Control Automation

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Articles

Throwback: A Look at Electric Motors in the Early Days of Mining

3 days ago | control.com | David Peterson

If you ever get the chance to drive Interstate 90 across the panhandle of Idaho in the northwest US, you’ll drive through the small town of Wallace, ID. This town traces its roots to a (literally) rich history of silver mining, and you can still stop by the local park and explore the massive mechanical and electrical devices that chewed through mountains in search of valuable ore in the past.
Smart Radar System Automates Bin and Tank Monitoring

1 week ago | control.com | Stephanie Leonida

Bitmasked Automation's LevelCommand uses radar sensors for hands-free, remote material monitoring across agriculture, industry, and food sectors. Bitmasked Automation has announced the release of the intelligent LevelCommand control system for monitoring and tracking stored materials in bins/tanks across agriculture, oil and gas, food and beverage, chemical, waste management, and manufacturing industries.
Beckhoff Expands Cabinet-Free Automation With MX-System Baseplates and Modules

2 weeks ago | control.com | Stephanie Leonida

Beckhoff has added 3-row baseplates and larger function modules to its cabinet-free MX-System. The new baseplates feature additional data slots for pluggable function modules and can be combined with existing MX-System setups. The additional input ports and large surface area expand application possibilities to include larger machinery with more intricate control requirements.
Tutorial: Single-Axis Motion Control with CMZ Drive, Part 1

2 weeks ago | control.com | David Peterson

Motion is critical in automation. Virtually every system includes some moving element. Perhaps this is as simple as a pneumatic cylinder or a solenoid, but more often, there are motors involved. If the motion must run with a very precise speed or positional path, we are likely to find servo-driven motion axes. Servos are just standard brushed or brushless motors with a built-in sensor for feedback.
Tutorial: Single-Axis Motion Control with CMZ Drive, Part 2

2 weeks ago | control.com | David Peterson

Following our previous article where we configured a single motion axis, we will now investigate the design and execution of a PLC program directly onboard an SBD servo drive from CMZ Sistemi Elettronici, thanks to a generous loan of equipment from Bright IA, a system integrator from Texas. For many motion projects (especially complex ones), we rely on a PLC or IPC to calculate and deliver the set points to the drive.
Robotic Hand Features Human-Like Grasp Without Complex Programming

3 weeks ago | control.com | Bob Odhiambo

Researchers at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) CREATE Lab have developed the adaptive dexterous anthropomorphic programmable stiffness (ADAPT) robotic hand that performs human-like grasps. Through bio-inspired mechanics and the use of compliant materials, the ADAPT hand demonstrated its ability to grip up to 24 different objects, including bananas and bolts, using motions that naturally emerge from its physical design.
Emerson’s AI Portfolio Strengthened With Introduction of Project Beyond

3 weeks ago | control.com | Seth Price

Emerson has created a new, software-defined operational technology (OT) platform capable of bridging many existing automation and control systems. Project Beyond is a scalable, artificial intelligence (AI) enhanced system that aims to revolutionize automation in industrial environments. Emerson’s Project Beyond is an enterprise operations platform designed to modernize automation.
Automation Upgrade: Softing Completes Acquisition of Delta Logic

3 weeks ago | control.com | Stephanie Leonida

Softing announced the completion of its acquisition of Delta Logic. The former company specializes in the provision of industrial communication technologies and solutions, and Delta Logic’s developed portfolio is expected to enhance Softing’s offering across areas such as programmable logic controller (PLC) connectivity, legacy, and modern industrial system interoperability, industrial system configuration, and expansion and edge and industrial internet of things (IIoT) solutions.
Tutorial: Mitsubishi FX PLC With VFD and HMI Controls

3 weeks ago | control.com | Bob Odhiambo

In many industrial setups, variable frequency drives (VFDs) are used to vary the rotation speed and direction of three-phase motors, allowing softer starts and stops. All VFD manufacturers offer models with different current, voltage, and horsepower ratings to suit custom motor control needs, most of which provide very similar control approaches. I have implemented a sample project for this tutorial using Mitsubishi's FR-D700 VFD, adding a PLC and an HMI. Figure 1.
Amazon’s Vulcan Robot is Set to Revolutionize Order Fulfillment

3 weeks ago | control.com | Stephanie Leonida

Amazon’s warehouse and logistics facility stow-and-pick robot, Vulcan, has now graduated to beta testing. The initial pilot trial for the Vulcan bots has progressed from a trial involving six bots to one involving 30 bots at Amazon’s fulfillment center in Spokane, Washington. This progressive testing signifies the evolution of simple to intelligent automated warehousing and logistics operations.