Latest Distributed I/O Articles

Yokogawa updates its flagship OpreX software for better software and third-party device interconnections.

Yokogawa updates its flagship OpreX software for better software and third-party device interconnections.

Offering unprecedented range and precision, SICK’s DT80 represents a leap in accuracy and signal fidelity that goes the…

Offering unprecedented range and precision, SICK’s DT80 represents a leap in accuracy and signal fidelity that goes the distance.

Function block diagram (FBD) programming is a common language for PLCs following the IEC 61131 standard. What is FBD, and…

Function block diagram (FBD) programming is a common language for PLCs following the IEC 61131 standard. What is FBD, and how does it differ from the familiar ladder logic programs?

Analog voltage and current are the dominating standards for industrial technology. Is one format better than the other?…

Analog voltage and current are the dominating standards for industrial technology. Is one format better than the other? And if so, why do both signal types still exist in modern systems?

Kollmorgen recently enhanced its AKD2G to deliver a more powerful drive that offers users better access to complex motion…

Kollmorgen recently enhanced its AKD2G to deliver a more powerful drive that offers users better access to complex motion capabilities in a simple, compact device.

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are designed as an endlessly-looping program, examining all lines of code as…

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are designed as an endlessly-looping program, examining all lines of code as rapidly as possible. Following are a few critical tips for when programmers only need to run a series of single operations at startup.

A walkthrough and discussion of a simple web-based HMI solution that could modernize your current HMI technology stack.…

A walkthrough and discussion of a simple web-based HMI solution that could modernize your current HMI technology stack. The first step in the process involves sending data from a device to a server.

Control.com’s Director of Engineering got to explore IO-Link sensors and what he found might surprise you! Although…

Control.com’s Director of Engineering got to explore IO-Link sensors and what he found might surprise you! Although still considered an “emerging” technology, it’s clear IO-Link technology boasts several bonafide benefits over traditional sensors.

Omron’s NX5 series PLC is designed with IIoT in mind, including standard OPC UA and direct connection to relational…

Omron’s NX5 series PLC is designed with IIoT in mind, including standard OPC UA and direct connection to relational databases such as SQL, all without the need for additional hardware or licensing.

Phoenix Contact adds to its product family of panel PCs and IPCs with the Valueline 3, available in a standalone box or…

Phoenix Contact adds to its product family of panel PCs and IPCs with the Valueline 3, available in a standalone box or ready to integrate into a robust touch panel for industrial environments.

Refining and integrating a front-end HMI application to an API middle layer with real-time data display and historian…

Refining and integrating a front-end HMI application to an API middle layer with real-time data display and historian capabilities for short-term data visualization.

Learn the first steps in focusing on the integration of a front-end HMI application to an API middle layer.

Learn the first steps in focusing on the integration of a front-end HMI application to an API middle layer.

The middle layer, or API layer of a custom-built HMI project involves a server that can submit or receive data to and…

The middle layer, or API layer of a custom-built HMI project involves a server that can submit or receive data to and from a device, either to provide the user interface or interact with the machine.

Some workplaces are more dangerous than others, not because of the practices, but rather the products. Where do…

Some workplaces are more dangerous than others, not because of the practices, but rather the products. Where do explosions occur, and what practices exist to reduce such risk for equipment and workforce?

ABB has added new products with enhanced capabilities to the XIO series of controllers with the aim of improving upstream…

ABB has added new products with enhanced capabilities to the XIO series of controllers with the aim of improving upstream efficiency in the oil and gas industries.

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.

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?

Digital signals hold a prominent position due to their compatibility with computers. But what are digital signals, and…

Digital signals hold a prominent position due to their compatibility with computers. But what are digital signals, and what are some examples of the various devices used with digital inputs and outputs?

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.