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…
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.
Force compensators and force compliance end effectors can expand the capabilities of traditional robotics to reach into…
Force compensators and force compliance end effectors can expand the capabilities of traditional robotics to reach into difficult processes, ranging from grinding and alignment to precision measurement.
Implementing PID control in a PLC is far more complicated than textbooks would make it appear. There is more to the…
Implementing PID control in a PLC is far more complicated than textbooks would make it appear. There is more to the process than simply picking gain (k) values and calculating an output value.
Direct current (DC) motors have existed since the late 19th century. What sets these motors apart from AC models, how do…
Direct current (DC) motors have existed since the late 19th century. What sets these motors apart from AC models, how do you control them, and how can you tell when it’s time to repair or replace them?
Temperature profiling is an effective tool to monitor thermal properties in process equipment. This article defines…
Temperature profiling is an effective tool to monitor thermal properties in process equipment. This article defines temperature profiling, discusses the process components, and describes the various benefits it offers.
Selecting a suitable electrical connector is a process that is based on how you will terminate it to the system. This…
Selecting a suitable electrical connector is a process that is based on how you will terminate it to the system. This article provides advice on how to make the right contact selection for your industrial or robotic system.
Errors in communications often manifest as a result of electrical noise interrupting the data during the transmission…
Errors in communications often manifest as a result of electrical noise interrupting the data during the transmission process, leading to various methods for determining whether received data has been damaged.
Learn how to build a machine learning model to predict failure classification based on machine parameters using a…
Learn how to build a machine learning model to predict failure classification based on machine parameters using a synthetic dataset modeled after a milling machine, the same process used in real-world systems.
The Lean process uses a method of implementation focusing only on actions providing value to customers. The following…
The Lean process uses a method of implementation focusing only on actions providing value to customers. The following five steps break down the process into discrete modules when introducing efficiency to production.
Most grippers are powered by either air or electricity. Learn about the questions and factors an engineer should consider…
Most grippers are powered by either air or electricity. Learn about the questions and factors an engineer should consider to make the best decisions while selecting a gripper to use for unique applications.
Setting and resetting a PLC output is essential in establishing a holding circuit for a transducer. Learn how to use…
Setting and resetting a PLC output is essential in establishing a holding circuit for a transducer. Learn how to use set/reset instructions in MELSOFT series GX Works2 to latch and release an output.
Process automation relies on precise control systems to operate production equipment for everything from lumber to…
Process automation relies on precise control systems to operate production equipment for everything from lumber to pastries. Using control algorithms produces stable, accurate, and often delicious results.
Hydraulic pumps take energy from a source, usually an electric motor or combustion engine, and turn it into a usable…
Hydraulic pumps take energy from a source, usually an electric motor or combustion engine, and turn it into a usable force to complete work. What kind of hydraulic pumps exist, and how do they work?
Industrial and robotics cabling requires specialized termination strategies. This article introduces connectors involved…
Industrial and robotics cabling requires specialized termination strategies. This article introduces connectors involved in automation applications for cable-to-cable or cable-to-device termination.
System dynamics is primarily concerned with understanding complex systems’ behaviors over time. Mathematical and…
System dynamics is primarily concerned with understanding complex systems’ behaviors over time. Mathematical and computer models can help identify responses before turning to costly real-world experiments.
Engineers face a common challenge of moving objects from one point to another, especially in a production line. This…
Engineers face a common challenge of moving objects from one point to another, especially in a production line. This article will introduce the pneumatic cylinder as used in industrial automation.
We see smoke detectors on a daily basis in every house and building we visit, but the same sensor elements, and others,…
We see smoke detectors on a daily basis in every house and building we visit, but the same sensor elements, and others, can be used to detect the presence of harmful gasses and heat in all industries.
Radiation, despite its reputation in pop culture as a harmful emission resulting from a natural disaster, is a property…
Radiation, despite its reputation in pop culture as a harmful emission resulting from a natural disaster, is a property of many materials and processes and must be carefully monitored for quality and safety.
AutomationDirect’s Productivity line of PLCs is known for cost-effectiveness and ease of use. Learn how to build and…
AutomationDirect’s Productivity line of PLCs is known for cost-effectiveness and ease of use. Learn how to build and download a simple program using discrete input and output ladder commands.
Calibration is performed on a regular basis to ensure proper measurement tool function, but how do we determine the…
Calibration is performed on a regular basis to ensure proper measurement tool function, but how do we determine the proper interval? Factors include environment, usage, and level of dependence on proper function.
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