Issue 53, 2024
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Issue 53, 2024

Welcome to the fall issue of AutomationDirect’s NOTEBOOK, your guide to practical products, technologies, and applications! This fall season has been difficult for many of us in the direct path of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Our thoughts are with everyone personally impacted. From a business standpoint, AutomationDirect is paying close attention to the supply chain…
Build Better Machines Faster Using Today’s Enhanced Motion Controllers and PLCs
Issue 53, 2024Motion ControlNotebook IssueProductProgrammable Control

Build Better Machines Faster Using Today’s Enhanced Motion Controllers and PLCs

Process-enabled motion controllers and motion-enabled PLCs give OEMs the flexibility to optimize design and performance. By: Kevin McClelion and Joe Scoccimaro, AutomationDirect There was a time when designing machines that included motion control followed a standard architecture. The PLC handled basic machine control and a dedicated motion controller managed the motion axes. Today, the trend…
Automating a Luxury Bus
Application StoriesDistribution/LogisticsHMIIndustryOperator InterfacePLCProductProgrammable Control

Automating a Luxury Bus

Industrial automation products are useful for much more than traditional applications, as PLCs and HMIs can be used in all sorts of unique commercial markets. Byline: Mark McHenry, Systems & Controls Other than being large and generally rectangular-shaped, a modern custom bus—the type frequented by touring music stars, mobile multi-millionaires, and campaigning politicians—bears little resemblance…
Enhancing Automation System Performance with the EtherCAT Protocol
Issue 53, 2024Motion ControlNotebook IssueProductProgrammable Control

Enhancing Automation System Performance with the EtherCAT Protocol

The EtherCAT protocol is a high-performance and cost-effective Ethernet networking technology, providing a versatile solution when EtherNet/IP and PROFINET simply aren’t fast enough. By Joe Kimbrell, AutomationDirect Ethernet rapidly expanded into and throughout commercial information technology (IT) networking connectivity environments beginning in the 1980s, and it has experienced rapid performance advancements and adoption since then…
How Industrial Enterprises Can Address the “Grey Tsunami” Behind Today’s Growing Skills Shortage
Company TopicsIssue 53, 2024News

How Industrial Enterprises Can Address the “Grey Tsunami” Behind Today’s Growing Skills Shortage

By Chip McDaniel, Automation Expert & Education Specialist, AutomationDirect Human resources departments call the phenomenon the “grey tsunami.” They’re referencing an historic U.S. retirement surge of 4.1 million Americans a year. Manufacturing, in particular, is taking a big hit as industrial engineers, equipment operators, maintenance and repair technicians, plant managers, and others in supporting roles…
SIDirect: AutomationDirect’s Systems Integrator Program
Company TopicsIssue 53, 2024NewsNotebook Issue

SIDirect: AutomationDirect’s Systems Integrator Program

The SIDirect program connects end users of all sizes with systems integrators ready to support their automation needs, spanning a variety of technologies and processes. By: Jeff Payne, AutomationDirect Every manufacturing business must make choices about supporting their machines, production processes, and personnel. Careful application of the right automation technologies and skillsets in each of…
Industry Supports Rocket Science
AutomationDirect SpotlightIssue 53, 2024Notebook IssueStudent SpotlightStudent Spotlight

Industry Supports Rocket Science

Industrial-grade products provide a path for this student organization to develop a space-capable rocket. Byline: Oleg Khalimonov, Space Concordia Many are familiar with the phrase “it isn’t rocket science.” But today more than ever, sometimes it is rocket science. SpaceX and other organizations have made rocket launches and space exploration commercially viable and almost commonplace,…
What is an Encoder?
Discrete SensingIssue 53, 2024Motion ControlNotebook IssueProcess Sensing & ControlProduct

What is an Encoder?

For determining the precise motion of industrial machinery and equipment elements, or servo motors, encoders provide a high-performance solution—but only if they are specified properly. By Joe Kimbrell, AutomationDirect Mechanical movement generated on automated machinery and equipment almost always needs to be monitored by sensors to provide a robust motion control solution. This is especially…
Brainteasers - Issue 53, 2024
Issue 53, 2024Notebook Issue

Brainteasers - Issue 53, 2024

Truffle Kerfuffle The factory’s robotic truffle picker is making gift boxes with a single row of seven unique types of truffles. The assortment includes three white chocolate truffles, while the other four are milk or dark chocolate. The placement of the seven truffles in the row is completely random.  What are the odds that a…
Turning Up the Heat on a Balky Boiler
Application StoriesHMIOperator InterfacePLCProductProgrammable Control

Turning Up the Heat on a Balky Boiler

Applying commercial off-the-shelf automation products can provide the most capable and supportable solution for end users trapped with underperforming automation systems, as with this application. By: Aaron Stahl and Edward Stahl, Spring Valley Electric Worldwide, there are countless examples of businesses forced to work inefficiently because they are using equipment which is automated by systems…