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Predictive Maintenance: Defect Analysis Using Electrical Current

Predictive Maintenance: Defect Analysis Using Electrical Current

Electrical signal analysis has come to the forefront of predictive maintenance, helping to reduce downtime in industrial manufacturing by remotely identifying problems with electric motors and generators.


Data from Control System to Cloud - Industry 4.0 Communication Protocols

Data from Control System to Cloud - Industry 4.0 Communication Protocols

Communication protocols are a key component for an industry 4.0 compliant facility and are used to enable communication back and forth between cloud servers to transmit data or receive instructions.


Introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)

Introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)

Programmable Logic Control (PLC) systems are the core of most industrial control systems that drive modern manufacturing. In our Control.com video tutorials, we will share information, experience, and tips for working with PLCs—from the hardware, to the wiring, to the programming logic of inputs, outputs, and communication processes.


Migrating PLC Software

Migrating PLC Software

Software obsolescence poses a threat in industrial automation equal to hardware obsolescence and should not be overlooked. Many PLC OEMs offer tools to migrate upgraded software projects to the newest controller revisions.


A How-to Guide to Control Automation Day 2022

A How-to Guide to Control Automation Day 2022

Welcome to Control Automation Day 2022—Control.com’s digital-only event for engineers! Here is your guide to navigating the keynote addresses, live educational sessions, and exciting giveaways from your favorite manufacturers!


News Jun 20, 2022 by David Peterson
Successful Obsolescence Mitigation

Successful Obsolescence Mitigation

Designing an obsolescence mitigation plan to detect and solve mitigation risks before they occur is key to avoiding costly downtime and a potential catastrophe in control environments. 


Clarifying Misconceptions About Theoretical vs Physical Circuits

Clarifying Misconceptions About Theoretical vs Physical Circuits

Control engineering is integrally woven together with electricity and electrical circuits. Even so, sometimes the most basic scenarios become misunderstood through lack of training or experience.


Controlling Hydraulic Devices with Open and Closed Loop Systems

Controlling Hydraulic Devices with Open and Closed Loop Systems

What if you could control the end position and the speed of a hydraulic actuator accurately with just a simple signal? Some systems use simple open/close valves, but others require far more precision.


Control.com Announces Control Automation Day 2022!

Control.com Announces Control Automation Day 2022!

Control Automation Day 2022 will be on June 21st, focusing on PLC systems, packed with keynote addresses, educational live sessions, and exciting giveaways from your favorite manufacturers!


News May 18, 2022 by David Peterson
Climate FieldView Links Ag Users to VariMax’s Irrigation Solutions

Climate FieldView Links Ag Users to VariMax’s Irrigation Solutions

Climate FieldView recently made an agreement with VariMax Systems to provide agriculture customers with VariMax’s N-CHECK and WATER-CHECK nitrogen and irrigation management tools.


News May 12, 2022 by Stephanie Leonida
Comparing Mechanical vs Hydraulic Forces

Comparing Mechanical vs Hydraulic Forces

In honor of May the 4th, Star Wars Day, we compare the sources and applications of the two most common force-delivery systems - mechanical and hydraulic.


Up Close and Personal With Automated Ag Equipment

Up Close and Personal With Automated Ag Equipment

Our Control Automation engineering staff got the chance to visit a commercial farm in North Dakota and learn the hardware and software making these huge automated tractors ready for high-tech ‘field’ work.


Rockwell’s New Armor Powerflex Variable Frequency Drive

Rockwell’s New Armor Powerflex Variable Frequency Drive

Rockwell recently announced the newest addition to the PowerFlex family of VFD units - the Armor PowerFlex series, designed for on-machine control with heightened IP ratings over previous models.


News May 03, 2022 by Shawn Dietrich
Siemens SIMATIC PLCs - Hardware History

Siemens SIMATIC PLCs - Hardware History

In the first article of this series, we investigate Siemens as a major PLC manufacturer, learning about the hardware, software, and key applications of each product lineup.


Circular Economy - Manufacturing to End User… And Back

Circular Economy - Manufacturing to End User… And Back

‘Reduce-reuse-recycle’ is a common slogan for promoting reduction of waste associated with end use of materials. But a circular economy model includes manufacturing processes and raw materials as well.


Parker Hannifin Announces PAC Motion Controller and Modules

Parker Hannifin Announces PAC Motion Controller and Modules

Hydraulic component leader Parker Hannifin recently announced a new PAC motion controller and module series with web-based visualization for instant remote monitoring of up to 40 motion axes.


News Apr 28, 2022 by David Peterson
US DoC Appoints 27 Board Members to the National AI Committee

US DoC Appoints 27 Board Members to the National AI Committee

The United States Department of Commerce has appointed 27 new members to the National AI Advisory Committee (NAIAC).


News Apr 27, 2022 by Seth Price
Introduction to Safety Relays

Introduction to Safety Relays

Redundancy and safety are often seen together in industrial safety systems. Safety relays monitor emergency devices to switch contacts based on status - but what makes them different from normal relays?


Mechanisms of Linear Sensing and Linear Encoding

Mechanisms of Linear Sensing and Linear Encoding

Linear sensors use electrical means to determine their position. Common linear position sensors are resistive, inductive, capacitive, and many rely on a property called magnetostriction.


Beewise Employs AI, Robotics, and Vision to Monitor and Safeguard Bee Populations

Beewise Employs AI, Robotics, and Vision to Monitor and Safeguard Bee Populations

Beewise receives $120 million in funds to continue the development of its solar-powered, artificial intelligence-driven beehive management technology.


News Apr 15, 2022 by Stephanie Leonida