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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: Input/Output Modules

All About PLCs: Input/Output Modules

If your facility or workplace uses a PLC, it’s almost certainly because it must interface with physical input and output devices. What kinds of I/O modules exist, and how can you tell the difference?


Copia DeviceLink Now Supports Siemens’ Step 7 5.x Software

Copia DeviceLink Now Supports Siemens’ Step 7 5.x Software

Copia Automation has expanded its list of supported automation software for its popular DeviceLink platform, which monitors factory automation software in real time for code changes and backups.


News Sep 17, 2024 by Shawn Dietrich
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.


Red Lion Releases Programmable Remote Terminal Units for Extreme Environments

Red Lion Releases Programmable Remote Terminal Units for Extreme Environments

Red Lion has expanded its Sixnet Series of VersaTRAK MIPM industrial remote terminal units (RTUs) with two new devices suitable for rugged environments in process applications.


News Sep 05, 2024 by Austin Futrell
PLC With a Miniature Twist: Crouzet Millenium Slim Tutorial

PLC With a Miniature Twist: Crouzet Millenium Slim Tutorial

One of the smallest PLCs on the market, the Millenium Slim by Crouzet, can handle advanced functions with a wireless interface and function block (FBD) style IEC 61131 programming.


A Polarizing Discussion: Using Diodes The Right Way Around

A Polarizing Discussion: Using Diodes The Right Way Around

Some devices, like switches, are non-polar; you can connect them in either direction. What makes diodes so special, and how can you tell the right way from the wrong way?


Build A Low-Cost 32-bit PLC | OpenPLC and the ESP32 Microcontroller

Build A Low-Cost 32-bit PLC | OpenPLC and the ESP32 Microcontroller

Besides using a Raspberry Pi or an Arduino Uno, a low-cost PLC can be built using the popular ESP32 microcontroller. The OpenPLC software supports this popular 32-bit platform.


How To Read Ladder Logic in PLC and Relay Controls, Part 1: Inputs

How To Read Ladder Logic in PLC and Relay Controls, Part 1: Inputs

Ladder logic is an industrial control systems legend stemming from electrical line diagrams before the days of PLCs. Although logical, they are difficult to interpret.


Olis Remote Monitoring for PLCs: Not Just for Robots Anymore

Olis Remote Monitoring for PLCs: Not Just for Robots Anymore

Remote control is a risky business for industrial automation, but the ability to remotely monitor, asses failures, and clear faults has been expanded from robotics to PLC systems by Olis Robotics.


News Aug 27, 2024 by David Peterson
Trial Partnership Tests AI-Powered Technology To Automate Greenhouses

Trial Partnership Tests AI-Powered Technology To Automate Greenhouses

Koidra and Nature Fresh Farms have established a trial partnership to test a new way of farming greenhouse environments using Koidra's AI-powered automation technologies.


News Aug 23, 2024 by Stephanie Leonida
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.


How To Read Ladder Logic in PLC and Relay Controls, Part 2

How To Read Ladder Logic in PLC and Relay Controls, Part 2

Ladder logic is an industrial control systems legend stemming from electrical line diagrams before the days of PLCs. Although logical, they are difficult to interpret.


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
FANUC To Support Next Generation of Skilled Workers With $1 Million in Scholarships

FANUC To Support Next Generation of Skilled Workers With $1 Million in Scholarships

To foster the next generation of skilled labor in advanced manufacturing and industrial automation, FANUC has established a $1 million endowed scholarship fund in partnership with the SME Education Foundation.


News Aug 15, 2024 by Seth Price
All About PLCs: The CPU

All About PLCs: The CPU

Learn all about the central processing unit (CPU): the built-in module inside the PLC responsible for executing the program and communicating with external devices.


Epson Takes Safety to a New Level with Expanded 6-Axis Robot Lineup

Epson Takes Safety to a New Level with Expanded 6-Axis Robot Lineup

In an ongoing effort to reduce the distinction between ‘industrial’ and ‘collaborative’ robotic scenarios, Epson adds safety features to the newest generation of robots in its 6-axis catalog.


News Aug 12, 2024 by David Peterson
Wago Launches Second Generation PFC100 Controllers, Compatible With Codesys

Wago Launches Second Generation PFC100 Controllers, Compatible With Codesys

Wago has released four new controllers, marking the launch of the second generation of the company’s PFC100 series. The new generation of controllers can be programmed with CODESYS 3.5 development software.


News Aug 10, 2024 by Austin Futrell
Using Structured Text in OpenPLC | Warning Simulator Tutorial

Using Structured Text in OpenPLC | Warning Simulator Tutorial

With a C++ extension, monitoring of status and warning messages can easily be displayed with OpenPLC. Arduino PLC variables can then be observed using a serial terminal or monitor.


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