Easy, Educational, and Entertaining Automation
At AutomationDirect, the goal is to educate customers on the best industrial products for their applications. The mission is also about making industrial control easy — and sometimes even entertaining. In this issue of NOTEBOOK, we demonstrate how AutomationDirect delivers on these important objectives.
Here, we focus on modern PLC programming methods. Specifically, the transformative power of no code/low code and open-source platforms that are enabling more integration and innovation. Using visual interfaces and drag-and-drop programming to reduce coding requirements, these platforms can extend the reach of the controller to integrate Internet of Things (IoT) and other application programming interfaces (APIs). The simplicity of the interface enables non-programmers to participate without having to learn an advanced programming language.
AutomationDirect is supporting the low-code and no-code programming movement with its CLICK PLUS PLC and the C2-NRED intelligent option module enabled.
Another benefit of modern PLCs is the accessibility to industrial data. As more manufacturers depend on data to improve quality control, equipment uptime, and operational responsiveness, they are finding ways to extract, aggregate, and analyze data. Find out how to mine this digital gold in the tech brief Unshackling Industrial Data Access. And do you know how manufacturers get all that digital data? Sensors. These little collection points are constantly capturing information on position, speed, proximity, etc. Choosing the right sensor for the job, however, can be overwhelming. We’re making it easy for you.
Now for the entertainment! We all know it’s hard to get young people interested in engineering when we are competing with social media content creators. But add some animatronics and special effects into the mix and the dynamic changes.
The team at Heemer Crafted is rooted in the “edu-tainment” industry by applying industrial automation to create interactive attractions that can be used across a variety of industries. In the article, Heemer Crafted founder Justin Hiemstra explains how AutomationDirect delivered the technologies needed to create interactive attractions in an agri-tourism environment. This is an interesting success story that is sure to make you smile!
Speaking of success stories, Mel-O-Cream Donuts International is incorporating automation into its operations to ensure product consistency and improve process efficiency. Find out how this 90-year-old company is baking in HMI, sensors, stack lights, and more to perfect the art of donut making.
Of course, there’s so much more to explore in the pages of NOTEBOOK.
In this issue of the Automation Notebook…
By: Andrew Waugh Sensors play essential roles in the modern production environment, capturing data on position, speed, proximity, pressure, temperature, level, flow, current, voltage, and more. There is such a wide variety of sensors on the market that finding the right device for your application can seem overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be. The goal…
By: Joshua Draa and Larry Reynolds, Automation Direct Safety is an essential aspect of machine design and operation, protecting personnel, guarding against equipment damage, and maximizing productivity. The purpose of a safety system is to bring a machine to a known safe state as quickly as possible after a safety sensor detects a hazardous condition…
Crafting agricultural education experiences that are also fun is a specialty requiring a mix of creativity and technology. Byline: Justin Hiemstra, Heemer Crafted Capturing the interest of a young person today can be a tough task, especially considering the proliferation of mobile devices and the obsession with screen time. However, there are still important opportunities…
The right mix of automation elements is crucial for creating a consistent process yielding high-quality donuts and baked goods. By Roger Dyer, Mel-O-Cream Donuts International Mel-O-Cream, a commercial bakery in Springfield, IL, has been baking and perfecting donuts since 1932. From measuring precise ingredient amounts and maintaining a consistent mixing process, to ensuring uniform dough…
Application Complication The programmer for the gasket applicator robot at the puzzle factory noticed that there were a number of different tool paths that could be used to program the gasket path required for a new mechanical puzzle. The complete pattern is shown below. He must apply the gasket in a continuous bead along all…
Modern PLCs and HMIs make it easy to implement extensive data connectivity and analytics. By: Damon Purvis, AutomationDirect Modern consumers are increasingly familiar with tailored experiences, abundant information, and generally getting things “their way.” Those working in the industrial manufacturing and automation sectors, on the other hand, have not always enjoyed such flexibility. Fortunately, hardware…
Applying the right barcode, RFID, and vision technologies addresses the increasing demand for data-driven manufacturing, improved quality control, and compliance with track-and-trace requirements. By Larry Reynolds, AutomationDirect Automation systems routinely use a variety of sensors to detect the position, motion, weight, and many other physical characteristics of products and other targets. This type of monitoring…
December 18, 2024 – AutomationDirect has added Advantech serial-to-Ethernet Modbus gateways allowing connections of isolated serial devices to the Internet for centralized machine communication management. Advantech Modbus gateways provide easy integration of Modbus TCP and Modbus RTU/ASCII networks and offer two 10/100 Mbps Ethernet ports for LAN redundancy. These gateways can be set up and…
December 18, 2024 – AutomationDirect has added Endress+Hauser Soliphant vibration rod level switches to detect fine- or coarse-grained, non-fluidized bulk solids in silos, hoppers, and bins. They can even detect solids underwater, such as sediment buildup in a tank. These robust switches are insensitive to buildup, providing maintenance-free operation and easy setup with no calibration required….
December 11, 2024 – AutomationDirect has added Murrelektronik Premium EtherCAT IO-Link master modules to their IO-Link product lineup. IO-Link masters provide standardized, point-to-point connections between smart devices and controllers. IO-Link functions similarly to traditional field I/O but adds the capability to collect diagnostic and operational data from IO-Link capable devices, helping pinpoint potential problems or…
December 4, 2024 – AutomationDirect has added more ACCU-Torq motors from Nidec U.S. Motors. The ACCU-Torq motors are high-performance inverter duty motors and are an excellent cost-effective solution for applications that require 100% torque down to zero speed. They are available in 230/460 VAC and are now offered in sizes up to 20 hp at…
November 13, 2024 – AutomationDirect has added AchieVe FDM series 12mm tubular photoelectric sensors that offer a rugged metal construction, high IP67 protection ratings, and sensing distances up to 4 meters. These photoelectric sensors feature selectable light-on/dark-on operation, a 10 to 30 VDC operating voltage range, potentiometer or teach-in button sensitivity adjustment, and a fast 1kHz…
August 28, 2024 – AutomationDirect has added general-purpose AC drives to the IronHorse brand. These new VFDs support three control modes, including V/Hz, slip compensation, and sensorless vector, and come in various voltage and horsepower ratings at a very affordable price. The 230 VAC models can support AC motors up to 20hp with 230 VAC…
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