Latest Technical Articles

No more IIoT buzzwords! This article aims to walk through an implementation of MQTT using the paho-mqtt library using…

No more IIoT buzzwords! This article aims to walk through an implementation of MQTT using the paho-mqtt library using nothing more than your local machine and some simple Python programming.

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?

Learn about the history, framework, and current uses of the Open Platform Communications United Architecture (OPC UA)…

Learn about the history, framework, and current uses of the Open Platform Communications United Architecture (OPC UA) communication protocol in industrial automation.

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.

ASCII is a familiar acronym, found in applications like Modbus communications and string data types—but what is it, and…

ASCII is a familiar acronym, found in applications like Modbus communications and string data types—but what is it, and what does ASCII mean for automation engineers?

Cybersecurity is all about processes and people. A lot of threats can be mitigated through technology, but only if people…

Cybersecurity is all about processes and people. A lot of threats can be mitigated through technology, but only if people understand how cybersecurity affects control systems and related technology.

3D printers have come a long way over the years, but can we really expect to see them on the factory floor, taking the…

3D printers have come a long way over the years, but can we really expect to see them on the factory floor, taking the place of large machining centers? What benefits and challenges does printing offer to manufacturing?

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.

Faults and failures are an unavoidable part of any system, but it is important to reduce downtime risks by mitigating…

Faults and failures are an unavoidable part of any system, but it is important to reduce downtime risks by mitigating failures and designing fault tolerance into critical system elements.

This article discusses the somewhat outdated yet occasionally encountered binary-coded decimal (BCD) number system and…

This article discusses the somewhat outdated yet occasionally encountered binary-coded decimal (BCD) number system and its use in instrumentation and control system displays.

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.

Motors consume the highest current during startup—this is a well-known fact. But logically, the slowest speed should…

Motors consume the highest current during startup—this is a well-known fact. But logically, the slowest speed should relate to the lowest power consumption. Why, then, is inrush current so high for motors?

Smart manufacturing manifests as a knowledge-based enterprise, in which devices and processes are optimized to enhance…

Smart manufacturing manifests as a knowledge-based enterprise, in which devices and processes are optimized to enhance productivity, safety, security, sustainability, and performance. Read this article to learn about the three key productivity factors for the industry.

Moving toward Industry 4.0 is about implementing highly automated and interconnected factories and infrastructure. Learn…

Moving toward Industry 4.0 is about implementing highly automated and interconnected factories and infrastructure. Learn how time-sensitive networking (TSN) technologies can make this a reality.

Adopting digital technology to transform products, services and businesses involves gaining greater insight and control…

Adopting digital technology to transform products, services and businesses involves gaining greater insight and control for improved efficiency, typically by leveraging new data streams. These efforts often redefine experiences, such as customer experience, and can include changes in operating models that affect the security of digital assets. Read on to learn more.

To meet dynamic production demands, industry leaders have embraced digital transformation – and are building…

To meet dynamic production demands, industry leaders have embraced digital transformation – and are building data-centric, insight-driven organizations. The next hurdle? Digital technology must evolve to enable functionally complex automation systems that are not only smarter, but easier to design, operate and maintain.