Industrial 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 …
Read MoreIntroduction
In industrial automation, the PLC does not physically “see” the machine, conveyor, door, bottle, box, valve, or actuator. The PLC depends on sensors to know what is happening in the …
Read MoreRSLogix 500 and Studio 5000 Examples
In industrial PLC programming, a machine state is a numeric value that tells the program what step or condition the machine is currently in.
Instead of …
Read MoreA Simple and Professional Way to Organize Ladder Logic
In industrial PLC programming, the logic should not be written randomly. A professional PLC program is usually organized in a clear sequence …
Read MoreA Critical Difference Every PLC Technician Should Understand
In industrial automation, two words are often used together but do not mean exactly the same thing:
Permissive and Interlock
Both are used to control …
Read MoreA Basic Introduction for Automation Technicians
Introduction
In industrial motor control, we often work with contactors, overload relays, motor starters, VFDs, and three-phase AC motors. These systems are excellent for running motors …
Read MoreA Beginner-Friendly Introduction for Industrial Automation Technicians
In industrial automation, an HMI stands for Human-Machine Interface. It is the screen, panel, or computer-based application that allows an operator, technician, or engineer …
Read MoreUsing CTU, CTD, and RES to Count Real-World Events
Counters are one of the most useful instructions in PLC programming because industrial machines are constantly counting something.
A PLC may need to …
Read MoreThe Basic Foundation of Every PLC-Controlled System
Every PLC-controlled machine, no matter how simple or complex, follows the same basic control idea:
Inputs provide information, logic makes decisions, and outputs perform the …
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