Latest 3-D printing Technical Articles

Learn how to drive a compact Meca500 industrial 6-axis robot with a CompactLogix PLC over an Ethernet connection,…

Learn how to drive a compact Meca500 industrial 6-axis robot with a CompactLogix PLC over an Ethernet connection, transferring direct TCP set points in joint and world coordinate systems.

Learn how electric actuators can replace fluid systems with SMC’s e-Actuator series, offering simple setup, clean…

Learn how electric actuators can replace fluid systems with SMC’s e-Actuator series, offering simple setup, clean operation, and accurate motion contro

Learn about some of the basic Boolean logic gates using the graphical PLC language of function blocks, recreating ladder…

Learn about some of the basic Boolean logic gates using the graphical PLC language of function blocks, recreating ladder logic and other IEC languages with a digital flair.

Handshaking between robots can be handled in many ways, one of them being GE-FANUC’s protocol called “Ethernet Global…

Handshaking between robots can be handled in many ways, one of them being GE-FANUC’s protocol called “Ethernet Global Data,” or EGD. Learn how to set up EGD on a pair of FANUC robots.

Learn how to configure a single motion axis and perform some basic cyclic action using Festo’s Automation Suite and a…

Learn how to configure a single motion axis and perform some basic cyclic action using Festo’s Automation Suite and a simple electric linear axis.

If your facility or workplace uses a PLC, it’s almost certainly because it must interface with physical input and…

If your facility or workplace uses a PLC, it’s almost certainly because it must interface with physical input and output devices. What kinds of I/O modules exist, and how can you tell the difference?

Electrical grounding is used to accomplish several different tasks, but none more important than for the safety of users…

Electrical grounding is used to accomplish several different tasks, but none more important than for the safety of users and equipment while maintaining strict adherence to regulations.

Learn all about the central processing unit (CPU): the built-in module inside the PLC responsible for executing the…

Learn all about the central processing unit (CPU): the built-in module inside the PLC responsible for executing the program and communicating with external devices.

When the angle or distance of motion is more important than speed and power, certain motors shine brighter, like…

When the angle or distance of motion is more important than speed and power, certain motors shine brighter, like steppers, named for the individual steps they take when control voltage is applied.

Function block diagram (FBD) programming is a common language for PLCs following the IEC 61131 standard. What is FBD, and…

Function block diagram (FBD) programming is a common language for PLCs following the IEC 61131 standard. What is FBD, and how does it differ from the familiar ladder logic programs?

Triggering a machine by an external event often requires a pulse timer for OpenPLC Pulse Timer control. Here’s a brief…

Triggering a machine by an external event often requires a pulse timer for OpenPLC Pulse Timer control. Here’s a brief tutorial on how an M5Stack Core can offer a simple, effective low-cost Arduino OpenPLC HMI solution.

Additive manufacturing includes, but is not limited to, printing parts in 3D. Creating these parts in metal presents…

Additive manufacturing includes, but is not limited to, printing parts in 3D. Creating these parts in metal presents unique challenges and requires some rather innovative additive technologies.

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?

Industrial network switches connect automation equipment, controllers, and other such devices. Learn about unmanaged,…

Industrial network switches connect automation equipment, controllers, and other such devices. Learn about unmanaged, managed, and PoE enabled switches, as well as the differences between switches, routers, and hubs.

No matter how robust an automated control system might be, physical damage is a reality that plagues all machines. Thanks…

No matter how robust an automated control system might be, physical damage is a reality that plagues all machines. Thanks to new breakthrough materials, some failures may be prevented—or even reversed.

When a robot crashes, it needs to be put back into position. The steps in this process depends on the end user and the…

When a robot crashes, it needs to be put back into position. The steps in this process depends on the end user and the equipment manufacturer. Understanding why the robot crashed also helps prevent future failures.

Programming languages often include sine and cosine functions. They simplify programming, but consume valuable memory…

Programming languages often include sine and cosine functions. They simplify programming, but consume valuable memory space and computation time. This can be overcome using simple approximations.

As digital transformation continues to rise, technologies such as 3D printing also skyrocket. What is the relationship…

As digital transformation continues to rise, technologies such as 3D printing also skyrocket. What is the relationship between these terms, and how can 3D printing help manufacturers and shops on their journey toward digital transformation?

Solidworks or AutoCAD? Which software is the right fit for you and your team? Take a dive into the fundamental components…

Solidworks or AutoCAD? Which software is the right fit for you and your team? Take a dive into the fundamental components of both programs and the key differences between them.