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DC Bus Fundamentals in Industrial Motor Drives

DC Bus Fundamentals in Industrial Motor Drives

Learn about precharge circuits, inrush current, and understand why VFD and servo drives may trip during power-up.


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.


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.


Automation Questions: Why Do We Choose Certain Control Voltages?

Automation Questions: Why Do We Choose Certain Control Voltages?

You’ve seen it a thousand times: 24 volts powering a device or representing a trigger signal, but what makes 24 VDC such a versatile voltage, and what about the other voltages in control cabinets?


Tutorial: Design a Temperature Controller Using Node-RED

Tutorial: Design a Temperature Controller Using Node-RED

Not every control system requires an expensive PLC. This tutorial will introduce Node-RED, a popular programming environment that can be installed on a low-cost single-board controller.


The Role of Electrical & Automation Products in Modern HVAC Systems

The Role of Electrical & Automation Products in Modern HVAC Systems

Electrical and automation components drive modern HVAC efficiency and reliability. Sensors, relays, and controls enable predictive maintenance and efficiency while keeping systems running smoothly.


Understanding PLC Tags: Controller Scope vs. Program Scope

Understanding PLC Tags: Controller Scope vs. Program Scope

Is it best to ‘controller scope’ or ‘program scope’ your tags? This is the question asked by many new PLC programmers, and it often comes down to personal preference.


Node-RED and a Low-Code Approach to Automation

Node-RED and a Low-Code Approach to Automation

Looking for a way to create IIoT applications for your factory without hiring expensive developers or spending months on the computer? Take a look at Node-RED’s approach to low-code applications.


Industry Insights: The Challenges of Automating Data Centers

Industry Insights: The Challenges of Automating Data Centers

Data centers have been a focus of industrial automation in recent days. Control.com spoke with experts at Weidmuller to learn more about how control technology can solve data center challenges.


What Is an HVAC System and What Role Do Control Systems Play?

What Is an HVAC System and What Role Do Control Systems Play?

Managing the climate inside a building is critical for both people and infrastructure. Managing the climate is the job of HVAC control systems, but what’s inside an HVAC system, and how do they work?


Methods of Precision Alignment: Mechanical, Laser, and Vibration Analysis

Methods of Precision Alignment: Mechanical, Laser, and Vibration Analysis

Alignment procedures for pulleys and shafts are a key to preventing costly breakdowns. An effective strategy pairs alignment with vibration analysis to both prevent and predict these downtime events.


Managing and Configuring Switches for Secure SCADA Networks | Part 2

Managing and Configuring Switches for Secure SCADA Networks | Part 2

Learn about OT resilience strategies, including SSH, authentication, port blocking, and MAC address binding, methods that can be employed to protect network switches.


Advantages of Remote I/O Devices With Networking Technologies

Advantages of Remote I/O Devices With Networking Technologies

Networked remote I/O allows machine centers to operate while physically separated from the rest of the system, and often, the solution can drop right into place.


Precision Alignment: The Key to Energy and Cost Reduction

Precision Alignment: The Key to Energy and Cost Reduction

Alignment is an often overlooked element in operations, leading to both energy efficiency and equipment longevity in rotating machinery.


Troubleshooting Linear Hydraulic Motion

Troubleshooting Linear Hydraulic Motion

Motion systems come in many forms. Hydraulic motion brings some unique problems, not seen in electric systems. This article will focus on how to recognize prominent failures quickly and correctly.


Electric Actuators Designed to Replace Fluids: Hands-on Tutorial

Electric Actuators Designed to Replace Fluids: Hands-on Tutorial

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


Intro to Boolean Logic with FBD PLC Programming

Intro to Boolean Logic with FBD PLC Programming

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.


Guide to Robotic Grippers: From Delicate to Heavy-Duty Handling

Guide to Robotic Grippers: From Delicate to Heavy-Duty Handling

Selecting the right robotic gripper is key to performance. Discover gripping solutions for delicate parts, soft foods, and industrial payloads.


Factory I/O: A Modern PLC Simulation Tool to Learn the Fundamentals

Factory I/O: A Modern PLC Simulation Tool to Learn the Fundamentals

Finding a good PLC simulator can be challenging. Read an assessment of Factory I/O and learn how it works, how to get started, and how to use it in your automation learning journey.


Using FANUC’s EGD Protocol for Robot-to-Robot Communication

Using FANUC’s EGD Protocol for Robot-to-Robot Communication

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.