Controlling an industrial robot can be done through the use of well-crafted signal handshakes. Follow along as we dive into several robot-to-PLC communication strategies.
Controlling an industrial robot can be done through the use of well-crafted signal handshakes. Follow along as we dive into several robot-to-PLC communication strategies.
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.
Innovative pulp and paper operators are turning advanced process control, automated testing, and quality control system…
Innovative pulp and paper operators are turning advanced process control, automated testing, and quality control system data into actionable business insights that improve operational efficiency all along the value chain.
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 use analog I/O devices with AutomationDirect’s Productivity series of PLCs and Productivity Suite…
Learn how to use analog I/O devices with AutomationDirect’s Productivity series of PLCs and Productivity Suite software. Wiring, configuring I/O, and programming will be a part of this tutorial.
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.
Shifting from manual code backup processes to more modern, automated solutions can provide more benefits to…
Shifting from manual code backup processes to more modern, automated solutions can provide more benefits to manufacturers, far above simply the time saved compared to manual techniques.
Automated control systems incorporate virtualization technology to reduce physical hardware, automatically minimizing the…
Automated control systems incorporate virtualization technology to reduce physical hardware, automatically minimizing the cost of IT/OT equipment, installations, and maintenance efforts.
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.
In order to trace control system problems to the core, the ability to read and interpret various resources, from…
In order to trace control system problems to the core, the ability to read and interpret various resources, from facility-level diagrams to machine-level wiring layouts, is critical.
We conclude the data flow project with the step of developing a business intelligence dashboard to present machine data,…
We conclude the data flow project with the step of developing a business intelligence dashboard to present machine data, at a reliable schedule, to a leadership or maintenance team.
It is important to have some baseline understanding of JavaScript Object Notation, or JSON, one of the most common data…
It is important to have some baseline understanding of JavaScript Object Notation, or JSON, one of the most common data exchange formats used in the connected industrial world today.
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?
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.
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 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.
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.
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?