Latest Food & Beverage Technical Articles

In this article, we will explore real-world considerations for strain gauge performance and typical applications. We’ll…

In this article, we will explore real-world considerations for strain gauge performance and typical applications. We’ll be talking about foil and wire strain gauges, but ignoring semiconductors.

For being no more than a thin piece of metal, the strain gauge is a versatile measurement tool, from small switches to…

For being no more than a thin piece of metal, the strain gauge is a versatile measurement tool, from small switches to multi-ton machines. In this article, learn the operating principles and properties.

In this article, we will explore the inbound integration to the mage.ai pipeline, connecting to the spreadsheet data…

In this article, we will explore the inbound integration to the mage.ai pipeline, connecting to the spreadsheet data source using the Google Sheets API through a JSON credentials file.

When inputs or outputs stop working, the equipment fails to respond and money starts slipping away. Dive into the concept…

When inputs or outputs stop working, the equipment fails to respond and money starts slipping away. Dive into the concept of troubleshooting I/O without ever opening the PLC software.

Pressures are always rising and falling in fluid systems. Sometimes the changes are extreme and lead to damage. What…

Pressures are always rising and falling in fluid systems. Sometimes the changes are extreme and lead to damage. What causes problematic pressure changes, and how can you trace them to their source?

Machine downtime can be very stressful for everybody involved. Next time you face a challenging system failure, try some…

Machine downtime can be very stressful for everybody involved. Next time you face a challenging system failure, try some of these LED troubleshooting techniques to reduce stress.

All of modern industry relies on data. In the first installment of a series showcasing the importance of industrial data…

All of modern industry relies on data. In the first installment of a series showcasing the importance of industrial data movement, we explain the challenge of data flow and build a fault list.

This article reviews the challenges and opportunities when incorporating generative AI and Large Language Models in…

This article reviews the challenges and opportunities when incorporating generative AI and Large Language Models in industrial applications. It also examines how a Norwegian fishing and biotech company improved operational productivity and efficiency using generative AI.

Traditionally, automation requires a sizable investment and integration risks. RaaS empowers manufacturers to let someone…

Traditionally, automation requires a sizable investment and integration risks. RaaS empowers manufacturers to let someone else adopt the risks in exchange for an hourly or monthly subscription rate.

In the world of mechanical power transmission, gears, belts, and chains dominate the landscape, but what's so special…

In the world of mechanical power transmission, gears, belts, and chains dominate the landscape, but what's so special about chain drives, and why would they be used in place of rubber belts?

Rebooting industrial controllers and computers incurs costs, not only from the downtime but also from cascading effects…

Rebooting industrial controllers and computers incurs costs, not only from the downtime but also from cascading effects of communication with up/downstream controllers. How can this downtime be managed?

Hydraulic cylinders and actuators can quickly move heavy objects and provide strong clamping forces. But when they break…

Hydraulic cylinders and actuators can quickly move heavy objects and provide strong clamping forces. But when they break down, the effects can be catastrophic and the repairs costly and timely.

An overview of HMI data types, input controls, output indicators, and message functions, the building blocks used to…

An overview of HMI data types, input controls, output indicators, and message functions, the building blocks used to construct informative and appealing HMI applications.

Data has become the currency that enables operational excellence. Sensors are the key links, acting as the eyes and ears…

Data has become the currency that enables operational excellence. Sensors are the key links, acting as the eyes and ears of modern manufacturing units by providing real-time data on machine performance.

Photoelectric sensors and fiber optic sensors are very similar in a lot of ways, but which one is superior in function…

Photoelectric sensors and fiber optic sensors are very similar in a lot of ways, but which one is superior in function and durability, and under what conditions might one be preferred?

Cobots have recently been hailed as one of the latest and greatest innovations in production and manufacturing…

Cobots have recently been hailed as one of the latest and greatest innovations in production and manufacturing automation. But are collaborative robots living up to their reputation? Control.com investigates the benefits and drawbacks of these versatile industrial machines.

A PLC can be placed in Run or Stop, or occasionally Program mode, usually through physical or virtual methods. But what…

A PLC can be placed in Run or Stop, or occasionally Program mode, usually through physical or virtual methods. But what do these modes mean, and when should they be used?

Most commercial control technologies have fascinating histories, especially industrial robots. Here’s the story behind…

Most commercial control technologies have fascinating histories, especially industrial robots. Here’s the story behind the development of Unimate, the world’s first.

Function block diagrams can be a useful tool, but they can also add a lot of complexity. Learn about the what, when,…

Function block diagrams can be a useful tool, but they can also add a lot of complexity. Learn about the what, when, where, and why of function block diagram (FBD) programming.