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Introduction to Functional Safety (IEC 62061) and its Implementation

Introduction to Functional Safety (IEC 62061) and its Implementation

Functional safety is the safety of a system and is critical for industries such as medical devices, automotive, railways, and machinery. This article will focus on functional safety for machinery and the standards that help its implementation.


Introduction to Servers for Industrial Applications

Introduction to Servers for Industrial Applications

Servers are vital to the flow of information in and around organizations, acting as a hub for information transfer and storage. Learn about the role of servers in industry and the potential challenges that come with maintaining them.


 Omron PLCs - A Hardware History

Omron PLCs - A Hardware History

With the first fuzzy logic-based controllers on the market in 1983, learn how the Japanese-born automation company, Omron, adopted fuzzy logic as a basis for the design of its current PLCs.


Understanding the Differences Between Protection Relays vs Control Relays

Understanding the Differences Between Protection Relays vs Control Relays

Protection systems are critical in today’s fast-paced industrial revolution for the safety of people and processes. This article discusses electronic protective relay types and how they differ from standard relays.


Differences Between a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and a Remote Terminal Unit (RTU)

Differences Between a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and a Remote Terminal Unit (RTU)

Despite the many overlaps, PLCs and RTUs are two different devices, each with specific suitable applications.


Understanding Floating Point Numbers in PLC Programming

Understanding Floating Point Numbers in PLC Programming

There are three main types of numeric values that must be handled by a PLC: boolean, integers, and floating point. These last floating-point values can create the most confusion for programmers and technicians.


Robot Collision Recovery and Prevention

Robot Collision Recovery and Prevention

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.


Electromechanical Integration Using Fusion 360

Electromechanical Integration Using Fusion 360

Nearly every electronic product depends on the unity of electrical components and PCBs with physical enclosures and parts. Learn how Autodesk’s Fusion 360 offers a complete solution for electromechanical integration and design.


Understanding NPN vs. PNP for 3-Wire Sensors

Understanding NPN vs. PNP for 3-Wire Sensors

You are bound to encounter two terms associated with sensors and some loads: ‘NPN’ and ‘PNP’. You must understand the relationship between the field device and the control module in order to choose and install components properly when needed.


Managing Multi-user PLC Programming: Git Version Control

Managing Multi-user PLC Programming: Git Version Control

PLC and other automation project software can be easier and more efficient to update and maintain thanks to the introduction of Git control, already a staple for typical programming of large-scale projects.


8 Steps To Successful Predictive Maintenance Implementation (with examples)

8 Steps To Successful Predictive Maintenance Implementation (with examples)

We'll run through the eight basic steps for implementing a predictive maintenance strategy in your business to improve critical asset availability, reduced maintenance costs, and enhanced revenues over time.


Info Byte: The Mystery of Ice Cube Relays–Coil Polarity

Info Byte: The Mystery of Ice Cube Relays–Coil Polarity

Relay and other coil devices pose a few confusing questions: How can the relay still work if you connect a DC supply in reverse? How can an alternating voltage attract and hold the load consistently?


Why is 4-20 mA Current Used for Industrial Analog Sensors?

Why is 4-20 mA Current Used for Industrial Analog Sensors?

Industrial analog sensor devices primarily use 0-10 volt or 4-20 milliamp. For those mA signals, learn the reasons for why the lower and upper limit standards were determined as 4 mA and 20 mA.


Industrial Control Panel Design Standards and Best Practices

Industrial Control Panel Design Standards and Best Practices

Industrial control panels are at the heart of control systems. Learn about the standards and regulations that dictate industrial control panel design for safety and efficiency, including NFPA 70, UL 60947-4-1, and NFPA 79. 


Humidity Measurement Basics: Relative Humidity, Sensors, and Applications

Humidity Measurement Basics: Relative Humidity, Sensors, and Applications

Humidity control is vital in many industrial applications. We'll take a look at nine different humidity measurement technologies, how they are used, and discuss the difference between relative humidity and dew point.


Uncontrolled Machine Vision Lighting for Infrared and Robots

Uncontrolled Machine Vision Lighting for Infrared and Robots

Ambient light, reflection, and transparent objects can all cause difficulties during machine vision applications. Learn about these issues and some potential solutions to better ensure safety and quality.


Arduino Applications in Industrial Automation

Arduino Applications in Industrial Automation

While not a direct replacement for PLCs, there are industrial automation applications built using Arduino, including prototyping, embedded systems, and low-cost PLC simulators.


End of Arm Tooling: Power Sources and Sensors

End of Arm Tooling: Power Sources and Sensors

An EOAT, located at the end of an industrial or collaborative robot arm, is entirely customizable with nearly unlimited possibilities. Learn about the five main methods of how EOATs are powered and the sensors that they use.


An Overview of Sequential Function Chart (SFC) PLC Programming

An Overview of Sequential Function Chart (SFC) PLC Programming

Sequential Function Chart (SFC) is a graphical programming language among the languages identified by IEC 61131-3 programming languages and standard for PLC programming using ladder logic.


 PLC Program Commands: Arrays and Pointers

PLC Program Commands: Arrays and Pointers

The ability to utilize an array effectively is a fundamental skill in becoming a PLC programmer, but it can also be very complex and difficult to master. Let’s do a run-down of arrays and some of their complexities!