Part 2 of a 2-part series. A practical look at how normally closed (NC) power contacts and feedback can drive loads toward a defined safe state under real‑world faults.
Part 2 of a 2-part series. A practical look at how normally closed (NC) power contacts and feedback can drive loads toward a defined safe state under real‑world faults.
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.
Learn how to align and configure the parameters of a light curtain using a send/receive pair of SICK deTec4 light beam…
Learn how to align and configure the parameters of a light curtain using a send/receive pair of SICK deTec4 light beam curtains and the new DCM4 extension module for advanced operating modes.
Some safety applications aren’t a simple on/off at all times; they need objects to pass through a light curtain without…
Some safety applications aren’t a simple on/off at all times; they need objects to pass through a light curtain without stopping the machine. For these, we turn to muting and blanking features.
Learn about safety light curtains: which one will fit your application, how to choose the proper size, and how to…
Learn about safety light curtains: which one will fit your application, how to choose the proper size, and how to properly process the output signals.
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.
Use the analog capabilities of a TRi PLC to read a distance sensor and create a custom function that triggers events…
Use the analog capabilities of a TRi PLC to read a distance sensor and create a custom function that triggers events using integer data types.
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.
Kyntronics’ mission is to combine servo control with hydraulic actuators to form hybrid motion control. Our engineering…
Kyntronics’ mission is to combine servo control with hydraulic actuators to form hybrid motion control. Our engineering team posed a few questions in hopes of learning more about this technology.
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?
Despite being one of the oldest protocols in automation, Modbus is still more complex than digital I/O. When you have a…
Despite being one of the oldest protocols in automation, Modbus is still more complex than digital I/O. When you have a Modbus TCP device, what do you do? How do you actually use it?
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.
Arrays can handle large amounts of data, but when you need to extract a portion of that data, you might need to execute a…
Arrays can handle large amounts of data, but when you need to extract a portion of that data, you might need to execute a loop. Learn a few examples and tips for creating loops in PLC logic.
When the power is removed to a circuit, the common measurements of voltage and current prove meaningless. The only…
When the power is removed to a circuit, the common measurements of voltage and current prove meaningless. The only remaining option is to use resistance testing to determine which components and conductors are working.
Learn five essential features to consider when selecting a controller, from I/O and software licensing to networks and web access.
Learn five essential features to consider when selecting a controller, from I/O and software licensing to networks and web access.
Get a first look at Bosch Rexroth’s ctrlX CORE, an industrial PC that unifies PLC, motion, and HMI through an app-based…
Get a first look at Bosch Rexroth’s ctrlX CORE, an industrial PC that unifies PLC, motion, and HMI through an app-based automation platform.
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.