Latest Building Technical Articles

Sensors with timer functions advance modern automation systems, enhancing the precision and flexibility of in-process…

Sensors with timer functions advance modern automation systems, enhancing the precision and flexibility of in-process controls to ease the strict requirement for an external, clock-based logic CPU.

Although DC motor technology has a strong legacy, control strategies vary from simple to complex. Designs must consider…

Although DC motor technology has a strong legacy, control strategies vary from simple to complex. Designs must consider not just the motor, but also the electrical supply and the environment.

This article will focus on the basic building blocks of the Python programming language that are core to interacting with…

This article will focus on the basic building blocks of the Python programming language that are core to interacting with programs, including strings, integers, floats, and booleans.

Learn how to use GT Designer 3 to create an interactive control system on Mitsubishi HMIs. With practical examples of…

Learn how to use GT Designer 3 to create an interactive control system on Mitsubishi HMIs. With practical examples of simple on/off bits, gain some understanding of HMI designing and programming.

Detecting objects is the first field-level task that must be considered before any feedback-based control can happen.…

Detecting objects is the first field-level task that must be considered before any feedback-based control can happen. Choosing from among the nearly unlimited proximity sensors can be challenging!

Learn how to use DirectSOFT6 to program discrete I/O functions in a Koyo DirectLOGIC PLC. Although these PLCs are older,…

Learn how to use DirectSOFT6 to program discrete I/O functions in a Koyo DirectLOGIC PLC. Although these PLCs are older, they are found in many existing automation installations.

Parameters control the operation and command sources for VFDs. The PowerFlex series from Rockwell Automation is no…

Parameters control the operation and command sources for VFDs. The PowerFlex series from Rockwell Automation is no exception. Learn how to adjust the parameters for networking and IP configuration.

Fluid control valves rely on the opening and closing of internal passageways to direct the flow of power. But what do…

Fluid control valves rely on the opening and closing of internal passageways to direct the flow of power. But what do they look like inside, and how do these ‘valve spools’ actually work?

There are a few options when it comes to tracking part data throughout a process or assembly of a machine. Follow along…

There are a few options when it comes to tracking part data throughout a process or assembly of a machine. Follow along as we explain just a few of the more common methods.

Ethernet switches can use four different types of connections: RJ45, fiber, M12, and SFP. Understanding the difference…

Ethernet switches can use four different types of connections: RJ45, fiber, M12, and SFP. Understanding the difference can help with network troubleshooting, design, or alteration.

Creating custom alarm systems can be complicated and overwhelming, but they can also be very beneficial for equipment…

Creating custom alarm systems can be complicated and overwhelming, but they can also be very beneficial for equipment builders and integrators. Follow along as we build a custom alarm handling system.

We know what a circuit breaker is meant to do: stop the flow of electricity in case of a fault or failure. But just like…

We know what a circuit breaker is meant to do: stop the flow of electricity in case of a fault or failure. But just like fuses, breakers and overloads respond differently depending on the load.

Using a Raspberry Pi and the OpenPLC software platform, create a simple PLC that can be programmed in ladder diagrams…

Using a Raspberry Pi and the OpenPLC software platform, create a simple PLC that can be programmed in ladder diagrams with remote access and I/O monitoring dashboards.

What is pressure? Everybody knows about this important quantity, but how do you define it? How do you measure it? Where…

What is pressure? Everybody knows about this important quantity, but how do you define it? How do you measure it? Where does it come from? In this article, we’ll learn about the basics of pressure.

Many sensors, like prox, optical, and ultrasonic, are familiar to control engineers. More and more modern devices are…

Many sensors, like prox, optical, and ultrasonic, are familiar to control engineers. More and more modern devices are incorporating advanced motion profiles requiring motion sensing in many axes.

This article investigates the basic components and wiring conventions for common three-phase motor starter…

This article investigates the basic components and wiring conventions for common three-phase motor starter configurations, including direct online, reversing, and star-delta.

This article investigates the basic qualities that make up a safety PLC, what distinguishes a safety PLC from a standard…

This article investigates the basic qualities that make up a safety PLC, what distinguishes a safety PLC from a standard model, and the reasons for which a safety PLC may be critical.

Electrical and mechanical measurements are often labeled with "RMS" and "True RMS." Aside from the simple math…

Electrical and mechanical measurements are often labeled with "RMS" and "True RMS." Aside from the simple math definitions we learned in electronics class, why is this distinction actually important?

Have you ever heard of a relay? Of course you have. There are many different kinds, plus hundreds of different trade…

Have you ever heard of a relay? Of course you have. There are many different kinds, plus hundreds of different trade lingo names. What are some of the most common, and how do we use them?