Latest Logistics Technical Articles

Categories

Data Flow Tutorial With Mage.ai | Part 4: PostgreSQL Database

To transfer data from a local spreadsheet to a database to create visual dashboards, we must now define the outbound integration to the PostgreSQL database through the mage.ai editor.

one day ago by Michael Levanduski

Strain Gauges: Basic Operating Principles, Materials, and Properties

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.

3 days ago by Harry Trietley

Data Flow Tutorial With Mage.ai | Part 3: Connecting to Google Sheets

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.

November 27, 2023 by Michael Levanduski

Data Flow Tutorial With Mage.ai | Part 2: Initializing the Software

Data pipelines are software services that progress the data from source to storage, hopefully without too much programming complexity. In this article, we begin by initializing the mage.ai software.

November 20, 2023 by Michael Levanduski

Troubleshooting PLCs: Recognizing Visual Status Indicators and LEDs

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.

November 14, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich

Data Flow Tutorial With Mage.ai | Part 1: The Challenge of 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.

November 13, 2023 by Michael Levanduski

Create Your Own IIoT Tech Stack Project | Part 8: Final - Data Dashboard

In this final installment of the IIoT tech stack project, learn how to design the customer-facing dashboard or observability platform using the data acquired from the MQTT client device.

November 07, 2023 by Michael Levanduski

Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS): What Is It and Why Would You Want It?

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.

November 02, 2023 by Misa Ilkhechi, Formic Technologies

The Mechanic’s View of Control: Chain Drive Power Transmission

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?

November 01, 2023 by David Peterson

Industrial Computing Tackles the Challenge of Long Rebooting Time

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?

October 30, 2023 by Seth Price

Create Your Own IIoT Tech Stack Project | Part 6: Node-RED Development

This article will explore the setup of Node-RED, the glue that will serve to connect all of the individual components of the solution that we have created up to this point.

October 26, 2023 by Michael Levanduski

The Art of Maintaining and Repairing Hydraulic Cylinders

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.

October 25, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich

Create Your Own IIoT Tech Stack Project | Part 5: Database Setup

Now that our IIoT project has verified the transmission of an MQTT data payload packet, this next article will explore the setup of an InfluxDB database to store the incoming sensor data.

October 24, 2023 by Michael Levanduski

Create Your Own IIoT Tech Stack Project | Part 3: Commissioning MQTT Broker

Learn to develop an actual IoT solution end to end. Create a Mosquitto MQTT broker for the Raspberry Pi client in order to connect and publish Sense HAT sensor data.

October 17, 2023 by Michael Levanduski

Understanding Delta-Wound Three-Phase Motors for Industrial Applications

There are two types of winding designs inside three-phase industrial motors: Wye and Delta. Although the motors and connections look similar on the outside, this article discusses the internal construction for Delta wound motors.

October 16, 2023 by David Peterson

Human Machine Interface (HMI): Controls and Data Types

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

October 04, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich

5 Reasons Why Sensors Are Crucial For Modern Manufacturing

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.

October 03, 2023 by Eric Whitley, L2L

Cobot Roundup: Who Makes Them and What Makes Them Special

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.

September 20, 2023 by David Peterson

Origin Story: Meet Unimate, the First Industrial Robot

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

September 06, 2023 by David Peterson

Ethernet Ports on Controllers: How Many, and What do They Do?

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?

September 04, 2023 by Seth Price