Control.com’s Director of Engineering got to explore IO-Link sensors and what he found might surprise you! Although still considered an “emerging”…
Control.com’s Director of Engineering got to explore IO-Link sensors and what he found might surprise you! Although still considered an “emerging” technology, it’s clear IO-Link technology boasts several bonafide benefits over traditional sensors.
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?
Digital signals hold a prominent position due to their compatibility with computers. But what are digital signals, and…
Digital signals hold a prominent position due to their compatibility with computers. But what are digital signals, and what are some examples of the various devices used with digital inputs and outputs?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Many control product manufacturers offer these downloadable ‘EDS files’ for peripheral equipment, but what exactly is…
Many control product manufacturers offer these downloadable ‘EDS files’ for peripheral equipment, but what exactly is an EDS, and how can they aid in the development of a project?
Learn about proportional gain and proportional band, two key proportional control concepts, to better understand the most…
Learn about proportional gain and proportional band, two key proportional control concepts, to better understand the most popular control system method in industrial automation.
Though not a direct replacement for PLCs, Raspberry Pi has the potential to be used in industrial automation applications…
Though not a direct replacement for PLCs, Raspberry Pi has the potential to be used in industrial automation applications for prototyping, embedded systems, and as a low-cost process controller.
There are many considerations when selecting a thermocouple type. In this article, we look at the advantages, and…
There are many considerations when selecting a thermocouple type. In this article, we look at the advantages, and limitations, of the eight standard thermocouples and various installation considerations.
Linear position sensors are used in electrical and fluid-actuated motion devices. They allow extremely precise position,…
Linear position sensors are used in electrical and fluid-actuated motion devices. They allow extremely precise position, velocity, and acceleration control, and provide feedback to ensure product quality and tolerance compliance.
A useful but often overlooked instruction included in Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix PLCs for heating and cooling.
A useful but often overlooked instruction included in Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix PLCs for heating and cooling.
What kind of guidance is available to help you defend your industrial control system (ICS)?
What kind of guidance is available to help you defend your industrial control system (ICS)?
Learn the strategy called 'feed forward' which can predict motion control system outputs. This helps to turn the feedback…
Learn the strategy called 'feed forward' which can predict motion control system outputs. This helps to turn the feedback into a double-check as opposed to the sole provider of the output signal.
Integral or Reset Windup is a problem that can occur from these systems, and there are a few possible approaches to…
Integral or Reset Windup is a problem that can occur from these systems, and there are a few possible approaches to minimize the effects.
This article discusses the meaning of integral gain and how to calculate integral gain to achieve better control results.
This article discusses the meaning of integral gain and how to calculate integral gain to achieve better control results.
Learn all about Digital Twinning, and how this new technique can change the way we do a number of industrial operations!
Learn all about Digital Twinning, and how this new technique can change the way we do a number of industrial operations!