Southern Polytechnic Students Produce Pad Printing Machine
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookAutomationDirect SpotlightEducation/DIYIndustryIssue 21 – 2011Learning ResourcesMachine ControlNotebook IssuePLCPneumaticsProductProgrammable ControlStudent SpotlightStudent Spotlight

Southern Polytechnic Students Produce Pad Printing Machine

Students Sergio Acevedo and Randle Johnson are two of the first students to complete their degrees in Mechatronics Engineering at Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta, GA. The Mechatronics program at SPSU is a recent four-year degree offering, begun in 2007, which combines topics from Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science to prepare graduates…
Small-Scale Hydroelectric Plant Promises Profit
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookEnclosures & AccessoriesEnergy/UtilitiesHMIIndustryIssue 21 – 2011Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueOperator InterfacePLCProcess ControlProductProgrammable ControlUser Solutions

Small-Scale Hydroelectric Plant Promises Profit

If there’s access to a stream, the only requirements to generate electricity are a 2 ft. drop in water level and two gallons of flow per minute. A hydroelectric system isn’t overly complicated, it isn’t difficult to operate and maintain, it has longevity and it’s often more cost-effective than other forms of renewable power. Some…
PLC-Based System Works Where Single Loop Temperature Controllers Fell Short
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookIndustryIssue 20 – 2011Learning ResourcesMachine ControlManufacturingNotebook IssueOperator InterfacePLCProcess ControlProductProgrammable ControlTech Thread

PLC-Based System Works Where Single Loop Temperature Controllers Fell Short

In many applications, single loop temperature controllers are sufficient to provide control of heating and cooling. But in some applications, including the one detailed in this article, closely coordinated control among many temperature control loops is needed. In those cases and others, PLC-based temperature control can be the best solution. A meltblown machine, a melted…
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookAutomationDirect SpotlightEnergy/UtilitiesIndustryIssue 20 – 2011Learning ResourcesMotion ControlNotebook IssuePLCProcess ControlProductProgrammable ControlStudent SpotlightStudent Spotlight

Multi-Mirror Solar Array Pleasantville High School

The Industrial Technology students at Pleasantville High School, in Pleasantville, Iowa (southeast of Des Moines), have spent the last three years building a multi-mirror solar array. Students from four different technology classes have contributed to the project over the three year period; the AutoCAD and drafting classes have helped design and document the project, students…
House Theatre of Chicago
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookAutomationDirect SpotlightEntertainmentIndustryIssue 20 – 2011Learning ResourcesMachine ControlNotebook IssuePneumaticsProductStudent SpotlightUser Solutions

House Theatre of Chicago

House Theatre of Chicago’s original-script production of The Nutcracker demanded moving, changing scenery that magically transformed the set at the push of a button. AutomationDirect’s extensive line of pneumatic and electrical components helped us realize these design elements easily, elegantly, and reliably.
Upgrading Pump Stations with PLCs
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookFeature StoryIssue 20 – 2011Learning ResourcesMotor ControlsNotebook IssuePLCProcess ControlProductProgrammable Control

Upgrading Pump Stations with PLCs

When relays and timer circuits get old, they cause problems. Replacing them with PLCs keeps pumps running smoothly. One of the most important jobs of a water distribution system is to reliably deliver water to its customers. At our water district in California, we had pumping stations (Figure 1) with relay-based controls that were more…
Racing as Field Lab for Automotive Design
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookAutomationDirect SpotlightData CollectionDiscrete SensingEducation/DIYIndustryIssue 16 – 2010Learning ResourcesMachine ControlNotebook IssueProductStudent SpotlightStudent Spotlight

Racing as Field Lab for Automotive Design

The University of Wisconsin Formula SAE team competes against over 130 universities from around the world in an annual competition held at Michigan International Speedway. The competition is based on the design and manufacture of a small scale open wheel, open cockpit racecar. Teams are usually comprised of engineering students who, in the fall semester,…
M.M. & I., Inc Provides Production Information 24/7 To Pratt Industries
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookData CollectionDistribution/LogisticsIndustryIssue 16 – 2010Learning ResourcesManufacturingNotebook IssueOperator InterfacePLCProcess ControlProductProgrammable ControlUser Solutions

M.M. & I., Inc Provides Production Information 24/7 To Pratt Industries

Michael Miles and Investors (M.M. & I.) has been in the commercial and industrial electrical markets since 1986. The company began by offering Web-based database and Visual Basic applications supporting school systems. In 1994, we ventured into the computer market, becoming proficient in information technologies and high level programming. In 2002, we saw a need…
Evolution of the ChemFreePro® Ion Generator
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookData CollectionIndustryIssue 16 – 2010Learning ResourcesNotebook IssuePLCProductProgrammable ControlWater/Wastewater

Evolution of the ChemFreePro® Ion Generator

In the 1960s, NASA conducted a research program to develop a small lightweight water purifier. The purifier was for use in the Apollo spacecraft, so low power usage and minimal maintenance were a must. The 9-ounce purifier, slightly larger than a cigarette pack and completely chlorine-free, was designed to dispense silver ions into the spacecraft’s…
Upgrading From Batch to Continuous Processes Requires High Level Automation
+Tech TopicsApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookFeature StoryFood and BeverageIndustryIssue 16 – 2010Learning ResourcesNotebook IssuePLCProcess ControlProductProgrammable Control

Upgrading From Batch to Continuous Processes Requires High Level Automation

Many process plants use batch operations for all or part of their production operations. Some processes are inherently batch oriented, but many others can be converted to continuous. Converting a batch process to a continuous operation has many advantages including, but not limited to, better quality, more throughput and less energy use (see Table 1). These…