Latest Energy & Infrastructure Technical Articles

I had some questions about firewalls for industrial networks, topics like selecting, configuring, and updating the…

I had some questions about firewalls for industrial networks, topics like selecting, configuring, and updating the software, so I turned to some experts for a little advice.

Finding a good PLC simulator can be challenging. Read an assessment of Factory I/O and learn how it works, how to get…

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.

Handshaking between robots can be handled in many ways, one of them being GE-FANUC’s protocol called “Ethernet Global…

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.

H-bridge circuits are commonly used to provide current switching capabilities to different electrical components in…

H-bridge circuits are commonly used to provide current switching capabilities to different electrical components in automated systems like motor control circuits, VFDs, and DC/AC current conversions.

Learn how SPE and Power over Data Line are enabling advanced developments in industrial and building automation,…

Learn how SPE and Power over Data Line are enabling advanced developments in industrial and building automation, robotics, processing, infrastructure, and energy.

In this article, we’ll connect a Festo CMMT to a Rockwell CompactLogix PLC, and as a bonus, we’ll add an HMI to…

In this article, we’ll connect a Festo CMMT to a Rockwell CompactLogix PLC, and as a bonus, we’ll add an HMI to provide some basic on/off and positional targeting controls.

The term "piezo" refers to a relationship between mechanical deformation and voltage–useful for some sensor processes.…

The term "piezo" refers to a relationship between mechanical deformation and voltage–useful for some sensor processes. Recently, the concept has been employed to upgrade pneumatic valves.

We know that PID stands for proportional, integral, and derivative, but have you ever seen exactly how the derivative…

We know that PID stands for proportional, integral, and derivative, but have you ever seen exactly how the derivative term affects the final output signal in a motion control system?

Previously reserved for personal and commercial deployments, learn how cellular IoT connectivity technologies are…

Previously reserved for personal and commercial deployments, learn how cellular IoT connectivity technologies are influencing industrial trends, organizations, and integrators.

An interposing relay is an interface between a control system and a higher power circuit to provide isolation or…

An interposing relay is an interface between a control system and a higher power circuit to provide isolation or amplification of mismatched voltage and current from a control to a load circuit.

A well-designed SCADA system can reduce costs, increase throughput, and improve usability. Successful implementation…

A well-designed SCADA system can reduce costs, increase throughput, and improve usability. Successful implementation requires consideration from both an operational and a business perspective.

Some new factories are networked from stem to stern, ready to roll. But sometimes, it’s just you and a new PLC, so it…

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?

Pairing IIoT with cloud services provides industrial and manufacturing facilities with real-time data displayed in…

Pairing IIoT with cloud services provides industrial and manufacturing facilities with real-time data displayed in intuitive dashboards and reduces downtime.

Unexpected, false, and fluctuating PLC input signals can cost many hours of debugging, but luckily, there are some quick,…

Unexpected, false, and fluctuating PLC input signals can cost many hours of debugging, but luckily, there are some quick, simple tricks to try before downtime is wasted.

Dynamic braking resistors stop motors more quickly by converting the rotational energy, but how do we select the correct…

Dynamic braking resistors stop motors more quickly by converting the rotational energy, but how do we select the correct one and configure a PowerFlex drive to utilize the resistor effectively?

When the blinking lights on automation devices stop blinking, the control cabinet is often the go-to troubleshooting…

When the blinking lights on automation devices stop blinking, the control cabinet is often the go-to troubleshooting culprit, but how do you make the best judgments for quickly locating the problem?

Using an Arduino Opta PLC, a few off-the-shelf electrical components, and the popular OpenPLC software environment,…

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.

Learn about produced and consumed tags in PLCs, their functions, setup, and important considerations for effective data…

Learn about produced and consumed tags in PLCs, their functions, setup, and important considerations for effective data sharing between controllers in a control system.

It can be risky to adopt unknown technology; it poses serious security concerns if misused. The Control.com engineering…

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.