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Understanding PLC Tags: Controller Scope vs. Program Scope

Understanding PLC Tags: Controller Scope vs. Program Scope

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.


Node-RED and a Low-Code Approach to Automation

Node-RED and a Low-Code Approach to Automation

Looking for a way to create IIoT applications for your factory without hiring expensive developers or spending months on the computer? Take a look at Node-RED’s approach to low-code applications.


Tutorial: Driving a Mecademic Industrial Robot with a Rockwell PLC

Tutorial: Driving a Mecademic Industrial Robot with a Rockwell PLC

Learn how to drive a compact Meca500 industrial 6-axis robot with a CompactLogix PLC over an Ethernet connection, transferring direct TCP set points in joint and world coordinate systems.


A New Way to Robot: A Teach Pendant Feel With Structured Text Language

A New Way to Robot: A Teach Pendant Feel With Structured Text Language

Meet the Meca500 6-axis arm, a robot known for its ultra-high precision and compact footprint. Learn how to use the web server for programming and 6-axis jogging with a structured text interface.


All About The Legendary Stack Light

All About The Legendary Stack Light

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 Guide to Commissioning a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD)

The Guide to Commissioning a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD)

Learn how to set up a VFD, from initial unboxing to configuring the network parameters necessary to drive some simple motion from a PLC.


Methods of Precision Alignment: Mechanical, Laser, and Vibration Analysis

Methods of Precision Alignment: Mechanical, Laser, and Vibration Analysis

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.


Control.com Asks the Experts: Serious Questions About Fluid Valves

Control.com Asks the Experts: Serious Questions About Fluid Valves

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.


How Do You Stack Up? A Look Into Robotic Palletizing

How Do You Stack Up? A Look Into Robotic Palletizing

Explore the art of automated palletizing and the different ways you can accelerate the packaging process using PLC and robotic controls.


Managing and Configuring Switches for Secure SCADA Networks | Part 2

Managing and Configuring Switches for Secure SCADA Networks | Part 2

Learn about OT resilience strategies, including SSH, authentication, port blocking, and MAC address binding, methods that can be employed to protect network switches.


Advantages of Remote I/O Devices With Networking Technologies

Advantages of Remote I/O Devices With Networking Technologies

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.


The Rise of AI-Powered Humanoid Robots in Industry

The Rise of AI-Powered Humanoid Robots in Industry

Learn how AI, machine vision, and sensor breakthroughs are driving humanoid robots from sci-fi dreams to industrial realities.


Questions for the Experts: Industrial Firewalls

Questions for the Experts: Industrial Firewalls

I had some questions about firewalls for industrial networks, topics like selecting, configuring, and updating the software, so I turned to some experts for a little advice.


Factory I/O: A Modern PLC Simulation Tool to Learn the Fundamentals

Factory I/O: A Modern PLC Simulation Tool to Learn the Fundamentals

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.


Connecting Motion to a PLC: A Complete Project

Connecting Motion to a PLC: A Complete Project

In this article, we’ll connect a Festo CMMT to a Rockwell CompactLogix PLC, and as a bonus, we’ll add an HMI to provide some basic on/off and positional targeting controls.


Motion Control Tutorial: Setting up a Linear Axis

Motion Control Tutorial: Setting up a Linear Axis

Learn how to configure a single motion axis using Festo’s Automation Suite, a servo motor drive, and a simple electric linear slide assembly.


Remote Industry and the Growing Popularity of Cellular Systems

Remote Industry and the Growing Popularity of Cellular Systems

Previously reserved for personal and commercial deployments, learn how cellular IoT connectivity technologies are influencing industrial trends, organizations, and integrators.


Avoiding SCADA Pitfalls: 3 Tips for Operational and Business Advantages

Avoiding SCADA Pitfalls: 3 Tips for Operational and Business Advantages

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.


Installing and Using Modern Industrial Joystick Controls

Installing and Using Modern Industrial Joystick Controls

Discover how digital and analog industrial joysticks can provide crucial precision in sectors like manufacturing and industrial automation, used mainly for motion control applications.


Analog and Digital Signal Filtering in PLC Systems

Analog and Digital Signal Filtering in PLC Systems

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.