Mission Control Built on an Industrial Foundation
Application StoriesAutomationDirect SpotlightIssue 59, 2026Notebook IssuePLCStudent Spotlight

Mission Control Built on an Industrial Foundation

These engineering students relied on an industry-proven automation platform and other products, to rapidly create a reliable rocketry ground test system. Byline: Jayden Sorensen, Electrical Lead As rocket companies have advanced from using single-use, expendable rockets to now achieving landing and reuse of the vehicles, much of the cost of transporting people and payloads into…
Accessible Automation Helps Small Utilities Modernize Operations
Application StoriesIndustryOperator InterfacePLCProductProgrammable ControlWater/Wastewater

Accessible Automation Helps Small Utilities Modernize Operations

A wastewater treatment utility is moving away from aging control hardware by replacing specialized components with easy-to-use programmable logic controllers. Like many small utilities throughout the country, the Harvest-Monrovia Water & Sewer Authority in Alabama was faced with supporting an aging mix of control technologies. Wesley Benefield of RTUDirect wrote this article for Automation.com April…
Modern PLCs Support Dependable SCADA Communications
Application StoriesPLCProductProgrammable Control

Modern PLCs Support Dependable SCADA Communications

The AutomationDirect BRX PLC incorporates capabilities essential for this software services company to create a reliable SCADA solution tailored for municipalities. Massive metropolises and humble hamlets both depend on reliable water and wastewater treatment facilities. In the United States, some estimates indicate that relatively few large systems may serve about 80% of the population, while…
Small Theatre’s Rotating Stage Gets VFD Controls Upgrade
Application StoriesDrivesIssue 58 - 2026Notebook IssueProductSafetyVariable Speed Drives

Small Theatre’s Rotating Stage Gets VFD Controls Upgrade

After running for decades on its original electro-hydraulic drive, Timber Lake Playhouse’s revolving stage system received significant behind-the-scenes AutomationDirect upgrades in 2007 and 2025. By Ryan Poethke, ShowFab Timber Lake Playhouse (TLP), adjacent to its namesake body of water and surrounded by woods and acres of farmland beyond, has been operating as a professional, non-profit…
Keeping the Cold On Tap
Application StoriesHMIIssue 58 - 2026Notebook IssuePLC

Keeping the Cold On Tap

Specialty equipment and mechanical contractors, in this case a cryogenic systems solutions provider, can extend their project delivery capability by partnering with experienced automation systems integrators. By Kyle Lamb, Quantum Automation Extreme cold temperature and freezing techniques are essential for many industries, but some of the most demanding applications are found in the scientific, research,…
Applying Industrial-Grade Automation to Small-Scale Processes
Application StoriesDrivesHMIOperator InterfacePLCProductProgrammable ControlVariable Speed Drives

Applying Industrial-Grade Automation to Small-Scale Processes

Even desktop- and garage-sized process and manufacturing applications can benefit greatly from automation, but only when the right products are available to help designers easily create a solution. This Control Design October 2025 article titled How to Apply Industrial Control to Small-Batch Distillation: A Case Study in Smart Reflux Automation followed a small team as…
Automation of a Pilot-Scale Distillation Process
Application StoriesAutomation NotebookHMIIssue 56, 2025Operator InterfacePLCProductProgrammable Control

Automation of a Pilot-Scale Distillation Process

Applying large-scale automation concepts and technologies to a small-scale process operation. By Doug Reneker Small-scale distillation processes can take many forms because there are countless possible objectives, but the underlying principles reflect those used by large-scale companies to produce fuel, chemicals, and alcoholic beverages. Boutique and hobbyist practitioners creating products worthy of aging and imbibing…