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RS and RS PRO streamline control panel integration in automated industrial environments

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The RS PRO Total Panel Integration portfolio helps industrial customers achieve the operational alignment and competitive savings that today’s complex automated environments demand without compromising on quality or performance.

FORT WORTH, Texas, July 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — RS, a high-service global product and service solutions provider for industrial customers, provides comprehensive support for the rapidly accelerating cross-market trend towards control panel integration, which is being driven by digital transformation and smart factory initiatives.

Digital transformation requires control panel integration. RS PRO delivers.

As industrial automation becomes increasingly ubiquitous and the cost of unplanned downtime continues to rise, industrial operators can’t afford to continue treating control panels as isolated collections of components instead of cohesive command centers.

Achieving this level of operational alignment requires an integrated approach to industrial control panels. This methodology involves harmonizing the panel design, sourcing, and building processes, as well as the power and logic components in the panel, the control and signal components on the panel, the structural and connectivity components outside of the panel, and the tools required for installation and maintenance. It also effectively addresses a variety of common operating challenges in discrete and process manufacturing, energy and utilities, and facilities and intralogistics applications.

Control panel integration:

Streamlines supply chains by consolidating component sourcing and reducing the time, administrative expense, and risk of delays associated with managing dozens of different purchase orders and inconsistent lead times. Eliminates component compatibility concerns that can lead to issues like loose terminations, EMI, RFI, improper voltage and current matching, overheating, arcing, compliance issues, and accelerated wear and tearMaximizes spatial and thermal efficiency to prevent overheating and facilitate scalabilityAccelerates design cycles by optimizing layouts, simplifying wiring, vetting components for physical and electrical compatibility, and ensuring standards complianceSimplifies maintenance with optimized layouts and smart solutions that support advanced diagnostics, facilitate predictive maintenance, and accelerate troubleshootingDrastically reduces the risk of unexpected failures and downtime

RS provides a comprehensive selection of products and services for designing, sourcing, and building integrated industrial control panels, including the RS PRO Total Panel Integration portfolio, which offers a broad range of value-driven industrial-grade components proven to help industrial customers realize these many impactful advantages.

These products, like all RS PRO brand products, are meticulously designed and manufactured to meet the needs of engineers and operators in virtually every industrial environment and provide competitive savings compared to branded alternatives without compromising performance, allowing customers of all sizes to work confidently across industries.

The RS PRO Total Panel Integration portfolio features products designed for use in, on, and outside of industrial control panels, including more than 9,700 switches and 3,000 signaling solutions.

In-panel RS PRO switches and signaling solutions designed to govern control logic, safely isolate power circuits, and provide localized diagnostic feedback essential to quick and effective troubleshooting include more than:

2,000 toggle switches that allow technicians to manually control various auxiliary functions, like enclosure lighting, climate control systems, and diagnostic overrides450 basic snap-action switches, also called microswitches, that are widely used as physical door interlocks to protect personnel by automatically cutting power or triggering an alert when enclosures are opened when the system is online250 slide switches that allow technicians to manually select different operating modes (e.g., manual vs. automatic), set specific operating parameters during panel setup and maintenance, such as voltage ranges and network communication addresses, safely disable specific inputs or outputs during maintenance, and isolate circuits, force output states, or trigger test sequences when troubleshooting

As well as a variety of:

Disconnect switches – critical safety mechanisms used to completely isolate incoming electrical power from the control panel during maintenance, overhauls, or emergenciesContact blocks – modular switching mechanisms that attach to the back of operator-facing pushbuttons or switches and translate mechanical actuation into signals used to and physically open and close electrical circuits and govern machines’ electrical logicSmall indicator lights and low-volume buzzers designed to be mounted to subpanels or DIN rails and used as diagnostic tools for specific components or subcircuits

On-panel RS PRO switches and signaling solutions designed to serve as primary human-machine interfaces that allow technicians to safely govern machinery and identify faults without risking exposure to high-voltage electronics include more than:

