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Understanding PLC Tags: Controller Scope vs. Program Scope

Understanding PLC Tags: Controller Scope vs. Program Scope

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.


Engineering Editorial Perspective: 2023 Top Trends in Automation

Engineering Editorial Perspective: 2023 Top Trends in Automation

What are some of the most recent developments making waves in the world of robotics and automation? Learn about a few trends with some editorial thoughts about the future of the technology for end users.


News May 31, 2023 by David Peterson
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
Field Input and Output Blocks From Allen-Bradley

Field Input and Output Blocks From Allen-Bradley

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.


News May 26, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich
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.


Covering all the Latest Control Technology: Automate 2023

Covering all the Latest Control Technology: Automate 2023

The second day of Automate 2023 in Detroit was a huge success! The Control Automation engineering and sales team met with a number of companies to discuss and explore the exciting, innovative demonstrations.


News May 25, 2023 by David Peterson
Automate 2023: First Glimpse From the Show

Automate 2023: First Glimpse From the Show

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!


News May 24, 2023 by David Peterson
Automate 2023 Is Kicking Off! Showcasing the “World’s First Cobot Spot Welder” and Other Automation Feats

Automate 2023 Is Kicking Off! Showcasing the “World’s First Cobot Spot Welder” and Other Automation Feats

Automate 2023 has begun! This year’s trade show features some exciting new technologies, including automation solutions from Universal Robots, Bosch Rexroth, and DENSO Robotics.


News May 22, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich
Back to the Basics: Understanding Industrial Buttons and Switches

Back to the Basics: Understanding Industrial Buttons and Switches

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.


Fluke Releases Stand-alone Thermal Imager For Extreme Environments

Fluke Releases Stand-alone Thermal Imager For Extreme Environments

Fluke has introduced the space-saving, stand-alone ThermoView TV30 Thermal Imager for temperature control and monitoring in harsh industrial settings, doing away with connecting to vulnerable PCs.


News May 18, 2023 by Stephanie Leonida
Building a Temperature Controller Simulator Using OpenPLC and an Arduino

Building a Temperature Controller Simulator Using OpenPLC and an Arduino

Variable control allows external conditions, like temperature, to be monitored so the controller can activate devices to heat or cool the system as needed. Simulate a temp controller with low-cost components!


Gas, Smoke, and Fire Sensors for Industrial and Commercial Applications

Gas, Smoke, and Fire Sensors for Industrial and Commercial Applications

We see smoke detectors on a daily basis in every house and building we visit, but the same sensor elements, and others, can be used to detect the presence of harmful gasses and heat in all industries.


Fluke To Help Grow Solar Workforce, Becomes NABCEP Training Provider

Fluke To Help Grow Solar Workforce, Becomes NABCEP Training Provider

Bottlenecks created by skilled labor shortages have created concern for companies looking for sustainable growth. Fluke hopes to limit future bottlenecks in the solar industry by becoming a NABCEP Registered Training Provider.


News May 16, 2023 by Damond Goodwin
Understanding Wire Color Codes for Industrial Electrical Applications

Understanding Wire Color Codes for Industrial Electrical Applications

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?


Q20-2: A Polarized Retroreflective Sensor For Reliable Object Detection

Q20-2: A Polarized Retroreflective Sensor For Reliable Object Detection

Banner Engineering has released a long-range polarized retroreflective photoelectric sensor for object detection that uses high-end optics to allow for consistent and accurate alignment.


News May 14, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich
Radiation Sensors: Detecting Particle and Wave Emissions

Radiation Sensors: Detecting Particle and Wave Emissions

Radiation, despite its reputation in pop culture as a harmful emission resulting from a natural disaster, is a property of many materials and processes and must be carefully monitored for quality and safety.


Vibration Sensors For Use In Condition Monitoring

Vibration Sensors For Use In Condition Monitoring

Vibration sensors measure the mechanical vibration of an object, making it possible to monitor machines for early signs of failure to prevent costly and dangerous breakdowns.


LogiMAT 2023 Brings Together Latest in Intralogistics, Sees Record Crowd

LogiMAT 2023 Brings Together Latest in Intralogistics, Sees Record Crowd

LogiMAT 2023 was the largest ever, with companies from around the globe showcasing their latest automation technology for greater speed and efficiency in intralogistics and process management.


News May 09, 2023 by Damond Goodwin
Omega Optimizes Data Collection With Virtual Chart Recorder and Web Server

Omega Optimizes Data Collection With Virtual Chart Recorder and Web Server

The iServer 2 Series Web Server and Virtual Chart Recorder from Omega Engineering collects, stores, and manages data collected by a variety of sensors, speeding up process monitoring and data logging operations.


News May 08, 2023 by Seth Price