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Machine-to-Machine Integration with OPC UA

Machine-to-Machine Integration with OPC UA

The OPC UA protocol is designed to solve two problems in automation: interoperability between device vendors and independence from incompatible transport layer differences.


Understanding I/O Terminal Types And When To Use Them

Understanding I/O Terminal Types And When To Use Them

Embedded, modular, panel mount, distributed, machine mount, and remote, oh my! What does it all mean, and how are you supposed to know which one to choose for your application?


All About PLCs: The Power Supply Unit

All About PLCs: The Power Supply Unit

Learn all about the power supply: modular and built-in devices that deliver electricity to the PLC backplane and modules, and learn the difference between control and field device power delivery.


Emerson’s Rosemount 802 Expands Wireless I/O Transmission Capacity

Emerson’s Rosemount 802 Expands Wireless I/O Transmission Capacity

Emerson adds WirelessHART capability to the Rosemount I/O device catalog with an 8-channel transmitter to remotely monitor conditions and control outputs like motors, pumps, and valves.


News Sep 02, 2024 by Austin Futrell
Electrical Instruments and Gauges: Connection and Configuration

Electrical Instruments and Gauges: Connection and Configuration

In any process industry, transducers are the basic instrumentation unit for continuous monitoring of system variables that provide inputs for control system algorithms and outputs.


Autonics ARIO: Packing I/O Capability Into a Small Form Factor

Autonics ARIO: Packing I/O Capability Into a Small Form Factor

Scalability, network compatibility, and hot-swappable connections make data acquisition and process control straightforward with the new modular expansion I/O units from Autonics.


News Aug 19, 2024 by Seth Price
The BNI00 Series from Balluff Facilitates Communication for Automation

The BNI00 Series from Balluff Facilitates Communication for Automation

Balluff’s BNI00 IO-Link master is available at low cost yet provides plenty of input/output capability, enabling quick interfacing of various automation components.


News Aug 05, 2024 by Seth Price
Full-Metal Jacket: Long-Range Inductive Sensors From Autonics

Full-Metal Jacket: Long-Range Inductive Sensors From Autonics

Autonics’ PRFD sensors bring high-visibility indicators, rugged housings, and long-distance sensing to the automotive, chemical, metalworking, and food and beverage industries.


News Jul 09, 2024 by Seth Price
ControlByWeb Adds New Cellular Connection to I/O Controllers

ControlByWeb Adds New Cellular Connection to I/O Controllers

Adding wireless to PLC projects poses challenges, namely security and project complexity. ControlByWeb seeks to overcome those barriers and add cellular data to the newest controller versions.


News Jul 08, 2024 by David Peterson
Living on the Edge: ADLINK’s EdgeGO Manages Devices from Anywhere

Living on the Edge: ADLINK’s EdgeGO Manages Devices from Anywhere

Smart notifications, security restrictions, and remote management work together to provide standout functionality from ADLINK’s EdgeGO platform for monitoring edge devices.


News Jul 03, 2024 by Joshua Tidwell
How To: Use ControlByWeb’s I/O Controller for Web-Based Logic

How To: Use ControlByWeb’s I/O Controller for Web-Based Logic

Logic is critical for industrial control, and it usually looks like ladders, function blocks, or structured text. I/O controllers are designed to automate simple logic tasks and data functions.


Tutorial: Analog Signals with Phoenix Contact’s PLCnext Platform

Tutorial: Analog Signals with Phoenix Contact’s PLCnext Platform

Learn how to connect analog inputs, either voltage or current, to the Phoenix Contact’s IIoT PLC platform and design simple data processing programs with the PLCnext Engineer IDE.


I Can See the Light! Introducing Banner’s New GS60 Guide Spotlight

I Can See the Light! Introducing Banner’s New GS60 Guide Spotlight

Object detection and operator interfaces can be simplified with the new dedicated, high-intensity light indicator with configurable colors for a wide range of optical applications.


News Jun 11, 2024 by Austin Futrell
Tutorial: First Program With Phoenix Contact’s PLCnext Platform

Tutorial: First Program With Phoenix Contact’s PLCnext Platform

Learn how to get started with Phoenix Contact’s PLCnext and Engineer software, a platform that ultimately provides a PLC environment for plant control as well as an OS for more advanced IIoT projects.


Logic at the Sensor Level: Can it Simplify Automation?

Logic at the Sensor Level: Can it Simplify Automation?

Sensor networks with built-in logic functions can save cost and program execution speed, but what are those various logic functions, and when might they be preferred over normal PLC ladder logic?


The Beginner’s Guide to Automation: Adding Control to the System

The Beginner’s Guide to Automation: Adding Control to the System

Every automated cell requires a ‘brain’ in order to achieve the required tasks. How do you determine the necessary I/O, communication protocols, and processor necessary for controlling your system?


ABB, Rockwell Automation, and Others Launch Edge Interoperability Initiative for Automation Ecosystems

ABB, Rockwell Automation, and Others Launch Edge Interoperability Initiative for Automation Ecosystems

ABB, Rockwell Automation, and other top industrial automation companies have come together to develop an open standard for interoperability between hardware and software in the industrial space.


News May 31, 2024 by Shawn Dietrich
New I/O Modules for AutomationDirect’s Productivity PLC Series

New I/O Modules for AutomationDirect’s Productivity PLC Series

The new additions include a high-current relay output for the Productivity1000 and 2000 series and a TTL input and output for the Productivity2000, allowing interface with systems of varying voltages.


News May 27, 2024 by David Peterson
Weidmuller Introduces New Modular Compact Terminal Blocks

Weidmuller Introduces New Modular Compact Terminal Blocks

Weidmuller recently launched several new product ranges of multi-purpose terminal blocks, designed to save valuable cabinet space for signal routing and marshaling in distributed control systems.


News May 13, 2024 by Bob Odhiambo
Balluff Brings Wireless IO-Link to Redefine Control System Networking

Balluff Brings Wireless IO-Link to Redefine Control System Networking

Balluff has announced a host of products embracing wireless IO-Link, simplifying the configuration and connection process of automation communication for field I/O devices.


News May 01, 2024 by Seth Price