Urban Challenge 2007
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookEducation/DIYIndustryIssue 10 – 2008Learning ResourcesMachine ControlNotebook IssuePLCProductProgrammable ControlTechnical Review

Urban Challenge 2007

AutomationDirect was pleased to help support two vehicles hoping to compete in the 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge. Team Mojavaton, with their “White Knight” (a modified Nissan Xterra), and Insight Racing (fielding a Lotus Elise dubbed the “Lone Wolf”) were both invited to the National Qualification Event held in Victorville, CA, at the end of October…
Understanding the Advanced Recipe Function of the C-more® Touch Panel
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookIssue 10 – 2008Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueOperator InterfaceProductTech ThreadWhy HMI

Understanding the Advanced Recipe Function of the C-more® Touch Panel

Recipes are used in a multitude of control applications including batch processing for the food, beverage, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, as well as complex applications such as robotics. Recipes, when used with an HMI, provide a simple and effective way to change the data in a large number of tags with the push of a…
Future Adjustable Speed Motor Technology
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookFeature StoryIssue 10 – 2008Learning ResourcesMotorsNotebook IssueProduct

Future Adjustable Speed Motor Technology

High pole count motors have existed for years, and are in use today in some specialty industrial applications. They typically provide slower operation (without a drive), but the horsepower is reduced as the pole count increases. A new concept for high pole count motors has recently been patented by DynaMotors, Inc of Cleveland, OH. The…
Match The Motor To The Load For Maximum Efficiency
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookCover StoriesIssue 10 – 2008Learning ResourcesMotorsNotebook IssueProduct

Match The Motor To The Load For Maximum Efficiency

A half-loaded motor uses almost as much energy as one that’s fully loaded. To save energy, optimize motor horsepower to the specific application.  When electricity was cheap, efficiency was not necessarily top of mind for many. However, current energy prices force manufacturers to further analyze where they use energy and how they spend their energy…
Designing a PLC Ladder Program
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookIssue 12 – 2008Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueProductProgrammable ControlTech Thread

Designing a PLC Ladder Program

Thinking back on my first Computer Programming course, the instructor was adamant about flow charting, documenting, and using good tools to design the program. I was 18 at the time and thought, “Anyone can write a good program and documentation isn’t needed. Write it correctly and it’s done.” It didn’t take long to see just…
AutomationDirect Products Help The Environment
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookDrivesHMIIndustryIssue 12 – 2008Learning ResourcesMachine ControlNotebook IssueOperator InterfacePLCProcess ControlProductProgrammable ControlUser SolutionsVariable Speed DrivesWater/Wastewater

AutomationDirect Products Help The Environment

Treating waste water generated in industrial plants requires an efficient, easy-to-use process which yields minimal by-product; it must be reliable and durable too. Environmental Compliance Equipment, in Palm City, Florida, designs systems to meet these requirements. One such system is marketed as ClearFlow. The ClearFlow System Explained ClearFlow systems can be integrated in almost any…
Educating Future Engineers Requires Teamwork
Automation NotebookFeature StoryIssue 12 – 2008Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueProductProgrammable Control

Educating Future Engineers Requires Teamwork

The goal of any technology or engineering educational program is to educate its students utilizing techniques built upon sound theoretical principles. But, how does one teach college level students to utilize automation components like robots, PLC’s, and sensors? The field of automation is constantly changing and educators need to maintain pace with these changes in…
IronHorse™ Worm Gearboxes Now Available From AutomationDirect®
Automation NotebookIssue 12 – 2008Learning ResourcesMechanical Power TransmissionNotebook IssueProduct

IronHorse™ Worm Gearboxes Now Available From AutomationDirect®

AutomationDirect has expanded its mechanical power transmission product line to include worm gearboxes in four frame sizes and six gear ratios from 5:1 to 60:1. Constructed of cast iron one-piece housings, the worm gearboxes feature a C-flange input and carbon steel shaft with either right-hand or dual shaft output. Manufactured by one of the world’s leading…
ProSense Q&A
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookFYIIssue 11 – 2008Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueProcess Sensing & ControlProduct

ProSense Q&A

When selecting a pressure sensor, what factors should I consider? There are three primary considerations when selecting a pressure sensor; pressure values the system will have, temperature of the process material and the compatibility of the sensor with the process fluid. System pressure values – the normal working pressure should be below the maximum range of…