Is it best to ‘controller scope’ or ‘program scope’ your tags? This is the question asked by many new PLC programmers, and it often comes down to…
Is it best to ‘controller scope’ or ‘program scope’ your tags? This is the question asked by many new PLC programmers, and it often comes down to personal preference.
Industrial and robotics cabling requires specialized termination strategies. This article introduces connectors involved…
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.
Join Control Automation for a review of the show highlights and a special feature of some exciting booths visited on the…
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!
Rockwell Automation has released an IO-Link master with configurable ports designed for harsh, on-machine environments…
Rockwell Automation has released an IO-Link master with configurable ports designed for harsh, on-machine environments with the ability to connect both discrete and IO-Link field devices.
Any kind of computer programming can be challenging to determine what aspects are truly unique versus what aspects should…
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.
It’s the first two days of Automate 2023, and the Control Automation team hit the streets to learn about the latest and…
It’s the first two days of Automate 2023, and the Control Automation team hit the streets to learn about the latest and greatest technology rocking the world of robotics and industrial automation!
This article features an in-depth discussion of the various options for buttons and switches, including function, styles,…
This article features an in-depth discussion of the various options for buttons and switches, including function, styles, shapes, and illumination options for all kinds of control panel inputs.
Designing, installing, and maintaining control systems involves a lot of wires. Each wire has a purpose, often indicated…
Designing, installing, and maintaining control systems involves a lot of wires. Each wire has a purpose, often indicated by the color of the insulation. But what are the common colors, and what do they mean?
Softing Industrial announced the release of its latest Docker-based software application updates and edge products with…
Softing Industrial announced the release of its latest Docker-based software application updates and edge products with added functionalities, aiming to enhance efficiency and usability of its solutions.
Acromag's latest multi-functioning Ethernet remote I/O modules are designed to monitor both analog and discrete signals,…
Acromag's latest multi-functioning Ethernet remote I/O modules are designed to monitor both analog and discrete signals, aiming to save on costs and computational power by freeing up PLCs and other control devices.
Programmable Logic Controllers, or PLCs, are designed to receive signals and influence load devices automatically. Learn…
Programmable Logic Controllers, or PLCs, are designed to receive signals and influence load devices automatically. Learn how to connect and program discrete output devices like solenoids, relays, and lights.
Many control product manufacturers offer these downloadable ‘EDS files’ for peripheral equipment, but what exactly is…
Many control product manufacturers offer these downloadable ‘EDS files’ for peripheral equipment, but what exactly is an EDS, and how can they aid in the development of a project?
Opto 22’s groov RIO is a remote Ethernet I/O for industrial internet and automation applications.
Opto 22’s groov RIO is a remote Ethernet I/O for industrial internet and automation applications.
Programmable Logic Control (PLC) systems are the core of most industrial control systems that drive modern manufacturing.…
Programmable Logic Control (PLC) systems are the core of most industrial control systems that drive modern manufacturing. In this Control Automation video, we discuss the wiring process for buttons, switches, and discrete sensors, applicable to virtually every PLC.
Control Automation is proud to announce updates to several chapters of our popular online textbook. Check out the…
Control Automation is proud to announce updates to several chapters of our popular online textbook. Check out the improvements in the PLC, Feedback Control, and Power Generation sections.
You are bound to encounter two terms associated with sensors and some loads: ‘NPN’ and ‘PNP’. You must understand…
You are bound to encounter two terms associated with sensors and some loads: ‘NPN’ and ‘PNP’. You must understand the relationship between the field device and the control module in order to choose and install components properly when needed.
When selecting the right module for the right load, be sure to understand how the load resistance will affect the voltage…
When selecting the right module for the right load, be sure to understand how the load resistance will affect the voltage and current of the output module terminals.
There are many distributed fieldbus capabilities for valve manifolds that can save on network overhead and wiring. In…
There are many distributed fieldbus capabilities for valve manifolds that can save on network overhead and wiring. In this article, we will look at PLC programming of fieldbus manifolds highlighting Festo's CPX layout.
What if you could control the end position and the speed of a hydraulic actuator accurately with just a simple signal?…
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.
Before digital control systems, responses were fairly slow. Push a button, and a motor contactor engaged. These days, the…
Before digital control systems, responses were fairly slow. Push a button, and a motor contactor engaged. These days, the speed of computers introduces some new challenges but brings solutions as well.