An age-old debate in PLC programming: investigating the uses and caveats of latching software commands versus seal-in ladder logic for industrial control applications.
An age-old debate in PLC programming: investigating the uses and caveats of latching software commands versus seal-in ladder logic for industrial control applications.
Controlling and optimizing plant processes is the goal of most control systems. It can be a challenge to distinguish…
Controlling and optimizing plant processes is the goal of most control systems. It can be a challenge to distinguish between different types of control: a DCS or a high-level SCADA system?
Learn how to measure temperature using an RTD and a temperature transmitter to convert resistance into common analog…
Learn how to measure temperature using an RTD and a temperature transmitter to convert resistance into common analog voltage or current values for process control.
Installing sensors into a manufacturing process is intended to collect data, useful in making logical true/false…
Installing sensors into a manufacturing process is intended to collect data, useful in making logical true/false decisions. But what settings must be adjusted when you install these sensors?
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?
Knowing what kind of control system to use: that’s a question that must be answered before setting up the factory…
Knowing what kind of control system to use: that’s a question that must be answered before setting up the factory floor. Why would someone choose pneumatic over electrical controls?
Within motors, two very different types of resistance are evident. The resistance of the windings is measured with a…
Within motors, two very different types of resistance are evident. The resistance of the windings is measured with a normal multimeter. But what is insulation resistance, and how is it measured?
It’s important to consider your PLC tag naming convention when using different styles. Learn when and why you might…
It’s important to consider your PLC tag naming convention when using different styles. Learn when and why you might even use more than one, depending on the circumstances and scope of your project.
For large process systems, learn how the location of data indication and flag processing can increase or decrease the…
For large process systems, learn how the location of data indication and flag processing can increase or decrease the burden on computers at the device, RTU, or main computer level.
Rockwell Automation’s Allen-Bradley control hardware catalog has long included many series that start with 17xx, but…
Rockwell Automation’s Allen-Bradley control hardware catalog has long included many series that start with 17xx, but what are these lineups, and what function do they serve?
In this article, we will explore real-world considerations for strain gauge performance and typical applications. We’ll…
In this article, we will explore real-world considerations for strain gauge performance and typical applications. We’ll be talking about foil and wire strain gauges, but ignoring semiconductors.
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.
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?
An overview of HMI data types, input controls, output indicators, and message functions, the building blocks used to…
An overview of HMI data types, input controls, output indicators, and message functions, the building blocks used to construct informative and appealing HMI applications.
Data has become the currency that enables operational excellence. Sensors are the key links, acting as the eyes and ears…
Data has become the currency that enables operational excellence. Sensors are the key links, acting as the eyes and ears of modern manufacturing units by providing real-time data on machine performance.
Have you ever needed to know the temperature, pressure, flow, or other measurement on location, but the readout is way…
Have you ever needed to know the temperature, pressure, flow, or other measurement on location, but the readout is way off in the control room? Here’s an easy way to add a readout in the field.
A PLC can be placed in Run or Stop, or occasionally Program mode, usually through physical or virtual methods. But what…
A PLC can be placed in Run or Stop, or occasionally Program mode, usually through physical or virtual methods. But what do these modes mean, and when should they be used?
Function block diagrams can be a useful tool, but they can also add a lot of complexity. Learn about the what, when,…
Function block diagrams can be a useful tool, but they can also add a lot of complexity. Learn about the what, when, where, and why of function block diagram (FBD) programming.