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PLC Program Commands: Arrays Part 3, Searching and Sorting

PLC Program Commands: Arrays Part 3, Searching and Sorting

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.


Planning for the Future: Productivity, Security, and Automation

Planning for the Future: Productivity, Security, and Automation

Thought leadership from Rockwell Automation execs point to future trends and how to leverage technology and skills to increase productivity and the security of operational technology (OT).


News Dec 01, 2022 by David Peterson
Teardown: What’s Inside a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD)?

Teardown: What’s Inside a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD)?

Variable frequency drive units can be found inside tons of control cabinets, but what happens if you disassemble one to see what’s inside and how it works? We did just that. The results might surprise you.


PLC Program Commands: Performing Array Functions Part 1

PLC Program Commands: Performing Array Functions Part 1

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.


Leveraging Modern Tech to Find the Most Important Troubleshooting Info

Leveraging Modern Tech to Find the Most Important Troubleshooting Info

One of the most time-consuming parts of the maintenance solution process has been addressed in a new release by eschbach who uses an AI-powered platform to filter and find the most relevant information.


News Nov 14, 2022 by David Peterson
Introduction to Servers for Industrial Applications

Introduction to Servers for Industrial Applications

Servers are vital to the flow of information in and around organizations, acting as a hub for information transfer and storage. Learn about the role of servers in industry and the potential challenges that come with maintaining them.


 Omron PLCs - A Hardware History

Omron PLCs - A Hardware History

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.


Edge-to-Cloud Industrial Data Hub from Rockwell Automation and Cognite

Edge-to-Cloud Industrial Data Hub from Rockwell Automation and Cognite

Rockwell and Cognite have partnered to develop a more efficient method for data scaling and plant efficiency using the cloud. They also have created a new way for customers to work more efficiently via cloud–based software.


News Nov 01, 2022 by Damond Goodwin
Differences Between a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and a Remote Terminal Unit (RTU)

Differences Between a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and a Remote Terminal Unit (RTU)

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


Understanding NPN vs. PNP for 3-Wire Sensors

Understanding NPN vs. PNP for 3-Wire Sensors

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.


Managing Multi-user PLC Programming: Git Version Control

Managing Multi-user PLC Programming: Git Version Control

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.


Siemens’ 120 V Solid-state Circuit Breaker Now UL Listed

Siemens’ 120 V Solid-state Circuit Breaker Now UL Listed

Siemens breaks new ground by having a solid-state circuit breaker UL listed for residential, commercial, and light industrial use.


News Oct 12, 2022 by Shawn Dietrich
Historical Figures: Joseph von Fraunhofer and His Impact on Production Systems

Historical Figures: Joseph von Fraunhofer and His Impact on Production Systems

In honor of October 3rd, National Techies Day, Control Automation is excited to celebrate the works of Joseph von Fraunhofer. Well-known for his contributions in optics, Fraunhofer also made lasting contributions in manufacturing and production systems.


Why is 4-20 mA Current Used for Industrial Analog Sensors?

Why is 4-20 mA Current Used for Industrial Analog Sensors?

Industrial analog sensor devices primarily use 0-10 volt or 4-20 milliamp. For those mA signals, learn the reasons for why the lower and upper limit standards were determined as 4 mA and 20 mA.


Uncontrolled Machine Vision Lighting for Infrared and Robots

Uncontrolled Machine Vision Lighting for Infrared and Robots

Ambient light, reflection, and transparent objects can all cause difficulties during machine vision applications. Learn about these issues and some potential solutions to better ensure safety and quality.


 PLC Program Commands: Arrays and Pointers

PLC Program Commands: Arrays and Pointers

The ability to utilize an array effectively is a fundamental skill in becoming a PLC programmer, but it can also be very complex and difficult to master. Let’s do a run-down of arrays and some of their complexities!


Challenges and Best Practices Implementing Industrial IoT Solutions

Challenges and Best Practices Implementing Industrial IoT Solutions

As the IIoT continues to grow in the industrial sector, businesses face a number of obstacles to integrating its solutions. Learn about these challenges as well as some potential solutions.


3-phase Motor Types: Synchronous and Induction Motors

3-phase Motor Types: Synchronous and Induction Motors

In this article, we will take a look at the differences between synchronous and induction motors, as well as the two types of induction motors: squirrel cage and wound rotor.


Solving the Biggest Challenge of IoT Devices: Power

Solving the Biggest Challenge of IoT Devices: Power

Remote locations are notoriously difficult to supply power, yet they are the exact locations where many data points must be collected. How can IoT devices be designed to conserve power to last for months or even years?


Components of the Industrial Internet of Things

Components of the Industrial Internet of Things

Learn about the four IIoT architecture layers: perception, network, processing, and application, and how  these layers are necessary to implement IIoT in an industrial setting to benefit varying processes.