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Raspberry Pi Sense HAT Joystick Controls and Event-Based Programming

Raspberry Pi Sense HAT Joystick Controls and Event-Based Programming

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.


Packing It Up: Summary of the Las Vegas Pack Expo 2023

Packing It Up: Summary of the Las Vegas Pack Expo 2023

2,000 exciting displays, 4 massive exhibition halls, 1 gigantic show to highlight the advancements in the packaging and processing industries in 2023. Check out the sights from Pack Expo!


News Sep 13, 2023 by David Peterson
PygWalker Data Visualization Library - Part 2, Advanced Charting Display

PygWalker Data Visualization Library - Part 2, Advanced Charting Display

PygWalker is a useful tool to visualize data, with advanced features to make the data more constructive. This tutorial continues using the milling machine predictive maintenance dataset.


PLC Programming With Function Block Diagrams

PLC Programming With Function Block Diagrams

Function block diagram (FBD) programming is a common language for PLCs following the IEC 61131 standard. What is FBD, and how does it differ from the familiar ladder logic programs?


Human Factor Engineering: Designing an Intuitive HMI

Human Factor Engineering: Designing an Intuitive HMI

Designing a control system is a difficult task in itself, but designing the graphical interface for an everyday user can be a very different kind of challenge that involves mental and physical considerations.


Schneider Electric Launches Managed Security Services

Schneider Electric Launches Managed Security Services

Schneider Electric offers its Managed Security Services (MSS) geared towards shoring up industrial data security and readiness.


News Aug 22, 2023 by Seth Price
How to Design and Deploy a Web-Based HMI Project - Part 1

How to Design and Deploy a Web-Based HMI Project - Part 1

A walkthrough and discussion of a simple web-based HMI solution that could modernize your current HMI technology stack. The first step in the process involves sending data from a device to a server.


Phoenix Contact’s Valueline 3: Newest Panel and Box IPC

Phoenix Contact’s Valueline 3: Newest Panel and Box IPC

Phoenix Contact adds to its product family of panel PCs and IPCs with the Valueline 3, available in a standalone box or ready to integrate into a robust touch panel for industrial environments.


News Aug 09, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich
How to Design and Deploy a Web-Based HMI Project - Part 4

How to Design and Deploy a Web-Based HMI Project - Part 4

Refining and integrating a front-end HMI application to an API middle layer with real-time data display and historian capabilities for short-term data visualization.


How to Design and Deploy a Web-Based HMI Project - Part 3

How to Design and Deploy a Web-Based HMI Project - Part 3

Learn the first steps in focusing on the integration of a front-end HMI application to an API middle layer.


How to Design and Deploy a Web-Based HMI Project - Part 2

How to Design and Deploy a Web-Based HMI Project - Part 2

The middle layer, or API layer of a custom-built HMI project involves a server that can submit or receive data to and from a device, either to provide the user interface or interact with the machine.


What Does ‘Explosion Proof’ Mean, and Who Should Care?

What Does ‘Explosion Proof’ Mean, and Who Should Care?

Some workplaces are more dangerous than others, not because of the practices, but rather the products. Where do explosions occur, and what practices exist to reduce such risk for equipment and workforce?


Creating a Low-Cost OpenPLC Pulse Timer Function Block HMI with an M5Stack Core

Creating a Low-Cost OpenPLC Pulse Timer Function Block HMI with an M5Stack Core

Triggering a machine by an external event often requires a pulse timer for OpenPLC Pulse Timer control. Here’s a brief tutorial on how an M5Stack Core can offer a simple, effective low-cost Arduino OpenPLC HMI solution.


Visualize This: Rockwell Introduces New OptixPanel HMI for Process Optimization

Visualize This: Rockwell Introduces New OptixPanel HMI for Process Optimization

Rockwell Automation introduces a new line of more modern, flexible, and customizable human-machine interface (HMI) solutions for machine builders: the new OptixPanel graphic terminals.


News Aug 03, 2023 by Stephanie Leonida
Understanding the Automation Lingo: PLC, PAC, RTU, DCS, and SCADA

Understanding the Automation Lingo: PLC, PAC, RTU, DCS, and SCADA

What are these terms, PLC, PAC, RTU, DCS, SCADA? Why are they so important to industrial robotics and automation? Explore how each different piece functions to build a comprehensive automated system.


Siemens Releases a New Virtual PLC, the S7-1500V

Siemens Releases a New Virtual PLC, the S7-1500V

The SIMATIC S7-1500V is Siemens's newest PLC, but it looks completely different than any other PLC… Mainly because it doesn’t physically exist.


News Jun 08, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich
Closing the Loop: Feedback, Feedforward, and Adaptive Control

Closing the Loop: Feedback, Feedforward, and Adaptive Control

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.


Connectors Used in Industrial and Robotic Cable Termination

Connectors Used in Industrial and Robotic Cable Termination

Industrial and robotics cabling requires specialized termination strategies. This article introduces connectors involved in automation applications for cable-to-cable or cable-to-device termination.


Highlights and Photos from Automate 2023

Highlights and Photos from Automate 2023

Join Control Automation for a review of the show highlights and a special feature of some exciting booths visited on the last and final day of the Automate trade show. Excited for the next year of innovation!


News May 28, 2023 by David Peterson
Developing Standardized Practices for PLC Programming

Developing Standardized Practices for PLC Programming

Any kind of computer programming can be challenging to determine what aspects are truly unique versus what aspects should be standardized across projects and platforms to streamline future development.