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Industrial Automation: Spare Yourself From Network Pitfalls!

Industrial Automation: Spare Yourself From Network Pitfalls!

Some new factories are networked from stem to stern, ready to roll. But sometimes, it’s just you and a new PLC, so it won’t really matter how you set things up, it’ll probably work just fine, right?


Actuator-Sensor Interface: ASi Installation and Commissioning

Actuator-Sensor Interface: ASi Installation and Commissioning

A common field-level protocol for automation is ASi or AS-interface–a method used to convey actuator and sensor data and commands between I/O devices and the PLC control system level.


Commissioning IO-Link Part 2: Tutorial PLC Project

Commissioning IO-Link Part 2: Tutorial PLC Project

After we explored the initial configuration, it’s now time to see exactly how to implement IO-Link in a simple PLC project, explaining how to interpret process data bytes for input and output.


Hands-On with the Arduino Opta Using OpenPLC

Hands-On with the Arduino Opta Using OpenPLC

Using an Arduino Opta PLC, a few off-the-shelf electrical components, and the popular OpenPLC software environment, automation control concepts can be built on your own test bench.


Commissioning IO-Link Part 1: System Configuration

Commissioning IO-Link Part 1: System Configuration

IO-Link devices can be inputs or outputs, and often a mix of both. In this article, learn how to interpret datasheets that list the indexes and purpose of the bytes to read and write process data.


Remote Networking: Explaining VPNs for Control Engineers

Remote Networking: Explaining VPNs for Control Engineers

It can be risky to adopt unknown technology; it poses serious security concerns if misused. The Control.com engineering team contacted our friends at OnLogic to gain some insight into VPN technology.


A Visit From Safety Nick

A Visit From Safety Nick

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas: like you’ve (probably) never heard it before.


Communication and Power Redundancy for Control Devices

Communication and Power Redundancy for Control Devices

Power and control interruptions are, at best, problematic. In some applications, it’s catastrophic. Learn about redundancy for the system, power supplies, control devices, and network topologies.


OPC UA Implementation: Rockwell, Siemens, and Beckhoff

OPC UA Implementation: Rockwell, Siemens, and Beckhoff

Machine-to-machine (M2M) communication is a critical component of the modern connected facility. OPC UA stands out as an open protocol for making the link between shop floor and cloud systems.


Ignition: An Example of OPC UA Data-Driven Manufacturing

Ignition: An Example of OPC UA Data-Driven Manufacturing

Truly understanding how to implement IIoT technology requires tangible examples of machines, platforms, and data insights that give relevance to high-level concepts.


Using OPC UA | Industrial Connectivity with KEPServerEX

Using OPC UA | Industrial Connectivity with KEPServerEX

Learn about how one example platform, KEPServerEX by PTC, uses OPC UA to integrate machine centers with various communication protocol differences, the ultimate goal of M2M integration.


How To Configure FANUC I/O: The Group and Digital Guide

How To Configure FANUC I/O: The Group and Digital Guide

Inputs and outputs play crucial roles in various automated processes. This article will explain the variances between digital and group I/O and offer guidance on setting up each type through Ethernet.


Machine-to-Machine Integration with OPC UA

Machine-to-Machine Integration with OPC UA

The OPC UA protocol is designed to solve two problems in automation: interoperability between device vendors and independence from incompatible transport layer differences.


All About PLCs: Networking and Communications

All About PLCs: Networking and Communications

Learn about the modules and systems that provide a network connection to the outside world, transforming traditional PLCs into true, modern process automation controllers (PAC).


Understanding I/O Terminal Types And When To Use Them

Understanding I/O Terminal Types And When To Use Them

Embedded, modular, panel mount, distributed, machine mount, and remote, oh my! What does it all mean, and how are you supposed to know which one to choose for your application?


Motion, Vision, and Control: The Whole Automation Package at Beckhoff

Motion, Vision, and Control: The Whole Automation Package at Beckhoff

Join Control Automation for a visit to Beckhoff USA in Minneapolis, MN, as we learn about cabinet-free controls, high-speed motion, and magnetic conveyance working to drive the future of the industry.


PLC With a Miniature Twist: Crouzet Millenium Slim Tutorial

PLC With a Miniature Twist: Crouzet Millenium Slim Tutorial

One of the smallest PLCs on the market, the Millenium Slim by Crouzet, can handle advanced functions with a wireless interface and function block (FBD) style IEC 61131 programming.


How To Read Ladder Logic in PLC and Relay Controls, Part 1: Inputs

How To Read Ladder Logic in PLC and Relay Controls, Part 1: Inputs

Ladder logic is an industrial control systems legend stemming from electrical line diagrams before the days of PLCs. Although logical, they are difficult to interpret.


Electrical Instruments and Gauges: Connection and Configuration

Electrical Instruments and Gauges: Connection and Configuration

In any process industry, transducers are the basic instrumentation unit for continuous monitoring of system variables that provide inputs for control system algorithms and outputs.


How To Read Ladder Logic in PLC and Relay Controls, Part 2

How To Read Ladder Logic in PLC and Relay Controls, Part 2

Ladder logic is an industrial control systems legend stemming from electrical line diagrams before the days of PLCs. Although logical, they are difficult to interpret.