Most engineers are familiar with the basic control system terms of sinking and sourcing, or the NPN and PNP terms from which they are derived. But how exactly do…
Most engineers are familiar with the basic control system terms of sinking and sourcing, or the NPN and PNP terms from which they are derived. But how exactly do those transistors play a role in inputs or outputs?
Data has become the currency that enables operational excellence. Sensors are the key links, acting as the eyes and ears…
Data has become the currency that enables operational excellence. Sensors are the key links, acting as the eyes and ears of modern manufacturing units by providing real-time data on machine performance.
The Raspberry Pi 4 Sense HAT add-on can be used to control output events based on feedback from sensors, and the built-in…
The Raspberry Pi 4 Sense HAT add-on can be used to control output events based on feedback from sensors, and the built-in joystick can be used to trigger those events.
Photoelectric sensors and fiber optic sensors are very similar in a lot of ways, but which one is superior in function…
Photoelectric sensors and fiber optic sensors are very similar in a lot of ways, but which one is superior in function and durability, and under what conditions might one be preferred?
Explore the sensors used to obtain temperature, pressure, and humidity for industrial applications on this value-packed,…
Explore the sensors used to obtain temperature, pressure, and humidity for industrial applications on this value-packed, compact add-on for the Raspberry Pi.
This top-mount accessory for the Raspberry Pi offers various capabilities at a low cost, perfect for analyzing and…
This top-mount accessory for the Raspberry Pi offers various capabilities at a low cost, perfect for analyzing and solving problems related to vibration, temperature, humidity, and others.
Analog voltage and current are the dominating standards for industrial technology. Is one format better than the other?…
Analog voltage and current are the dominating standards for industrial technology. Is one format better than the other? And if so, why do both signal types still exist in modern systems?
Control.com’s Director of Engineering got to explore IO-Link sensors and what he found might surprise you! Although…
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.
From forest to felling, logging road to mill, finished lumber’s adventure on its way to market is filled with control…
From forest to felling, logging road to mill, finished lumber’s adventure on its way to market is filled with control and automation. Learn about the process from start to finish and how lumber mills ensure the world has access to high-quality lumber thanks to control technology.
Programmable encoders provide engineers real flexibility to adjust process parameters. From operating theory to…
Programmable encoders provide engineers real flexibility to adjust process parameters. From operating theory to programming methods, here’s everything you need to know to begin leveraging these handy devices.
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?
Compliance and compensator devices are used in processes where variation and uncertainty are prevalent. What sorts of…
Compliance and compensator devices are used in processes where variation and uncertainty are prevalent. What sorts of compliance devices are used, and what distinct advantages are held by each?
Rockwell Automation’s Micro800 series is the modern replacement for some older MicroLogix PLCs. Learn how to get…
Rockwell Automation’s Micro800 series is the modern replacement for some older MicroLogix PLCs. Learn how to get started with basic I/O, plus timers and counters, to build your own programs in a snap!
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.
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.
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.
Transfer functions allow systems to be converted from non-algebraic time measurement units into equations that can be…
Transfer functions allow systems to be converted from non-algebraic time measurement units into equations that can be solved, but how do these functions work, and why do we use them?
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