Latest Food & Beverage Technical Articles

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.

Some controllers and network devices have one port, while others have two. Why is there a difference, and what advantages…

Some controllers and network devices have one port, while others have two. Why is there a difference, and what advantages does having two network ports actually provide?

Analog voltage and current are the dominating standards for industrial technology. Is one format better than the other?…

Analog voltage and current are the dominating standards for industrial technology. Is one format better than the other? And if so, why do both signal types still exist in modern systems?

A walkthrough and discussion of a simple web-based HMI solution that could modernize your current HMI technology stack.…

A walkthrough and discussion of a simple web-based HMI solution that could modernize your current HMI technology stack. The first step in the process involves sending data from a device to a server.

Control.com’s Director of Engineering got to explore IO-Link sensors and what he found might surprise you! Although…

Control.com’s Director of Engineering got to explore IO-Link sensors and what he found might surprise you! Although still considered an “emerging” technology, it’s clear IO-Link technology boasts several bonafide benefits over traditional sensors.

Understanding the building blocks of s-domain analysis and magnitude response theory can go a long way in helping…

Understanding the building blocks of s-domain analysis and magnitude response theory can go a long way in helping engineers predict how and why some system design choices are made over others.

Refining and integrating a front-end HMI application to an API middle layer with real-time data display and historian…

Refining and integrating a front-end HMI application to an API middle layer with real-time data display and historian capabilities for short-term data visualization.

Learn the first steps in focusing on the integration of a front-end HMI application to an API middle layer.

Learn the first steps in focusing on the integration of a front-end HMI application to an API middle layer.

The middle layer, or API layer of a custom-built HMI project involves a server that can submit or receive data to and…

The middle layer, or API layer of a custom-built HMI project involves a server that can submit or receive data to and from a device, either to provide the user interface or interact with the machine.

User-defined data types (UDTs) are a powerful and useful tool when applied to their full advantage. However, misused,…

User-defined data types (UDTs) are a powerful and useful tool when applied to their full advantage. However, misused, they can become problematic and introduce roadblocks to troubleshooting and upgrading PLC programs.

Triggering a machine by an external event often requires a pulse timer for OpenPLC Pulse Timer control. Here’s a brief…

Triggering a machine by an external event often requires a pulse timer for OpenPLC Pulse Timer control. Here’s a brief tutorial on how an M5Stack Core can offer a simple, effective low-cost Arduino OpenPLC HMI solution.

Programmable encoders provide engineers real flexibility to adjust process parameters. From operating theory to…

Programmable encoders provide engineers real flexibility to adjust process parameters. From operating theory to programming methods, here’s everything you need to know to begin leveraging these handy devices.

What are these terms, PLC, PAC, RTU, DCS, SCADA? Why are they so important to industrial robotics and automation? Explore…

What are these terms, PLC, PAC, RTU, DCS, SCADA? Why are they so important to industrial robotics and automation? Explore how each different piece functions to build a comprehensive automated system.

Many articles address the wiring and implementation of analog control signals, but where are they used, and what might…

Many articles address the wiring and implementation of analog control signals, but where are they used, and what might make them a better (or perhaps worse) decision than digital input/output devices?

Using the right motor for the right task is critical - but what happens if the motor is connected to the wrong supply? It…

Using the right motor for the right task is critical - but what happens if the motor is connected to the wrong supply? It is never recommended, but important to quickly understand symptoms of incorrect wiring.

Directional control valves (DCVs) come in many shapes and sizes for pneumatic and hydraulic applications. Learn to…

Directional control valves (DCVs) come in many shapes and sizes for pneumatic and hydraulic applications. Learn to distinguish the different configurations and the meaning of external markings.