4,450 pushbutton switches that allow operators to quickly and safely start, stop, or reset automated industrial processes by activating internal contact blocks1,850 panel-mount indicators that use color coding to provide instant visual feedback about current machine and system status, such as active power, normal operation, or critical faults1,500 rocker switches that allow operators to select between two distinct operating states or provide or cut power to connected devices, like peripheral lighting and fans, with a simple, ergonomic rocking motion450 rotary switches that allow personnel to select between different settings (e.g., speeds) and operating modes (e.g., manual vs. automatic) by spinning a knob or dial350 buzzers that complement visual indicators by providing audible warnings when specific conditions, like startup sequences or equipment faults, require urgent attention — ensuring that the message gets communicated even if on-site personnel isn’t actively looking at the control panel200 analog and digital displays that provide operators with real-time process data, such a temperature, pressure, or flow rates, directly from the panel using either a mechanical needle on a calibrated scale or precise numerical readouts that can also be integrated into automated data logging systems

Off-panel RS PRO switches and signaling solutions designed to mount directly on factory walls or machinery, like conveyor lines, detect and communicate physical changes and machine states, and send data signals back to the main control panel to help protect personnel and equipment from harm and optimize operational efficiency include more than:

250 beacons that use bright, flashing, and rotating lights to provide high-visibility, wide-area signaling that quickly and effectively communicates machine status or identifies critical hazards in large, noisy production environments200 light towers that use stackable color-coded tiers to provide highly visible 360° machine status indication (e.g., normal operation, material shortages, critical faults) and allow operators and floor supervisors to simultaneously monitor multiple machines and conditions from long distances150 limit switches that use electrical signals elicited by direct mechanical contact to detect the presence, position, or travel limits of moving machine components and enable control systems to accurately and automatically monitor, sequence, and stop movement50 sounders – high-decibel heavy-duty audible alarms designed to reliably break through industrial noise and communicate critical warnings, like machine malfunctions and evacuation alerts, over long distancesEmergency stop switches – high-visibility red-on-yellow mushroom-head safety switches that are primarily installed at various high-risk operator stations throughout product lines so personnel can instantly stop machinery in emergency situations

These and other products in the RS PRO Total Panel Integration portfolio are ideal for use in both new and upgrade-ready control cabinets deployed — or destined to be deployed — in virtually every segment of the industrial market, extending from the machine building and electronics, automotive, medical, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical, and paper and packaging manufacturing industries to the material handling and packaging, warehousing, telecommunications, transportation, utilities, and even commercial entertainment industries.

“Achieving operational alignment in today’s increasingly complex automated industrial environments requires harmonized panel design, sourcing, and building processes and seamless coordination between the logic inside of control panels, the human-machine interfaces on control panels, and the field devices that send essential machine data back to control panels,” said RS PRO Director Erick Moreira. “The RS PRO Total Panel Integration portfolio offers a comprehensive selection of rigorously tested and proven industrial-grade control panel products that can help customers realize a range of benefits — especially when combined with RS value-added services spanning engineering support to custom assembly. Impacts range from streamlined supply chains, guaranteed component compatibility, optimal spatial and thermal efficiency, and competitive savings to accelerated design cycles, simplified maintenance, and drastically reduced risks of unexpected downtime.”

The RS PRO portfolio features more than 90,000 products across 1,500 technologies. All RS PRO products are meticulously designed and manufactured to meet the needs of today’s industrial engineers and deliver an exceptional combination of quality, choice, and value, and many can be combined into integrated solutions to further simplify customers’ sourcing and purchasing processes. They’re also all backed by the RS PRO Seal of Approval, which is only awarded after a rigorous testing, inspection, and auditing process based on demanding international standards. In addition, most RS PRO products are covered by a three-year warranty. This unique value proposition has earned RS PRO more than half a million industrial customers and counting, as well as an astonishingly low return rate of less than 0.05%.

