Unmanaged+ Industrial Ethernet Switches Simplify OT/IT Connectivity
+Tech TopicsCommunicationsIssue 60 - 2026Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueProductTechnology Brief

Unmanaged+ Industrial Ethernet Switches Simplify OT/IT Connectivity

A new class of edge-optimized Ethernet switches are purpose-built for industrial environments and protocols, providing a streamlined approach for connecting valuable OT data with enterprise IT resources for improved visibility, analytics, and proactive diagnostics. By Damon Purvis, AutomationDirect Throughout all aspects of industrial automation, the historical separation between operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT)…
PLC Programming – Ladder versus Structured Text
+Tech TopicsIssue 60 - 2026Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueTech ThreadTechnology Brief

PLC Programming – Ladder versus Structured Text

For decades, ladder logic has been the undisputed leader as a PLC programming language, but today’s controls engineers are taking greater advantage of another option, structured text, for advanced applications incorporating data handling, communications, recipe management, and more. By Tim Ensminger, AutomationDirect Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) have served as the preferred machine and factory automation…
Pneumatic Circuit Symbols Explained
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookIssue 35 - 2016Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueOnline OnlyPneumatic eBookPneumaticsPneumatics eBookProductTechnology Brief

Pneumatic Circuit Symbols Explained

Directional air control valves are the building blocks of pneumatic control. Pneumatic circuit symbols representing these valves provide detailed information about the valve they represent. Symbols show the methods of actuation, the number of positions, the flow paths and the number of ports. Here is a brief breakdown of how to read a symbol.
What is Productivity2000?
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookIssue 33 - 2015Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueProductProgrammable ControlTechnology Brief

What is Productivity2000?

It’s not just the low price, but the incredible built-in features that make our Productivity2000 a must-have controller. As the newest programmable logic controller from AutomationDirect, the Productivity2000 (P2000), is built around a compact modular form factor that allows both fit and functionality in a small space. But, what is Productivity2000? In this introduction we…
Pick and Place your HMI
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookeBookIssue 32 - 2015Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueOnline OnlyOperator InterfaceProductTechnology BriefWhy HMI

Pick and Place your HMI

There are many ways to irritate an operator working with automated equipment and a bad human-machine interface (HMI) implementation is right up there with the worst of them. Following these guidelines can help you pick the right HMI for your application, keep you on the good side of your operators and engineers, and also help…
What is Ladder Logic?
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookeBookIssue 34 - 2016Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueOnline OnlyPLC eBookProductProgrammable ControlTechnology Brief

What is Ladder Logic?

PLCs have exploded in the controls market and are used throughout the world. Over time they have advanced to become more user friendly, efficient, smaller and less expensive. Different types of programming languages have also been developed for PLCs but the most frequently used is still Ladder Logic.   The Origins of Ladder Logic – Relay…
DataWorx with Do-more PLC support
+Tech TopicsApplicationAutomation NotebookData CollectionIssue 28 - 2014Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueProductProgrammable ControlTechnology Brief

DataWorx with Do-more PLC support

AutomationDirect has partnered with BizWareDirect for several years, supplying DataWorx data collection and monitoring software for compatible DirectLOGIC programmable logic controllers (PLCs), Productivity3000 and WinPLC controllers. Previously, it had been necessary to purchase an OPC/DDE server and write code, or buy an HMI package, to collect data from AutomationDirect controllers. BizWareDirect’s data collection software makes…
What to Know When Selecting an Enclosure
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookEnclosures & AccessoriesEquipment SafetyIssue 26 – 2013Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueProductTechnology Brief

What to Know When Selecting an Enclosure

NEMA enclosures house all kinds of electrical components from simple terminal blocks, to industrial automation systems, to high voltage switchgear. In industrial automation systems, NEMA enclosures often house motor controls, drives, PLC/PC control systems, pushbuttons, and termination systems. Some enclosures are shaped to be operator consoles. AutomationDirect offers over 2,200 enclosure part numbers across NEMA…
Encoders Explained
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookDiscrete SensingIssue 25 – 2013Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueProductTechnology Brief

Encoders Explained

What is an Encoder? An encoder (for industrial controls) is a special sensor that captures position information and relays that data to other devices. The position information can be read in many ways (optically, magnetically, capacitively, etc.). There are two basic geometries for encoders: linear and rotary. A linear encoder typically consists of a scale…