I always find it interesting to learn where certain idioms originated. Most times we don’t think about the history involved with these phrases when we use them, but some can have noteworthy origins. For instance, “riding shotgun” nowadays means sitting in the passenger seat of an automobile. However, it’s believed to come from the Old…
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookFYIIssue 28 - 2014Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueProductProgrammable Control
Do-more H2 or Do-more T1H: How to choose
Which is better? A DirectLOGIC style Do-more or the new Terminator I/O style Do-more? The incredible power of the Do-more processor is now available in the popular Terminator I/O form factor. Functionally, both units have identical Do-more engines, so how do you know which one is better for your application? The answer is … It…
Safety light curtains are an advanced method of safeguarding personnel around hazardous machines through the use of photoelectric technology and a concept known as Control Reliability. Safety light curtains are a great alternative to other traditional guarding methods such as mechanical barriers, sliding gates and pull-back restraints; they reduce operator fatigue and offer flexibility and…
Q. What is a “PAC” and how is it different from your existing PLCs? A. PAC is the acronym for Programmable Automation Controller where PLC is the acronym for Programmable Logic Controller. The Wikipedia* definition for a PAC is broad, but accurate; “A Programmable Automation Controller (PAC) is a compact controller that combines the features and…
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookEnclosures & AccessoriesFYIIssue 18 – 2010Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueProduct
Enclosure Cooling Explained
What causes all that heat? There are basically two sources of heat which cause an electrical enclosure’s internal temperature to rise above the manufacturer’s recommended ratings for the control equipment: internal and external sources. Internal Sources The same items which can be damaged by heat may also be a key source of the heat. These…
How many types of DC motors are there? There are several types of DC motors, including shunt, series, compound wound or stabilized shunt, permanent magnet, and brushless DC. The main differences between these types of motors revolve around how the electromagnetic fields are generated. The IronHorse DC motors are Permanent Magnet motors: the magnetic field…
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookFYIIssue 13 – 2009Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueProductProgrammable Control
CLICK™ PLC FAQs
Will the CLICK PLC work with my C-more and C-more Micro graphics panels? Yes. Currently the CLICK PLC driver is available in the C-more Micro panel with firmware version 0201001 or later, so native CLICK addresses are available. The CLICK PLC driver for C-more touch panels is currently under development and scheduled to be available soon. You can communicate…
Check out this Q&A about all things pneumatic cylinders! Q. What pneumatic cylinders and accessories are available from AutomationDirect? A. The NITRA A-Series non-repairable stainless steel round body cylinders includes bore sizes from 7/16” to 2” and stroke lengths from 1/2” to 18” to meet a broad range of applications. These high quality cylinders are…
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookFYIIssue 14 – 2009Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueOperator InterfaceProduct
C-more Remote FAQs
Can I use the Remote Access feature if the C-more panel is inside a Firewall? Yes. In order to access C-more inside a firewall/router remotely, either a VPN connection must be used or “Port forwarding” must be set up in the router to allow the C-more Web server and Remote Access application to get through. When a TCP/IP message…