To learn more about the RS PRO Total Panel Integration portfolio, which also offers a wide variety of enclosures, power supplies, miniature circuit breakers, contactors, tools, relays, connectors, cable assemblies, DIN rails, and more, please visit the links embedded here, check out the RS PRO panel building solutions product guide, the RS PRO tools flyer, and the RS PRO wire and cable products flyer.

For more information about industrial control panels, check out relevant selections from the RS Expert Advice series, including “Industrial control panel design and engineering,” an interview with Jordan Ward, the Circuit Protection and Controls Business Developer at Siemens, and this control panel podcast interview with Juan Carlos Garcia, a Components Product Manager at Omron Automation.

Ready to adopt the Total Panel Integration trend? Contact your local RS representative at 1.866.433.5722 or reach out to our technical support team for proven product and service support.

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About RS
RS is a high-service global product and service solutions provider for industrial customers, enabling them to operate efficiently and sustainably. We operate in 33 markets, stock over 875,000 industrial and specialist products, and list an additional five million relevant for our industrial customers, sourced from over 2,500 suppliers. This extensive range supports our customers across the industrial lifecycle of designing, building, and maintaining equipment and operations. We enhance their experience through a tailored service model, leveraging our efficient physical, digital, and process infrastructure sustainably. We combine a technically led and digitally enabled approach with an exceptional team of experts; ultimately, it’s our people that make the difference. Our purpose, making amazing happen for a better world, reflects our focus on delivering results for people, planet, and profit.

RS Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange with stock ticker RS1, and in the year ended March 31, 2026, reported revenue of $3,871.07 million. For more information, please visit https://www.rsgroup.com/ or connect with us on LinkedIn or X (Twitter).

About RS in the Americas
In the Americas region, RS stocks more than 250,000 industrial and electronic products from more than 700 trusted suppliers. These solutions cover categories extending from automation and control equipment to interconnect, passive, active, and electromechanical components and include more than 90,000 high-quality, competitively priced RS PRO products. For more information, please visit https://us.rs-online.com or connect with us via social media on LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.

Editorial Contact & Media Inquiries:
Laurie Tortorello, Director of People & Culture Communications, RS Americas
Laurie.Tortorello@rsgroup.com

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Global Security & Technology Summit Unveils Month-Long Program of Activities Ahead of December Event

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Organizing Committee of the Global Security & Technology Summit (GSTS) held an introductory session today at the Ministry of Interior’s headquarters in Riyadh, bringing together representatives from the government, private, and nonprofit sectors to introduce the program of activities leading up to the summit. The upcoming summit will be held in Riyadh under the patronage of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, under the supervision of HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Interior, and organized by the Ministry of Interior in cooperation with Tuwaiq Academy.

During the session, the Organizing Committee presented the comprehensive GSTS program, comprising three key components: GSTS Month, running from November 1 to 30, 2026; the Global Security & Innovation Fair (SAIF), taking place from November 24 to 26, 2026; and the main Summit, scheduled for December 18 to 20, 2026, in Riyadh. Together, these events form an integrated program designed to advance security and technology innovation, strengthen national capabilities, and foster international cooperation.

GSTS Month will feature working groups, boot camps, training programs, knowledge-sharing sessions, and technical workshops across Saudi Arabia’s 13 administrative regions, delivered both in person and remotely in collaboration with specialized entities. The month-long program aims to develop national capabilities, identify emerging talent, enrich knowledge-sharing opportunities, and equip professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to develop innovative solutions to future security and technology challenges.

The main Summit will bring together global leaders, decision-makers, experts, and innovators to explore the future of security and technology, promote the integration of advanced technologies within the security sector, strengthen national capabilities, support innovation, and foster international cooperation, further positioning the Kingdom as a global hub for security and technology.

Showcasing the latest technological breakthroughs and security solutions, the summit will bring together government entities, private sector organizations, academic institutions, and research centers to facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration across key fields, including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), smart security solutions, emerging technologies, and crisis management. The program will also feature main sessions, specialized discussions, and interactive exhibitions. Registration is available at gsts.sa.

Advisor to HRH the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the GSTS Organizing Committee, Ahmed Altowayan, stated that the summit builds on Saudi Arabia’s efforts to establish an advanced security and technology ecosystem focused on knowledge and innovation, keeping pace with rapid developments and future challenges.

Mr. Altowayan noted that the summit is a global platform for strengthening cooperation and exchanging expertise, anticipating future developments in security and technology, and developing strategic partnerships and innovative solutions that enhance the efficiency and readiness of security systems.

Vice Chairman of the GSTS Organizing Committee, Eng. Abdulaziz Alhammadi, said that the summit will offer a range of integrated programs and activities focused on enhancing national skills, encouraging innovation, and supporting international cooperation.

He added that GSTS Month will help build national capabilities, discover talent, and develop skills, with SAIF providing a platform for innovators and researchers from around the world to showcase leading technological solutions, while the main Summit will bring together leaders and experts to discuss the future of security and technology and explore new strategic partnership opportunities.

SAIF will take place at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center, bringing together innovators, researchers, technology talents, and industry experts from around the world to showcase promising innovations and projects across 14 fields of technology and innovation. The fair will provide opportunities to engage with project owners, including students, graduates, and entrepreneurs, and explore the different stages of innovation development through interactive zones, panel discussions on emerging security and innovation trends, and knowledge-sharing workshops led by specialists. Visitor registration is open to participants from within and outside the Kingdom through saifair.sa.

The introductory session also featured contributions from representatives of government, private, and nonprofit sector entities, alongside members of the media. Discussions focused on developing national capabilities in security and technology, strengthening students’ technical expertise, translating scientific research into practical solutions, and supporting Saudi companies in developing security and technology solutions and advancing digital transformation.

Organized by the Ministry of Interior in cooperation with Tuwaiq Academy, GSTS is produced by Tahaluf, with the Ministry of Education serving as Strategic Scientific Partner, Tahakom as Founding Partner, and Elm as Principal Partner.

Registration for participants from within and outside the Kingdom is available at gsts.sa.

Click here to view the media kit. 

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Axon Announces Body 5: Next-Generation Camera Built for the AI Era

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Axon Body 5 delivers 25x the AI processing power of earlier-generation cameras, with upgraded connectivity, audio and battery life to support real-time situational awareness in the field

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Axon (Nasdaq: AXON), the global leader in public safety technology, today announced Axon Body 5, its newest body-worn camera designed to bring more powerful intelligence, connectivity and real-time support directly to officers in the field.

For years, Axon body cameras have helped agencies capture critical evidence and create greater transparency. Body 5 is built to help officers during the call, with information, assistance and backup on the spot.

“Officers shouldn’t have to choose between getting information and watching the scene. With Axon Body 5, they don’t,” said Rick Smith, Axon Founder and CEO. “They capture a license or document with the camera, keep their hands free and eyes up, and get information faster than writing it down and calling it in by radio. An officer fully engaged with the person in front of them, not down at a notepad, is a safer officer and a better-served community.”

Axon Body 5: Built for the AI Era

Built from the ground up for the AI era, Axon Body 5 delivers 25x the AI processing power than earlier generation Axon body cameras, alongside advancements in connectivity, audio, video and battery life. Together, these upgrades give the camera the physical power to run smarter AI features — both today and as new AI tools are developed in the future — while also making it more dependable for officers to use every day. 

For the first time, Axon is also introducing two versions of its latest flagship camera: Axon Body 5 and Axon Body 5 Pro.

Both models feature several key advancements, including:

25x more processing power for AI: A powerful new computing architecture creates the capacity to support current and future AI features directly on the body camera.Enhanced video: Improved video captures clearer evidence across challenging environments, including better low-light performance.Improved connectivity: Seamless connectivity in urban and remote environments – and more precise location capability – helps officers, cameras and remote support teams stay connected when timely information matters most.Longer battery life: 20% more battery life than the previous generation helps keep the camera ready and connected throughout an officer’s shift.

