Product Archives | Page 43 of 70 | Library.Automationdirect.com

Motion Control Explained

August 5, 2015

Motion control is generally understood to mean the use of servo and/or stepper systems as the “muscle” to move a given load. These motion control systems are capable of extremely precise speed, position, and torque control. Applications which require positioning of product, synchronization of separate elements, or rapid start/stop motion are all perfect candidates for…

Application Application Stories Automation Notebook AutomationDirect Spotlight Data System Monitoring Education/DIY Industry Issue 34 - 2016 Learning Resources Motion Control Notebook Issue Online Only Operator Interface PLC PLC eBook Product Programmable Control Student Spotlight Student Spotlight Water/Wastewater

Portable Water Treatment Platform Removes Phosphorus Economically

August 5, 2015

A trailer-mounted water treatment process controlled by a Productivity2000 PLC has recently been developed at the University of Idaho. Professor Greg Möller, in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, along with engineers from the College of Engineering have teamed up to build the platform, and to further research the economical removal of phosphorus from various…

+Tech Topics AC Motors and Controls Learning Resources Online Only Product Variable Speed Drives

To VFD or Not to VFD

July 27, 2015

You’ve probably seen and read way too many articles telling you to use variable frequency drives on your AC motors to save energy, reduce maintenance and lengthen motor life. This is not one of those articles. Instead, we’re going to show you just how to calculate whether or not a VFD makes sense for your…

+Tech Topics Circuit Protection Equipment Safety Learning Resources Online Only Product

What Type of Circuit Protection Do I Need?

July 17, 2015

Circuit Protection is a big topic. With so many types of products available, coupled with the fact that I think I am getting old, I have found that it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep it all straight. If you share in this frustration, no worries because conveniently located below is a chart that I think might…

AutomationDirect Spotlight Product Programmable Control Supplier Profiles Supplier Profiles

Product Education and Training – The InterConnecting Automation Way

July 17, 2015

Back when he worked in a foundry, Doug Bell never imagined he would trade in his career as an electrician for becoming a teacher, but that’s in fact what happened. The transition came about more than 20 years ago, while he was attending a product training class, when he formulated an idea on how he…

+Tech Topics Circuit Protection Learning Resources Online Only Product

Branch or Supplementary Circuit Protection?

July 13, 2015

For those who work in electrical design, a prominent concern is circuit protection. While a lot of circuit protection technologies exist, it is most common to guard against overcurrent situations. Overcurrent protection can be achieved by incorporating fuses or circuit breakers along the primary power feed. But which of these devices do you use for branch…

+Tech Topics Discrete Sensing Learning Resources Online Only Product

Got Sensors?

July 13, 2015

Photoelectric, proximity and capacitive sensors are used in a wide variety of machines and industrial equipment, but selecting the best sensor for the job can be confusing. This blog post and the accompanying articles will help you sort out the best sensor for your application. During sensor selection, it’s important to understand sensor requirements and specifications…

+Tech Topics Circuit Protection eBook Learning Resources Online Only Product

10 Reasons Why Fuses are Essential for Overcurrent Protection

July 6, 2015

What is a Fuse? Fuses are sacrificial devices used to protect much more expensive electrical components from the damaging effects of overcurrent. They consist of a low-resistance metal or wire that is used to close a circuit. When too much current flows through the low resistance element of the fuse, the element melts and breaks…

+Tech Topics Application Energy/Utilities Industry Learning Resources Machine Control Online Only Process Sensing & Control Product Variable Speed Drives

Trending Towards Green Machines

July 6, 2015

When wandering the plant floor, keep an eye out for energy wasting machines. Those running conveyors, rattling pumps and hissing air lines on idle equipment not only raise the decibel level in the plant—they also waste energy. With proper monitoring and analysis, machine energy use can be optimized, and these energy saving measures will also improve…

+Tech Topics Learning Resources Online Only Product Safety

5 Steps to Improve Machine Safety

June 22, 2015

So the story starts with you looking at a plant full of equipment, some new, some old, with the operators working hard to meet production requirements. If your safety sign reads: “We Have Worked 1 Day(s) with Zero Accidents”, then maybe it’s time to review and improve your plant safety program. It’s everyone’s responsibility to…

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Additional Resources

History of the PLC

AutomationDirect PLC eBook

10 Reasons to Use a Fuse

Understanding Discrete & Analog I/O

Understanding Basic Electrical Theory

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