Issue 19 – 2011

In each issue of the Automation Notebook we feature a section of brainteasers. These are the brainteaser answers from Issue 19, 2011 of the Automation Notebook. The brainteaser questions are repeated in black. The answers to the brainteaser questions are highlighted in red with explanations. You can view the brainteasers from Issue 19, 2011 without the answers…

Packing Puzzles Pack the given number of each shape in the given box size. The shapes may be rotated and reflected, but should not overlap. Each puzzle has a unique solution. Each shape consists of a group of small squares; the size of those squares is the reference for the given box size. Our thanks…

Larry May, a student at Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU), contacted AutomationDirect and outlined his goal of building a volleyball setting and serving machine for his senior design project. Larry is active as a recreational volleyball player and is the father and coach of a competitive high school player. Larry is also a long time…

Flexible, economical PLCs provide automatic failover, backup pump control, and remote lift station monitoring. The Moccasin Bend Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is part of the Interceptor Sewer System, which has served Chattanooga, Tennessee, and its surrounding metropolitan areas since it was built in 1952. The WWTP includes pumping stations as well as liquid and solids…

Advanced Automation, LLC, in Riverdale, New Jersey, is an automation systems manufacturing company specializing in creating solutions for companies in need of more efficient automated processes. One such need is in the baking industry. Food associations, such as the British Retail Consortium (BRC), Safe Quality Food (SQF) and the American Institute of Baking (AIB), are…

In Part One of this article we discussed the equipment and procedures used to manage the damaging effects of arcs in electrical equipment. In Part Two, we will discuss some of the basic methods, tools, components and circuits that should be used to operate safely around circuits with high arc potential. Part One can be…

Safety light curtains are an advanced method of safeguarding personnel around hazardous machines through the use of photoelectric technology and a concept known as Control Reliability. Safety light curtains are a great alternative to other traditional guarding methods such as mechanical barriers, sliding gates and pull-back restraints; they reduce operator fatigue and offer flexibility and…

Pacific Coast Automation, Inc., located in Modesto, California, was founded in 2008 based upon the need for a competent, dependable and reasonably priced control system engineering firm, and not just a “controls tech” company which bases its existence on service calls. Since its meager beginning, PCA has seen an almost 500% growth from 2009 to…

We have added several exciting products since our last edition of the Automation Notebook. Here are some highlights about some of those new products including: Sensors for food and beverage industry, Standard CPUs added to CLICK PLC line, C-more Micro 4-inch TFT Touch Panel, NITRA tubing and hose, safety light curtains and limit switches, Class T…

The ProSense line of process measurement devices now includes type J and type K thermocouples, more varieties of RTD sensors, and extension wire. Thermocouple probes with connection heads feature cast aluminum NEMA 4 screw covers with captive gasket and stainless steel chain. The ¼” diameter probes are available with temperature sensing ranges of 32 to…

Are your machine or robot control systems good enough, or should you make a change? The machines and robots you build work well. You’ve kept up with periodic improvements. Most of your support calls are predictable. Why rock the boat? As a machine or robot builder OEM, you understand the favorable economics of selling machines…