There are multiple methods for mapping inputs and outputs to an industrial robot. In this article, we cover two of the most popular methods: letting the robot or the PLC control the I/O signals.
17 hours ago by Shawn Dietrich
Learn how to use DirectSOFT6 to program discrete I/O functions in a Koyo DirectLOGIC PLC. Although these PLCs are older, they are found in many existing automation installations.
one day ago by David Peterson
There are a lot of companies considering in-house automation or consulting with integrators for automated systems. But where do you start, and how do you even pick a project for automation?
April 17, 2024 by Joshua Tidwell
There are a few options when it comes to tracking part data throughout a process or assembly of a machine. Follow along as we explain just a few of the more common methods.
April 11, 2024 by Shawn Dietrich
Electrical control holds many advantages over fluid power with precise control, feedback, and a lower-maintenance system. But how do electric actuators work, and how do they stack up against fluids?
April 09, 2024 by Gunner Scott
I/O mapping is the process of converting raw input and output data into specific tags, but how can we find a method for mapping I/O that is both efficient and scalable?
April 04, 2024 by Shawn Dietrich
Learn how to use analog I/O devices with AutomationDirect’s Productivity series of PLCs and Productivity Suite software. Wiring, configuring I/O, and programming will be a part of this tutorial.
April 02, 2024 by David Peterson
Learn how to measure temperature using an RTD and a temperature transmitter to convert resistance into common analog voltage or current values for process control.
April 01, 2024 by Munir Ahmad
In the field of robotics, designing proper end-of-arm tooling (EoAT) is a crucial step. This article includes critical material and inertia factors to consider when designing EoAT for 6-axis robots.
March 28, 2024 by Austin Futrell
Installing sensors into a manufacturing process is intended to collect data, useful in making logical true/false decisions. But what settings must be adjusted when you install these sensors?
March 12, 2024 by David Peterson
Many sensors, like prox, optical, and ultrasonic, are familiar to control engineers. More and more modern devices are incorporating advanced motion profiles requiring motion sensing in many axes.
February 19, 2024 by David Peterson
Have you ever heard of a relay? Of course you have. There are many different kinds, plus hundreds of different trade lingo names. What are some of the most common, and how do we use them?
January 25, 2024 by David Peterson
Safety devices have two main purposes, both of them meant for (you guessed it) safety. They protect both machine and operator from harm. But what’s inside, and how do these switches work?
January 17, 2024 by David Peterson
In order to trace control system problems to the core, the ability to read and interpret various resources, from facility-level diagrams to machine-level wiring layouts, is critical.
January 15, 2024 by David Peterson
Converting different numbering systems is quite common in PLCs and structured text codes. Why? Because people read decimals. Computers read binary. Processors read sets of bits. Not so simple.
January 10, 2024 by David Peterson
A complete diagram for wiring nearly any kind of discrete I/O module, including digital, AC, or relay, including both sourcing and sinking varieties.
We conclude the data flow project with the step of developing a business intelligence dashboard to present machine data, at a reliable schedule, to a leadership or maintenance team.
January 03, 2024 by Michael Levanduski
We begin to wrap up our data flow project with an introduction to visual-based (GUI) tools and dashboards to present the data ingested from the Google Sheets fault data source.
December 21, 2023 by Michael Levanduski
In this article, we will explore real-world considerations for strain gauge performance and typical applications. We’ll be talking about foil and wire strain gauges, but ignoring semiconductors.
December 12, 2023 by Harry Trietley
A flasher can easily be implemented using interlocking timers in a PLC environment on an Arduino Uno using OpenPLC, UiFlow Blockly Code, and a programmable HMI-based LCD unit.
December 11, 2023 by Dr. Don Wilcher
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