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PLC With a Miniature Twist: Crouzet Millenium Slim Tutorial

PLC With a Miniature Twist: Crouzet Millenium Slim Tutorial

One of the smallest PLCs on the market, the Millenium Slim by Crouzet, can handle advanced functions with a wireless interface and function block (FBD) style IEC 61131 programming.


Maintenance and Troubleshooting for 6-Axis Robot Arms

Maintenance and Troubleshooting for 6-Axis Robot Arms

Across every make and model of articulated robot, certain maintenance procedures must be followed as motion occurs. Failure to do so can often result in warnings, alarms, and even failure.


A Polarizing Discussion: Using Diodes The Right Way Around

A Polarizing Discussion: Using Diodes The Right Way Around

Some devices, like switches, are non-polar; you can connect them in either direction. What makes diodes so special, and how can you tell the right way from the wrong way?


Build A Low-Cost 32-bit PLC | OpenPLC and the ESP32 Microcontroller

Build A Low-Cost 32-bit PLC | OpenPLC and the ESP32 Microcontroller

Besides using a Raspberry Pi or an Arduino Uno, a low-cost PLC can be built using the popular ESP32 microcontroller. The OpenPLC software supports this popular 32-bit platform.


Applications of Industrial AI: Quality Control

Applications of Industrial AI: Quality Control

Several use cases for industrial AI get a lot of attention, like maintenance and process optimization. Learn how AI has been used for years to ensure high-quality product monitoring and output.


Reversing the Rotation of an Industrial 3-Phase Motor

Reversing the Rotation of an Industrial 3-Phase Motor

Many online sources explain how to reverse a 3-phase motor; this article will discuss the electrical principles that define why it works and how the phase relationships determine the rotation direction.


AI Algorithms Used in Predictive Maintenance

AI Algorithms Used in Predictive Maintenance

No doubt you have heard all about the use cases of AI and predictive maintenance. Learn about the algorithms that are actually used to provide analysis and insights based on industrial data sets.


Industrial Maintenance: How AI Can Predict Failures Before They Happen

Industrial Maintenance: How AI Can Predict Failures Before They Happen

Predicting when maintenance should occur isn’t simply a matter of getting on board with the latest trend, it can save many thousands of dollars in lost downtime and unnecessary parts and labor.


Python Tutorial Part 10 | Mathematical Functions

Python Tutorial Part 10 | Mathematical Functions

While mathematical expressions are important in any programming language, the topic of math functions addresses not just the algorithms themselves, but the design of custom functions within Python.


Using Structured Text in OpenPLC | Warning Simulator Tutorial

Using Structured Text in OpenPLC | Warning Simulator Tutorial

With a C++ extension, monitoring of status and warning messages can easily be displayed with OpenPLC. Arduino PLC variables can then be observed using a serial terminal or monitor.


Python Tutorial Part 9 | Conditional Flow: For Loops

Python Tutorial Part 9 | Conditional Flow: For Loops

Learn how to use ‘for loops’ in Python to create complex, iterable tasks such as modifying lists, combining lists into dictionaries, or iterating over a dictionary.


Here’s One for Teachers: How Industry and Education Build Pipelines for the Future

Here’s One for Teachers: How Industry and Education Build Pipelines for the Future

Join Control Automation as we visit Central CA colleges to help install robotic equipment and learn how local industries partner with schools to create exciting opportunities for students.


Design a GRAFCET-Controlled Pneumatic System in FluidSIM

Design a GRAFCET-Controlled Pneumatic System in FluidSIM

Learn how to use Festo's FluidSIM software to design and simulate a pneumatic cylinder extension system using GRAFCET as the control method.


Python Tutorial Part 8 | Conditional Flow: While Loops

Python Tutorial Part 8 | Conditional Flow: While Loops

We’ll start exploring loops with the ‘while’ loop in this tutorial. Loops are critical in all programming languages, especially in the control world, where loops form the basis of PLC functionality.


How-To: BRX PLC Programming With Digital I/O

How-To: BRX PLC Programming With Digital I/O

Learn how to use an AutomationDirect BRX PLC with the Do-more Designer software. This tutorial will cover discrete I/O commands along with basic timing and counting ladder functions.


Communication Between Computers | Serial Data Terminal Equipment (DTE)

Communication Between Computers | Serial Data Terminal Equipment (DTE)

Learn about serial and parallel data communication modes, errors, and flow controls used in connecting legacy and even some modern point-to-point network devices.


Shocking Solutions: Safeguarding Your Devices from Electrical Faults

Shocking Solutions: Safeguarding Your Devices from Electrical Faults

Protection against faults is crucial for any electrical system. This article examines various protective devices, highlighting their roles and best use cases to ensure system integrity and longevity.


How To: Use ControlByWeb’s I/O Controller for Web-Based Logic

How To: Use ControlByWeb’s I/O Controller for Web-Based Logic

Logic is critical for industrial control, and it usually looks like ladders, function blocks, or structured text. I/O controllers are designed to automate simple logic tasks and data functions.


Seal-In Ladder Logic vs. Latching/Unlatching PLC Commands

Seal-In Ladder Logic vs. Latching/Unlatching PLC Commands

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.


Python Tutorial Part 7 | Conditional Flow: If Statements

Python Tutorial Part 7 | Conditional Flow: If Statements

The next part of our Python learning journey will touch upon control flow, critical to implementing logic in programs. The concept is broad and the first topic to cover will be if/elif statements.