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How To: Using Set/Reset Instructions in Mitsubishi’s MELSEC PLCs

How To: Using Set/Reset Instructions in Mitsubishi’s MELSEC PLCs

Setting and resetting a PLC output is essential in establishing a holding circuit for a transducer. Learn how to use set/reset instructions in MELSOFT series GX Works2 to latch and release an output.


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.


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
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.


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.


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
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
8-Port IO-Link Master Designed for Compact and Powerful Edge Processing

8-Port IO-Link Master Designed for Compact and Powerful Edge Processing

Banner Engineering has taken steps to improve the usability of IO-Link devices with the release of the compact DXMR110 8-Port IO-Link Master for simplified connection between devices to the control cabinet.


News May 03, 2023 by Damond Goodwin
Testing the Limits: Capabilities of the Limit Switch

Testing the Limits: Capabilities of the Limit Switch

Limit switches are electromechanical devices that open or close contacts when external pressure is applied to an actuator. This solves a simple problem faced by motion devices: limiting movement


Balluff Unveils Inductive Sensor That Detects Ferrous and Non-ferrous Metals at Same Switching Distance

Balluff Unveils Inductive Sensor That Detects Ferrous and Non-ferrous Metals at Same Switching Distance

Balluff’s new Factor 1 inductive sensors offer users a single sensor that senses both ferrous and non-ferrous metals at the same switching distance, fit for use in environments with various metal types.


News Apr 08, 2023 by Bob Odhiambo
Connectivity for Edge Solutions With Docker-based Software Updates

Connectivity for Edge Solutions With Docker-based Software Updates

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.


News Apr 06, 2023 by Stephanie Leonida
Leveraging IIoT and Energy Measurement Tools for Machine Optimization

Leveraging IIoT and Energy Measurement Tools for Machine Optimization

Analytics from data algorithms can predict machine failures and provide diagnostics—but what should we measure? Then, once the information has been collected, what trends might point to problems?


 Rugged and Intelligent Sensing: Inductive Proximity Sensors with IO-Link Capabilities

Rugged and Intelligent Sensing: Inductive Proximity Sensors with IO-Link Capabilities

Carlo Gavazzi has released a new family of full-metal inductive proximity sensors with an IP69K rating and standard IO-Link capabilities to suit any automation application.


News Mar 21, 2023 by Shawn Dietrich