Industry has a seemingly endless variety of machine and process control applications, and a correspondingly wide range of controller choices. When selecting a controller, there are many similarities and some differences to consider. And, while some controllers will control just about anything, others may be more suited for a particular task. The main controller choices…
Linear motion actuators are used in factories for pick and place operations, CNC lasers and routers, complex adhesive application or whenever super-precise and accurate positioning is required.
Part presence sensing is a critical part of automation. A controller must often sense a part is present in a fixture, or sense the part position on a conveyor, to make logic decisions such as run, stop, etc. Presence sensor types include photoelectric, inductive, capacitive and others—and this abundance of choices can complicate specifying the…
AutomationDirect’s enclosure offering now includes rugged INTEGRA polycarbonate enclosures. Integra’s superior polycarbonate design provides an enclosure that is
This issue of Automation Notebook gives you snapshots of some of our latest products. Some of the products you’ll find include helical inline gearboxes and additional magnetic
Automation NotebookCompany TopicsCover StoriesIssue 36 - 2016Learning ResourcesNewsNotebook IssueOnline Blog
Should You Purchase Direct?
Online purchasing has taken over much of the consumer goods sector, and is now a viable option for many industrial automation products. The automation products used by machine builders,
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookEducation/DIYIndustryIssue 36 - 2016Learning ResourcesMachine ControlNotebook IssuePLCProductProgrammable ControlUser Solutions
Keeping the World's Largest Model Train Display On Track
Ahhh… model train displays. There is just something about walking into a showroom with model trains in operation. But what does it take to control the world’s largest indoor train display with over 80?
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookAutomationDirect SpotlightDrivesEducation/DIYIndustryIssue 36 - 2016Learning ResourcesMachine ControlMechanical Power TransmissionMotion ControlNotebook IssueOperator InterfaceProductProgrammable ControlStudent SpotlightStudent Spotlight
Machine Produces Nanofibers for Biomedical Research
If you can’t buy it, you have to build it. This was the situation our group of engineering students encountered when we needed to grow vascular tissue for a bioengineering project at Walla Walla University, and found existing solutions were not acceptable.
Did you know researchers have proven that taking time for things like brain teasers and brain games is really good for you? Those puzzles, riddles, and feats of logic help
Now that you think you’ve solved our brain teasers, it’s time to check your answers. Maybe you got them all correct. Maybe you were stumped on one of them…but surely not all of them.