Denim Manufacturer Upgrades Controls to Add Flexibility to Process Lines
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookIndustryIssue 15 – 2009Learning ResourcesMachine ControlManufacturingMaterial HandlingNotebook IssueOperator InterfacePLCProductProgrammable ControlUser SolutionsVariable Speed Drives

Denim Manufacturer Upgrades Controls to Add Flexibility to Process Lines

Nestled along the Chatooga River, in Trion, Georgia, Mount Vernon Mills is one of the largest and oldest textile mills in the United States. Its long history dates back to 1845. The initial 5,000 square foot two-story mill had 40 employees and produced 5-lb. bunches of yarn to sell to local merchants from wagons. Over…
Automating the Bottom Line
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookData CollectionHMIIndustryIssue 14 – 2009Learning ResourcesManufacturingManufacturingNotebook IssueOperator InterfacePLCProductProgrammable ControlUser Solutions

Automating the Bottom Line

Metcam is a manufacturing company located in Alpharetta, Georgia, just north of Atlanta. Founded in 1989, the company specializes in custom sheet metal fabrication serving a diverse industry base including commercial HVAC, healthcare, electronics, automotive, food service and air filtration. Metcam provides many value-added services such as metal finishing, custom coatings, electronic assembly, packaging and…
Urban Challenge 2007
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookEducation/DIYIndustryIssue 10 – 2008Learning ResourcesMachine ControlNotebook IssuePLCProductProgrammable ControlTechnical Review

Urban Challenge 2007

AutomationDirect was pleased to help support two vehicles hoping to compete in the 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge. Team Mojavaton, with their “White Knight” (a modified Nissan Xterra), and Insight Racing (fielding a Lotus Elise dubbed the “Lone Wolf”) were both invited to the National Qualification Event held in Victorville, CA, at the end of October…
AutomationDirect Products Help The Environment
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookDrivesHMIIndustryIssue 12 – 2008Learning ResourcesMachine ControlNotebook IssueOperator InterfacePLCProcess ControlProductProgrammable ControlUser SolutionsVariable Speed DrivesWater/Wastewater

AutomationDirect Products Help The Environment

Treating waste water generated in industrial plants requires an efficient, easy-to-use process which yields minimal by-product; it must be reliable and durable too. Environmental Compliance Equipment, in Palm City, Florida, designs systems to meet these requirements. One such system is marketed as ClearFlow. The ClearFlow System Explained ClearFlow systems can be integrated in almost any…
Sustainable Automation, Inc. Improves Efficiency of Lock Pin Laminating Machine
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookAutomationDirect SpotlightHMIIndustryIssue 11 – 2008Learning ResourcesMachine ToolNotebook IssueOperator InterfacePLCProductProgrammable ControlSecuritySystem IntegratorsUser Solutions

Sustainable Automation, Inc. Improves Efficiency of Lock Pin Laminating Machine

InstaKey Security System, a lock management company in Denver, Colorado, supplies lock cylinders that can be re-keyed up to twelve times using only a step-change key. The step-change key is a specially designed device which removes a single metal wafer from a glued stack inside the chamber of a lock cylinder. Because of the growing…
Process Analyzer Uses WinPLC To Monitor Cyanide Destruction
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookFeature StoryIndustryIssue 8 – 2007Learning ResourcesMachine ControlNotebook IssuePLCProcess ControlProductProgrammable ControlWater/Wastewater

Process Analyzer Uses WinPLC To Monitor Cyanide Destruction

NEXTChem Process Analyzers, LLC produces chemical process analyzers for industries such as metal treatment, metal finishing, chemical, wastewater, and pulp and paper. The analyzers automate laboratory measurements used for process control. Some of NEXTChem’s customers include a large aerospace company who uses the analyzer for measuring caustic cleaner for jet engine parts, and a major…
Systems Integrator Brings Automation Into Skydiving
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookEntertainmentIndustryIssue 8 – 2007Learning ResourcesMachine ControlNotebook IssuePLCProductProgrammable ControlVariable Speed Drives

Systems Integrator Brings Automation Into Skydiving

Thrill seekers around the world are forever looking for the next big adrenaline rush. More of them are finding that thrill through indoor skydiving, which is quickly becoming a way to satisfy the desire for excitement, and yet remove the element of danger. Indoor Skydiving Indoor skydiving facilities have been in existence globally for several…
Team Mojavaton Tackles DARPA’s Latest “Urban Challenge”
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookEducation/DIYIndustryIssue 8 – 2007Learning ResourcesMachine ControlNotebook IssuePLCProductProgrammable ControlTechnology Brief

Team Mojavaton Tackles DARPA’s Latest “Urban Challenge”

The 2007 Urban Challenge, held by DARPA, is the third in a series of races for unmanned vehicles. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is the central research and development organization for the Department of Defense (DOD). DARPA is using the series of races to foster advances in technology for autonomous vehicles to meet…
Poultry Farm Utilizes PLC Control To Increase Efficiency
AgricultureApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookFeature StoryFood and BeverageIndustryIssue 8 – 2007Learning ResourcesNotebook IssuePLCProcess ControlProductProgrammable Control

Poultry Farm Utilizes PLC Control To Increase Efficiency

In the New England town of Monroe, New Hampshire, you’ll find picturesque settings filled with family-owned dairy and poultry farms. Situated in the Connecticut River valley at the edge of the White Mountain National Forest is a poultry farm, called Pete and Gerry’s Organics, with something to crow about. Pete and Gerry’s Organics has found…
Anti-Terrorist Barriers Help Protect Facilities
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookFacilitiesFeature StoryIndustryIssue 9 – 2007Learning ResourcesMachine ControlNotebook IssuePLCProductProgrammable ControlSecurity

Anti-Terrorist Barriers Help Protect Facilities

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the need for perimeter security of potentially threatened facilities has increased dramatically. To accomplish this, several facilities around the globe have been installing devices called anti-terrorist barriers, used as added protection against invasion of potentially dangerous vehicles. Domestically, these anti-terrorist devices can be found at Federal Reserve…