Control.com’s Director of Engineering got to explore IO-Link sensors and what he found might surprise you! Although still considered an “emerging”…
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.
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.
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?
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.
Temperature profiling is an effective tool to monitor thermal properties in process equipment. This article defines…
Temperature profiling is an effective tool to monitor thermal properties in process equipment. This article defines temperature profiling, discusses the process components, and describes the various benefits it offers.
Mitsubishi Electric Automation expands the iQ-F series of compact PLCs with the powerful and affordable FX5S that uses…
Mitsubishi Electric Automation expands the iQ-F series of compact PLCs with the powerful and affordable FX5S that uses familiar programming software while increasing the range of I/O and communication.
Process automation relies on precise control systems to operate production equipment for everything from lumber to…
Process automation relies on precise control systems to operate production equipment for everything from lumber to pastries. Using control algorithms produces stable, accurate, and often delicious results.
Industrial and robotics cabling requires specialized termination strategies. This article introduces connectors involved…
Industrial and robotics cabling requires specialized termination strategies. This article introduces connectors involved in automation applications for cable-to-cable or cable-to-device termination.
Join Control Automation for a review of the show highlights and a special feature of some exciting booths visited on the…
Join Control Automation for a review of the show highlights and a special feature of some exciting booths visited on the last and final day of the Automate trade show. Excited for the next year of innovation!
It’s the first two days of Automate 2023, and the Control Automation team hit the streets to learn about the latest and…
It’s the first two days of Automate 2023, and the Control Automation team hit the streets to learn about the latest and greatest technology rocking the world of robotics and industrial automation!
Programmable Logic Controllers, or PLCs, are designed to receive signals and influence load devices automatically. Learn…
Programmable Logic Controllers, or PLCs, are designed to receive signals and influence load devices automatically. Learn how to connect and program discrete output devices like solenoids, relays, and lights.
Many control product manufacturers offer these downloadable ‘EDS files’ for peripheral equipment, but what exactly is…
Many control product manufacturers offer these downloadable ‘EDS files’ for peripheral equipment, but what exactly is an EDS, and how can they aid in the development of a project?
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.
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.
Though not a direct replacement for PLCs, Raspberry Pi has the potential to be used in industrial automation applications…
Though not a direct replacement for PLCs, Raspberry Pi has the potential to be used in industrial automation applications for prototyping, embedded systems, and as a low-cost process controller.
There are many considerations when selecting a thermocouple type. In this article, we look at the advantages, and…
There are many considerations when selecting a thermocouple type. In this article, we look at the advantages, and limitations, of the eight standard thermocouples and various installation considerations.
Linear position sensors are used in electrical and fluid-actuated motion devices. They allow extremely precise position,…
Linear position sensors are used in electrical and fluid-actuated motion devices. They allow extremely precise position, velocity, and acceleration control, and provide feedback to ensure product quality and tolerance compliance.