Water Utility Successfully Standardizes Automation Practices
IndustryIssue 44 - 2020Notebook IssueWater/Wastewater

Water Utility Successfully Standardizes Automation Practices

This utility standardized and defined best practices for their applications, improving operations while saving time and money. By David Reagan, Helix Water District ndustrial automation installations come in many shapes and sizes. Applications vary from standalone machines up to large processes, and the operating organization may have just one maintenance person or field an entire…
Water Utility Improves Operations with Standardized Automation
Application StoriesCommunicationsHMIIndustryPLCProductProgrammable ControlWater/Wastewater

Water Utility Improves Operations with Standardized Automation

See how a water utility standardized around AutomationDirect products to improve operations while saving time and money. A team of operations, maintenance, and engineering personnel at Helix Water District in San Diego, CA has retrofitted and constructed many sites using automation hardware and best practices based on AutomationDirect products. David Reagan wrote an article with…
Automation Helps Turn Homebrewer into Brewhouse
Application StoriesFood and BeverageFood Beverage AutomationIndustryPLCProductProgrammable Control

Automation Helps Turn Homebrewer into Brewhouse

Automation methods used in a distillery are adapted for use in the fermentation process at a brewhouse. By: Avi Aisenberg, CEO and Proprietor at South Florida Distillers South Florida Distillers is the oldest distillery in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The company is now branching out into the design business by working with 26°…
PLC Package Handling
ApplicationAutomation NotebookDistribution/LogisticsIndustryIssue 42 - 2019Learning ResourcesMaterial HandlingNotebook IssuePackagingProductProgrammable Control

PLC Package Handling

PLCs play a major role when it comes to material or package handling operations. Conveyors, motors, drives, object detection sensors and of course controllers are used quite often when it comes to delivering your suitcase to the right airplane or getting the laptop you ordered to the right delivery truck. But how would you go…
Crushing the Control System
ApplicationApplication StoriesDrivesHMIIndustryIssue 42 - 2019Machine ControlManufacturingMotorsNotebook IssueOperator InterfacePLCProcess ControlProductProgrammable ControlVariable Speed Drives

Crushing the Control System

Upgrading to a modern control system platform with the help of a local system integrator transforms a rock crushing plant from manual to fully automatic operation. By Todd Timpa, Assistant General Manager at CTC Crushing Impact Sand and Gravel is the leading supplier of aggregate and sand in the Las Vegas area, producing and distributing…
Eastern Washington University Students Look for a Smooth Ride
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomationDirect SpotlightEducation/DIYIndustryIssue 42 - 2019Machine ControlNotebook IssuePneumaticsPneumaticsProductStudent Spotlight

Eastern Washington University Students Look for a Smooth Ride

Everyone likes a smooth ride in their vehicle — unless you are off road in a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Most of us will avoid the bumps and potholes to drive on the smoothest pavement possible. Car manufacturers recognize this too. They spend lots of money on TV, print and digital advertising to promote that their…
Honing in on Machine Automation
+Tech TopicsApplicationApplication StoriesEnergy/UtilitiesHMIIndustryLearning ResourcesMachine ControlManufacturingOperator InterfacePLCProductProgrammable Control

Honing in on Machine Automation

The automation and electrical system on a large, 82-year-old cylinder honing machine was replaced with a variety of AutomationDirect hardware to improve cycle time, safety and quality. Andrew Marks, Maintenance Foreman and Master Electrician at Exline Leasing Inc., wrote an article for the January 2019 issue of Control Design magazine, titled Honing in on Machine…