Latest Technical Articles

Categories

Ask an Engineer: Universal Robots Shares Four Physical AI Predictions

Ask an Engineer: Universal Robots Shares Four Physical AI Predictions

Physical AI, where technology is applied to real-world devices like robots, is set to have a major impact over the next few years. UR Shares some predictions, along with some exclusive deeper insights.


MQTT vs. OPC UA: Protocols From an OEM Perspective

MQTT vs. OPC UA: Protocols From an OEM Perspective

MQTT and OPC UA are very different, but they accomplish essentially the same thing: push data from one device to another. Which method to use relies on understanding how each process is accomplished.


How to Measure Resistance with a Multimeter

How to Measure Resistance with a Multimeter

When the power is removed to a circuit, the common measurements of voltage and current prove meaningless. The only remaining option is to use resistance testing to determine which components and conductors are working.


New to PLCs? Five Critical Features Every Beginner Should Know

New to PLCs? Five Critical Features Every Beginner Should Know

Learn five essential features to consider when selecting a controller, from I/O and software licensing to networks and web access.


First Test Run: Getting to Know the Bosch Rexroth ctrlX CORE

First Test Run: Getting to Know the Bosch Rexroth ctrlX CORE

Get a first look at Bosch Rexroth’s ctrlX CORE, an industrial PC that unifies PLC, motion, and HMI through an app-based automation platform.


Using Factory I/O With a Virtual Siemens S7-1200 PLC

Using Factory I/O With a Virtual Siemens S7-1200 PLC

Learn how to control the Factory I/O PLC system simulator using a virtual Siemens S7-1200 PLC, a great tool for testing, training, and automation development without hardware.


Creating and Running a Robot Program for a Meca500

Creating and Running a Robot Program for a Meca500

This tutorial explains how the Meca500 executes stored motion programs triggered by a PLC.


Tutorial: Setting up an Inovance HMI With A Mitsubishi PLC

Tutorial: Setting up an Inovance HMI With A Mitsubishi PLC

This guide shows you how to create a simple Inovance HMI project and connect it to a Mitsubishi PLC using serial and Ethernet methods, including practical setup steps and common mistakes to avoid.


Synchronized Motion for Servos | Coordinated Axes

Synchronized Motion for Servos | Coordinated Axes

Coordinating motion in three or more axes is a difficult manual process. For more advanced gantry or articulated robots, this motion type solves the complex calculation of a set of related joints.


The Role of Sensors and Control Systems in Smarter Conveyor Design

The Role of Sensors and Control Systems in Smarter Conveyor Design

Conveyor technology is rapidly advancing thanks to the close integration of mechanical machines and electrical controls, but it’s important to understand how feedback improves that relationship.


Operator Actions and Interventions In Functional Safety

Operator Actions and Interventions In Functional Safety

Learn how to assess risks and determine SIL by understanding operator actions as initiating events, independent protection layers, or a part of the safety instrumented function loop.


Building Smarter, Faster Fault Handling with Real-Time Data

Building Smarter, Faster Fault Handling with Real-Time Data

Even highly automated control loops struggle with fault handling. Safe, effective response requires understanding each alarm’s cause and severity and clearly communicating actionable information to operators.


Set Up For Success | Scheduling Tasks in PLC Programs

Set Up For Success | Scheduling Tasks in PLC Programs

When setting up a new program in a Rockwell PLC, task scheduling is an important and often overlooked issue where errors appear as inconsistencies, often incorrectly attributed to random faults.


Modernizing Septic Systems with Proactive Innovation

Modernizing Septic Systems with Proactive Innovation

Tackling some of the world's most hostile environments with real-time data. That’s the mission of Septilink, supported by WAGO, in this prime example of predicting failures to avert disaster.


Control.com Readers’ Choice Awards 2025

Control.com Readers’ Choice Awards 2025

Welcome to the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026! We’re excited to see where the industrial automation world takes us in this new year.


Synchronized Motion for Servos | Cam Profiles

Synchronized Motion for Servos | Cam Profiles

Cam profiles are a great way of strictly controlling two servo axes to follow a predefined path. Follow along as we dive into setting up and programming an electronic cam profile.


Electrical Cabinet Best Practices: A Field Guide for New Integrators

Electrical Cabinet Best Practices: A Field Guide for New Integrators

A practical, experience-driven guide to designing and wiring electrical cabinets for machine-tending robotic cells.


Inside the Smart Factory: How Diagnostics Redefine Uptime

Inside the Smart Factory: How Diagnostics Redefine Uptime

The common narrative is that data-driven predictive maintenance can greatly reduce downtime costs. Learn about one critical feature of data collection that can enable manufacturing effectiveness.


Synchronized Motion for Servos | Gearing Profile

Synchronized Motion for Servos | Gearing Profile

Synchronized motion has become an industry standard with robots, gantries, and pick and place automation. Follow along this three-part series as we discuss methods of synchronizing servo motors.


Introduction to Common Network Protocols in Industrial Automation

Introduction to Common Network Protocols in Industrial Automation

This article provides an overview of the OSI models, IT/OT industrial protocols, and key applications behind the networking capabilities that drive modern industrial and process automation systems.