Latest Forest Products Technical Articles

Learn how to configure the connection for a Mitsubishi FX5UC controller over Ethernet using GX Works 3.

Learn how to configure the connection for a Mitsubishi FX5UC controller over Ethernet using GX Works 3.

When motors drive in parallel from a single main power source, do they each need an individual VFD? Check out why this is…

When motors drive in parallel from a single main power source, do they each need an individual VFD? Check out why this is useful in some cases, and take note of some necessary precautions.

Predictive maintenance brings real cost and time savings, but there can be a lot of confusion when setting up a system.…

Predictive maintenance brings real cost and time savings, but there can be a lot of confusion when setting up a system. Control.com talks to the experts at NORD, a motor specialist, to learn more.

In this tutorial, we add remote I/O to a Studio 5000 project using Modbus TCP and the new SLM System from Synergy Logic,…

In this tutorial, we add remote I/O to a Studio 5000 project using Modbus TCP and the new SLM System from Synergy Logic, which promises to simplify the integration. We’ll see how it lives up.

Addressing variables at the bit level can save precious PLC memory as well as make your code more readable and easier to…

Addressing variables at the bit level can save precious PLC memory as well as make your code more readable and easier to understand.

Part 1 of a 2-part series. A practical look at the failures that plague motor drive systems, even those that are rated to…

Part 1 of a 2-part series. A practical look at the failures that plague motor drive systems, even those that are rated to be fail-safe.

Although ‘HMI’ has become synonymous with a durable, rugged touchscreen measuring 7 to 21 inches and mounted in a…

Although ‘HMI’ has become synonymous with a durable, rugged touchscreen measuring 7 to 21 inches and mounted in a control cabinet door, the reality of the interface extends far beyond this device.

This guide shows you how to set up RS-485 communication between the FX3U PLC and the FR-D700 inverter with the…

This guide shows you how to set up RS-485 communication between the FX3U PLC and the FR-D700 inverter with the FX3U-485-BD. You can control speed and monitor the system using ladder logic.

Why do "forever" LEDs fail? A technical guide on L70 standards, multi-voltage IC drivers, and a comparison of…

Why do "forever" LEDs fail? A technical guide on L70 standards, multi-voltage IC drivers, and a comparison of industry-leading LED manufacturers.

Motor speed control can be a tricky process, due to the variety of options. In a VFD, speed can be controlled using fixed…

Motor speed control can be a tricky process, due to the variety of options. In a VFD, speed can be controlled using fixed values, digital or analog signals, or communication networks.

Showcase, manufacturing, repair, and research: Join Control.com for a recap of our team’s recent visit to the US HQ of…

Showcase, manufacturing, repair, and research: Join Control.com for a recap of our team’s recent visit to the US HQ of Mitsubishi Electric Automation, and see where the magic happens.

Learn the difference between common and individually isolated PLC I/O modules; how do we know when isolation might be…

Learn the difference between common and individually isolated PLC I/O modules; how do we know when isolation might be helpful or required for outputs, inputs, and analog signals?

Learn about precharge circuits, inrush current, and understand why VFD and servo drives may trip during power-up.

Learn about precharge circuits, inrush current, and understand why VFD and servo drives may trip during power-up.

Learn how to integrate fail-safe logic and explosion-proof design to keep your processes running safely and smoothly.

Learn how to integrate fail-safe logic and explosion-proof design to keep your processes running safely and smoothly.

This guide shows you how to create a simple Inovance HMI project and connect it to a Mitsubishi PLC using serial and…

This guide shows you how to create a simple Inovance HMI project and connect it to a Mitsubishi PLC using serial and Ethernet methods, including practical setup steps and common mistakes to avoid.

When setting up a new program in a Rockwell PLC, task scheduling is an important and often overlooked issue where errors…

When setting up a new program in a Rockwell PLC, task scheduling is an important and often overlooked issue where errors appear as inconsistencies, often incorrectly attributed to random faults.

Synchronized motion has become an industry standard with robots, gantries, and pick and place automation. Follow along…

Synchronized motion has become an industry standard with robots, gantries, and pick and place automation. Follow along this three-part series as we discuss methods of synchronizing servo motors.

You’ve seen it a thousand times: 24 volts powering a device or representing a trigger signal, but what makes 24 VDC…

You’ve seen it a thousand times: 24 volts powering a device or representing a trigger signal, but what makes 24 VDC such a versatile voltage, and what about the other voltages in control cabinets?

Is it best to ‘controller scope’ or ‘program scope’ your tags? This is the question asked by many new PLC…

Is it best to ‘controller scope’ or ‘program scope’ your tags? This is the question asked by many new PLC programmers, and it often comes down to personal preference.