The Evolutionary PLC: Past, Present and Future
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookCommunicationsIssue 5 – 2005Learning ResourcesNotebook IssuePLC SpeakingProductProgrammable Control

The Evolutionary PLC: Past, Present and Future

Everyone knows there’s only one constant in the technology world and that’s change – inevitable change. This is highly evident in the evolution of PLCs and their varied applications. Let’s take a look at yesterday’s focus and more importantly, today’s and beyond. Preparing and equipping users to meet the challenges of technological change head-on is…
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…
A User's Guide to Configuring Serial Ports for DirectLOGIC PLCs: Part Two
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookIssue 4 – 2005Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueProductProgrammable ControlTech Thread

A User's Guide to Configuring Serial Ports for DirectLOGIC PLCs: Part Two

In the previous issue of Automation Notebook, Winter 2005 Issue 3, we discussed the communications capabilities of Port 2 on the DL06, DL250-1 and DL260 DirectLOGIC CPUs. We covered networking, wiring diagrams and protocols. In this issue we will discuss how to configure the communication port using DirectSOFT programming software while connected to the CPU….
PLCs Evolving Toward Motion Control
Automation NotebookIssue 4 – 2005Learning ResourcesNotebook IssuePLC SpeakingProductProgrammable Control

PLCs Evolving Toward Motion Control

In our fast paced and economically stressed industrial world, flexibility is becoming a higher priority for those who are specifying automation systems. Users need multi-functional control, simple connectivity and easy access to process data, all wrapped up in a nice neat package. Today’s Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) have to be much more than the relay logic…
Business Notes – Issue 4, 2005
Automation NotebookBusiness NotesCompany TopicsIssue 4 – 2005Learning ResourcesNewsNotebook Issue

Business Notes – Issue 4, 2005

AutomationDirect Assists Team Buffalo In 2005 DARPA Challenge Team Buffalo, a small group of highly talented individuals skilled in bringing abstract technical visions from conception to reality, has committed to participating in a Defense Department research and development initiative aimed at advancing robotics technologies for future military use. The initiative, known as the DARPA Grand…
Motion Control System Choices
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookFeature StoryIssue 4 – 2005Learning ResourcesMotion ControlNotebook IssueProduct

Motion Control System Choices

Motion control is generally understood to mean the use of servo and/or stepper systems as the “muscle” to move a given load.  These motion control systems are capable of extremely precise speed, position, and torque control. Applications which require positioning of product, synchronization of separate elements, or rapid start/stop motion are all perfect candidates for…
AC Drives Focused on Energy Conservation
+Tech TopicsAC Motors and ControlsApplicationAutomation NotebookCover StoriesEnergy/UtilitiesIndustryIssue 4 – 2005Learning ResourcesManufacturingNotebook IssueProductVariable Speed Drives

AC Drives Focused on Energy Conservation

Today, energy conservation and cost-cutting solutions have become a major focus in the manufacturing sector. Energy costs continue to increase and the extreme growth in China is contributing to rising costs in other areas of goods, including steel and coal. Managers of manufacturing facilities are faced with many questions regarding energy conservation and efficiency. They…
Implementing a PLC Calibration Routine to Ensure Accurate Instrument Readings
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookFYIIssue 2 – 2004Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueProductProgrammable Control

Implementing a PLC Calibration Routine to Ensure Accurate Instrument Readings

Why Calibrate? Many applications call for a means to take accurate analog measurements. Force, pressure, electrical current, lengths, positions and other analog values that are measured must be done so with a degree of accuracy. Factory and lab personnel use calibration procedures to ensure that equipment is reading accurately. If the readings are not as…
Using Indirect Addressing in a PLC to Scale a Non-linear Analog Input Signal
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookIssue 2 – 2004Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueProductProgrammable ControlTech Thread

Using Indirect Addressing in a PLC to Scale a Non-linear Analog Input Signal

Indirect addressing, or pointer addressing as it is called with Koyo PLCs, is an addressing mode found in many processors’ instruction sets that specifies a register that contains the effective address. Accessing the operand requires two memory accesses – one to fetch the effective address and another to read or write the actual operand. Indirect…
PLC Technology and Application Tips
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookIssue 2 – 2004Learning ResourcesNotebook IssuePLC SpeakingProductProgrammable Control

PLC Technology and Application Tips

Over the past ten years, AutomationDirect, formerly PLCDirect, has provided PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) products in many shapes, sizes, and I/O counts, and with a wide variety of features. Since PLCs were the products on which this company was founded, it is only natural to devote a column on the subject of PLCs in the…