People's Choice for a Cost-Effective and Energy-Efficient Solar-Powered Home
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookAutomationDirect SpotlightDrivesEducation/DIYEnergy/UtilitiesHMIIndustryIssue 29 - 2014Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueOperator InterfacePLCProcess ControlProductProgrammable ControlStudent SpotlightStudent SpotlightVariable Speed Drives

People's Choice for a Cost-Effective and Energy-Efficient Solar-Powered Home

UrbanEden, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s entry to the Solar Decathlon 2013, is a concept home consisting of four connected indoor and outdoor spaces that create a unique
Automation System Retrofit Transforms 175-ton Hydraulic Forming Press
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookIndustryIssue 29 - 2014Learning ResourcesManufacturingNotebook IssueOperator InterfacePLCProcess ControlProductProgrammable ControlUser Solutions

Automation System Retrofit Transforms 175-ton Hydraulic Forming Press

In less than one month, a rebuild automated press operations to increase production rates and improve quality. Southern Manufacturing Group (SMG) located in Morrison, Tennessee, was founded in 1993. The company makes automotive components and industrial valves. In the fall of 2012, the automation system for its 175-ton hydraulic forming press received electrical damage resulting from a lightning strike…
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…
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…
DL205 Performs in Theatrics
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookAutomationDirect SpotlightEntertainmentIndustryIssue 6 – 2006Learning ResourcesMachine ControlNotebook IssuePLCProductProgrammable ControlStudent Spotlight

DL205 Performs in Theatrics

Theatrical automation is a newly emerging field of technology. Through the use of automation, the University Of Arizona School Of Theatre Arts is enhancing the overall theatrical experience. Students Nathan Cross and Phillip Toussaint are using various types of AutomationDirect equipment to automate scenery. According to Nathan, the use of motors and computer control gives…
Dredging Up The...FUTURE
ApplicationApplication StoriesCover StoriesIndustryIssue 6 – 2006Machine ControlNotebook IssuePLCProcess ControlProductProgrammable ControlWater/Wastewater

Dredging Up The...FUTURE

People around the world are aware of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina along the coast of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. What started around the southeastern Bahamas on August 23, 2005 as Tropical Depression number 12, quickly became the fourth hurricane of the season just 48 hours later. When her catastrophic winds finally subsided,…
Controlling Nature's Way of Cooling
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookEnergy/UtilitiesFacilitiesIndustryIssue 3 – 2005Learning ResourcesNotebook IssuePLCProcess ControlProductProgrammable ControlUser Solutions

Controlling Nature's Way of Cooling

When conventional air conditioning systems were no longer adequate to cool General Tool Company’s (GTC) facility in Cincinnati, OH, the company began looking for an alternative solution. A roof mist sprinkling system from Sprinkool™ Systems International, Inc. in Killen, AL, would provide evaporative cooling of the roof and ceiling zone of the plant to reduce…
2005 DARPA Grand Challenge
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookFeature StoryIssue 5 – 2005Learning ResourcesMachine ControlNotebook IssuePLCProductProgrammable Control

2005 DARPA Grand Challenge

“After preliminary testing of our vehicle, and the subsequent breaking of a couple of welds, we’ve come to a few conclusions. First, our steering actuator has a lot more power than we really need! Second, we never should have attempted to test the steering system without the use of the encoder feedback. And third, we…