Latest Technical Articles

A flasher can easily be implemented using interlocking timers in a PLC environment on an Arduino Uno using OpenPLC,…

A flasher can easily be implemented using interlocking timers in a PLC environment on an Arduino Uno using OpenPLC, UiFlow Blockly Code, and a programmable HMI-based LCD unit.

Digital twins are a virtual process representation merging the simulation and real worlds to increase efficiency,…

Digital twins are a virtual process representation merging the simulation and real worlds to increase efficiency, optimize parameters, and predict successful operations for a variety of industries.

To transfer data from a local spreadsheet to a database to create visual dashboards, we must now define the outbound…

To transfer data from a local spreadsheet to a database to create visual dashboards, we must now define the outbound integration to the PostgreSQL database through the mage.ai editor.

Some terminology, like 'normally open' and 'normally closed' switch contacts, is common throughout industry but can still…

Some terminology, like 'normally open' and 'normally closed' switch contacts, is common throughout industry but can still be confusing, misleading, or even hazardous if not properly understood.

For being no more than a thin piece of metal, the strain gauge is a versatile measurement tool, from small switches to…

For being no more than a thin piece of metal, the strain gauge is a versatile measurement tool, from small switches to multi-ton machines. In this article, learn the operating principles and properties.

In this article, we will explore the inbound integration to the mage.ai pipeline, connecting to the spreadsheet data…

In this article, we will explore the inbound integration to the mage.ai pipeline, connecting to the spreadsheet data source using the Google Sheets API through a JSON credentials file.

When inputs or outputs stop working, the equipment fails to respond and money starts slipping away. Dive into the concept…

When inputs or outputs stop working, the equipment fails to respond and money starts slipping away. Dive into the concept of troubleshooting I/O without ever opening the PLC software.

Data pipelines are software services that progress the data from source to storage, hopefully without too much…

Data pipelines are software services that progress the data from source to storage, hopefully without too much programming complexity. In this article, we begin by initializing the mage.ai software.

When IT and OT converge on the shop floor, it’s important to understand how and when to let a computer control the…

When IT and OT converge on the shop floor, it’s important to understand how and when to let a computer control the assignment of network addresses, or when you would rather keep it under control.

Pressures are always rising and falling in fluid systems. Sometimes the changes are extreme and lead to damage. What…

Pressures are always rising and falling in fluid systems. Sometimes the changes are extreme and lead to damage. What causes problematic pressure changes, and how can you trace them to their source?

Machine downtime can be very stressful for everybody involved. Next time you face a challenging system failure, try some…

Machine downtime can be very stressful for everybody involved. Next time you face a challenging system failure, try some of these LED troubleshooting techniques to reduce stress.

All of modern industry relies on data. In the first installment of a series showcasing the importance of industrial data…

All of modern industry relies on data. In the first installment of a series showcasing the importance of industrial data movement, we explain the challenge of data flow and build a fault list.

Power systems rely on meaningful data, as do most other processes. Within SCADA environments, individual data points are…

Power systems rely on meaningful data, as do most other processes. Within SCADA environments, individual data points are tracked, compared to limits, and evaluated to obtain current readings.

In this final installment of the IIoT tech stack project, learn how to design the customer-facing dashboard or…

In this final installment of the IIoT tech stack project, learn how to design the customer-facing dashboard or observability platform using the data acquired from the MQTT client device.

This article reviews the challenges and opportunities when incorporating generative AI and Large Language Models in…

This article reviews the challenges and opportunities when incorporating generative AI and Large Language Models in industrial applications. It also examines how a Norwegian fishing and biotech company improved operational productivity and efficiency using generative AI.

Traditionally, automation requires a sizable investment and integration risks. RaaS empowers manufacturers to let someone…

Traditionally, automation requires a sizable investment and integration risks. RaaS empowers manufacturers to let someone else adopt the risks in exchange for an hourly or monthly subscription rate.

In the world of mechanical power transmission, gears, belts, and chains dominate the landscape, but what's so special…

In the world of mechanical power transmission, gears, belts, and chains dominate the landscape, but what's so special about chain drives, and why would they be used in place of rubber belts?

As we approach the conclusion of this IIoT project, we’ll explore the integration of the Mosquitto MQTT broker,…

As we approach the conclusion of this IIoT project, we’ll explore the integration of the Mosquitto MQTT broker, Node-RED, and InfluxDB, leaving only the data dashboard setup for the final step.

Rebooting industrial controllers and computers incurs costs, not only from the downtime but also from cascading effects…

Rebooting industrial controllers and computers incurs costs, not only from the downtime but also from cascading effects of communication with up/downstream controllers. How can this downtime be managed?