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?
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?
Besides using a Raspberry Pi or an Arduino Uno, a low-cost PLC can be built using the popular ESP32 microcontroller. The…
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.
Many online sources explain how to reverse a 3-phase motor; this article will discuss the electrical principles that…
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.
No doubt you have heard all about the use cases of AI and predictive maintenance. Learn about the algorithms that are…
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.
In any process industry, transducers are the basic instrumentation unit for continuous monitoring of system variables…
In any process industry, transducers are the basic instrumentation unit for continuous monitoring of system variables that provide inputs for control system algorithms and outputs.
Predicting when maintenance should occur isn’t simply a matter of getting on board with the latest trend, it can save…
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.
While mathematical expressions are important in any programming language, the topic of math functions addresses not just…
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.
Ensure efficient and safe industrial applications with proper valve sizing. Learn how to choose the right valve size and…
Ensure efficient and safe industrial applications with proper valve sizing. Learn how to choose the right valve size and avoid common pitfalls.
Building precise rotating or linear systems often costs a lot! When is it justified to spend the extra cost to design and…
Building precise rotating or linear systems often costs a lot! When is it justified to spend the extra cost to design and build such a system, and what are the different components and system types?
Two primary technologies are used for creating touchscreens. For industrial HMIs, resistive and capacitive methods both…
Two primary technologies are used for creating touchscreens. For industrial HMIs, resistive and capacitive methods both contain certain advantages for various applications.
Learn how to use ‘for loops’ in Python to create complex, iterable tasks such as modifying lists, combining lists…
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.
Join Control Automation as we visit Central CA colleges to help install robotic equipment and learn how local industries…
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.
Learn how to use Festo's FluidSIM software to design and simulate a pneumatic cylinder extension system using GRAFCET as…
Learn how to use Festo's FluidSIM software to design and simulate a pneumatic cylinder extension system using GRAFCET as the control method.
We’ll start exploring loops with the ‘while’ loop in this tutorial. Loops are critical in all programming…
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.
Learn how to use an AutomationDirect BRX PLC with the Do-more Designer software. This tutorial will cover discrete 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.
Learn about serial and parallel data communication modes, errors, and flow controls used in connecting legacy and even…
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.
Protection against faults is crucial for any electrical system. This article examines various protective devices,…
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.
Logic is critical for industrial control, and it usually looks like ladders, function blocks, or structured text. I/O…
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.
An age-old debate in PLC programming: investigating the uses and caveats of latching software commands versus seal-in…
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.
As commercial and industrial software migrates to ‘cloud-based’ and ‘subscription’ models, what does it mean? How…
As commercial and industrial software migrates to ‘cloud-based’ and ‘subscription’ models, what does it mean? How does it affect the usability and security of critical parts of control infrastructure?