In industrial automation, the word alarm is often used for almost everything that goes wrong.
A motor fails to start.
A tank reaches a high level.
A VFD trips.
A communication module disconnects.
An operator …
Read MoreModern industrial automation systems are no longer isolated PLCs controlling a few inputs and outputs.
Today, a machine may interact with PLCs, HMIs, SCADA platforms, historians, databases, MES systems, remote I/O, …
Read MoreAn HMI, or Human Machine Interface, is the screen that allows operators and technicians to interact with a machine or process.
A PLC controls the machine, but the HMI gives the …
Read MoreIn industrial automation, the PLC does NOT operate alone.
The real interaction happens through the HMI (Human Machine Interface).
And a bad HMI design can turn a simple machine into:
A confusing systemA …
Read MoreIn industrial automation, three terms appear everywhere:
PLCHMISCADA
They are connected, but they are not the same thing.
A PLC controls the machine.An HMI allows the operator to interact with the machine.SCADA supervises, …
Read MoreIndustrial automation can feel overwhelming.
There are many areas to understand:
Electrical controlIndustrial electronicsSensorsInstrumentationPLCsLadder logicVFDsMotor controlHMISCADAIndustrial networksRemote I/OSafety systemsTroubleshootingDocumentationBackups
At times, it may feel like:
“I do not know enough.”“There is too much to …
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