these couplers deliver protocol-independent, near-latency-free, and full-duplex Ethernet data at speeds up to 100Mbps. Because these couplers work with all industrial Ethernet protocols, including EtherNet/IP, PROFINET (Process Field Net), Modbus, and EtherCAT, they can be dropped into existing network architectures without requiring a protocol change.

]]> https://ampelab.com/new-tech-tuesdays-smarter-at-the-edge-ai-accelerated-mcus-for-industrial-iot-128/feed/ 0 Quantum Computing Paves a Smarter Path to Resource Optimization https://ampelab.com/quantum-computing-paves-a-smarter-path-to-resource-optimization-126/ https://ampelab.com/quantum-computing-paves-a-smarter-path-to-resource-optimization-126/#respond Fri, 30 Jan 2026 07:37:53 +0000 https://ampelab.com/?p=126 A single damaged cable on a rotary table can quickly shut a line down in a factory setting. This means stopping production, calling maintenance, and eating the cost of downtime. In systems that operate nonstop, standard wiring just isn’t made for that kind of motion.

To keep these continuous systems running efficiently, engineers have to think about more than just power. They need data and control signals to keep moving, even while everything else is in motion. When motion becomes the norm, reliability must be a design priority rather than a convenience.

As this blog explores the motion-based design challenges engineers face in powering and communicating with work carriers and rotary tables, it will demonstrate how NearFi technology from Phoenix Contact provides a contactless, real-time solution for the deficiencies of traditional wiring, slip rings, and wireless communication methods.

Motion-Based Automation Components

Motion-based automation components, like work carriers and rotary tables, are basic components in industrial automation. They are responsible for constantly moving and positioning workpieces through the manufacturing, testing, and assembly processes. These systems move and position parts between stations, such as robotic arms, inspection points, or machining tools, as part of the steady production flow.

Work carriers, also known as workpiece carriers, move products along linear paths, between levels using elevators, or across overhead tracks (Figure 1). Since they operate repeatedly in fast-paced production cycles—often completing hundreds or thousands of transfers per shift—they are designed for constant motion under varying loads and travel distances.

Rotary tables are also developed for repeated motion, but they rotate workpieces in predefined increments to support assembly, machining, inspection, and surface treatment operations. These tables commonly perform full 360° rotations and frequently reposition products across multiple tooling or inspection stations during each cycle (Figure 2).

Figure 2: A standard rotary table. (Source: Aania/stock.adobe.com)

Because each of these automation systems run in constant motion, power and data connections that depend on physical wiring are repeatedly stressed and become prone to failure as a result.

The Power and Signal Transmission Challenge

Designing power and data delivery systems for motion-based automation equipment presents multiple reliability challenges. Traditional wiring is not dependable in these environments because constant motion can cause conductors to tire, tangle, or break over time. For rotary motion, slip rings are often used as an alternative power-transfer method, but their brushes are still in constant contact with the rotating ring, similarly leading to friction, wear, and regular maintenance. Under changing loads, slip rings can also present electromagnetic interference (EMI) that disrupts system performance.

Data transmission presents its own set of issues. In high-speed automation, receiving control signals or fault alerts in real time is critical. Even a millisecond delay can affect process accuracy or cause mechanical damage. In some cases, wireless systems such as WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) and Wi-Fi® are used to eliminate physical connections, especially when parts are moving and it’s difficult to keep wires attached. Those connections, though, may not consistently maintain deterministic, low-latency communication in demanding industrial conditions.

These challenges illustrate why there’s a need for transmission methods that can support continuous motion without mechanical wear, all while providing real-time Ethernet communication with high reliability.

NearFi Technology Designed for Reliability

Phoenix Contact’s NearFi technology was developed specifically to resolve the power and data transmission challenges that come with continuous motion in automation systems. NearFi doesn’t depend on physical contacts or cables that eventually wear out or introduce electrical noise. Instead, it transfers both power and Ethernet data wirelessly across a short air gap, while maintaining real-time performance.

Phoenix Contact’s lineup of NearFi couplers includes the NEARFI PD 2A ETH B, NEARFI P 2A B, and NEARFI P 2A R, which enable contactless, real-time Ethernet connections and power transmission up to 50W across an air gap of a few centimeters (Figure 3). This approach eliminates slip ring brush wear and avoids cable failure caused by rotational or linear stress. Since they use common A-coded M12 connectors, these couplers can drop into typical automation wiring schemes without special adapters.

Figure 3: Phoenix Contact NearFi Couplers enable contactless, real-time Ethernet connections and power transmission up to 50W across an air gap of a few centimeters. (Source: Mouser Electronics)

Thanks to NearFi technology, these couplers deliver protocol-independent, near-latency-free, and full-duplex Ethernet data at speeds up to 100Mbps. Because these couplers work with all industrial Ethernet protocols, including EtherNet/IP, PROFINET (Process Field Net), Modbus, and EtherCAT, they can be dropped into existing network architectures without requiring a protocol change.

