Experience is the Best Teacher
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Experience is the Best Teacher

Colorado Mountain College’s Applied Engineering Technician Program partnered with AutomationDirect to provide their students with real-world experience using state-of-the-art automation technology. Working with AutomationDirect controllers, the CMC students apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real equipment used in process control applications. The following excerpt from the CMC campus newsletter explains the opportunities further…
SCADA Systems | Automation Notes
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SCADA Systems | Automation Notes

Many control systems these days need a way to interact with the process or machine operator. Legacy systems might present a whole panel full of pushbuttons, lights and switches; the development of electronic HMI (Human Machine Interface) devices made operator control and monitoring operations much more flexible, presenting text, graphics and even video to help…
AC Motor On/Off Controls | Automation Notes
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AC Motor On/Off Controls | Automation Notes

Most control systems have to make things move, and that usually involves motors. Lifting, pumping, robotics, conveyors, fans – pretty much everything uses a motor of some kind. General purpose one- or three-phase AC motors are great for simple on/off systems; Inverter-duty motors are specifically designed for operation with variable frequency drives or VFDs. General…
Electrical Noise and EMI in the Workplace
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Electrical Noise and EMI in the Workplace

Drive or motor failures, lights flickering, analog signal variations and poor encoder count repeatability are all symptoms of electrical noise issues. Automated machinery is often the victim of electrical noise, and frequently also the source. Whether it’s electromagnetic interference (EMI) or radio frequency interference (RFI), there are many options available to reduce its effects. Both…
Video News | The Do-more Way
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Video News | The Do-more Way

The Do-more™ is a super powerful PLC with a modern programming engine that utilizes today’s best programming practices… and that sets it apart from your typical PLC. Of course, that also means that getting your mind wrapped around these programming methods is the key to creating a successful Do-more project quickly and efficiently. We call it learning…
PLC Photo Contest Winner!
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PLC Photo Contest Winner!

We asked you to submit a photo showing us why you could use more Productivity in your life for a chance to win a free Productivity2000 PLC starter kit. You could’ve shown us how PLC programming was getting in the way of your sleep, how you were spending too much time troubleshooting when you needed…
Guidelines to Successful Pneumatic Systems
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Guidelines to Successful Pneumatic Systems

Pneumatic actuators are a popular option for parts handling in automated systems. Whether it’s part transfer, positioning or clamping—pneumatics are a cost-effective choice for mechanical motion. However, without proper design, these pneumatic systems can experience problems. Fortunately, there are some simple pneumatic design guidelines to help ensure success. We’ll review some common issues with pneumatic designs,…