Latest Building Technical Articles

As summer heat continues to scorch the northern hemisphere, manufacturers face potential equipment damage and downtime.…

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. 

Robots must be moved using cartesian frames to coordinate motion of all the joints. Properly defining the tool center…

Robots must be moved using cartesian frames to coordinate motion of all the joints. Properly defining the tool center point greatly simplifies teaching for any type of end of arm tool (EoAT).

Today’s digital multimeters (DMMs) are inexpensive, accurate, and easy to use, but sometimes a problem with the circuit…

Today’s digital multimeters (DMMs) are inexpensive, accurate, and easy to use, but sometimes a problem with the circuit or the measurement can cause incorrect readings. Learn to interpret and fix these problems.

Inside a controller, code is interpreted into the binary signals that influence input and output signals, flags and…

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.

Fuses and breakers are some of the most common safeguards to prevent electrical shock and fires. Learn about these two…

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.

The world of manufacturing is filled with robots, but beginners are still always faced with key questions, starting with…

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?

Robot cells make for an efficient automation process, reduce labor costs, and increase worker safety. Learn about the…

Robot cells make for an efficient automation process, reduce labor costs, and increase worker safety. Learn about the common features, components, and safety requirements of industrial robot work cells.

UL Listed devices are certified as safe within North America, specifically, the US. Learn about the importance of UL…

UL Listed devices are certified as safe within North America, specifically, the US. Learn about the importance of UL Certification and the key role it plays in industrial automation.

Centralized control systems are often seen as outdated compared to decentralized systems; however, both have their…

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. 

DC voltage systems exist to provide controllers and field devices with stable power, but it is not always clear when…

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.

Singularity in robotics can be problematic for programmers and manufacturers alike. We will investigate the cause of…

Singularity in robotics can be problematic for programmers and manufacturers alike. We will investigate the cause of singularities and how prevention can be considered in the design of a robot cell. 

​​​​​​​We will show you how to recognize, utilize, and efficiently operate your comparison instructions in…

​​​​​​​We will show you how to recognize, utilize, and efficiently operate your comparison instructions in Rockwell Automation’s Studio 5000 and Automation Direct’s Productivity Suite to make your program flow smoothly.

One common challenge when working with legacy control systems is establishing communication with old devices that use old…

One common challenge when working with legacy control systems is establishing communication with old devices that use old protocols like RS232 and RS485. Learn about the importance of converting from serial to Ethernet.

Industry 4.0 impacts all parts of the value chain, including logistics, which makes smart logistics a key aspect of…

Industry 4.0 impacts all parts of the value chain, including logistics, which makes smart logistics a key aspect of digital transformation. In this article, learn about the smart logistics cycle and selecting the right components for the tools needed.

Electrical signal analysis has come to the forefront of predictive maintenance, helping to reduce downtime in industrial…

Electrical signal analysis has come to the forefront of predictive maintenance, helping to reduce downtime in industrial manufacturing by remotely identifying problems with electric motors and generators.

Counting up and down are commonly required functions in PLC lagger logic programs for tracking inventories, placement…

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.

Designing an obsolescence mitigation plan to detect and solve mitigation risks before they occur is key to avoiding…

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. 

Control engineering is integrally woven together with electricity and electrical circuits. Even so, sometimes the most…

Control engineering is integrally woven together with electricity and electrical circuits. Even so, sometimes the most basic scenarios become misunderstood through lack of training or experience.

One of the most considerable risks in aging control environments is that eventually, spare parts become obsolete and…

One of the most considerable risks in aging control environments is that eventually, spare parts become obsolete and unavailable, and the lack of an upgrade plan can turn a simple failure into a catastrophe.