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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.


Siemens Expands The Popular SINUMERIK ONE Product Line for CNC Control

Siemens Expands The Popular SINUMERIK ONE Product Line for CNC Control

Siemens releases a new version of the SINUMERIK CNC product line and upgrades their digital twin simulation software, allowing users to increase productivity and reduce waste better than ever before.


News Jun 14, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich
Temperature Profiling: The Process and The Underlying Benefits

Temperature Profiling: The Process and The Underlying Benefits

Temperature profiling is an effective tool to monitor thermal properties in process equipment. This article defines temperature profiling, discusses the process components, and describes the various benefits it offers.


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
Cognex Advantage 182 Vision System Aims to Automate Life Science Industries

Cognex Advantage 182 Vision System Aims to Automate Life Science Industries

Cognex has released their AI-enhanced Advantage 182 Vision System which is expected to improve quality control and automation speed, specialized for application in the life sciences industries.


News Jun 12, 2023 by Seth Price
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
Hands-on Example: Milling Machine Failure Classification Using Logistic Regression

Hands-on Example: Milling Machine Failure Classification Using Logistic Regression

Learn how to build a machine learning model to predict failure classification based on machine parameters using a synthetic dataset modeled after a milling machine, the same process used in real-world systems.


Closing the Loop: Feedback, Feedforward, and Adaptive Control

Closing the Loop: Feedback, Feedforward, and Adaptive Control

Process automation relies on precise control systems to operate production equipment for everything from lumber to pastries. Using control algorithms produces stable, accurate, and often delicious results.


Fixing Broken Gears: Partners Improve Sustainability of Automated Repair

Fixing Broken Gears: Partners Improve Sustainability of Automated Repair

RoboDK reduces waste and energy usage during automated gear repair operations with the help of several industrial partners to simulate, evaluate, and finally, perform the actual manufacturing process.


News Jun 04, 2023 by Seth Price
Introduction to Transfer Functions for Control System Analysis

Introduction to Transfer Functions for Control System Analysis

Transfer functions allow systems to be converted from non-algebraic time measurement units into equations that can be solved, but how do these functions work, and why do we use them?


Engineering Editorial Perspective: 2023 Top Trends in Automation

Engineering Editorial Perspective: 2023 Top Trends in Automation

What are some of the most recent developments making waves in the world of robotics and automation? Learn about a few trends with some editorial thoughts about the future of the technology for end users.


News May 31, 2023 by David Peterson
New OnLogic Edge Server Promises to Convert Raw Data into Real Value

New OnLogic Edge Server Promises to Convert Raw Data into Real Value

OnLogic has recently released a new edge server built on Intel’s 13th-gen i-series processors, ready to harness the processing power of technology for increased power and efficiency on the shop floor.


News May 30, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich
Highlights and Photos from Automate 2023

Highlights and Photos from Automate 2023

Join Control Automation for a review of the show highlights and a special feature of some exciting booths visited on the last and final day of the Automate trade show. Excited for the next year of innovation!


News May 28, 2023 by David Peterson
Field Input and Output Blocks From Allen-Bradley

Field Input and Output Blocks From Allen-Bradley

Rockwell Automation has released an IO-Link master with configurable ports designed for harsh, on-machine environments with the ability to connect both discrete and IO-Link field devices.


News May 26, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich
Developing Standardized Practices for PLC Programming

Developing Standardized Practices for PLC Programming

Any kind of computer programming can be challenging to determine what aspects are truly unique versus what aspects should be standardized across projects and platforms to streamline future development.


Covering all the Latest Control Technology: Automate 2023

Covering all the Latest Control Technology: Automate 2023

The second day of Automate 2023 in Detroit was a huge success! The Control Automation engineering and sales team met with a number of companies to discuss and explore the exciting, innovative demonstrations.


News May 25, 2023 by David Peterson
Automate 2023: First Glimpse From the Show

Automate 2023: First Glimpse From the Show

It’s the first two days of Automate 2023, and the Control Automation team hit the streets to learn about the latest and greatest technology rocking the world of robotics and industrial automation!


News May 24, 2023 by David Peterson
Emerson Creates Power Supply Solution Specifically Designed For IIoT

Emerson Creates Power Supply Solution Specifically Designed For IIoT

Emerson's SolaHD has created a communication module that brings IIoT capabilities to its SDN-D power supplies to help monitor systems for abnormalities to reduce costly downtime.


News May 19, 2023 by Damond Goodwin
Gas, Smoke, and Fire Sensors for Industrial and Commercial Applications

Gas, Smoke, and Fire Sensors for Industrial and Commercial Applications

We see smoke detectors on a daily basis in every house and building we visit, but the same sensor elements, and others, can be used to detect the presence of harmful gasses and heat in all industries.


Understanding Wire Color Codes for Industrial Electrical Applications

Understanding Wire Color Codes for Industrial Electrical Applications

Designing, installing, and maintaining control systems involves a lot of wires. Each wire has a purpose, often indicated by the color of the insulation. But what are the common colors, and what do they mean?