The stack light has a simple but powerful purpose: to report the status of the equipment. Follow along as we take a deep dive into the venerable illuminated signal tower.
The stack light has a simple but powerful purpose: to report the status of the equipment. Follow along as we take a deep dive into the venerable illuminated signal tower.
Alignment procedures for pulleys and shafts are a key to preventing costly breakdowns. An effective strategy pairs…
Alignment procedures for pulleys and shafts are a key to preventing costly breakdowns. An effective strategy pairs alignment with vibration analysis to both prevent and predict these downtime events.
After working with solenoid valves for many years, there are still a few questions: is AD or DC voltage better? Do we…
After working with solenoid valves for many years, there are still a few questions: is AD or DC voltage better? Do we really need lubrication? I turned to an expert for some answers.
Recently, Control.com interviewed Oxipital AI to learn exactly how incorporating AI into vision systems and machine…
Recently, Control.com interviewed Oxipital AI to learn exactly how incorporating AI into vision systems and machine learning is improving the food & beverage industries.
Explore the art of automated palletizing and the different ways you can accelerate the packaging process using PLC and…
Explore the art of automated palletizing and the different ways you can accelerate the packaging process using PLC and robotic controls.
Servo drives interact with hardware axes, but there are many ways to configure the motion. I/O signals allow connections…
Servo drives interact with hardware axes, but there are many ways to configure the motion. I/O signals allow connections of sensors and switches for functions like homing and setting travel limits.
Learn how to use simple ladder logic and discrete outputs to control the e-Actuator series from SMC, an interesting…
Learn how to use simple ladder logic and discrete outputs to control the e-Actuator series from SMC, an interesting electric motion axis designed to operate with only simple discrete signal inputs.
Learn about OT resilience strategies, including SSH, authentication, port blocking, and MAC address binding, methods that…
Learn about OT resilience strategies, including SSH, authentication, port blocking, and MAC address binding, methods that can be employed to protect network switches.
Networked remote I/O allows machine centers to operate while physically separated from the rest of the system, and often,…
Networked remote I/O allows machine centers to operate while physically separated from the rest of the system, and often, the solution can drop right into place.
Selecting the right robotic gripper is key to performance. Discover gripping solutions for delicate parts, soft foods,…
Selecting the right robotic gripper is key to performance. Discover gripping solutions for delicate parts, soft foods, and industrial payloads.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
Industrial sensor applications face challenges of digital or analog, NPN or PNP, normally closed and normally open, but…
Industrial sensor applications face challenges of digital or analog, NPN or PNP, normally closed and normally open, but for optical sensors, the terms “light-on” and “dark-on” must also be understood.
Filters and reactors can protect your electrical devices, but what is the difference between these two kinds of devices,…
Filters and reactors can protect your electrical devices, but what is the difference between these two kinds of devices, and are they supposed to be installed before or after a VFD?
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