What is PID Control?
ProductProgrammable Control

What is PID Control?

PID is the most common industrial technology for closed-loop control. Despite the elegant mathematics behind PID loops, they are easily implemented with modern PLC technology. Closed-loop control, where a digital system monitors a measured value and then controls some device to accurately drive the process to a desired setpoint, is a fundamental strategy widely applied…
Practical Motion Control Using Micro-PLCs
Issue 50 - 2023Motion ControlProductProgrammable Control

Practical Motion Control Using Micro-PLCs

Designers working on smaller automation systems can now take advantage of advanced yet economical motion control by using micro-PLCs and stepper motors. Conor Perry, Technical Product Manager for the HMI and CLICK product groups at AutomationDirect, wrote an article for the October 2022 issue of Applied Automation. Titled Micro-PLC Motion Control Made Practical, the article…
In-House Automation is the Key to Customization
ApplicationApplication StoriesHMIManufacturingOperator InterfacePLCProductProgrammable Control

In-House Automation is the Key to Customization

Manufacturers are finding they can rapidly and flexibly adapt to changing production needs by engaging in-house personnel to deploy automation solutions. Automation is essential for improving productivity and quality, but many manufacturers serve markets where production volumes and product options vary drastically. As a senior maintenance and integration supervisor at Keytronic, Jose Luis Rodriguez Persona…
Upgrading Agricultural Automation
Application StoriesCommunicationsHMIOperator InterfacePLCProductProgrammable Control

Upgrading Agricultural Automation

This company is using modern PLCs and HMIs to revamp existing agricultural equipment automation systems, improving efficiency and adding advanced IIoT capabilities. Modern agriculture relies directly and indirectly on automated equipment for growing, processing, and transporting product. Vinny Endres grew up in a farming family and quickly learned how to keep things up and running….
What are Electrical Actuators?
Motion ControlProduct

What are Electrical Actuators?

Electrical actuators are an efficient and accurate way to automate linear motion on machinery and equipment. Automated machinery and equipment frequently require linear physical movement. Sometimes the mechanisms most move a product-holding tray into position, while other times the movement is for performing a manufacturing function, like drilling, inserting, gluing, or taping parts. The motion…
Robotic Beer Dispenser Hits the Ground Running
ApplicationCircuit ProtectionElectrical PowerFood and BeverageProcess ControlProductRelays & TimersTerminal Blocks & Wiring

Robotic Beer Dispenser Hits the Ground Running

Reliable, rugged, and economical automation components are essential building blocks for bringing high-tech into consumer-facing applications. After working for more than a decade on industrial and automation projects, Grayson Dawson founded Hop Robotics to bring high-technology robotic serving systems to the food & beverage and hospitality sectors. He wrote a success story article that ran…
What is DC Motor Control?
MotorsProduct

What is DC Motor Control?

DC motors provide a flexible and effective motive force for many machine and automation applications. Although direct current (DC) motor technology dates from the early 1800s, and other motor types have been developed since then, DC motors remain the best option for many applications. DC motors can be obtained in tiny consumer-grade form factors suitable…
Guide to Power Products from AutomationDirect
Electrical PowerProduct

Guide to Power Products from AutomationDirect

Electrical power products provide safe and efficient power services for industrial and commercial use, from incoming facility power to endpoint distribution and filtering. AutomationDirect provides a variety of electrical power products for all of your needs! Download our Guide to Power Products here! This Download Includes: DC Power Supplies Transformers Power and Process Monitoring And…
Industrializing an Arduino: Making a Single-Board Controller Fit for the Factory
Issue 48 -2022Notebook IssueProductProgrammable Control

Industrializing an Arduino: Making a Single-Board Controller Fit for the Factory

Arduinos and similar devices can be highly versatile but are too delicate for industrial environments. We test a new version designed with a tougher form factor. Byline: Doug Reneker In two previous project articles, we set out to prove that single-board controllers, common to the maker community, can be adapted to industrial applications. Or it…
Industrial Revolution Era Equipment Meets Modern Automation
Application StoriesPLCProductProgrammable Control

Industrial Revolution Era Equipment Meets Modern Automation

AutomationDirect’s BRX PLC brings new world capabilities to old world machines. David Adams founded Design Automated Controls (DAC) in Alabama to support clients with design/build capabilities and onsite service, and he has had great success using AutomationDirect PLCs and products. In an April 2022 Tech Briefs article bylined by David, titled Ginning Up a Modern…