Latest Utilities Articles

Categories

PATLITE Introduces NHV4 / NHV6 Network Signal Tower with Voice Annunciator

PATLITE's newest network signal tower speaks. With a text-to-speech function, machine operators and industrial workers are not only alerted of potential dangers via light and sound, but also now with voice.

2 days ago by Stephanie Leonida

KEMET’s New “Volumetric Efficient” EMC Solution

KEMET announces the release of their GTX Metal Case Three Phase Filters which utilize a nanocrystalline metal core to bring forth volumetric efficiency while reducing unwanted electromagnetic and radio-frequency interference.

3 days ago by Gunner Scott

Automation Issues and Energy Usage in Environmental Extremes

As summer heat continues to scorch the northern hemisphere, manufacturers face potential equipment damage and downtime. Learn about the ways extreme heat can damage automated equipment and systems. 

4 days ago by Antonio Armenta

Failure Analysis in Power Side and Ground Side Switching Circuits

Learn about power side and ground side switching and how designing these circuits to have predictable failures from the beginning helps in system maintenance and troubleshooting.

July 23, 2022 by David Peterson

What is Firmware, and Why is PLC Firmware Important?

Inside a controller, code is interpreted into the binary signals that influence input and output signals, flags and registers, and even the communication of network signals. This is the job of firmware.

July 21, 2022 by David Peterson

Interrupting Dangerous Current Flow with Slow Blow and Quick Blow Response

Fuses and breakers are some of the most common safeguards to prevent electrical shock and fires. Learn about these two pieces of industrial equipment and the difference between slow blow and quick blow responses.

July 20, 2022 by Seth Price

How to Program a Robot: Industrial Robotic Arm Coding Basics

The world of manufacturing is filled with robots, but beginners are still always faced with key questions, starting with perhaps the most basic: how do you program industrial robots?

July 19, 2022 by David Peterson

Arduino Pro LoRaWAN Industrial Gateways

Arduino has made the leap from the maker world to the industrial sector by combining its smooth user experience with RAKwireless' industry expertise to provide LoRaWAN connection capable of advanced IoT applications.

July 14, 2022 by Damond Goodwin

Understanding Centralization vs Decentralization of PLCs

Centralized control systems are often seen as outdated compared to decentralized systems; however, both have their advantages and disadvantages when it comes to choosing which one to use in manufacturing. 

July 13, 2022 by Seth Price

CTRL F3: Factory Explosion Field Study

The CTRL F3 series reviews field studies and failures in the field focused on control fails, fixes, and facts. This article covers an explosion at an industrial sawmill.

July 12, 2022 by Jon Peterson

Negative Effects of Grounding (Earthing) a DC Power Supply

DC voltage systems exist to provide controllers and field devices with stable power, but it is not always clear when these systems should be bonded with the earth ground of the AC line voltage supply.

July 11, 2022 by David Peterson

Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Hardware - Control Automation

Programmable Logic Control (PLC) systems are the core of most industrial control systems that drive modern manufacturing. In this Control Automation video, we discuss the important hardware elements that define a PLC, regardless of its size or purpose.

July 06, 2022 by David Peterson

Control Automation Launches PLC Tutorial Video Series

Watch our 'Introduction to PLCs' series by our very own Control Automation engineering staff. Join us for the YouTube premier LIVE event on Wednesday, July 6th with a Q&A from the video author and engineer.

July 05, 2022 by David Peterson

Balluff Introduces I/O Module with the Protection of CIP Safety 

The newly-announced CIP Safety I/O Module from Balluff supports CIP Safety specifications over an Ethernet network, providing a platform for safety device distribution directly on the machine center.

July 03, 2022 by David Peterson

Understanding PLC Program Commands: Math Instructions

We will show you how to use common math functions from two popular PLC programs—Rockwell Automation's Studio 5000 and Automation Direct Productivity Suite. 

June 24, 2022 by Jon Peterson

Introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) - Control Automation

Programmable Logic Control (PLC) systems are the core of most industrial control systems that drive modern manufacturing. In our Control.com video tutorials, we will share information, experience, and tips for working with PLCs—from the hardware, to the wiring, to the programming logic of inputs, outputs, and communication processes.

June 24, 2022 by David Peterson

Advanced Scaling Techniques for PLC Analog Quantities

Configuring analog signals into usable digital quantities is accomplished by scaling function inside the PLC, which, along with analog signal wiring, is important to understand.

June 21, 2022 by Antonio Armenta

A How-to Guide to Control Automation Day 2022

Welcome to Control Automation Day 2022—Control.com’s digital-only event for engineers! Here is your guide to navigating the keynote addresses, live educational sessions, and exciting giveaways from your favorite manufacturers!

June 20, 2022 by David Peterson

Understanding PLC Program Commands: Up and Down Counters

Counting up and down are commonly required functions in PLC lagger logic programs for tracking inventories, placement patterns, and gaining informational insights about machine performance statistics.

June 20, 2022 by Jon Peterson

Successful Obsolescence Mitigation

Designing an obsolescence mitigation plan to detect and solve mitigation risks before they occur is key to avoiding costly downtime and a potential catastrophe in control environments. 

June 18, 2022 by Antonio Armenta