The Axon Body 5 Pro will continue to gain new AI capabilities as they become available, growing along with the AI Era Plan. Additionally, new hardware features include:

A near-focus camera: An additional dedicated camera lens lets officers scan driver’s licenses to check status and search for wants or warrants in seconds, without returning to the patrol vehicle, with relevant information sent to Axon Fusus to support real-time operations.Front-facing speakers: Four additional speakers project even more powerful audio toward the person an officer is speaking with, helping real-time translations from Axon Assistant carry more clearly over heavy traffic or crowd noise. Additional memory: Extra space lets the camera run several AI tools at once, helping officers stay better informed and work faster.

Bringing More of Axon’s AI Era Into the Field

Axon Body 5 helps officers get more out of the Axon AI Era Plan by bringing smart tools right to the scene. Axon’s portfolio already supports public safety professionals across a growing range of tasks. For example, Draft One helps officers turn body-camera audio into high-quality report drafts and Axon Assistant provides voice-based information access and real-time translation.

Increasingly, Axon is also bringing AI into real-time operations.

Axon Guardian is a new category of AI features within the AI Era Plan that was specifically created to work with an officer’s field-based devices – starting with body cameras and in-car cameras – to improve safety. Guardian is designed to flag potential risks as situations unfold and create alerts when additional attention may be needed. Two of the first features include:

Escalation Detection: When an Axon Body 4 or Axon Body 5 camera is activated and recording, Guardian has the ability to detect potential conflicts in real time and create an alert in Axon Fusus. A human reviews the livestream and decides if additional support or action is needed.Approach Alert: When active on Axon Fleet 3, Guardian can detect if the door of a stopped vehicle opens and alert the officer through the in-car display and their body-worn camera.

Combined, Axon Body 5 and the expanding AI Era portfolio demonstrate the importance of AI as a critical resource to assist public safety professionals before, during and after an incident — reducing administrative burden, improving situational awareness and helping protect more lives.

Innovating Responsibly

Axon’s Responsible Innovation framework guides the development of all of its products. Designed with this in mind, Axon Body 5 and Guardian prioritize human oversight and maintain agency control over data. As a key part of the responsible innovation process, Axon’s independent Ethics and Equity Advisory Council was created to help responsibly develop and deploy new technologies with transparency, while aligning with community expectations.

General availability dates for Axon Body 5 and Axon Guardian will be announced soon. Product features and capabilities vary by configuration. For more information on Axon’s current products and services: Axon Product Catalog – Axon.com.

About Axon
Axon (Nasdaq: AXON) is the global leader in public safety technology supporting state, local, federal and international public safety agencies with technology designed to Protect Life. Complementing its mission, Axon’s growing Enterprise market focuses on protecting critical infrastructure and frontline workers across multiple industries including corporate security, hospitality, retail and healthcare. Founder-led since 1993, Axon builds products with transparency and responsibility. From TASER energy devices to today’s connected network of hardware – including cameras, drones, and robotics – cloud software, sensors, and AI-tools, the Axon ecosystem helps seamlessly protect people and places when it matters most. To ensure these technologies align with community expectations, Axon’s independent Ethics & Equity Advisory Council guides the ethical, inclusive, and accountable design of its products and services. Learn more about the EEAC and Axon’s Responsible Innovation framework at Axon Responsibility. 

Non-Axon trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Axon, TASER and the Delta Logo are trademarks of Axon Enterprise, Inc., some of which are registered in the US and other countries. For more information, visit www.axon.com/legal. All rights reserved.

Please visit https://investor.axon.com and https://www.axon.com/newsroom for more information.

Media Contact:
Kate MacKinnon
Vice President, Communications
press@axon.com

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In HelloNation, Custom Fabrication Expert Mark Coyle Explains a Common Mistake in Custom Aluminum Design

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The article explains why smart geometry, not thicker walls, creates stronger, more efficient aluminum components.

