Variable frequency drive units can be found inside tons of control cabinets, but what happens if you disassemble one to see what’s inside and how it works? We did just that. The results might surprise you. Here at this, we’ve been on a bit of a variable frequency drive (VFD) kick recently, but who can … Read more
Nearly all industrial engineers have heard of a VFD. But what does VFD stand for, how do they work, and why would we prefer using a VFD to control motors for heavy loads? The VFD solves the challenges of driving a 3-phase motor with careful speed control and efficiency, without being overly cost-prohibitive in most … Read more
An age-old debate in PLC programming: investigating the uses and caveats of latching software commands versus seal-in ladder logic for industrial control applications. One of the most popular programming languages used with industrial automation controllers today is called ladder logic, following in the footsteps of the previous method of control which used interlocking electrical relays. … Read more
Software distribution models have historically been on premises, however, as industry has become more digital, cloud-based solutions have become increasingly popular, including SaaS and its variants, IaaS and PaaS. See our previous article covering cloud computing and the IIoT: Cloud Computing and the Industrial Internet of Things Our previous article covered basic concepts about cloud … Read more
Over the last decade, cloud service providers have improved technology, particularly data security and integrity. These remain the top concern of many manufacturing businesses, but as improvements are rolled out, more and more companies are adopting cloud solutions. What is Cloud Computing? The cloud is a collection of servers that enable access to software and … Read more
As commercial and industrial software migrates to ‘cloud-based’ and ‘subscription’ models, what does it mean? How does it affect the usability and security of critical parts of control infrastructure? When this author first built a computer in the mid-1990s, software was simple. It was purchased at the store and included a set of floppy disks or … Read more
The next part of our Python learning journey will touch upon control flow, critical to implementing logic in programs. The concept is broad and the first topic to cover will be if/elif statements. Conditional statements are the first form of control flow we will learn. They are known formally as if / else statements. The … Read more
Nidec’s Control Techniques has launched the SI-BACnet IP add-on module for new and existing HVAC drives to help communicate between devices and create a connected automated building. Recently, Japan-based industrial control manufacturer Nidec announced the release of a new product designed to drive more building automation capability toward motor control systems: the SI-BACnet IP module. … Read more
Distributed control systems (DCS) evolved out of control systems for facilities, but their scope can be difficult to fully understand. This article explores the role of a DCS and how it fits in with PLCs and PACs. The early days of machine control centers were limited by the fairly basic capabilities of the CPUs inside … Read more
Industrial network switches connect automation equipment, controllers, and other such devices. Learn about unmanaged, managed, and PoE enabled switches, as well as the differences between switches, routers, and hubs. Take a look at our previous articles to learn what control engineers need to know about networking gear: Introduction to Servers for Industrial Applications Introduction to … Read more