Learn about the common applications, programming procedures, and safety protocols of collaborative robot work cells, which are often simpler and less expensive than industrial robot work cells. See our related articles covering robot work cells: Automation on the Move: Mobile Robot Cells Industrial Robot Cells: Designing for Safety and Effectiveness Collaborative robots are a type … Read more
Take a trip down memory lane and go through the different communication systems used throughout the years and learn about the factors that led to where we are today. Faster data, longer wires, and more information. These are the three goals of digital communication, and nowhere is this more important than within the walls of … Read more
Learn how to use an AutomationDirect BRX PLC with the Do-more Designer software. This tutorial will cover discrete I/O commands along with basic timing and counting ladder functions. These days, it’s not always accurate to assume that a bigger computer means that’s always better. The same is true for PLCs. As electronics technology has improved, … Read more
We’ll start exploring loops with the ‘while’ loop in this tutorial. Loops are critical in all programming languages, especially in the control world, where loops form the basis of PLC functionality. In this Python tutorial series, we have begun to explore flow control, beginning with the previous topic of ‘if’ statements. The next basic form … Read more
Start to understand the difference between analog and digital communications, and read a few examples of how analog, digital, and discrete signals can be used in a control system. Communication between devices is one of the most critical, yet confusing concepts within a modern control system. Much of the confusion is due to many years … Read more
This article introduces how the binary system is used in PLC programming and covers why this number system works so well in this area of system control. Modern control systems almost always use some form of digital control — most often in the form of a PLC. These computers rely on the use and understanding … Read more
Before digital control systems, responses were fairly slow. Push a button, and a motor contactor engaged. These days, the speed of computers introduces some new challenges but brings solutions as well. In the control system engineering space, it is well known that two different techniques exist for switching purposes, those that are purely mechanical and … Read more
Learn about serial and parallel data communication modes, errors, and flow controls used in connecting legacy and even some modern point-to-point network devices. Parallel transmission allows multiple bits to transmit simultaneously over multiple wires, enabling a device to send and receive data at high speed, while serial communication involves the transmission of bits one after … Read more
Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) are commonly seen in residential wiring. They are important to understand, as they exist to protect both the users and the electrical systems used everyday. We see ground fault circuit interrupters, or GFCI outlets everywhere in residential wiring. Some breakers even have ground fault protection characteristics. However, even though grounding … Read more
Within an industrial setting, noise from EMI can create huge problems. For large load devices using many amps of current, small electrical noise may not be too critical. But when it comes to low-voltage and low-current communication wires, just a small amount of voltage finding its way onto a wire can corrupt data transmissions. Shielded … Read more