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Info Byte: What’s the Deal With Debouncing Switches?

Info Byte: What’s the Deal With Debouncing Switches?

Before digital control systems, responses were fairly slow. Push a button, and a motor contactor engaged. These days, the speed of computers introduces some new challenges but brings solutions as well.


ASRock Industrial Introduces IoT Controller for Factory Automation

ASRock Industrial Introduces IoT Controller for Factory Automation

ASRock Industrial announces the new iEP-5000G family of IoT controllers with power inputs, tolerances, and IO communication capabilities designed for the factory floor.


News Apr 06, 2022 by Shawn Dietrich
How-To: Building a PLC Project with Modbus Communication

How-To: Building a PLC Project with Modbus Communication

Modbus is a communication protocol stemming from the early days of Modicon PLCs, but is still common today. These two example implementations of Modbus transactions will get you started.


Banner Engineering Releases RGB Programmable Light Towers

Banner Engineering Releases RGB Programmable Light Towers

Banner Engineering recently released a series of programmable multicolor (RGB) indicators for advanced industrial machine status and diagnostics.


How IIoT is Transforming Predictive Maintenance

How IIoT is Transforming Predictive Maintenance

The objective of predictive maintenance is to foresee potential machine failure with the help of machine learning algorithms provided with vast quantities of data.


Methods of Marking and Labeling for Wiring and Tubing

Methods of Marking and Labeling for Wiring and Tubing

Labels are such a small detail in the world of robotics and automation, they are often given very little attention. However, they play a vital role in proper system function - from installation to troubleshooting.


Characteristics of Highly Automated WMS Systems

Characteristics of Highly Automated WMS Systems

This article explores various characteristics that are common in advanced and highly automated warehouse management systems (WMS).


Info Byte: Preventing Relay Burnout with Flyback Diodes

Info Byte: Preventing Relay Burnout with Flyback Diodes

Inductive loads, such as solenoids and contactors, can cause arcs and failures back into electromechanical switching devices, causing costly downtime. The solution is cheaper than you think.


Beijer Electronics Releases New M-Series of Distributed I/O Modules

Beijer Electronics Releases New M-Series of Distributed I/O Modules

Beijer Electronics recently announced the M Series of distributed I/O to provide on-machine control with a variety of communication options for system flexibility.


News Mar 31, 2022 by Shawn Dietrich
Bosch Rexroth Obtains a Majority Stake in Kassow Robots

Bosch Rexroth Obtains a Majority Stake in Kassow Robots

Bosch Rexroth has invested in future automation by acquiring a majority stake in collaborative robot manufacturer Kassow Robots.


News Mar 30, 2022 by Seth Price
Troubleshooting for PLC Modules and I/O Devices

Troubleshooting for PLC Modules and I/O Devices

Failures of I/O systems are a common source of headache for control engineers. Troubleshooting those devices that have polarized connections (source vs sink, and NPN vs PNP) is a technique worth refining.


My First Experience Programming a Collaborative Robot

My First Experience Programming a Collaborative Robot

We've read about the capabilities of collaborative robots, but often, one question still remains - how do you program a cobot? Last week, I got a chance to get my hands on a cobot for the first time.


How to Best Use PLM in Automation

How to Best Use PLM in Automation

Product lifecycle management (PLM) and industrial automation are growing closer together. This article explores recent trends and application examples of this software in industry.


SPC Pillar: Design of Experiments (DoE)

SPC Pillar: Design of Experiments (DoE)

The fourth pillar of effective statistical process control (SPC) is the use of designed experiments used to learn as much as possible from a limited number of experiments, yet remain statistically relevant enough to be useful.


Understanding the Basics of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)

Understanding the Basics of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)

Power delivered to devices can be changed by raising or lowering the voltage and current. But this method does not always produce intended results. Pulse width modulation (or PWM) can be used to better control variable loads.


Phoenix Contact Releases New Line of Data-Driven Circuit Breakers

Phoenix Contact Releases New Line of Data-Driven Circuit Breakers

Phoenix Contact’s new CAPAROC system of low-voltage circuit breakers provides remote reset functions as well as discrete and networked access to branch circuit data for rapid troubleshooting.


News Mar 23, 2022 by Shawn Dietrich
Info Byte: Difference Between Analog and Digital Multimeters

Info Byte: Difference Between Analog and Digital Multimeters

Analog and digital multimeters have both enjoyed popularity in different generations of electrical systems. What is unique about the analog meters, and in what situations might they be preferred over their digital counterparts?


The MAX System, Cloud Computing, and IT: an Interview with A&E Engineering

The MAX System, Cloud Computing, and IT: an Interview with A&E Engineering

Recently, our Control.com staff got a chance to chat with the software team at A&E Engineering, Inc., for an interview to discuss the MAX system and learn behind the scenes about how a cloud approach to data analysis is a powerful tool for manufacturing and processing facilities.


News Mar 22, 2022 by Stephanie Leonida
Investigation Into Popular WMS Software

Investigation Into Popular WMS Software

This article describes the features and advantages of several of the more popular warehouse management systems (WMS) on the market.


FANUC Robot Programming Example

FANUC Robot Programming Example

FANUC robots, as with most other brands, are designed to be used in a wide variety of applications. Learn the common programming concepts and features along with an example of a motion program.