This article investigates the basic principles of inverters, different types of DC-to-AC conversion, and common applications for generating AC voltage in manufacturing. With greater electronic prevalence, increasing renewable energy sources, and industrial automation processes, inverters have become ubiquitous electrical equipment for supplying AC power from a DC source. What is an Inverter? Most power supply … Read more
In this first of an upcoming series, we investigate Siemens as a major PLC manufacturer, learning about the hardware, software, and key applications of each product lineup. Siemens AG is the largest energy and industrial manufacturing company in Europe, and with more than 170 years of history, it is also an innovator in many fields. … Read more
An overview of the requirements, standards, applications, and main differences between Profinet and Profibus communication protocol, connectors, and evolution from its original technology. Profibus and Profinet are two of the most popular communication protocols used in industrial automation. Both protocols share a similar origin story, as they were conceived out of the need for standardizing … Read more
The welder shortage is continuing to grow. Are cobots the answer to help relieve the welder shortage gap? Trade positions, such as machinists, welders, sheet metal workers, plumbers, and others, are in short supply. The shortage has been anticipated for decades, but the past few years have been a perfect storm. Between COVID-19 restrictions, supply … Read more
As we approach the conclusion of Python data structures, we’ll examine the tuple. Used less frequently than lists and dictionaries, tuples do serve some handy use cases where immutability is a critical requirement. The final data structure to cover in this tutorial is called the ‘tuple’. In math terms, a tuple is an ordered arrangement … Read more
When setting up a system for the first time, the process can seem complex and daunting. However, there are tools available to make the job much easier before commissioning. After choosing the right automation project, then adding sensors and finally establishing a control system, the time has finally come: you’re ready to set up and … Read more
In this article, learn the basic principles of laser-guided vehicles (LGV), including navigation and control systems. An LGV is a subtype of automated guided vehicles (AGV). LGVs are equipped with a laser scanner for positioning and navigation. While laser guidance was first introduced at the end of the 1980s, LGVs today are machines at the … Read more
Designing, installing, and maintaining control systems involves a lot of wires. Each wire has a purpose, often indicated by the color of the insulation. But what are the common colors, and what do they mean? Riggs: Well, I’m cutting the red wire, okay? Murtaugh: What? What? A minute ago you said blue. Riggs: Did l … Read more
Learn how to get started with Phoenix Contact’s PLCnext and Engineer software, a platform that ultimately provides a PLC environment for plant control as well as an OS for more advanced IIoT projects. As we examine the scope of modern control systems around the world, there are three distinct categories of controllers. At the most … Read more
Every method of connecting to an industrial device—USB, serial, or Ethernet—poses challenges. For Ethernet, we often must adjust the IP address of our PC, not only the device itself. The story is familiar. You find yourself configuring a new networked device to find that it only contains a single or double Ethernet port. No familiar … Read more