What if you could control the end position and the speed of a hydraulic actuator accurately with just a simple signal? Some systems use simple open/close valves,…
What if you could control the end position and the speed of a hydraulic actuator accurately with just a simple signal? Some systems use simple open/close valves, but others require far more precision.
Our own Control Automation engineering staff had the opportunity to visit VersaBuilt, a CNC robotic integration shop…
Our own Control Automation engineering staff had the opportunity to visit VersaBuilt, a CNC robotic integration shop offering an application system from the Universal Robots UR+ series.
What’s the difference between a Cat 6 and a Cat 6a cable, anyhow? Ethernet cables must meet certain performance…
What’s the difference between a Cat 6 and a Cat 6a cable, anyhow? Ethernet cables must meet certain performance standards, and these standards can be quite confusing at first glance.
Using an ADC can be very useful when dealing with analog devices in microprocessors, and a necessity when adding analog…
Using an ADC can be very useful when dealing with analog devices in microprocessors, and a necessity when adding analog devices to an industrial controller. But once you connect the hardware - what next?
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.
Failures of I/O systems are a common source of headache for control engineers. Troubleshooting those devices that have…
Failures of I/O systems are a common source of headache for control engineers. Troubleshooting those devices that have polarized connections (source vs sink, and NPN vs PNP) is a technique worth refining.
The fourth pillar of effective statistical process control (SPC) is the use of designed experiments used to learn as much…
The fourth pillar of effective statistical process control (SPC) is the use of designed experiments used to learn as much as possible from a limited number of experiments, yet remain statistically relevant enough to be useful.
Analog and digital multimeters have both enjoyed popularity in different generations of electrical systems. What is…
Analog and digital multimeters have both enjoyed popularity in different generations of electrical systems. What is unique about the analog meters, and in what situations might they be preferred over their digital counterparts?
Measuring pH is a critical task of many chemical processes and systems. Learn the definition of pH, the measurement…
Measuring pH is a critical task of many chemical processes and systems. Learn the definition of pH, the measurement tools, and the calibration steps for proper operation and care of these meters.
Statistical process control (SPC) allows for continual improvement process (CIP), a method of optimizing a process driven…
Statistical process control (SPC) allows for continual improvement process (CIP), a method of optimizing a process driven by data and statistical methods.
Learn how control charts are used in statistical process control (SPC) to show how a process changes with time as…
Learn how control charts are used in statistical process control (SPC) to show how a process changes with time as compared to past measurements, providing reliable visualizations for data-driven decisions.
Statistical process control (SPC) is meaningless without the proper collection and analysis of data. For some process…
Statistical process control (SPC) is meaningless without the proper collection and analysis of data. For some process parameters, this is a simple task. But not every part of a process is driven by simple, quantitative parameters.
Any industrial electrician can instantly recognize a relay, but when it comes to wiring, why are the terminals numbered…
Any industrial electrician can instantly recognize a relay, but when it comes to wiring, why are the terminals numbered in such apparently random order?
Data feedback loops create a closed-loop digital twin (CLDT) driving increased operational efficiency and improved design…
Data feedback loops create a closed-loop digital twin (CLDT) driving increased operational efficiency and improved design iteration progress.
Learn how statistical process control (SPC) can provide a foundation for decisions used to reduce waste and increase…
Learn how statistical process control (SPC) can provide a foundation for decisions used to reduce waste and increase efficiency in the manufacturing process.
Flow totalizers, flow sensors, and flow meters are popular devices for measuring flow. However, this article discusses…
Flow totalizers, flow sensors, and flow meters are popular devices for measuring flow. However, this article discusses alternative methods, such as ultrasonic level detection and resistive tape.
Learn about obstacles businesses face implementing predictive maintenance and how to overcome them.
Learn about obstacles businesses face implementing predictive maintenance and how to overcome them.
Learn the definition of failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), steps to execute it, and applications in the industry.
Learn the definition of failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), steps to execute it, and applications in the industry.
Safety is of utmost importance in the day-to-day operations of any system, especially a system where humans and machines…
Safety is of utmost importance in the day-to-day operations of any system, especially a system where humans and machines work together. Learn all about Safety Instrumented Systems and what it takes to keep workers safe, and the system running smoothly!
Do you know how the injection molding process works? Learn the basics as well as control processes to consider.
Do you know how the injection molding process works? Learn the basics as well as control processes to consider.