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Five Common Breaking Points of Industrial-grade Machinery and How to Combat Them

Five Common Breaking Points of Industrial-grade Machinery and How to Combat Them

Broken industrial machinery can cause unexpected downtime, production loss, and even injury. Let's look at some of the most common issues and how to properly address them.


Assessing Buzzwords: X “as a Service” (XaaS)

Assessing Buzzwords: X “as a Service” (XaaS)

XaaS, or the service model, has grown in the last several years. Pop-up terms like “SaaS,” “IaaS,” and “RaaS” are seen throughout the industry. But what do they mean, and do they provide dependable ROI?


Assessing Buzzwords: Digital Transformation

Assessing Buzzwords: Digital Transformation

What does “digital transformation” really mean, and what are the technologies involved in the process? Further, which of these technologies are facilities adopting?


An Introduction to Genetic Programming: A System That Programs Itself?

An Introduction to Genetic Programming: A System That Programs Itself?

Can a system author itself? Genetic programming may represent the next revolution for control systems, robot navigation, pattern recognition, and more.


Data Flow Programming in LabVIEW

Data Flow Programming in LabVIEW

One of the most confusing concepts for new LabVIEW programmers is the concept of data flow programming. Data flow programming determines the run order of nodes, making some data available before others.


How to Design a Fuzzy Logic Controller

How to Design a Fuzzy Logic Controller

Let’s review how fuzzy logic and ladder logic work together, how to design a fuzzy logic controller, and some advantages and disadvantages of using fuzzy logic.


Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Considerations for Robot Cells

Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Considerations for Robot Cells

Programming, price, and safety are usually top considerations when choosing a PLC for a small robot cell. But how do each of these key considerations reflect in the day-to-day life of a control engineer?


Data Science for Control Systems

Data Science for Control Systems

Data science is a multidisciplinary field crucial to modern automation. In this article, learn about data science concepts and best practices.


Data Types Used in LabVIEW

Data Types Used in LabVIEW

LabVIEW uses different data types to store and convey information. Let’s review the most common types and how they are used in the program.


What is a Data Lake?

What is a Data Lake?

Learn the fundaments of data lakes and how they are important to digital transformation under Industry 4.0.


Simple File Output in LabVIEW

Simple File Output in LabVIEW

The scope of this article shows one method of writing data to a file using LabVIEW software, and when this type of data acquisition and recording is appropriate.


M2M Communication: Is Ethernet or Wireless Better?

M2M Communication: Is Ethernet or Wireless Better?

Efficient communication between machines is key in industrial automation. As both Ethernet and wireless network technologies improve, which one is poised to take the lead in the future?


Optical Fiber: The Future of Industrial Communications?

Optical Fiber: The Future of Industrial Communications?

Fiber optics is a promising technology for the future of industrial automation. In this article, learn the history, fundamentals, and application of fiber optics.


Decision-making Structures in LabVIEW

Decision-making Structures in LabVIEW

Choosing between a select? structure and a case structure to form your decision-making structure in LabVIEW? In this article, we’ll review how each of these structures suits different applications.


Addressing AS-Interface (ASi)

Addressing AS-Interface (ASi)

ASi is a pioneering standard in automation technology that helps simplify and lower field device integration costs.


What is the Difference Between IoT and Cloud Computing?

What is the Difference Between IoT and Cloud Computing?

IoT infrastructure consists of many factory parts, one being cloud computing. Rather than ask how they’re different, let’s look into how they work together to form industry 4.0.


LabVIEW Loops Explained

LabVIEW Loops Explained

In programming languages, loops control processes and instrumentation. Learn how to set up while loops, for loops, and other types of loops in LabVIEW.


Introduction to Flow Control Valves

Introduction to Flow Control Valves

Control valves manipulate fluid flow rate in industrial applications. How do they work, what kinds are there, and what are some specific applications?


LabVIEW Environment Deep Dive

LabVIEW Environment Deep Dive

Graphical programming language LabVIEW uses front panels, block diagrams, a controls palette, and a functions palette to design control systems. Let’s take a deep dive into each of these and their functionalities.


An Overview of Neural Networks

An Overview of Neural Networks

What are neural networks, how do you establish basic parameters, and what tools can help?