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Understanding PLC Program Commands: Math Instructions

Understanding PLC Program Commands: Math Instructions

We will show you how to use common math functions from two popular PLC programs—Rockwell Automation's Studio 5000 and Automation Direct Productivity Suite. 


Introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)

Introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)

Programmable Logic Control (PLC) systems are the core of most industrial control systems that drive modern manufacturing. In our Control.com video tutorials, we will share information, experience, and tips for working with PLCs—from the hardware, to the wiring, to the programming logic of inputs, outputs, and communication processes.


Understanding PLC Program Commands: Up and Down Counters

Understanding PLC Program Commands: Up and Down Counters

Counting up and down are commonly required functions in PLC lagger logic programs for tracking inventories, placement patterns, and gaining informational insights about machine performance statistics.


Understanding PLC Program Commands: One-Shots

Understanding PLC Program Commands: One-Shots

Many PLC commands are well-known to programmers, including contacts, coils, timers, and counters. But a less-common instruction is the one-shot, capable of harnessing the incredible processing speeds in a CPU.


Obsolescence in Control Systems - Disaster or Opportunity?

Obsolescence in Control Systems - Disaster or Opportunity?

One of the most considerable risks in aging control environments is that eventually, spare parts become obsolete and unavailable, and the lack of an upgrade plan can turn a simple failure into a catastrophe.


End-to-End Automation Solutions: What Does That Mean?

End-to-End Automation Solutions: What Does That Mean?

Many companies offer automation solutions that work from the beginning to the end of a process. Not the progress of the product through the facility, but rather hardware from the shop floor to the cloud level and everything in between. We highlight here some solutions from Emerson and Bosch Rexroth from Automate 2022.


News Jun 09, 2022 by David Peterson
Siemens Highlights Digital Twinning as Part of Automate 2022 Technology Demonstrators

Siemens Highlights Digital Twinning as Part of Automate 2022 Technology Demonstrators

At the Detroit show, Siemens is displaying developments in areas that include digital twins, robotic integration, CNCs, PLCs, and Real-Time Locating Systems. Their portfolio of products and services are part of their Total Integrated Automation (TIA) engineering and automation platform.


News Jun 08, 2022 by David Peterson
Emerson Showcases First Pneumatic Valve System with Integrated OPC UA at Automate 2022

Emerson Showcases First Pneumatic Valve System with Integrated OPC UA at Automate 2022

Emerson introduces its new AVENTICS Series Advanced Valve (AV) valve system with Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture at Automate 2022.


News Jun 08, 2022 by David Peterson
Understanding PLC Program Commands: Timers

Understanding PLC Program Commands: Timers

The timer is a fundamental function of ladder logic programming. In this article, we discuss on- and off-delay as well as retentive timers and define the inputs and outputs required to properly use them.


Acoustic Monitoring to Detect Hidden Machine Failures

Acoustic Monitoring to Detect Hidden Machine Failures

Hello acoustics, my old friend. I've come to monitor you again. Because a worn-out bearing softly creeping, slowly got worse while I was sleeping. And the vibration that was planted in my brain still remains… Within the sound of Maintenance


Controlling Hydraulic Devices with Open and Closed Loop Systems

Controlling Hydraulic Devices with Open and Closed Loop Systems

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.


New LEG Series from SMC: Electric Actuator with Battery-less Encoder

New LEG Series from SMC: Electric Actuator with Battery-less Encoder

SMC announces a new electric actuator series with high-rigidity guide rods, equipped with a battery-less encoder, driven by stepper motor and matching drive compatible with multiple networks.


News May 21, 2022 by David Peterson
Vision Systems and AI Make Smarter Marine Applications

Vision Systems and AI Make Smarter Marine Applications

Ships have navigated the face of the earth far longer than any other modern transportation vehicle. But what sorts of advanced technologies are being used to increase safety and reliability of ocean-going vessels?


News May 20, 2022 by Shawn Dietrich
How-To: Implementing a Data Highway Plus (DH+) System

How-To: Implementing a Data Highway Plus (DH+) System

Allen Bradley’s Data Highway Plus (DH+) networking ability is still found commonly in interfaces with legacy equipment. Understanding this network structure can bridge the gap between old and new systems.


Visualizing Noise with Seven Bel’s Sound Scanner P132

Visualizing Noise with Seven Bel’s Sound Scanner P132

Seven Bel’s “sound camera” visualizes sources of physical sound to detect and isolate problems within industrial equipment, pinpointing and identifying trouble spots for predictive maintenance solutions.


News May 17, 2022 by Seth Price
Robots and CNC Machines - An Assembly Configuration Made in Heaven

Robots and CNC Machines - An Assembly Configuration Made in Heaven

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.


Adlink Releases EOS-JNX Series AI-Capable Camera System

Adlink Releases EOS-JNX Series AI-Capable Camera System

Adlink’s new EOS-JNX Series vision systems are equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) capability and offer new possibilities in security and plant monitoring.


News May 11, 2022 by Seth Price
MOV.AI and Lannar Electronics Meeting Global Demand for AMRs

MOV.AI and Lannar Electronics Meeting Global Demand for AMRs

MOV.AI and Lannar Electronics collaborate to provide an integrated computing and software platform to speed up mobile robot development and deployment.


News May 06, 2022 by Stephanie Leonida
Up Close and Personal With Automated Ag Equipment

Up Close and Personal With Automated Ag Equipment

Our Control Automation engineering staff got the chance to visit a commercial farm in North Dakota and learn the hardware and software making these huge automated tractors ready for high-tech ‘field’ work.


US DoC Appoints 27 Board Members to the National AI Committee

US DoC Appoints 27 Board Members to the National AI Committee

The United States Department of Commerce has appointed 27 new members to the National AI Advisory Committee (NAIAC).


News Apr 27, 2022 by Seth Price