Latest Motors & Motion Controls Articles

Programmable encoders provide engineers real flexibility to adjust process parameters. From operating theory to…

Programmable encoders provide engineers real flexibility to adjust process parameters. From operating theory to programming methods, here’s everything you need to know to begin leveraging these handy devices.

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

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

Driving motors is one of the most fundamental automation tasks, but understanding and selecting the proper motor soft…

Driving motors is one of the most fundamental automation tasks, but understanding and selecting the proper motor soft starter for your application may require more investigation than you thought.

The quality of content from our educational site comes from understanding our audience and your needs. Help give us the…

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!

What are these terms, PLC, PAC, RTU, DCS, SCADA? Why are they so important to industrial robotics and automation? Explore…

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.

Sensors give IIoT the vital information it needs to better enhance plant connectivity, Tempsonics’ new R-SERIES V RM5…

Sensors give IIoT the vital information it needs to better enhance plant connectivity, Tempsonics’ new R-SERIES V RM5 sensor expands sensing capabilities to even the most harsh environments.

Bosch Rexroth has leveraged the popular modular VarioFlow conveyor system to create a new vertical, spiral conveyor for…

Bosch Rexroth has leveraged the popular modular VarioFlow conveyor system to create a new vertical, spiral conveyor for more efficient transport and buffer storage space.

ADLINK brings its customers a software-defined EtherCAT motion controller, the SuperCAT series, for the optimization of…

ADLINK brings its customers a software-defined EtherCAT motion controller, the SuperCAT series, for the optimization of multi-axis motion control for industrial automation processes.

Many articles address the wiring and implementation of analog control signals, but where are they used, and what might…

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?

Using the right motor for the right task is critical - but what happens if the motor is connected to the wrong supply? It…

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.

Uncover the modular AMI 5800 NEMA motor from ABB, which provides engineers with improved performance and durability for…

Uncover the modular AMI 5800 NEMA motor from ABB, which provides engineers with improved performance and durability for industrial applications.

Single-phase motors are common in household and small industrial devices. They are a bit more complex than 3-phase…

Single-phase motors are common in household and small industrial devices. They are a bit more complex than 3-phase models, so it’s important to recognize failure modes and common symptoms.

Mitsubishi Electric has made a new 120V VFD to help manufacturers that need access to variable-speed motors. They can…

Mitsubishi Electric has made a new 120V VFD to help manufacturers that need access to variable-speed motors. They can benefit from these 120V VFDs by eliminating the need for a rotary phase converter.

Last year, Beckhoff created the MX-System for cabinetless automation control, and has recently updated the power supply…

Last year, Beckhoff created the MX-System for cabinetless automation control, and has recently updated the power supply modules to be compatible with drives, robotics, and conveyance devices.

After an amazing first half in 2023, with site records being broken in many categories, we have you, our viewers, to…

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?

RELOC and Edge Impulse introduce the world to the tiny BrickML that is capable of machine learning at the edge of…

RELOC and Edge Impulse introduce the world to the tiny BrickML that is capable of machine learning at the edge of production to save downtime costs and enhance machine reliability.

Stepper motor control can be useful for motion applications. Learn the circuit connection and programming instructions…

Stepper motor control can be useful for motion applications. Learn the circuit connection and programming instructions for implementing stepper motor control using GX Works 2 on MELSEC FX-Series PLCs.

Three-phase motors are a backbone of the modern industrial control landscape. But plenty of applications still rely on…

Three-phase motors are a backbone of the modern industrial control landscape. But plenty of applications still rely on single-phase motors. Can these types of motors be reversed, and if so, how?

Implementing PID control in a PLC is far more complicated than textbooks would make it appear. There is more to the…

Implementing PID control in a PLC is far more complicated than textbooks would make it appear. There is more to the process than simply picking gain (k) values and calculating an output value.