Sunlight Efficiency Detector (SLED) Chosen as Finalist in Freescale Semiconductor Contest
ApplicationData CollectionEnergy/UtilitiesIndustryIssue 11 – 2008Notebook IssueOperator InterfaceProductProgrammable ControlTechnology Brief

Sunlight Efficiency Detector (SLED) Chosen as Finalist in Freescale Semiconductor Contest

Announced in October 2007, Freescale’s first FTF Design Challenge encouraged embedded systems designers worldwide to “go green”. A team of engineers from FACTS Engineering, including Tom Moulton and Eric Wilhelmson, took up the challenge with their design for a SunLight Efficiency Detector or SLED. FACTS is a federation partner of AutomationDirect, and the supplier of…
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…
Biofuels Becoming A Focal Point Of Alternative Fuels
Automation NotebookBusiness NotesEnergy/UtilitiesIndustryIssue 9 – 2007Learning ResourcesNotebook Issue

Biofuels Becoming A Focal Point Of Alternative Fuels

Biofuel can be defined as the process of converting organic-based matter into burnable fuel as a replacement for fossil fuel. It is a renewable energy source, unlike other natural resources such as petroleum, coal, and nuclear fuels. The production of biofuels has been in active development for years, most recently spurred on by President George…
Improving Factory Workers’ Efficiency is All in a Name
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookData CollectionHMIIndustryIssue 7 – 2006Learning ResourcesManufacturingManufacturingNotebook IssueOperator InterfaceProductProgrammable ControlUser Solutions

Improving Factory Workers’ Efficiency is All in a Name

As most everyone is aware, from a business standpoint, we live in a numbers-based society. In all businesses, whether a small company with a dozen employees or a large conglomerate of thousands, the focus is on the bottom line. Executives are scrutinizing annual, quarterly, monthly, weekly, and even daily reports to determine how productivity is…
System Integrator Slashes Retrofit Price While Adding Value
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookIndustryIssue 6 – 2006Learning ResourcesMachine ControlMotorsNotebook IssueOperator InterfacePackagingPLCProductProgrammable ControlUser SolutionsVariable Speed Drives

System Integrator Slashes Retrofit Price While Adding Value

Box Making Machine Retrofit Project in Ravenna, OH CorrTech, Inc. is an industrial machinery services company that focuses on the corrugated paper and container industry. One of their customers, Smurfit Stone Enterprises in Ravenna, Ohio, recently requested the retrofit of a heavy-duty box-making machine built in the US circa 1970. The S&S ZLR Flexo Folder…