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Industry Insights: Understanding Hybrid Linear Motion

Industry Insights: Understanding Hybrid Linear Motion

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.


Operator Actions and Interventions In Functional Safety

Operator Actions and Interventions In Functional Safety

Learn how to assess risks and determine SIL by understanding operator actions as initiating events, independent protection layers, or a part of the safety instrumented function loop.


Control.com Asks the Experts: Serious Questions About Fluid Valves

Control.com Asks the Experts: Serious Questions About Fluid Valves

After working with solenoid valves for many years, there are still a few questions: is AD or DC voltage better? Do we really need lubrication? I turned to an expert for some answers.


Tutorial: Using SMC E-Actuators with a PLC

Tutorial: Using SMC E-Actuators with a PLC

Learn how to use simple ladder logic and discrete outputs to control the e-Actuator series from SMC, an interesting electric motion axis designed to operate with only simple discrete signal inputs.


Basic Principles of Industrial Instrumentation and Control

Basic Principles of Industrial Instrumentation and Control

In this instrumentation and control (I&C) article, we will explore the fundamental terminology and concepts used when working with industrial plants.


Troubleshooting Linear Hydraulic Motion

Troubleshooting Linear Hydraulic Motion

Motion systems come in many forms. Hydraulic motion brings some unique problems, not seen in electric systems. This article will focus on how to recognize prominent failures quickly and correctly.


Electric Actuators Designed to Replace Fluids: Hands-on Tutorial

Electric Actuators Designed to Replace Fluids: Hands-on Tutorial

Learn how electric actuators can replace fluid systems with SMC’s e-Actuator series, offering simple setup, clean operation, and accurate motion contro


Reduce Motion Control Design Time with Engineering Tools

Reduce Motion Control Design Time with Engineering Tools

In a few short video tutorials, Festo engineers show how fast and easy it can be to design electrical and fluid automation systems using free online tools.


Mitsubishi PLCs: Complex Sequences with Step and Return Logic

Mitsubishi PLCs: Complex Sequences with Step and Return Logic

Learn how to segment your sequential control logic for easy troubleshooting using Step (STL) and Return (RET) commands in Mitsubishi PLCs.


A New Way to Pneumatic: Industrial Piezo Electric Valves

A New Way to Pneumatic: Industrial Piezo Electric Valves

The term "piezo" refers to a relationship between mechanical deformation and voltage–useful for some sensor processes. Recently, the concept has been employed to upgrade pneumatic valves.


DIN Valve Connectors: Types, Applications, and Benefits

DIN Valve Connectors: Types, Applications, and Benefits

DIN valve connectors, not to be confused with DIN rails, are a common electrical connector for valves in the automation industry, efficiently providing power to valves, sensors, and even small motors.


Actuator-Sensor Interface: ASi Installation and Commissioning

Actuator-Sensor Interface: ASi Installation and Commissioning

A common field-level protocol for automation is ASi or AS-interface–a method used to convey actuator and sensor data and commands between I/O devices and the PLC control system level.


Basics of Air Motors: Pneumatically Controlled Rotation

Basics of Air Motors: Pneumatically Controlled Rotation

Air motors are common in process industries, mainly used in hazardous areas. This article introduces the features and working principles of air motors and the differences between air and electrical motors.


A Visit From Safety Nick

A Visit From Safety Nick

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas: like you’ve (probably) never heard it before.


Pneumatic Valve Operation: Manual, Pilot, and Solenoid

Pneumatic Valve Operation: Manual, Pilot, and Solenoid

Learn about various ways to activate directional control valves for fluids using manual input, air pilot sources, and electrical controls. Sometimes, valves even use a mix of multiple power sources.


The Importance of Air Preparation in Pneumatic Systems

The Importance of Air Preparation in Pneumatic Systems

Compressed air is a common economical way of adding motion to your automated equipment, but the air needs to be filtered, regulated, and sometimes lubricated. The air prep unit does all that and more.


Introduction to Valve Sizing: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction to Valve Sizing: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ensure efficient and safe industrial applications with proper valve sizing. Learn how to choose the right valve size and avoid common pitfalls.


Motion Control: It’s More Than Just “Point A to Point B”

Motion Control: It’s More Than Just “Point A to Point B”

Building precise rotating or linear systems often costs a lot! When is it justified to spend the extra cost to design and build such a system, and what are the different components and system types?


Design a GRAFCET-Controlled Pneumatic System in FluidSIM

Design a GRAFCET-Controlled Pneumatic System in FluidSIM

Learn how to use Festo's FluidSIM software to design and simulate a pneumatic cylinder extension system using GRAFCET as the control method.


Electro-Pneumatic Circuit Creation and Simulation Using FluidSIM

Electro-Pneumatic Circuit Creation and Simulation Using FluidSIM

Learn how to use Festo’s FluidSIM software to design and simulate electro-pneumatic systems, featuring a reciprocating actuator example using solenoid valves and limit sensors.