Latest Military/Aerospace Technical Articles

Categories

Star-Delta Wiring for Reduced Voltage Starting of 3-Phase Motors

Star-Delta Wiring for Reduced Voltage Starting of 3-Phase Motors

Digital controls like VFDs and soft starts have advantages by elongating start time, but simple strategies for starting motors with a reduced current draw, like star-delta (or wye-delta) are common.


Strain Gauges: Real-World Considerations and Typical Applications

Strain Gauges: Real-World Considerations and Typical Applications

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.


Data Flow Tutorial With Mage.ai | Part 3: Connecting to Google Sheets

Data Flow Tutorial With Mage.ai | Part 3: Connecting to Google Sheets

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.


Data Flow Tutorial With Mage.ai | Part 2: Initializing the Software

Data Flow Tutorial With Mage.ai | Part 2: Initializing the Software

Data pipelines are software services that progress the data from source to storage, hopefully without too much programming complexity. In this article, we begin by initializing the mage.ai software.


STEP RIGHT UP, Get Your IP Address Here! Understanding BOOTP vs. DHCP

STEP RIGHT UP, Get Your IP Address Here! Understanding BOOTP vs. DHCP

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.


Identifying and Troubleshooting Pressure Changes in Fluid Systems

Identifying and Troubleshooting Pressure Changes in Fluid Systems

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?


Data Flow Tutorial With Mage.ai | Part 1: The Challenge of Data

Data Flow Tutorial With Mage.ai | Part 1: The Challenge of Data

All of modern industry relies on data. In the first installment of a series showcasing the importance of industrial data movement, we explain the challenge of data flow and build a fault list.


Industrial Computing Tackles the Challenge of Long Rebooting Time

Industrial Computing Tackles the Challenge of Long Rebooting Time

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?


Create Your Own IIoT Tech Stack Project | Part 6: Node-RED Development

Create Your Own IIoT Tech Stack Project | Part 6: Node-RED Development

This article will explore the setup of Node-RED, the glue that will serve to connect all of the individual components of the solution that we have created up to this point.


The Art of Maintaining and Repairing Hydraulic Cylinders

The Art of Maintaining and Repairing Hydraulic Cylinders

Hydraulic cylinders and actuators can quickly move heavy objects and provide strong clamping forces. But when they break down, the effects can be catastrophic and the repairs costly and timely.


A Hands-On Demonstration of the PyGWalker Data Visualization Library - Part 1

A Hands-On Demonstration of the PyGWalker Data Visualization Library - Part 1

PyGWalker is an open-source data visualization tool for developing dashboards and analytics. To get you started down the right path here's a hands-on guide on how to use PyGWalker to visualize a pseudo-milling dataset.


Understanding XML and Data Exchange Formats for Industrial Settings

Understanding XML and Data Exchange Formats for Industrial Settings

The basic component of data exchange between devices, machines, and embedded systems serves as a hallmark foundation in every organization’s Industry 4.0 implementation process.


Three Things About IO-Link Sensors That May Shock You

Three Things About IO-Link Sensors That May Shock You

Control.com’s Director of Engineering got to explore IO-Link sensors and what he found might surprise you! Although still considered an “emerging” technology, it’s clear IO-Link technology boasts several bonafide benefits over traditional sensors.


System Dynamic and Frequency Response Analysis

System Dynamic and Frequency Response Analysis

Understanding the building blocks of s-domain analysis and magnitude response theory can go a long way in helping engineers predict how and why some system design choices are made over others.


What Does ‘Explosion Proof’ Mean, and Who Should Care?

What Does ‘Explosion Proof’ Mean, and Who Should Care?

Some workplaces are more dangerous than others, not because of the practices, but rather the products. Where do explosions occur, and what practices exist to reduce such risk for equipment and workforce?


Explaining User-Defined Data Types for PLC Programming

Explaining User-Defined Data Types for PLC Programming

User-defined data types (UDTs) are a powerful and useful tool when applied to their full advantage. However, misused, they can become problematic and introduce roadblocks to troubleshooting and upgrading PLC programs.


Creating a Low-Cost OpenPLC Pulse Timer Function Block HMI with an M5Stack Core

Creating a Low-Cost OpenPLC Pulse Timer Function Block HMI with an M5Stack Core

Triggering a machine by an external event often requires a pulse timer for OpenPLC Pulse Timer control. Here’s a brief tutorial on how an M5Stack Core can offer a simple, effective low-cost Arduino OpenPLC HMI solution.


Beginner’s Guide to Programmable Encoders

Beginner’s Guide to Programmable Encoders

Programmable encoders provide engineers real flexibility to adjust process parameters. From operating theory to programming methods, here’s everything you need to know to begin leveraging these handy devices.


Bringing the Heat: Precise Temperature Control Key to Printing 3D Parts in Metal

Bringing the Heat: Precise Temperature Control Key to Printing 3D Parts in Metal

Additive manufacturing includes, but is not limited to, printing parts in 3D. Creating these parts in metal presents unique challenges and requires some rather innovative additive technologies.


What You Need to Know: Soft Starters for Industrial Motors

What You Need to Know: Soft Starters for Industrial Motors

Driving motors is one of the most fundamental automation tasks, but understanding and selecting the proper motor soft starter for your application may require more investigation than you thought.