Latest PLCs & PACs Articles

Learn how to make complex calculations for validating data easily with the STD instruction, and learn how to display…

Learn how to make complex calculations for validating data easily with the STD instruction, and learn how to display array sizes programmatically with the SIZE instruction.

Rockwell aims to help machine builders, integrators, and manufacturers with improved efficiency to their Micro800…

Rockwell aims to help machine builders, integrators, and manufacturers with improved efficiency to their Micro800 controllers and design software.

Learn how to streamline your ladder logic by searching and sorting arrays with the FSC and SRT instructions in the…

Learn how to streamline your ladder logic by searching and sorting arrays with the FSC and SRT instructions in the Rockwell (Allen-Bradley) Studio 5000 programming software.

Learn about multi-dimensional arrays and how to work with them to perform math operations such as the AVE (Average)…

Learn about multi-dimensional arrays and how to work with them to perform math operations such as the AVE (Average) instruction in the Rockwell (Allen-Bradley) Studio 5000 programming software.

Arrays can streamline data storage and math operations, but they can be difficult to understand for a beginning…

Arrays can streamline data storage and math operations, but they can be difficult to understand for a beginning programmer. Learn the background of array instructions in the Rockwell Studio 5000 software.

Arduino takes a leap of faith and moves into the world of industrial automation with the first-ever Arduino PLC,…

Arduino takes a leap of faith and moves into the world of industrial automation with the first-ever Arduino PLC, partnering with Finder to design the Opta with control engineers in mind.

Safety is one of the most critical aspects of machine design. Today, with network connections between different machines…

Safety is one of the most critical aspects of machine design. Today, with network connections between different machines and control centers, safety signals must be shared logically and reliably across networks.

Learn how to rapidly prototype an Arduino-compatible PLC automation circuit without using wires. This hands-on project…

Learn how to rapidly prototype an Arduino-compatible PLC automation circuit without using wires. This hands-on project will illustrate this PLC prototyping concept utilizing the Freenove Projects Kit board.

Programmable Logic Control (PLC) systems are the core of most industrial control systems that drive modern manufacturing.…

Programmable Logic Control (PLC) systems are the core of most industrial control systems that drive modern manufacturing. In this Control Automation video, we discuss the wiring process for buttons, switches, and discrete sensors, applicable to virtually every PLC.

With the first fuzzy logic-based controllers on the market in 1983, learn how the Japanese-born automation company,…

With the first fuzzy logic-based controllers on the market in 1983, learn how the Japanese-born automation company, Omron, adopted fuzzy logic as a basis for the design of its current PLCs.

Learn about proportional gain and proportional band, two key proportional control concepts, to better understand the most…

Learn about proportional gain and proportional band, two key proportional control concepts, to better understand the most popular control system method in industrial automation.

Despite the many overlaps, PLCs and RTUs are two different devices, each with specific suitable applications.

Despite the many overlaps, PLCs and RTUs are two different devices, each with specific suitable applications.

Most engineers are not intimidated by simple mathematics, but when designing mission-critical systems, it’s important…

Most engineers are not intimidated by simple mathematics, but when designing mission-critical systems, it’s important to have easy access to reliable tools and calculators. Introducing our first new set of tools designed for control engineers.

Control Automation is proud to announce updates to several chapters of our popular online textbook. Check out the…

Control Automation is proud to announce updates to several chapters of our popular online textbook. Check out the improvements in the PLC, Feedback Control, and Power Generation sections.

There are three main types of numeric values that must be handled by a PLC: boolean, integers, and floating point. These…

There are three main types of numeric values that must be handled by a PLC: boolean, integers, and floating point. These last floating-point values can create the most confusion for programmers and technicians.

Copia reduces the strain of backing up automation code on the factory floor with their latest software release…

Copia reduces the strain of backing up automation code on the factory floor with their latest software release DeviceLink. This automated backup software makes use of the Git workflow and backup running code automatically.

You are bound to encounter two terms associated with sensors and some loads: ‘NPN’ and ‘PNP’. You must understand…

You are bound to encounter two terms associated with sensors and some loads: ‘NPN’ and ‘PNP’. You must understand the relationship between the field device and the control module in order to choose and install components properly when needed.

PLC and other automation project software can be easier and more efficient to update and maintain thanks to the…

PLC and other automation project software can be easier and more efficient to update and maintain thanks to the introduction of Git control, already a staple for typical programming of large-scale projects.

Learn how one small farm in a rural community is upgrading production with advanced technology in several ways to…

Learn how one small farm in a rural community is upgrading production with advanced technology in several ways to overcome staff shortages, product demand, and regulatory compliance.