Latest PLCs Technical Articles

Arrays can streamline data storage and math operations, but they can be difficult to understand for a beginning…

Arrays can streamline data storage and math operations, but they can be difficult to understand for a beginning programmer. Learn the background of array instructions in the Rockwell Studio 5000 software.

Safety is one of the most critical aspects of machine design. Today, with network connections between different machines…

Safety is one of the most critical aspects of machine design. Today, with network connections between different machines and control centers, safety signals must be shared logically and reliably across networks.

Learn how to rapidly prototype an Arduino-compatible PLC automation circuit without using wires. This hands-on project…

Learn how to rapidly prototype an Arduino-compatible PLC automation circuit without using wires. This hands-on project will illustrate this PLC prototyping concept utilizing the Freenove Projects Kit board.

With the first fuzzy logic-based controllers on the market in 1983, learn how the Japanese-born automation company,…

With the first fuzzy logic-based controllers on the market in 1983, learn how the Japanese-born automation company, Omron, adopted fuzzy logic as a basis for the design of its current PLCs.

Despite the many overlaps, PLCs and RTUs are two different devices, each with specific suitable applications.

Despite the many overlaps, PLCs and RTUs are two different devices, each with specific suitable applications.

You are bound to encounter two terms associated with sensors and some loads: ‘NPN’ and ‘PNP’. You must understand…

You are bound to encounter two terms associated with sensors and some loads: ‘NPN’ and ‘PNP’. You must understand the relationship between the field device and the control module in order to choose and install components properly when needed.

PLC and other automation project software can be easier and more efficient to update and maintain thanks to the…

PLC and other automation project software can be easier and more efficient to update and maintain thanks to the introduction of Git control, already a staple for typical programming of large-scale projects.

Though not a direct replacement for PLCs, Raspberry Pi has the potential to be used in industrial automation applications…

Though not a direct replacement for PLCs, Raspberry Pi has the potential to be used in industrial automation applications for prototyping, embedded systems, and as a low-cost process controller.

Learn how to prototype an industrialized OpenPLC Arduino PLC control station concept. This hands-on project will…

Learn how to prototype an industrialized OpenPLC Arduino PLC control station concept. This hands-on project will illustrate converting a relay ladder control circuit into a Ladder Diagram (LD) program.

Raspberry Pi is a low-cost, educational single-board computer platform with the potential for industrial applications. In…

Raspberry Pi is a low-cost, educational single-board computer platform with the potential for industrial applications. In this article, we discuss the purpose of Raspberry Pi as well as its hardware and software.

Explore the design of a servo pick and place sample case using B&R Automation Studio, from the project creation to the…

Explore the design of a servo pick and place sample case using B&R Automation Studio, from the project creation to the configuration of the controller, drives, and motion axes. 

Learn how to use the boolean bitwise functions AND, OR, XOR, and NOT in your PLC programming, as well as some…

Learn how to use the boolean bitwise functions AND, OR, XOR, and NOT in your PLC programming, as well as some instructions used to change the position of bits and bytes in your INTs and DINTs.

While not a direct replacement for PLCs, there are industrial automation applications built using Arduino, including…

While not a direct replacement for PLCs, there are industrial automation applications built using Arduino, including prototyping, embedded systems, and low-cost PLC simulators.

The control and visualization of power plant processes through SCADA improves the supervision, coordination, and security…

The control and visualization of power plant processes through SCADA improves the supervision, coordination, and security of the power system operations.

Learn how to move data through arrays using LFL, LFU, FFL, and FFU instructions, as well as a technique on cycling data…

Learn how to move data through arrays using LFL, LFU, FFL, and FFU instructions, as well as a technique on cycling data through an array by putting it in the front and letting it drop out the back using CPS instructions.

Arduino’s open-source, microcontroller-based platform has revolutionized academic and hobbyist spaces, providing a low…

Arduino’s open-source, microcontroller-based platform has revolutionized academic and hobbyist spaces, providing a low cost, accessible introduction to engineering and programming.

While B&R PLC controllers are quite different from typical PLCs, Automation Studio offers tools and features that make…

While B&R PLC controllers are quite different from typical PLCs, Automation Studio offers tools and features that make programming them less intensive. In this article, we’ll discuss how to program B&R PLCs with Automation Studio.

The ability to utilize an array effectively is a fundamental skill in becoming a PLC programmer, but it can also be very…

The ability to utilize an array effectively is a fundamental skill in becoming a PLC programmer, but it can also be very complex and difficult to master. Let’s do a run-down of arrays and some of their complexities!

Learn how to take advantage of the powerful AOI feature that comes standard in Allen-Bradley / Rockwell PLCs using…

Learn how to take advantage of the powerful AOI feature that comes standard in Allen-Bradley / Rockwell PLCs using RSLogix 5000 and Studio 5000 Software.