Latest Transportation Technical Articles

This article will explore the setup of Node-RED, the glue that will serve to connect all of the individual components of…

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.

Learn to develop an actual IoT solution end to end. Create a Mosquitto MQTT broker for the Raspberry Pi client in order…

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.

There are two types of winding designs inside three-phase industrial motors: Wye and Delta. Although the motors and…

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.

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.

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.

Driving motors is one of the most fundamental automation tasks, but understanding and selecting the proper motor soft…

Driving motors is one of the most fundamental automation tasks, but understanding and selecting the proper motor soft starter for your application may require more investigation than you thought.

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.

Single-phase motors are common in household and small industrial devices. They are a bit more complex than 3-phase…

Single-phase motors are common in household and small industrial devices. They are a bit more complex than 3-phase models, so it’s important to recognize failure modes and common symptoms.

An introduction to the various tag types used within one of the leading supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA)…

An introduction to the various tag types used within one of the leading supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) software powering IIoT, HMI, and I4.0 applications: Ignition by Inductive Automation.

We usually think of joysticks in terms of video game controllers, but they exist in all kinds of industrial systems:…

We usually think of joysticks in terms of video game controllers, but they exist in all kinds of industrial systems: heavy equipment, overhead cranes, and even some robotic controls. But how do they work?

Rubber belts have lived under the hood of nearly every car since they first took to the streets, but they also transmit…

Rubber belts have lived under the hood of nearly every car since they first took to the streets, but they also transmit power through all kinds of industrial machine drives as well.

Vibration sensors measure the mechanical vibration of an object, making it possible to monitor machines for early signs…

Vibration sensors measure the mechanical vibration of an object, making it possible to monitor machines for early signs of failure to prevent costly and dangerous breakdowns.

Understanding torque is a key method of preventing damage to machines and ensuring a long lifespan. We have all heard of…

Understanding torque is a key method of preventing damage to machines and ensuring a long lifespan. We have all heard of torque, but what is it, and how is it measured in automated systems?

Engineering processes like robotics, feedback control, and security systems rely on position and distance sensors to…

Engineering processes like robotics, feedback control, and security systems rely on position and distance sensors to provide real-time information that enables machines to operate accurately and safely.

MEMS sensors enable the creation of highly sensitive, compact, and low-power devices for measuring quantities like…

MEMS sensors enable the creation of highly sensitive, compact, and low-power devices for measuring quantities like acceleration, magnetic fields, pressure, and more, and are found in automotive safety systems, navigation, and environmental monitoring.

There are many different kinds of electric motors used for industrial power transfer, but there are also hydraulic and…

There are many different kinds of electric motors used for industrial power transfer, but there are also hydraulic and pneumatic motors that can lend advantages in some situations.

A subset of light is the focused cohesive beams that make up lasers, which can be used in optical sensing. These devices…

A subset of light is the focused cohesive beams that make up lasers, which can be used in optical sensing. These devices provide benefits of greater range, precision, and even mapping for mobile robotics.