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ProMat 2023: Pickle Robots and Ron Howard

ProMat 2023: Pickle Robots and Ron Howard

ProMat 2023 has come to an end. What technologies made an appearance on the show floor that are helping shape the future of smart warehousing, logistics, and manufacturing operations?


News Mar 28, 2023 by Stephanie Leonida
Taking Building Automation Into the Future With “Industry Firsts”

Taking Building Automation Into the Future With “Industry Firsts”

PassiveLogic has released and will showcase their "industry first" building automation ecosystem of hardware and software solutions to make building systems more efficient and autonomous.


News Feb 07, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich
Teardown: What’s Inside a Human-machine Interface (HMI)?

Teardown: What’s Inside a Human-machine Interface (HMI)?

Human-machine interfaces, or HMIs, provide visual process data and allow access to process parameters and diagnostics information. What’s inside these touchscreen displays, and how do they actually work?


ABB Opens the Doors to its Robotics Mega Factory in Shanghai

ABB Opens the Doors to its Robotics Mega Factory in Shanghai

With the growing global robotics market, ABB seeks to capitalize on the growing demands by opening a "state-of-the-art" mega factory in Shanghai for manufacturing next-generation robots.


News Dec 07, 2022 by Seth Price
“Built Ford Tough” and Now All Electric: Ford Selects Rockwell to Accelerate Electric Vehicle Production

“Built Ford Tough” and Now All Electric: Ford Selects Rockwell to Accelerate Electric Vehicle Production

With all-electric trucks, mustangs, and vans, Ford has expanded its product offerings to fit the evolving consumer market. In order to meet the growing demands, Ford has selected Rockwell to aid in electric vehicle production.


News Nov 17, 2022 by Caitlin Nicholson
Understanding Floating Point Numbers in PLC Programming

Understanding Floating Point Numbers in PLC Programming

There are three main types of numeric values that must be handled by a PLC: boolean, integers, and floating point. These last floating-point values can create the most confusion for programmers and technicians.


Uncontrolled Machine Vision Lighting for Infrared and Robots

Uncontrolled Machine Vision Lighting for Infrared and Robots

Ambient light, reflection, and transparent objects can all cause difficulties during machine vision applications. Learn about these issues and some potential solutions to better ensure safety and quality.


Fraunhofer Research Uses NVIDIA Technology for AI Robotic Simulation

Fraunhofer Research Uses NVIDIA Technology for AI Robotic Simulation

Using simulation, and thus, reducing costs associated with prototyping and testing, the Fraunhofer Institute of Material Flow and Logistics (IML) attempts to advance robotic R&D.


News Sep 14, 2022 by Damond Goodwin
An Overview of Sequential Function Chart (SFC) PLC Programming

An Overview of Sequential Function Chart (SFC) PLC Programming

Sequential Function Chart (SFC) is a graphical programming language among the languages identified by IEC 61131-3 programming languages and standard for PLC programming using ladder logic.


 PLC Program Commands: Arrays and Pointers

PLC Program Commands: Arrays and Pointers

The ability to utilize an array effectively is a fundamental skill in becoming a PLC programmer, but it can also be very complex and difficult to master. Let’s do a run-down of arrays and some of their complexities!


FANUC Creates Digitalization Suite To Improve Programming Efficiency

FANUC Creates Digitalization Suite To Improve Programming Efficiency

FANUC's new G-code simulation software, NC Reflection Studio, uses CNC parameters, kinematics, and machine layouts to help customers increase programming efficiency and improve machining processes in shops.


News Sep 01, 2022 by Damond Goodwin
PLC Ladder Logic on an Arduino: Introduction to OpenPLC

PLC Ladder Logic on an Arduino: Introduction to OpenPLC

Build a low-cost PLC using the Arduino Uno and the open-source industrial controls software, OpenPLC, to learn how to program with ladder logic, beginning with your first OpenPLC project: Hello World.


Softing’s New OPC UA-based OT/IT Integration Solution with MQTT Connection

Softing’s New OPC UA-based OT/IT Integration Solution with MQTT Connection

Softing introduces a new OPC UA-based OT/IT integration solution with MQTT connection, the edgeAggregator, for applications in cloud and edge computing to manage complex system architecture.


News Aug 23, 2022 by Damond Goodwin
Bosch Rexroth’s ACTIVE Cockpit Upgrade for Friendlier Navigation

Bosch Rexroth’s ACTIVE Cockpit Upgrade for Friendlier Navigation

Bosch Rexroth’s user-feedback driven redesign of their ACTIVE Cockpit software increases productivity and reduces the time required for process optimization for friendlier use in manufacturing.


News Aug 22, 2022 by Seth Price
Introduction to Add-on Instructions for PLC Ladder Logic Programming

Introduction to Add-on Instructions for PLC Ladder Logic Programming

Learn how to take advantage of the powerful AOI feature that comes standard in Allen-Bradley / Rockwell PLCs using RSLogix 5000 and Studio 5000 Software.


Comparing Programming Languages: Structured Text vs. Ladder Logic

Comparing Programming Languages: Structured Text vs. Ladder Logic

Ladder logic and structured text language are fairly common yet visually different. How do you choose the best PLC language for your automation application?


The Annual EETech Engineering Survey of 2022

The Annual EETech Engineering Survey of 2022

The quality of content from our educational site comes from understanding our audience and your needs. Help give us the best snapshot of today’s control industry, along with a free chance to win one of several Amazon card prizes!


News Aug 09, 2022 by David Peterson
Scantech’s AM-DESK for Automated 3D Measurement 

Scantech’s AM-DESK for Automated 3D Measurement 

Scantech’s automated 3D measurement station, the AM-DESK, can be coupled with different collaborative robot brands and comes equipped with easy-to-use 3D software for simple and complex measurement tasks.


News Aug 03, 2022 by Damond Goodwin
Recreating PLC Ladder Logic in an Arduino C/C++ IDE

Recreating PLC Ladder Logic in an Arduino C/C++ IDE

​​​​​​​Arduinos have been a staple in the community of makers, students, and project innovators for many years. For many using Arduino’s IDE, there can be difficulties in translating between PLC ladder rungs and text programming.


PLC Program Commands: Move and Copy Instructions

PLC Program Commands: Move and Copy Instructions

Moving data is a critical function of PLCs. In this article, we’ll talk about Move, Masked Move, Copy File, and Synchronous Copy File and show how they can be used to move individual pieces of data and entire arrays.