Latest Agriculture Articles

Categories

Fraunhofer Develops New Technology for Autonomous Seafloor and Surface Marine Mapping

Fraunhofer Develops New Technology for Autonomous Seafloor and Surface Marine Mapping

Autonomous river, lake and port mapping with Fraunhofer’s new unmanned surface vessel (USV) can help reduce the cost of expensive surveying necessary for safe navigation and maritime commerce.


News Aug 11, 2023 by Damond Goodwin
What Does ‘Explosion Proof’ Mean, and Who Should Care?

What Does ‘Explosion Proof’ Mean, and Who Should Care?

Some workplaces are more dangerous than others, not because of the practices, but rather the products. Where do explosions occur, and what practices exist to reduce such risk for equipment and workforce?


Explaining User-Defined Data Types for PLC Programming

Explaining User-Defined Data Types for PLC Programming

User-defined data types (UDTs) are a powerful and useful tool when applied to their full advantage. However, misused, they can become problematic and introduce roadblocks to troubleshooting and upgrading PLC programs.


Creating a Low-Cost OpenPLC Pulse Timer Function Block HMI with an M5Stack Core

Creating a Low-Cost OpenPLC Pulse Timer Function Block HMI with an M5Stack Core

Triggering a machine by an external event often requires a pulse timer for OpenPLC Pulse Timer control. Here’s a brief tutorial on how an M5Stack Core can offer a simple, effective low-cost Arduino OpenPLC HMI solution.


Control Automation Welcomes Steve Kuehn as New Editor-in-Chief

Control Automation Welcomes Steve Kuehn as New Editor-in-Chief

Industrial automation industry leader, Steven Kuehn, joins Control Automation as the new Editor-in-Chief.


News Aug 03, 2023 by Dale Wilson
The Annual Control Engineering Survey - 2023 Edition

The Annual Control Engineering Survey - 2023 Edition

The quality of content from our educational site comes from understanding our audience and your needs. Help give us the best snapshot of today’s control industry, along with a free chance to win one of several Amazon card prizes!


News Aug 01, 2023 by David Peterson
It’s a Guac in the Park: Chipotle and Vebu Unite to Test Avocado Prep Cobot

It’s a Guac in the Park: Chipotle and Vebu Unite to Test Avocado Prep Cobot

Vebu and Chipotle collaborate to enhance and test the capabilities of Autocado, a guacamole prep cobot that could slash prep time by as much as 50%.


News Aug 01, 2023 by Stephanie Leonida
Understanding the Automation Lingo: PLC, PAC, RTU, DCS, and SCADA

Understanding the Automation Lingo: PLC, PAC, RTU, DCS, and SCADA

What are these terms, PLC, PAC, RTU, DCS, SCADA? Why are they so important to industrial robotics and automation? Explore how each different piece functions to build a comprehensive automated system.


Exploring the Air | UAVs Provide Quality Data for Outdoor Environments

Exploring the Air | UAVs Provide Quality Data for Outdoor Environments

Recently, drones have been providing new data for a variety of specialty projects related to public safety, environmental monitoring, and interaction with nature in many innovative areas.


News Jul 28, 2023 by Seth Price
Examples of Analog Signals in Control Systems

Examples of Analog Signals in Control Systems

Many articles address the wiring and implementation of analog control signals, but where are they used, and what might make them a better (or perhaps worse) decision than digital input/output devices?


Potential Problems Arising from Misuse of Motor Phase Wiring

Potential Problems Arising from Misuse of Motor Phase Wiring

Using the right motor for the right task is critical - but what happens if the motor is connected to the wrong supply? It is never recommended, but important to quickly understand symptoms of incorrect wiring.


Fundamentals of Directional Control Valves in Fluid Control Systems

Fundamentals of Directional Control Valves in Fluid Control Systems

Directional control valves (DCVs) come in many shapes and sizes for pneumatic and hydraulic applications. Learn to distinguish the different configurations and the meaning of external markings.


Newly Released: Exclusive Control.com Robotics Textbook

Newly Released: Exclusive Control.com Robotics Textbook

The engineering team at Control.com has written a brand-new textbook section explaining the fundamentals of robotics, explaining the most recent innovations in industrial, collaborative, and mobile robots.


News Jul 14, 2023 by David Peterson
Control.com’s Most Popular Content: a Recap of First Half 2023

Control.com’s Most Popular Content: a Recap of First Half 2023

After an amazing first half in 2023, with site records being broken in many categories, we have you, our viewers, to thank! But what content have you been enjoying most? Articles, forums, the textbook?


News Jun 28, 2023 by David Peterson
ABB Robotics and Junglekeepers Combat Deforestation, One Cobot at a Time

ABB Robotics and Junglekeepers Combat Deforestation, One Cobot at a Time

In one of the most remote corners of the world lives an ABB YuMi robot, quite worthy of an Indiana Jones theme tune intro, using cloud technology and working hard to help restore the Amazon rainforest.


News Jun 23, 2023 by Stephanie Leonida
Ignition SCADA Software: What are Tags and How are They Used?

Ignition SCADA Software: What are Tags and How are They Used?

An introduction to the various tag types used within one of the leading supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) software powering IIoT, HMI, and I4.0 applications: Ignition by Inductive Automation.


Controlling and Troubleshooting Common DC Motors

Controlling and Troubleshooting Common DC Motors

Direct current (DC) motors have existed since the late 19th century. What sets these motors apart from AC models, how do you control them, and how can you tell when it’s time to repair or replace them?


Expanding I/O in the Field: Banner Engineering New Discrete Modbus Hub

Expanding I/O in the Field: Banner Engineering New Discrete Modbus Hub

Recently, Banner released a new lineup of eight-port discrete converters, allowing input of up to 16 different digital I/O devices and assigning them to pre-defined Modbus registers for ease of integration.


News Jun 13, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich
Industrial and Robotic Connectors: Choosing Suitable Contacts for Cable Connections

Industrial and Robotic Connectors: Choosing Suitable Contacts for Cable Connections

Selecting a suitable electrical connector is a process that is based on how you will terminate it to the system. This article provides advice on how to make the right contact selection for your industrial or robotic system.


New Mitsubishi Electric Compact PLC: More I/O Power in a Smaller Size

New Mitsubishi Electric Compact PLC: More I/O Power in a Smaller Size

Mitsubishi Electric Automation expands the iQ-F series of compact PLCs with the powerful and affordable FX5S that uses familiar programming software while increasing the range of I/O and communication.


News Jun 11, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich