AutomationDirect Offers Free PLC eBook Download
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AutomationDirect Offers Free PLC eBook Download

AutomationDirect’s new eBook, “PLC Handbook: A Practical Guide to Programmable Logic Controllers” is now available as a free download. Designed as an easy-to-read guide for users new to PLCs, this eBook explains what a PLC is and its history. It also provides detailed information about what to look for when choosing a controller, with both…
2015 Engineers’ Choice Awards
Business NotesCompany TopicsIssue 32 - 2015NewsNotebook IssueOnline OnlyProductProgrammable Control

2015 Engineers’ Choice Awards

The annual Control Engineering Engineers’ Choice Awards program recognizes categories of control, instrumentation, and automation products, revealing the best of those products as selected by their readers. Established in 1954, Control Engineering is recognized as the global information leader for the automation engineers who design, implement, maintain and manage control/instrumentation systems, components and equipment. The…
Technical College Students Understand Protective Relays
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…
AutomationDirect adds the Do-more Driver to Point of View SCADA/HMI
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AutomationDirect adds the Do-more Driver to Point of View SCADA/HMI

AutomationDirect’s Point of View SCADA/HMI software now supports the Do-more PLC as a standard driver. This compliments the existing Productivity3000, DirectLOGIC & CLICK drivers which were previously available. As with all of our supported drivers, having the product specific driver removes all restrictions on the controller data types that are accessible from the software when…
How to Choose a Controller
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How to Choose a Controller

Choosing the most effective controller for your application depends on a number of factors. The worksheet below serves as a checklist of things to consider when determining programmable controller requirements. It lists the most important areas to consider when choosing a system, as well as, provides space for recording determinations of your system needs. To…
Sinking and Sourcing Concepts
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Sinking and Sourcing Concepts

When choosing the type of input or output module for your PLC system, it is very important to have a solid understanding of sinking and sourcing concepts. Use of these terms occurs frequently in discussion of input or output circuits. It is the goal of this post to make these concepts easy to understand, so you can make the right choice the first time…
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…