]]> https://ampelab.com/quantum-computing-paves-a-smarter-path-to-resource-optimization-126/feed/ 0 New Tech Tuesdays: Solar-Powered Industrial Automation: Efficiency Off the Grid https://ampelab.com/new-tech-tuesdays-solar-powered-industrial-automation-efficiency-off-the-grid-124/ https://ampelab.com/new-tech-tuesdays-solar-powered-industrial-automation-efficiency-off-the-grid-124/#respond Fri, 30 Jan 2026 07:36:31 +0000 https://ampelab.com/?p=124 A single damaged cable on a rotary table can quickly shut a line down in a factory setting. This means stopping production, calling maintenance, and eating the cost of downtime. In systems that operate nonstop, standard wiring just isn’t made for that kind of motion.

To keep these continuous systems running efficiently, engineers have to think about more than just power. They need data and control signals to keep moving, even while everything else is in motion. When motion becomes the norm, reliability must be a design priority rather than a convenience.

As this blog explores the motion-based design challenges engineers face in powering and communicating with work carriers and rotary tables, it will demonstrate how NearFi technology from Phoenix Contact provides a contactless, real-time solution for the deficiencies of traditional wiring, slip rings, and wireless communication methods.

Motion-Based Automation Components

Motion-based automation components, like work carriers and rotary tables, are basic components in industrial automation. They are responsible for constantly moving and positioning workpieces through the manufacturing, testing, and assembly processes. These systems move and position parts between stations, such as robotic arms, inspection points, or machining tools, as part of the steady production flow.

Work carriers, also known as workpiece carriers, move products along linear paths, between levels using elevators, or across overhead tracks (Figure 1). Since they operate repeatedly in fast-paced production cycles—often completing hundreds or thousands of transfers per shift—they are designed for constant motion under varying loads and travel distances.

Rotary tables are also developed for repeated motion, but they rotate workpieces in predefined increments to support assembly, machining, inspection, and surface treatment operations. These tables commonly perform full 360° rotations and frequently reposition products across multiple tooling or inspection stations during each cycle (Figure 2).

Figure 2: A standard rotary table. (Source: Aania/stock.adobe.com)

Because each of these automation systems run in constant motion, power and data connections that depend on physical wiring are repeatedly stressed and become prone to failure as a result.

The Power and Signal Transmission Challenge

Designing power and data delivery systems for motion-based automation equipment presents multiple reliability challenges. Traditional wiring is not dependable in these environments because constant motion can cause conductors to tire, tangle, or break over time. For rotary motion, slip rings are often used as an alternative power-transfer method, but their brushes are still in constant contact with the rotating ring, similarly leading to friction, wear, and regular maintenance. Under changing loads, slip rings can also present electromagnetic interference (EMI) that disrupts system performance.

Data transmission presents its own set of issues. In high-speed automation, receiving control signals or fault alerts in real time is critical. Even a millisecond delay can affect process accuracy or cause mechanical damage. In some cases, wireless systems such as WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) and Wi-Fi® are used to eliminate physical connections, especially when parts are moving and it’s difficult to keep wires attached. Those connections, though, may not consistently maintain deterministic, low-latency communication in demanding industrial conditions.

These challenges illustrate why there’s a need for transmission methods that can support continuous motion without mechanical wear, all while providing real-time Ethernet communication with high reliability.

NearFi Technology Designed for Reliability

Phoenix Contact’s NearFi technology was developed specifically to resolve the power and data transmission challenges that come with continuous motion in automation systems. NearFi doesn’t depend on physical contacts or cables that eventually wear out or introduce electrical noise. Instead, it transfers both power and Ethernet data wirelessly across a short air gap, while maintaining real-time performance.

Phoenix Contact’s lineup of NearFi couplers includes the NEARFI PD 2A ETH B, NEARFI P 2A B, and NEARFI P 2A R, which enable contactless, real-time Ethernet connections and power transmission up to 50W across an air gap of a few centimeters (Figure 3). This approach eliminates slip ring brush wear and avoids cable failure caused by rotational or linear stress. Since they use common A-coded M12 connectors, these couplers can drop into typical automation wiring schemes without special adapters.

Figure 3: Phoenix Contact NearFi Couplers enable contactless, real-time Ethernet connections and power transmission up to 50W across an air gap of a few centimeters. (Source: Mouser Electronics)

Thanks to NearFi technology, these couplers deliver protocol-independent, near-latency-free, and full-duplex Ethernet data at speeds up to 100Mbps. Because these couplers work with all industrial Ethernet protocols, including EtherNet/IP, PROFINET (Process Field Net), Modbus, and EtherCAT, they can be dropped into existing network architectures without requiring a protocol change.

]]> https://ampelab.com/new-tech-tuesdays-solar-powered-industrial-automation-efficiency-off-the-grid-124/feed/ 0