Latest I/O Devices and Sensors Articles

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Understanding Robotic Force Compensators and Compliance End Effectors

Understanding Robotic Force Compensators and Compliance End Effectors

Force compensators and force compliance end effectors can expand the capabilities of traditional robotics to reach into difficult processes, ranging from grinding and alignment to precision measurement.


Wireless IO-Link Technology Integrated Into Packaging Equipment

Wireless IO-Link Technology Integrated Into Packaging Equipment

Rotzinger utilizes CoreTigo’s wireless IO-Link technology to create a packaging machine capable of dynamic changeovers while minimizing both cable infrastructure and downtime.


News Jun 22, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich
Omega’s New HANI Tank Sensor for Contactless Fluid Temp Measurements

Omega’s New HANI Tank Sensor for Contactless Fluid Temp Measurements

The High Accuracy Non-Invasive (HANI) tank temperature sensor by Omega makes quick, sanitary measurements for food, beverage, and other fluid product or process monitoring.


News Jun 21, 2023 by Seth Price
Banner Expands Light Curtain Lineup With New Easy-To-Install Devices

Banner Expands Light Curtain Lineup With New Easy-To-Install Devices

Banner Engineering has added the new S4B light curtain lineup to improve light curtain functionality for customers with tricolor LED alignment and preventative maintenance capabilities to reduce downtime.


News Jun 20, 2023 by Damond Goodwin
PID for Your PLC Using SP and PV. So Many Acronyms, So Little Time

PID for Your PLC Using SP and PV. So Many Acronyms, So Little Time

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: The Process and The Underlying Benefits

Temperature Profiling: The Process and The Underlying Benefits

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.


Expanding I/O in the Field: Banner Engineering New Discrete Modbus Hub

Expanding I/O in the Field: Banner Engineering New Discrete Modbus Hub

Recently, Banner released a new lineup of eight-port discrete converters, allowing input of up to 16 different digital I/O devices and assigning them to pre-defined Modbus registers for ease of integration.


News Jun 13, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich
New Mitsubishi Electric Compact PLC: More I/O Power in a Smaller Size

New Mitsubishi Electric Compact PLC: More I/O Power in a Smaller Size

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.


News Jun 11, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich
How To: Using Set/Reset Instructions in Mitsubishi’s MELSEC PLCs

How To: Using Set/Reset Instructions in Mitsubishi’s MELSEC PLCs

Setting and resetting a PLC output is essential in establishing a holding circuit for a transducer. Learn how to use set/reset instructions in MELSOFT series GX Works2 to latch and release an output.


Connectors Used in Industrial and Robotic Cable Termination

Connectors Used in Industrial and Robotic Cable Termination

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.


Highlights and Photos from Automate 2023

Highlights and Photos from Automate 2023

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!


News May 28, 2023 by David Peterson
Field Input and Output Blocks From Allen-Bradley

Field Input and Output Blocks From Allen-Bradley

Rockwell Automation has released an IO-Link master with configurable ports designed for harsh, on-machine environments with the ability to connect both discrete and IO-Link field devices.


News May 26, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich
Developing Standardized Practices for PLC Programming

Developing Standardized Practices for PLC Programming

Any kind of computer programming can be challenging to determine what aspects are truly unique versus what aspects should be standardized across projects and platforms to streamline future development.


Covering all the Latest Control Technology: Automate 2023

Covering all the Latest Control Technology: Automate 2023

The second day of Automate 2023 in Detroit was a huge success! The Control Automation engineering and sales team met with a number of companies to discuss and explore the exciting, innovative demonstrations.


News May 25, 2023 by David Peterson
Automate 2023: First Glimpse From the Show

Automate 2023: First Glimpse From the Show

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!


News May 24, 2023 by David Peterson
Back to the Basics: Understanding Industrial Buttons and Switches

Back to the Basics: Understanding Industrial Buttons and Switches

This article features an in-depth discussion of the various options for buttons and switches, including function, styles, shapes, and illumination options for all kinds of control panel inputs.


Building a Temperature Controller Simulator Using OpenPLC and an Arduino

Building a Temperature Controller Simulator Using OpenPLC and an Arduino

Variable control allows external conditions, like temperature, to be monitored so the controller can activate devices to heat or cool the system as needed. Simulate a temp controller with low-cost components!


Gas, Smoke, and Fire Sensors for Industrial and Commercial Applications

Gas, Smoke, and Fire Sensors for Industrial and Commercial Applications

We see smoke detectors on a daily basis in every house and building we visit, but the same sensor elements, and others, can be used to detect the presence of harmful gasses and heat in all industries.


Understanding Wire Color Codes for Industrial Electrical Applications

Understanding Wire Color Codes for Industrial Electrical Applications

Designing, installing, and maintaining control systems involves a lot of wires. Each wire has a purpose, often indicated by the color of the insulation. But what are the common colors, and what do they mean?


Q20-2: A Polarized Retroreflective Sensor For Reliable Object Detection

Q20-2: A Polarized Retroreflective Sensor For Reliable Object Detection

Banner Engineering has released a long-range polarized retroreflective photoelectric sensor for object detection that uses high-end optics to allow for consistent and accurate alignment.


News May 14, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich