Portable Water Treatment Platform Removes Phosphorus Economically
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…
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…
Do-more Designer Gets More Amazing!
+Tech TopicsAutomation NotebookIssue 29 - 2014Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueOnline OnlyPLC SpeakingProductProgrammable Control

Do-more Designer Gets More Amazing!

Do-more Designer is the full-featured programming tool for the Do-more CPUs that can be downloaded for FREE. That’s the entire Do-more programming package, NOT a demo version, for FREE. The software package already includes outstanding features such as a Project Browser, Data View, Trend View, PID View, Debug View, and a built-in simulator that creates…
ProSense Line Now Includes Float Level Switches
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ProSense Line Now Includes Float Level Switches

Cumming, GA — January 15, 2014 … AutomationDirect’s ProSense line has been extended to include float level switches which provide a low-cost general purpose solution for single point monitoring of liquid levels in a variety of applications. The float switches are designed with powerful internal permanent magnets that actuate a highly reliable and repeatable hermetically sealed reed…
Industrial Ethernet or Fieldbus Network?
Automation NotebookCommunicationsCover StorieseBookIssue 27 – 2013Learning ResourcesNotebook IssueProduct

Industrial Ethernet or Fieldbus Network?

With only about a quarter of the overall installed base of industrial networking using 4-20 mA and other hardwired methods, fieldbus communication systems are becoming the de facto choice for automation. Now the debate is shifting to the question of whether fieldbus-based networks will remain the standard or if it will be supplanted by industrial…
DaMan Revealed During the Final Four Activities in Atlanta
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookEntertainmentIndustryIssue 26 – 2013Learning ResourcesMachine ControlNotebook IssuePLCProductProgrammable ControlUser Solutions

DaMan Revealed During the Final Four Activities in Atlanta

Earl Bouse, with E. Larue Enterprises in Dahlonega, GA., has been developing his idea of the “perfect” automated basketball defender for the last two and a half years. Although Bouse says that his DaMan creation is not quite ready for prime time, he is ready for prospective customer feedback and field tests.
AutomationDirect Expands Ultrasonic Sensor Line
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AutomationDirect Expands Ultrasonic Sensor Line

Cumming, GA — May 1, 2013 … AutomationDirect’s ultrasonic sensor offering now includes additional 18mm and 30mm round plastic DC models available with discrete or analog outputs. The sensors are equipped with LED status indicators and a push-button teach feature for configuration of normally-open and normally-closed states for DC output models and for adjustable sensitivity on analog…
Basic CPU and Remote Modules Added to Productivity3000 Line
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Basic CPU and Remote Modules Added to Productivity3000 Line

Cumming, GA — December 5, 2012 … AutomationDirect’s Productivity3000 line of programmable controllers now includes basic CPU and remote slave modules. The P3-530 CPU’s five integrated communications ports include Ethernet for programming, monitoring, and networking; a USB port for data logging; USB I/O port for up to four local expansion bases; RS-232 and RS-485 ports for ASCII…
Illinois Institute of Technology Competes in Hybrid Racing
ApplicationApplication StoriesAutomation NotebookAutomationDirect SpotlightEducation/DIYEnergy/UtilitiesIndustryIssue 25 – 2013Learning ResourcesMachine ControlNotebook IssueOperator InterfaceProductProgrammable ControlStudent SpotlightStudent Spotlight

Illinois Institute of Technology Competes in Hybrid Racing

A student team, lead by Donald Ruffatto, from the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) SAE International chapter contacted AutomationDirect in late 2011, asking detailed questions about our Productivity3000 Programmable Automation Controller (PAC). They were planning to use it to control an electric car that they were building for the Formula Hybrid International Competition, hosted by…