Many VFDs use digital inputs to control operation, rather than PLC-driven network communications. Learn about 2-wire and 3-wire digital input control schemes for…
Many VFDs use digital inputs to control operation, rather than PLC-driven network communications. Learn about 2-wire and 3-wire digital input control schemes for ABB, Omron, Rockwell, and others.
Converting thermal energy into electrical signals, temperature sensors such as RTDs and thermocouples are fundamental in…
Converting thermal energy into electrical signals, temperature sensors such as RTDs and thermocouples are fundamental in the maintenance and operation of industrial environments and equipment.
Calibration can be a time-consuming process requiring expensive traceable tools, but high-accuracy signals result in…
Calibration can be a time-consuming process requiring expensive traceable tools, but high-accuracy signals result in higher-quality products, better customer satisfaction, and, ultimately, greater returns.
Balluff’s new Factor 1 inductive sensors offer users a single sensor that senses both ferrous and non-ferrous metals at…
Balluff’s new Factor 1 inductive sensors offer users a single sensor that senses both ferrous and non-ferrous metals at the same switching distance, fit for use in environments with various metal types.
Operating just outside the visible light spectrum, infrared energy emits from anything with heat stored in it. Detecting…
Operating just outside the visible light spectrum, infrared energy emits from anything with heat stored in it. Detecting this energy, infrared sensors find use in applications from proximity detection to temperature measurement.
Emerson aims to increase efficiency in the process industry via its new line of aluminum filter regulators that come as…
Emerson aims to increase efficiency in the process industry via its new line of aluminum filter regulators that come as part of a single-source supply for valve piloting systems.
Softing Industrial announced the release of its latest Docker-based software application updates and edge products with…
Softing Industrial announced the release of its latest Docker-based software application updates and edge products with added functionalities, aiming to enhance efficiency and usability of its solutions.
Join our light-hearted look at the serious topic of job hunting as Control Automation looks to help connect the great…
Join our light-hearted look at the serious topic of job hunting as Control Automation looks to help connect the great engineers in our audience with the amazing companies in our industry. If you apply for jobs with any of these companies, please tell them Control.com sent you!
Analytics from data algorithms can predict machine failures and provide diagnostics—but what should we measure? Then,…
Analytics from data algorithms can predict machine failures and provide diagnostics—but what should we measure? Then, once the information has been collected, what trends might point to problems?
A subset of light is the focused cohesive beams that make up lasers, which can be used in optical sensing. These devices…
A subset of light is the focused cohesive beams that make up lasers, which can be used in optical sensing. These devices provide benefits of greater range, precision, and even mapping for mobile robotics.
Teledyne DALSA has added new features to its vision processing software, increasing the software's accuracy and speeding…
Teledyne DALSA has added new features to its vision processing software, increasing the software's accuracy and speeding up its AI parameters and processing.
The subject of grounding in electronics is broad and complex, spanning across a variety of functions and objectives. In…
The subject of grounding in electronics is broad and complex, spanning across a variety of functions and objectives. In this article, we will investigate the applications and regulation of grounding in control systems on a fundamental level.
Optical sensors are one of the most popular sensor types in industrial automation. This article covers optical sensor…
Optical sensors are one of the most popular sensor types in industrial automation. This article covers optical sensor basics and commonly used types, including fiber optic, photoelectric, and optical encoders.
Carlo Gavazzi has released a new family of full-metal inductive proximity sensors with an IP69K rating and standard…
Carlo Gavazzi has released a new family of full-metal inductive proximity sensors with an IP69K rating and standard IO-Link capabilities to suit any automation application.
Safety is a concern in any system containing potential energy, whether electrical, chemical, or fluid. Each has methods…
Safety is a concern in any system containing potential energy, whether electrical, chemical, or fluid. Each has methods of protection, and for fluid systems, certain shutoff valves are used in situations when excess pressure can be a problem.
Field-oriented control (FOC), also called vector control, can control 3-phase alternating current motors and brushless DC…
Field-oriented control (FOC), also called vector control, can control 3-phase alternating current motors and brushless DC motors. Read more to learn its advantages, how it works, and its best applications.
Industrial sensors can be found in nearly every modern industrial process, regardless of complexity. Learn the history,…
Industrial sensors can be found in nearly every modern industrial process, regardless of complexity. Learn the history, evolution, and variety of sensors that make manufacturing the modern marvel we see today.
Cognex has released its latest in machine vision, the In-Sight 2800 Detector, with artificial intelligence on an edge…
Cognex has released its latest in machine vision, the In-Sight 2800 Detector, with artificial intelligence on an edge device, cutting out the need for expensive networking and computing hardware.
Addressing cybersecurity threats introduced by IIoT technology and devices can quickly seem overwhelming. However, an…
Addressing cybersecurity threats introduced by IIoT technology and devices can quickly seem overwhelming. However, an understanding of the risks can lead to some straightforward countermeasures.
Programming simple coil and contact commands is an easy matter in most PLC IDEs. Connecting and configuring analog inputs…
Programming simple coil and contact commands is an easy matter in most PLC IDEs. Connecting and configuring analog inputs can be more challenging with various bit resolutions and conversion commands.