Automation ‘Lifts’ Purdue Theater Production of Medea
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookAutomationDirect SpotlightEducation/DIYEntertainmentIndustryIssue 26 – 2013Learning ResourcesMachine ControlNotebook IssuePLCProductProgrammable ControlStudent SpotlightStudent Spotlight

Automation ‘Lifts’ Purdue Theater Production of Medea

From Wikipedia[1]: “A mechane (pron.: /’mɛkəniː/; Greek: μηχανή, mēkhanē) or machine was a crane used in Greek theatre, especially in the 5th and 4th centuries BC. Made of wooden beams and pulley systems, the device was used to lift an actor into the air, usually representing flight. This stage machine was particularly used to bring gods…
Illinois Institute of Technology Competes in Hybrid Racing
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookAutomationDirect SpotlightEducation/DIYEnergy/UtilitiesIndustryIssue 25 – 2013Learning ResourcesMachine ControlNotebook IssueOperator InterfaceProductProgrammable ControlStudent SpotlightStudent Spotlight

Illinois Institute of Technology Competes in Hybrid Racing

A student team, lead by Donald Ruffatto, from the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) SAE International chapter contacted AutomationDirect in late 2011, asking detailed questions about our Productivity3000 Programmable Automation Controller (PAC). They were planning to use it to control an electric car that they were building for the Formula Hybrid International Competition, hosted by…
Automating a Donut Packaging and Labeling Line
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookDrivesFood and BeverageFood Beverage AutomationIndustryIssue 25 – 2013Learning ResourcesMachine ControlMaterial HandlingNotebook IssuePackagingPLCProductProgrammable ControlUser SolutionsVariable Speed Drives

Automating a Donut Packaging and Labeling Line

When people hear the name Mel-O-Cream, they usually think of donuts. Founded in 1932 as a retail shop in Springfield, Ill, Mel-O-Cream International (www.mel-o-cream.com) manufactures bakery products, primarily for wholesale distribution to supermarkets and bakeries.
Automated Volleyball Server
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookAutomationDirect SpotlightDrivesEducation/DIYEntertainmentHMIIndustryIssue 19 – 2011Learning ResourcesMachine ControlMotorsNotebook IssueOperator InterfacePLCPLC eBookProductProgrammable ControlStudent SpotlightStudent SpotlightVariable Speed Drives

Automated Volleyball Server

Larry May, a student at Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU), contacted AutomationDirect and outlined his goal of building a volleyball setting and serving machine for his senior design project. Larry is active as a recreational volleyball player and is the father and coach of a competitive high school player. Larry is also a long time…
Advanced Automation, LLC Takes Baking To The Next Level
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookFood and BeverageFood Beverage AutomationIndustryIssue 19 – 2011Learning ResourcesMachine ControlNotebook IssuePLCProductProgrammable ControlUser Solutions

Advanced Automation, LLC Takes Baking To The Next Level

Advanced Automation, LLC, in Riverdale, New Jersey, is an automation systems manufacturing company specializing in creating solutions for companies in need of more efficient automated processes. One such need is in the baking industry. Food associations, such as the British Retail Consortium (BRC), Safe Quality Food (SQF) and the American Institute of Baking (AIB), are…
PCA Provides Complete Turnkey, Cost-Effective Control System Solutions for a Variety of Industries
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookAutomationDirect SpotlightData CollectionIssue 19 – 2011Learning ResourcesMachine ControlNotebook IssueOperator InterfaceProductProgrammable ControlSIDirectSystem IntegratorsVariable Speed Drives

PCA Provides Complete Turnkey, Cost-Effective Control System Solutions for a Variety of Industries

Pacific Coast Automation, Inc., located in Modesto, California, was founded in 2008 based upon the need for a competent, dependable and reasonably priced control system engineering firm, and not just a “controls tech” company which bases its existence on service calls. Since its meager beginning, PCA has seen an almost 500% growth from 2009 to…
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…
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…
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.