PLC and HMI automation helps even the smallest manufacturers and home-based businesses enhance efficiency and improve quality. Daniel Oberholtzer, an independent systems integrator consultant, wrote an article for the June 2022 online version of Machine Design titled Automation a Scalable Solution for Smaller Manufacturers. Here’s a summary, click on the link above for the full…
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookAutomationDirect SpotlightData System MonitoringEducation/DIYIndustryIssue 34 - 2016Learning ResourcesMotion ControlNotebook IssueOnline OnlyOperator InterfacePLCPLC eBookProductProgrammable ControlStudent SpotlightStudent SpotlightWater/Wastewater
Portable Water Treatment Platform Removes Phosphorus Economically
A trailer-mounted water treatment process controlled by a Productivity2000 PLC has recently been developed at the University of Idaho. Professor Greg Möller, in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, along with engineers from the College of Engineering have teamed up to build the platform, and to further research the economical removal of phosphorus from various…
The new C-more HMI configuration software version 6.0, from AutomationDirect, delivers more functionality, more usability and more value to our popular C-more HMIs. The new software offers more alarm and recipe features, additional math and tag logic, plus improved Windows compatibility. New menu options, customizable toolbars, and updated graphics provide improved ease of use. The…
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookAutomationDirect SpotlightEducation/DIYHMIIndustryIssue 31 - 2015Learning ResourcesMachine ControlNotebook IssueOperator InterfacePLCProductProgrammable ControlStudent SpotlightStudent SpotlightVariable Speed Drives
Technical College Students Understand Protective Relays
Protective relays are specialized devices designed to sense abnormal conditions in electric power systems, commanding circuit breakers to trip or close when needed. These relays are absolutely essential to the reliable operation of the electric power generating stations, substations, transmission lines, and distribution systems that comprise any large-scale electric power grid; they are increasingly finding…
ApplicationApplication StoriesDrivesFood and BeverageFood Beverage AutomationHMIIndustryMachine ControlOperator InterfacePLCProductProgrammable ControlVariable Speed Drives
Systems & Controls Takes Time for Tea
Systems & Controls in Lenoir City, Tennessee, was contacted by a scale manufacturing company to develop a brewed tea and coffee container filling machine using four weight transmitters, a DirectLOGIC DL-205 PLC, a RHINO power supply, a C-more touch panel and a GS2 variable frequency drive.
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookAutomationDirect SpotlightData CollectionIssue 19 – 2011Learning ResourcesMachine ControlNotebook IssueOperator InterfaceProductProgrammable ControlSIDirectSystem IntegratorsVariable Speed Drives
PCA Provides Complete Turnkey, Cost-Effective Control System Solutions for a Variety of Industries
Pacific Coast Automation, Inc., located in Modesto, California, was founded in 2008 based upon the need for a competent, dependable and reasonably priced control system engineering firm, and not just a “controls tech” company which bases its existence on service calls. Since its meager beginning, PCA has seen an almost 500% growth from 2009 to…
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookAutomationDirect SpotlightData CollectionEnergy/UtilitiesIndustryIssue 18 – 2010Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueOperator InterfacePLCProcess Sensing & ControlProductProgrammable ControlStudent SpotlightStudent Spotlight
Sam Flournoy - Biodiesel Entrepreneur
Sam Flournoy first contacted Automation Direct in February of 2009. As a 14-year old who had just finished building a biodiesel processor in his garage, he now wanted to automate the process. We immediately began looking around for the candid camera! But it turns out he was serious, as he was producing about 180 gallons…
ApplicationAutomation NotebookIssue 14 – 2009Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueOperator InterfaceProcess ControlProductProgrammable ControlStudent Spotlight
The Future Of Technology
Who: Diyan Zagarov From: Bulgaria Attending College: Lanier Technical College, North Georgia Childhood Dreams Diyan Zagarov grew up in Bulgaria. Growing up, Diyan thought of himself as the adventurous type and often felt the desire to travel and see the world. However, he grew up under the shadow of the Soviet Union, so for a long time traveling…
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookIssue 12 – 2008Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueTechnical ReviewWhy HMI
C-more HMI With Enhanced Allen-Bradley PLC Driver Support
With the growing popularity of the C-more Operator Interface line, we have had many requests to add PLC protocol drivers. These drivers allow customers with different PLC brands to standardize on the C-more HMI product. This article takes a look at C-more’s PLC drivers and demonstrates how to import/export tags and optimize communication. Due to the abundance…