Gathering and manipulating process data is, perhaps, the most significant advantage of digital controllers. Beckhoff IPCs gather, process, and integrate data…
Gathering and manipulating process data is, perhaps, the most significant advantage of digital controllers. Beckhoff IPCs gather, process, and integrate data with high-level systems in one platform.
These days, the industrial PC (IPC) is changing the way that engineers approach control logic solutions. Learn how to set…
These days, the industrial PC (IPC) is changing the way that engineers approach control logic solutions. Learn how to set up a basic project in a Beckhoff IPC using structured text programming.
The SLC 500 PLC family dominated automation control for well over thirty years and now, with the recent discontinuation…
The SLC 500 PLC family dominated automation control for well over thirty years and now, with the recent discontinuation of most of the series, we look at the differences between SLC and modern Logix PLCs.
The OPC UA protocol is designed to solve two problems in automation: interoperability between device vendors and…
The OPC UA protocol is designed to solve two problems in automation: interoperability between device vendors and independence from incompatible transport layer differences.
Before tuning a motion axis, you must define the axis. If the control system doesn’t understand the axis properties or…
Before tuning a motion axis, you must define the axis. If the control system doesn’t understand the axis properties or specifications, it can’t be expected to effectively complete the tuning process.
Learn about the modules and systems that provide a network connection to the outside world, transforming traditional PLCs…
Learn about the modules and systems that provide a network connection to the outside world, transforming traditional PLCs into true, modern process automation controllers (PAC).
Embedded, modular, panel mount, distributed, machine mount, and remote, oh my! What does it all mean, and how are you…
Embedded, modular, panel mount, distributed, machine mount, and remote, oh my! What does it all mean, and how are you supposed to know which one to choose for your application?
If your facility or workplace uses a PLC, it’s almost certainly because it must interface with physical input and…
If your facility or workplace uses a PLC, it’s almost certainly because it must interface with physical input and output devices. What kinds of I/O modules exist, and how can you tell the difference?
Learn all about the power supply: modular and built-in devices that deliver electricity to the PLC backplane and modules,…
Learn all about the power supply: modular and built-in devices that deliver electricity to the PLC backplane and modules, and learn the difference between control and field device power delivery.
One of the smallest PLCs on the market, the Millenium Slim by Crouzet, can handle advanced functions with a wireless…
One of the smallest PLCs on the market, the Millenium Slim by Crouzet, can handle advanced functions with a wireless interface and function block (FBD) style IEC 61131 programming.
Some devices, like switches, are non-polar; you can connect them in either direction. What makes diodes so special, and…
Some devices, like switches, are non-polar; you can connect them in either direction. What makes diodes so special, and how can you tell the right way from the wrong way?
Besides using a Raspberry Pi or an Arduino Uno, a low-cost PLC can be built using the popular ESP32 microcontroller. The…
Besides using a Raspberry Pi or an Arduino Uno, a low-cost PLC can be built using the popular ESP32 microcontroller. The OpenPLC software supports this popular 32-bit platform.
Ladder logic is an industrial control systems legend stemming from electrical line diagrams before the days of PLCs.…
Ladder logic is an industrial control systems legend stemming from electrical line diagrams before the days of PLCs. Although logical, they are difficult to interpret.
In any process industry, transducers are the basic instrumentation unit for continuous monitoring of system variables…
In any process industry, transducers are the basic instrumentation unit for continuous monitoring of system variables that provide inputs for control system algorithms and outputs.
Ladder logic is an industrial control systems legend stemming from electrical line diagrams before the days of PLCs.…
Ladder logic is an industrial control systems legend stemming from electrical line diagrams before the days of PLCs. Although logical, they are difficult to interpret.
Learn all about the central processing unit (CPU): the built-in module inside the PLC responsible for executing the…
Learn all about the central processing unit (CPU): the built-in module inside the PLC responsible for executing the program and communicating with external devices.
With a C++ extension, monitoring of status and warning messages can easily be displayed with OpenPLC. Arduino PLC…
With a C++ extension, monitoring of status and warning messages can easily be displayed with OpenPLC. Arduino PLC variables can then be observed using a serial terminal or monitor.
Learn how to use an AutomationDirect BRX PLC with the Do-more Designer software. This tutorial will cover discrete I/O…
Learn how to use an AutomationDirect BRX PLC with the Do-more Designer software. This tutorial will cover discrete I/O commands along with basic timing and counting ladder functions.
Logic is critical for industrial control, and it usually looks like ladders, function blocks, or structured text. I/O…
Logic is critical for industrial control, and it usually looks like ladders, function blocks, or structured text. I/O controllers are designed to automate simple logic tasks and data functions.
An age-old debate in PLC programming: investigating the uses and caveats of latching software commands versus seal-in…
An age-old debate in PLC programming: investigating the uses and caveats of latching software commands versus seal-in ladder logic for industrial control applications.
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