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Tighter Control With the Unitronics UMI-B7 Variable Frequency Drive Series

Tighter Control With the Unitronics UMI-B7 Variable Frequency Drive Series

The new UMI-B7 series of VFDs from Unitronics has an added Ethernet connection and tighter closed-loop control for more precise speed, torque, and position.


News Jun 21, 2024 by Seth Price
Banner Engineering Adds Two New Series to Radar Sensor Offerings

Banner Engineering Adds Two New Series to Radar Sensor Offerings

The K50R and Q90 R series of radar sensors bring versatility and cost-effectiveness to object detection across applications. Both series are designed to be superior alternatives to ultrasonic sensors.


News Jun 18, 2024 by Joshua Tidwell
Mitsubishi’s High-Payload, Long-Reach Robots Give New Meaning to “Arm Day”

Mitsubishi’s High-Payload, Long-Reach Robots Give New Meaning to “Arm Day”

The latest additions to Mitsubishi Electric Automation's RV-FR series of robots feature a higher payload and longer reach than earlier models, expanding the series' manufacturing capabilities.


News Jun 14, 2024 by Seth Price
Python Tutorial Part 5 | Data Structures: Tuples

Python Tutorial Part 5 | Data Structures: Tuples

As we approach the conclusion of Python data structures, we’ll examine the tuple. Used less frequently than lists and dictionaries, tuples do serve some handy use cases where immutability is a critical requirement.


Tutorial: First Program With Phoenix Contact’s PLCnext Platform

Tutorial: First Program With Phoenix Contact’s PLCnext Platform

Learn how to get started with Phoenix Contact’s PLCnext and Engineer software, a platform that ultimately provides a PLC environment for plant control as well as an OS for more advanced IIoT projects.


Introducing Weintek’s Latest Compact, Standard Human Machine Interface

Introducing Weintek’s Latest Compact, Standard Human Machine Interface

Weintek has added a new device to its compact cMT X series of human machine interfaces (HMIs). The new HMI brings intuitive features and enhanced functionality to users.


News Jun 08, 2024 by Austin Futrell
Logic at the Sensor Level: Can it Simplify Automation?

Logic at the Sensor Level: Can it Simplify Automation?

Sensor networks with built-in logic functions can save cost and program execution speed, but what are those various logic functions, and when might they be preferred over normal PLC ladder logic?


The Beginner’s Guide to Automation: Adding Control to the System

The Beginner’s Guide to Automation: Adding Control to the System

Every automated cell requires a ‘brain’ in order to achieve the required tasks. How do you determine the necessary I/O, communication protocols, and processor necessary for controlling your system?


Mitsubishi PLC Tutorial: Program and Display Strings In Ladder Logic

Mitsubishi PLC Tutorial: Program and Display Strings In Ladder Logic

Learn how to write a ladder logic program to assign a string value to a data register and share that register with any HMI compatible with Mitsubishi’s MELSEC PLC series.


ABB, Rockwell Automation, and Others Launch Edge Interoperability Initiative for Automation Ecosystems

ABB, Rockwell Automation, and Others Launch Edge Interoperability Initiative for Automation Ecosystems

ABB, Rockwell Automation, and other top industrial automation companies have come together to develop an open standard for interoperability between hardware and software in the industrial space.


News May 31, 2024 by Shawn Dietrich
Python Tutorial Part 3 | Data Structures: Lists

Python Tutorial Part 3 | Data Structures: Lists

This section will dive into the world of data structures used within the Python programming environment, starting with one of the more commonly used structures called ‘lists.’


Understanding Sensors with Timer Functions: Applications and Advantages

Understanding Sensors with Timer Functions: Applications and Advantages

Sensors with timer functions advance modern automation systems, enhancing the precision and flexibility of in-process controls to ease the strict requirement for an external, clock-based logic CPU.


New I/O Modules for AutomationDirect’s Productivity PLC Series

New I/O Modules for AutomationDirect’s Productivity PLC Series

The new additions include a high-current relay output for the Productivity1000 and 2000 series and a TTL input and output for the Productivity2000, allowing interface with systems of varying voltages.


News May 27, 2024 by David Peterson
Control Techniques and KB Electronics Join the Nidec Family

Control Techniques and KB Electronics Join the Nidec Family

Nidec has added two more drive manufacturers, Control Techniques and KB Electronics, to its list of brands, increasing product availability and support for all things that rotate.


News May 24, 2024 by Shawn Dietrich
Driving DC Motors: Rectifiers vs. Pulse-Width Modulation

Driving DC Motors: Rectifiers vs. Pulse-Width Modulation

Although DC motor technology has a strong legacy, control strategies vary from simple to complex. Designs must consider not just the motor, but also the electrical supply and the environment.


Python Tutorial Part 2 | Basic Data Types

Python Tutorial Part 2 | Basic Data Types

This article will focus on the basic building blocks of the Python programming language that are core to interacting with programs, including strings, integers, floats, and booleans.


Rockwell Automation Announces a New Product, Partnership, and Expansion

Rockwell Automation Announces a New Product, Partnership, and Expansion

Rockwell Automation has started constructing a new manufacturing facility in India, developed a low-voltage motor control center, and partnered with an educational institution to invest in the future workforce.


News May 22, 2024 by Seth Price
ABB Expands Industrial Robot Portfolio With Addition of IRB 7710 and IRB 7720

ABB Expands Industrial Robot Portfolio With Addition of IRB 7710 and IRB 7720

The latest additions to ABB Robotics’ 6-axis articulated robot portfolio provide customers with a wider selection of industrial robots to fit their application needs across industries.


News May 18, 2024 by Austin Futrell
Mitsubishi HMI Programming Tutorial: Controlling On/Off Bits

Mitsubishi HMI Programming Tutorial: Controlling On/Off Bits

Learn how to use GT Designer 3 to create an interactive control system on Mitsubishi HMIs. With practical examples of simple on/off bits, gain some understanding of HMI designing and programming.


Introducing the edgeConnector Allen-Bradley PLC for Data Integration

Introducing the edgeConnector Allen-Bradley PLC for Data Integration

Softing Industrial has expanded its edgeConnector product family of docker containers to support the widely used Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix controllers.


News May 15, 2024 by Austin Futrell