January 2017 marks the sixth consecutive year that Automation World readers have voted for their “FIRST TEAM” suppliers in PMMI Media Group’s 2016 Leadership in Automation program.
ApplicationApplication StoriesEducation/DIYEntertainmentHMIIndustryMachine ControlOnline OnlyOperator InterfacePLCPneumaticsPneumaticsProductProgrammable ControlVariable Speed Drives
The Halloween Box
In every haunted house, you’ll find automated props: chairs that rock on their own, slamming doors, rattling chains, drawers opening and closing as if by some supernatural force. These “tricks” enhance the “treat” of getting the life scared out of you. The process behind making a Halloween prop can be quite simple. Here is just…
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.
ApplicationCommunicationsCompany TopicsData and IIoTData System MonitoringeBookIIoT and DataLearning ResourcesNewsProductProgrammable Control
Are You “Data-driven"? |Industry Survey
With all the talk lately about Big Data and the IIoT, we got to thinking about how much of an impact these trends would have on our industry. Since the primary goal of these two trends is to improve bottom lines/profit margins through data collection, data analysis and remote access, we were curious as to…
Power generation facilities typically operate for decades, so it is not uncommon for the automation systems to become obsolete and difficult to support. This was the case at the Maggotty Hydroelectric Plant operated by the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Company Limited in Jamaica. As the largest hydroelectric plant on the island, Maggotty is critical to…
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomationDirect SpotlightEntertainmentIndustryMachine ControlOnline OnlyPLCProductProgrammable ControlSimple PLCStudent Spotlight
Raising the Curtain on STEM Education
STEM education is becoming more important in today’s fast-paced technical world. But some kids may have a difficult time with traditional STEM classes especially when a student doesn’t think they’re a “math or science type.” One way to encourage an awareness of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) is to look for activities that already attract…
Automation NotebookData and IIoTeBookIIoT and DataLearning ResourcesOnline OnlyOperator InterfaceProductProgrammable Control
A Quick Look At Creating The IIoT
The IIoT starts with edge devices. Connecting these sensors, actuators, motors, drives and other smart devices to PLCs and other advanced controllers is the first step. The connection continues through the HMI to provide data sharing to both local and remote users through corporate intranets and the Internet. Connecting edge devices and distributing the data…
Have you noticed a gap in the industrial controllers market? PLCs are good at handling your low end applications, but on the high end, many suppliers want to push you into distributed control systems or other expensive and complicated solutions. What’s needed is a controller in the middle, one not too big and not too…
The latest CLICK PLCs are three to ten times faster than existing CLICK PLC units. Ethernet Basic PLC units and Ethernet Standard PLC feature one built-in 10/100 Mbps Ethernet communications port for both programming and Modbus TCP networking, plus one standard RS-232 serial communications port; Ethernet Standard PLC units add an RS-485 port.