The International Society of Automation (ISA) has published the fourth edition of its Guide to the Automation Body of Knowledge, which provides an overview of automation concepts and processes, and describes the skills needed to implement them. The 624-page book is produced by nearly 30 experts on all aspects of automation. As well as appealing to readers interested in the topic, it can help those studying for the ISA’s Certified Automation Professional (CAP), Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST) and/or Professional Engineer (PE) Control Systems Engineer (CSE) exams. The book is available in a printed version (starting at $235) or an ebook (from $188). www.isa.org Report highlights move towards DC technologies ABB and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) have published a report showing how DC is moving to the centre of industrial, commercial and digital infrastructures. Rapid expansion of AI computing and the rise of renewable energy are driving interest in DC. The report – The Strategic Case for Hybrid AC/DC Power – argues that establishing common standards and developing DC-specific skills could accelerate deployment. Although most interest is focused on 800V DC systems for data centres, the report suggests that automation-intensive manufacturing and commercial buildings could also benefit from DC systems through lower losses, more effective integration of renewables, and enhanced flexibility. www.abb.com/global/en/company/innovation/ hybrid-ac-dc-power Videos discuss cybersecurity research and strategies Rockwell Automation has announced a new season of its ROKStudios video interviews, in which customers and consultants discuss cybersecurity. The videos, recorded in the UK, explore how manufacturers are strengthening their cyber-resilience as connected operations, IT/OT convergence and increasing threats reshape operational risks. It highlights the move from awareness to execution in securing industrial environments. Interviewees include representatives of Mondelēz International and William Grant & Sons. www.rockwellautomation.com/ en-gb/company/news/presentations/rokstudios Guide helps to choose the best method for sharing CAD data Tech Soft 3D, the developer of SpinFire CAD applications, has published guidance to help choose the best method for sharing CAD data: via a CAD viewer; translating CAD files; or via 3D PDFs. It says that choosing the wrong one can waste time, create confusion and expose data. When CAD data leaves its original system, it can result in files that cannot be opened, incorrect file versions, or receiving screenshots instead of usable 3D models. www.techsoft3d.com 48 n NEW PRODUCTS n DESIGN DATA AND MULTIMEDIA October 2026 www.drivesncontrols.com ISA announces new edition of its automation guide Puls has announced a range of field-mounted power supplies for decentralised automation and intralogistics applications. The single-phase supplies provide 24V DC in the field, reducing the need for centralised control cabinets, shortening cable runs, and simplifying installation. Available in 100W and 200W versions, the supplies are designed to power sensors, actuators, distributed I/O devices and smaller control systems. The supplies are part of Puls’ Fiepos (field power supply) family and offer efficiencies of up to 95.1%. With lifetimes exceeding 200,000 hours, they are designed to improve uptime in demanding conditions. The supplies have IP65 and IP67 protection and support installation close to industrial loads, helping manufacturers to cut installation costs, simplify machine designs and improve efficiency. A version with IO-Link communications enables enhanced diagnostics and remote monitoring, supporting predictive maintenance and improving system visibility. Puls 01525 841001 www.pulspower.com/uk Inline system performs 360-degree, 3D inspections of complex profiles Field-mounted 24V DC power supplies simplify installations Micro-Epsilon has introduced an inline, non-contact measuring system for precise 3D geometrical inspection of surfaces, profiles and semifinished products, such as round or flat materials, square or hexagonal profiles, as well as complex, free-form shapes. The system accuracy of the profileGauge X.LP-3D system is said to be up to ±5μm. It offers a standard measuring range of 40mm (with ranges of up to 120mm being possible). The system comprises four laser profile scanners positioned at 90-degree intervals, allowing 360-degree profile measurements of objects. This arrangement also reduces shadowing in complex geometries, while increasing the detectable surface area of the object. Each scanner projects a laser line onto the object. A precise height profile is calculated from the deformation of the reflected light, and software merges the four profiles into one 3D dataset and evaluates the inspection characteristics. The system can measure different profiles such as round materials, square profiles, flat materials, hexagonal profiles and complex shapes. Depending on the task, it can check width, height, thickness, angle, radii, depths, gap dimensions, diameters, as well as shape, position and target/actual deviations. It supports continuous quality control in the production of profiles and semifinished products. Calibration is automatic and takes less than two seconds. Micro-Epsilon 0151 355 6070 www.micro-epsilon.co.uk
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