Latest Electronics Technical Articles

Categories

Industrial Motor Health Tips | Modern Maintenance Solutions

Industrial Motor Health Tips | Modern Maintenance Solutions

Learn a few tips and solutions to promote long-lasting electric motor health, explaining why some maintenance practices are a better fit for certain devices and situations.


Tutorial: Driving Mecademic Robots with Siemens PLCs

Tutorial: Driving Mecademic Robots with Siemens PLCs

Learn how to create programs that directly drive a Meca500 robot arm using a Siemens S7 PLC, including adding the hardware and using pre-built function blocks for STEP7 TIA Portal.


The Spectrum Between Human and Machine: The Industrial HMI

The Spectrum Between Human and Machine: The Industrial HMI

Although ‘HMI’ has become synonymous with a durable, rugged touchscreen measuring 7 to 21 inches and mounted in a control cabinet door, the reality of the interface extends far beyond this device.


Using 2NO/2NC Contacts to Make Motor Starters More Fail‑Safe

Using 2NO/2NC Contacts to Make Motor Starters More Fail‑Safe

A practical look at how 2NO/2NC contactors and auxiliary contacts can clean up command, feedback, and fault logic in motor circuits.


Mitsubishi PLC to VFD Control: RS-485 Communication

Mitsubishi PLC to VFD Control: RS-485 Communication

This guide shows you how to set up RS-485 communication between the FX3U PLC and the FR-D700 inverter with the FX3U-485-BD. You can control speed and monitor the system using ladder logic.


The 100,000-Hour Myth: Decoding Industrial LED Life Cycles

The 100,000-Hour Myth: Decoding Industrial LED Life Cycles

Why do "forever" LEDs fail? A technical guide on L70 standards, multi-voltage IC drivers, and a comparison of industry-leading LED manufacturers.


TRi PLC Fx Series Tutorial: Getting Started with Ladder Logic

TRi PLC Fx Series Tutorial: Getting Started with Ladder Logic

Learn how to connect, wire, and program a TRi PLC Fx controller in this step-by-step tutorial.


How Do We Improve Uptime in a Faulting Wafer Handling Robot?

How Do We Improve Uptime in a Faulting Wafer Handling Robot?

Learn how to improve wafer handling robot uptime by identifying common faults, optimizing maintenance, and applying practical troubleshooting.


Industry Insights: Understanding Hybrid Linear Motion

Industry Insights: Understanding Hybrid Linear Motion

Kyntronics’ mission is to combine servo control with hydraulic actuators to form hybrid motion control. Our engineering team posed a few questions in hopes of learning more about this technology.


Inside Rockwell Automation’s Factory Where Automation Is Built

Inside Rockwell Automation’s Factory Where Automation Is Built

Join Control.com for an inside look at the Rockwell Automation HQ in Milwaukee, WI, and check out a fully automated assembly line. Plus, a preview of new product tutorials, coming soon!


A Legacy of Factory and Motion Control: Mitsubishi Electric Automation

A Legacy of Factory and Motion Control: Mitsubishi Electric Automation

Showcase, manufacturing, repair, and research: Join Control.com for a recap of our team’s recent visit to the US HQ of Mitsubishi Electric Automation, and see where the magic happens.


Explaining the Tech: Common vs. Isolated PLC I/O Modules

Explaining the Tech: Common vs. Isolated PLC I/O Modules

Learn the difference between common and individually isolated PLC I/O modules; how do we know when isolation might be helpful or required for outputs, inputs, and analog signals?


So, You Got a Modbus TCP Device… What Next?

So, You Got a Modbus TCP Device… What Next?

Despite being one of the oldest protocols in automation, Modbus is still more complex than digital I/O. When you have a Modbus TCP device, what do you do? How do you actually use it?


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.


Working With Data: Looping Through Arrays In A PLC

Working With Data: Looping Through Arrays In A PLC

Arrays can handle large amounts of data, but when you need to extract a portion of that data, you might need to execute a loop. Learn a few examples and tips for creating loops in PLC logic.


How to Measure Resistance with a Multimeter

How to Measure Resistance with a Multimeter

When the power is removed to a circuit, the common measurements of voltage and current prove meaningless. The only remaining option is to use resistance testing to determine which components and conductors are working.


Tutorial: Setting up an Inovance HMI With A Mitsubishi PLC

Tutorial: Setting up an Inovance HMI With A Mitsubishi PLC

This guide shows you how to create a simple Inovance HMI project and connect it to a Mitsubishi PLC using serial and Ethernet methods, including practical setup steps and common mistakes to avoid.


Synchronized Motion for Servos | Coordinated Axes

Synchronized Motion for Servos | Coordinated Axes

Coordinating motion in three or more axes is a difficult manual process. For more advanced gantry or articulated robots, this motion type solves the complex calculation of a set of related joints.


Synchronized Motion for Servos | Cam Profiles

Synchronized Motion for Servos | Cam Profiles

Cam profiles are a great way of strictly controlling two servo axes to follow a predefined path. Follow along as we dive into setting up and programming an electronic cam profile.


Electrical Cabinet Best Practices: A Field Guide for New Integrators

Electrical Cabinet Best Practices: A Field Guide for New Integrators

A practical, experience-driven guide to designing and wiring electrical cabinets for machine-tending robotic cells.