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…
What About PC Control?
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookIssue 11 – 2008Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueOperator InterfacePLC SpeakingProductProgrammable Control

What About PC Control?

Control fads have come and control fads have gone, but through it all Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) have withstood the test of time. However, there are times when the basic ladder logic programmed PLC is not the best answer to your control solution. Enter PC-based control … PC-Based Control PC-based control (application control from a…
Sustainable Automation, Inc. Improves Efficiency of Lock Pin Laminating Machine
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookAutomationDirect SpotlightHMIIndustryIssue 11 – 2008Learning ResourcesMachine ToolNotebook IssueOperator InterfacePLCProductProgrammable ControlSecuritySystem IntegratorsUser Solutions

Sustainable Automation, Inc. Improves Efficiency of Lock Pin Laminating Machine

InstaKey Security System, a lock management company in Denver, Colorado, supplies lock cylinders that can be re-keyed up to twelve times using only a step-change key. The step-change key is a specially designed device which removes a single metal wafer from a glued stack inside the chamber of a lock cylinder. Because of the growing…
Sunlight Efficiency Detector (SLED) Chosen as Finalist in Freescale Semiconductor Contest
ApplicationData CollectionEnergy/UtilitiesIndustryIssue 11 – 2008Notebook IssueOperator InterfaceProductProgrammable ControlTechnology Brief

Sunlight Efficiency Detector (SLED) Chosen as Finalist in Freescale Semiconductor Contest

Announced in October 2007, Freescale’s first FTF Design Challenge encouraged embedded systems designers worldwide to “go green”. A team of engineers from FACTS Engineering, including Tom Moulton and Eric Wilhelmson, took up the challenge with their design for a SunLight Efficiency Detector or SLED. FACTS is a federation partner of AutomationDirect, and the supplier of…
Process Analyzer Uses WinPLC To Monitor Cyanide Destruction
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookFeature StoryIndustryIssue 8 – 2007Learning ResourcesMachine ControlNotebook IssuePLCProcess ControlProductProgrammable ControlWater/Wastewater

Process Analyzer Uses WinPLC To Monitor Cyanide Destruction

NEXTChem Process Analyzers, LLC produces chemical process analyzers for industries such as metal treatment, metal finishing, chemical, wastewater, and pulp and paper. The analyzers automate laboratory measurements used for process control. Some of NEXTChem’s customers include a large aerospace company who uses the analyzer for measuring caustic cleaner for jet engine parts, and a major…
Systems Integrator Brings Automation Into Skydiving
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookEntertainmentIndustryIssue 8 – 2007Learning ResourcesMachine ControlNotebook IssuePLCProductProgrammable ControlVariable Speed Drives

Systems Integrator Brings Automation Into Skydiving

Thrill seekers around the world are forever looking for the next big adrenaline rush. More of them are finding that thrill through indoor skydiving, which is quickly becoming a way to satisfy the desire for excitement, and yet remove the element of danger. Indoor Skydiving Indoor skydiving facilities have been in existence globally for several…
Team Mojavaton Tackles DARPA’s Latest “Urban Challenge”
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookEducation/DIYIndustryIssue 8 – 2007Learning ResourcesMachine ControlNotebook IssuePLCProductProgrammable ControlTechnology Brief

Team Mojavaton Tackles DARPA’s Latest “Urban Challenge”

The 2007 Urban Challenge, held by DARPA, is the third in a series of races for unmanned vehicles. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is the central research and development organization for the Department of Defense (DOD). DARPA is using the series of races to foster advances in technology for autonomous vehicles to meet…
Poultry Farm Utilizes PLC Control To Increase Efficiency
AgricultureApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookFeature StoryFood and BeverageIndustryIssue 8 – 2007Learning ResourcesNotebook IssuePLCProcess ControlProductProgrammable Control

Poultry Farm Utilizes PLC Control To Increase Efficiency

In the New England town of Monroe, New Hampshire, you’ll find picturesque settings filled with family-owned dairy and poultry farms. Situated in the Connecticut River valley at the edge of the White Mountain National Forest is a poultry farm, called Pete and Gerry’s Organics, with something to crow about. Pete and Gerry’s Organics has found…
Welcome PAC: Moving On To The Next Generation Controller
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookIssue 9 – 2007Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueProductProgrammable ControlTech Thread

Welcome PAC: Moving On To The Next Generation Controller

Log on to any industrial control discussion forum, and you will read passionate debates about the advantages and disadvantages of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) compared to PC-based control. Amongst the PLC/PC debates, there most likely were some threads discussing PACs, which begs the question, “What the heck is a PAC?” PAC, a new acronym, stands…