An Affordable Retrofit Prevents Expensive Replacements
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookAutomationDirect SpotlightData CollectionIndustryIssue 28 - 2014Learning ResourcesNotebook IssuePLCProcess ControlProductProgrammable ControlSystem IntegratorsUser SolutionsWater/Wastewater

An Affordable Retrofit Prevents Expensive Replacements

The Harvest-Monrovia Water & Sewer Authority (HMWSA) was established in August 1965 to operate and maintain a water system to provide domestic water in the Harvest-Monrovia area of Madison County, located near Huntsville, Alabama. In the early years, the utility serviced only 700 customers. As a result of growth in the area, the HMWSA now…
What a Drag!
ApplicationAutomationDirect SpotlightDiscrete SensingEducation/DIYIndustryIssue 28 - 2014Machine ControlNotebook IssueProductRelays & TimersStudent SpotlightStudent Spotlight

What a Drag!

CO2 powered drag strip teaches students the science of speed. John Harpell’s 9th grade class at Moira Secondary School in Belleville, Ontario, Canada has built and automated a model racecar track for CO2 powered “dragsters” using various components from AutomationDirect. A CO2 powered dragster is a small lightweight vehicle fitted with a CO2 cartridge; think “pine-wood-derby on…
Get Linkedin with SIDirect
Automation NotebookAutomationDirect SpotlightIssue 27 – 2013Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueSIDirectSystem Integrators

Get Linkedin with SIDirect

If you’re not familiar with it, LinkedIn is an online professional networking site used by businesses and individuals for recruiting and networking purposes. LinkedIn is home to more than 200 million users in over 200 countries/territories. However, there is more to LinkedIn than just jobs and resumes; LinkedIn can help with your business needs, connect…
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…
DG Controls
Automation NotebookAutomationDirect SpotlightIssue 25 – 2013Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueProductProgrammable ControlSIDirectSystem Integrators

DG Controls

In this issue of Automation Notebook, we introduce you to Dan Gulley of DG Controls in York, Alabama. With over 30 years of designing and troubleshooting industrial machine controls and system integration, they are experts when it comes to custom control panels and retrofitting equipment. How did you get started in your Controls/Engineering career? My…
Gas Turbine Repurposed With PLCs
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookAutomationDirect SpotlightData CollectionData System MonitoringEducation/DIYEnergy/UtilitiesHMIIndustryIssue 24 - 2012Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueOperator InterfacePLCProductProgrammable ControlStudent SpotlightStudent Spotlight

Gas Turbine Repurposed With PLCs

The Midwest Propulsion Group is a jet engine club dedicated to increasing the engineering knowledge and experience base of students by providing real-world engineering tasks related to gas turbine restoration and performance analysis, as well as finding vehicular applications for such engines.
KCC Software
Automation NotebookAutomationDirect SpotlightIssue 24 - 2012Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueProductProgrammable ControlSIDirectSystem Integrators

KCC Software

AutomationDirect is proud to have a network of system integrators covering a wide variety of industrial control processes across the country. KCC Software, in Huntsville, Alabama, provides services in all areas of the United States and in several countries around the world. Tim Roberts, Integrator Coordinator for AutomationDirect, recently talked with KCC Software owner and…