Hopefully you have had a chance to check out the upgraded hardware in our C-more® HMI family. If not, check it out here. We are excited to share with you an improvement we have made to the C-more family that we think is pretty awesome- the new and improved C-more EA9 Software Version 6.0! This…
There are many ways to develop human machine interface (HMI) screens for machine automation and related applications, but effective implementation requires discipline in design. The look, feel and ease-of-use of an HMI can vary widely with all the tools, object libraries, animation and colors available with modern HMI software—but there are some HMI best practices…
In this issue of AutomationDirect.com’s newsletter you will find some exiting news about how we made it easier to access our educational videos. Also, read about the top 10 trends in industrial automation, how mobile phones are becoming a powerful tool in our industry, and learn about some of the benefits of tagname based controllers….
Engineers should be great cooks! Why? Because we are the masters of processes and cooking is just a process. So jump in, roll up your sleeves and volunteer for turkey duty this year. As the newly appointed Turkey engineer, your first hurdle is picking whether you are going to bake, fry or smoke your way…
ApplicationApplication StoriesEducation/DIYIndustryMachine ControlOnline OnlyPLCProductProgrammable Control
Automated DIY Turkey Fryer
A wise man once said, “Why Baketh, when one can Fryeth?” I could be wrong but I believe that was Shakespeare. Ok, actually I just made it up but it’s turkey season and many people will be confronted with that exact question. Now, I’m not sure who started the fried turkey craze but I, for…
So what do you think, is this glass half full or half empty? For me, that could be a little difficult to answer and could vary based on the day I’m having, but if we are asking about the level, why not let the PLC answer? In fact, why not have the PLC tell us…
So you found a task that you’d like to automate but you need a way to sort out what pieces are needed and how they fit together. At this phase of development, organization is key. When specifying a project, staying organized can keep you on track and help you see the big picture. Flow charts,…
No single discovery has affected our lives, our culture and our survival more than electricity. Electricity is everywhere; it lights our way, cooks our food and can even brush your teeth. For an example, imagine where the medical field would be without electricity and in that sense how many lives have been saved due to…
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Machine Maintenance Checklist
It is important to develop a routine maintenance schedule for your automated control system. Having a routine schedule for checking critical components and devices in the system will increase the longevity of the system and more importantly, it will help reduce future problems. Set up the schedule based on a monthly or quarterly time period,…
You need to cool down – Heat inside an enclosure can decrease the life expectancy of controlling units such as your PLC, HMI, AC drives and other items. Excessive heat can cause nuisance faults from your electrical and electronic components: for example, overloads tripping unexpectedly. Heat will also change the expected performance of circuit breakers and fuses, which can cause whole…