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Up Close and Personal With Automated Ag Equipment

Up Close and Personal With Automated Ag Equipment

Our Control Automation engineering staff got the chance to visit a commercial farm in North Dakota and learn the hardware and software making these huge automated tractors ready for high-tech ‘field’ work.


How-To: Programming with IO-Link Devices

How-To: Programming with IO-Link Devices

Advanced features such as programmable limits, diagnostics, and remote configuration are available with IO-Link devices. Learn how to connect an example IO-Link block into an actual PLC project.


Industrial Protocol Standards and The IEC

Industrial Protocol Standards and The IEC

This article covers the prominent IEC 60870 standard for SCADA in electrical power systems, as well as background information on the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the publishing organization.


How-To: Building a PLC Project with Modbus Communication

How-To: Building a PLC Project with Modbus Communication

Modbus is a communication protocol stemming from the early days of Modicon PLCs, but is still common today. These two example implementations of Modbus transactions will get you started.


SPC Pillar: Continual Improvement Process (CIP)

SPC Pillar: Continual Improvement Process (CIP)

Statistical process control (SPC) allows for continual improvement process (CIP), a method of optimizing a process driven by data and statistical methods.


Choosing The Right Cables for Industrial Automation

Choosing The Right Cables for Industrial Automation

Industrial automation is only possible when the various system components can communicate with each other using physical cable connections. In this article, learn about some of the most popular communication cables and connectors used in the industry.


Comparing Industrial Ethernet Protocols

Comparing Industrial Ethernet Protocols

This article reviews and compares some of the most prominent industrial Ethernet protocols.


Differences and Relationship Between IT and OT in Industrial Facilities

Differences and Relationship Between IT and OT in Industrial Facilities

We’re all familiar with information technology, or IT. The computer systems, hardware, internet, and various software we use in our own homes and offices are mostly IT. But when it comes to industrial workplaces, the rules are different.


Calibrating Digital Twins With Operational Data Optimizes Efficiency

Calibrating Digital Twins With Operational Data Optimizes Efficiency

Data feedback loops create a closed-loop digital twin (CLDT) driving increased operational efficiency and improved design iteration progress.


Introduction to Allen-Bradley Data Highway (DH) Networks

Introduction to Allen-Bradley Data Highway (DH) Networks

In this article, learn the basics of Allen-Bradley Data Highway, the various network structures, and the relationship between DH and Ethernet networks.


What Do “Smart” Technologies Actually Include?

What Do “Smart” Technologies Actually Include?

Technology advancements have provided us with terms that can seem foreign and confusing. Learn the definition of some of the important concepts that provide better efficiency for industrial manufacturing systems.


Introduction to Industrial Network Gateways

Introduction to Industrial Network Gateways

This article teaches the basics of gateways in industrial networks and PLC-to-PLC communication.


Connecting Multiple PLCs to an HMI

Connecting Multiple PLCs to an HMI

Learn the basics of connecting multiple PLCs to an HMI using various data types.


An Overview of AVEVA Solutions

An Overview of AVEVA Solutions

AVEVA Solutions, formerly Wonderware, is a popular service that offers HMI, SCADA, and MES. How is each solution used in industrial automation?


Deep Learning Algorithms for Vision Systems

Deep Learning Algorithms for Vision Systems

Which deep learning neural networks are best suited for industrial vision systems and why?


How Are Robots Used in the Process Industries?

How Are Robots Used in the Process Industries?

How are robots used in discrete versus process automation? Can the process industries utilize more robotic automation?


An Overview of Power Over Ethernet (PoE) and Its Use in Industrial Applications

An Overview of Power Over Ethernet (PoE) and Its Use in Industrial Applications

What is Power over Ethernet (PoE), how does it work, and how can industrial facilities benefit?


Introduction to Smart Sensors

Introduction to Smart Sensors

Smart sensors differ from traditional sensors in that they offer benefits such as self-diagnostics, simplified wiring and communication, and more efficient remote monitoring.


How to Implement the Data Science Lifecycle: Computer Vision

How to Implement the Data Science Lifecycle: Computer Vision

This article reviews how to implement the data science lifecycle CRISP-DM model phases into industrial computer vision.


Deep Dive Into the Data Science Lifecycle

Deep Dive Into the Data Science Lifecycle

Learn the definition and basic steps of the data science life cycle, particularly the popular CRISP-DM model.