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What early design choice causes many custom aluminum projects to become heavier, costlier, or harder to manufacture? That question is addressed in a HelloNation article featuring insights from Custom Fabrication Expert Mark Coyle of American Custom Metals, Inc. in Rochester, New York, that outlines how misunderstanding aluminum behavior leads designers to rely on thick walls instead of stronger geometry.

The article begins by explaining that many people assume thicker walls automatically make aluminum parts stronger. It notes that aluminum does not respond to wall thickness the way steel does. Instead, its performance is shaped by how the metal flows through the extrusion die. The article states that custom aluminum design is more effective when profiles use ribs, chambers, and flanges to create stiffness without adding unnecessary weight. This guidance helps readers understand why adding material often increases cost without improving strength.

The article also highlights that thicker walls change how aluminum moves during extrusion. When heavy areas fill more slowly, the metal cools unevenly and can develop stress that only appears later. The HelloNation piece explains that well-balanced geometry keeps extrusion smooth and predictable. This consistency makes it easier to maintain dimensional accuracy across long production runs. By focusing on geometry, custom aluminum design avoids the problems that come with slow extrusion speeds and uneven cooling.

Another insight in the article centers on how ribs and internal supports influence stability. It describes how a thin wall supported by a properly placed rib often performs better than a thick wall with no reinforcement. This happens because the rib helps distribute load, improve stiffness, and guide the aluminum as it cools. The article explains that this structural approach makes custom aluminum design more efficient and gives designers more control over how the final part behaves under pressure.

The article also shows why early collaboration between designer and fabricator prevents costly changes. It states that a fabricator familiar with extrusion can catch potential issues before a die is built. Small adjustments to corners or transitions can remove weak points or improve metal flow. The article notes that this teamwork keeps the design aligned with real-world production. By working together early, both sides reduce the risk of redesigning the die after the first test run.

Machining is another area where the article explains how wall thickness affects performance. Features such as deep pockets or sharp internal angles may require slow feed rates or special tooling. When walls are thicker than needed, those areas can become difficult to machine cleanly. The article states that thoughtful custom aluminum design makes machining more predictable. Small changes, such as adding radiused edges or sizing features to match standard tools, help shorten cycle times and prevent tool wear.

Thermal behavior receives detailed attention as well. The article explains that aluminum retains heat differently depending on the mass of each section. Thicker walls hold heat longer, which increases the chance of distortion during extrusion, machining, or finishing. When a design uses geometry to create strength, the material cools more evenly. This reduces warping and helps long profiles stay aligned. The article notes that stable cooling is important for components that require a precise fit and consistent shape throughout an entire production run.

Cost is also a key topic in the article. It states that heavier profiles increase material use, extrusion time, and tooling needs. A custom aluminum design that relies on geometry instead of mass lowers material consumption and keeps the fabrication process efficient. The article explains that lighter parts are easier to handle, ship, and assemble. This saves money across multiple stages of production and supports long-term manufacturing efficiency.

The article also notes that smart custom aluminum design creates profiles that behave predictably during extrusion and machining. Smooth transitions, balanced wall dimensions, and structural features help reduce the chance of distortion or dimensional drift. These elements also lower scrap rates and support reliable performance. By using geometry instead of excess material, designers build parts that maintain strength without compromising manufacturability.

As the article concludes, it emphasizes that avoiding thick walls is one of the best ways to improve performance and lower cost. It states that the most dependable custom aluminum components come from designs that use structural features to strengthen the profile. When designers understand how aluminum behaves at each stage of extrusion and machining, they create parts that are strong, efficient, and consistent from batch to batch. This approach turns custom aluminum design into a predictable process rather than a series of uncertain adjustments.

A Common Mistake in Custom Aluminum Design features insights from Mark Coyle, Custom Fabrication Expert of Rochester, NY, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation
HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

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