For optimal performance, PLC motion control modules are necessary to analyze data accurately. The editors at Motion Control Tips are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date news and information about PLC motion control so that you can run your process efficiently. For more information about PLC modules and PLC motion control, browse the articles on this page.

Melsec L series positioning modules adds simple motion module

Mitsubishi Electric (www.mitsubishielectric.com) has optimized its Melsec L series positioning modules to include a “simple motion module”, which offers various advanced functions such as torque and speed control, using simple parameter settings. The module supports circular interpolation of two axes, linear interpolation of up to four axes, continuous... [Read more]

Aerotech unveils A3200 MotionPAC software-based PLC

Aerotech (www.aerotech.com) has announced that it has integrated the A3200 MotionPAC software-based programmable logic controller (PLC) with its A3200 motion controller to optimize programming quality and efficiency while reducing development time. Compliant with PLCopen and IEC 61131-3, the MotionPAC can be used in conjunction with AeroBasic programs... [Read more]

Allen-Bradley ControlLogix 5570 Series offer memory and speed

Rockwell Automation (www.rockwellautomation.com) has proudly released a range of programmable automation controllers (PACs) that offer manufacturers higher processing speed as it supports over 100 axes of motion. Seamlessly integrating through SERCOS and EtherNet/IP network interfaces, the Allen-Bradley Controllogix 5570 Series features optimized process,... [Read more]

Rockwell Automation introduces two new programmable logic controllers

Rockwell Automation (www.rockwellautomation.com) has announced the release of its two new Allen-Bradley controllers, the Micro830 and Micro810, as well as the Connected Components software. A part of the Allen-Bradley Micro800 range, the component-class micro programmable controllers provides machine manufactures a cost-effective control solution, making... [Read more]

What are Programmable Logic Controllers?

Programmable logic controllers,or PLCs, are highly specialized, programmable microprocessor-based controllers used to control a specific application on a machine or a process. They are used in automation and manufacturing to control assembly lines and machinery on factory floors as well as many other types of mechanical, electrical, and electronic equipment... [Read more]

Machine Controller

In the most general sense, a controller receives some type of input and produces outputs for some device, most commonly an electric motor. More specifically, machine control, unlike a more specific type of controller such as a motion controller, refers to the control of an entire stand-alone machine such as a CNC machine, packaging machine, or even... [Read more]

Messung Systems unveils NX7 PLC

Messung Group of Companies (www.messung.com) has introduced an exclusive range of PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) that is equipped with state-of-the-art product, featuring a seamless combination of PC & PLC – the NX7 PLC. The new PLC offers extremely fast I/O update, user defined web pages, various field-bus options (Profibus / Modbus), redundancy... [Read more]

Novatec’s PLC system suitable for centralized conveying systems

Novatec (www.novatec.com) has launched its latest Novatec FXS (FlexXpand) programmable logic controls (PLC), which helps processors monitor plant-wide operations. Featuring color touch screen control panels, this Siemens-based PLC can support polymer-conveying systems with up to 120 stations and 20 pumps. Its base panel can control up to 25 purge valves,... [Read more]

SEL-2240 Axion seamlessly combines PLCs and RTUs

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. (www.selinc.com) has announced that the SEL-2240 Axion is now available for sale. With integrated security and flexible system architecture, the Axion extends SEL’s control and automation product family by delivering high density, highly configurable programmable logic controller (PLC) and modular RTU system.... [Read more]

Rexroth IndraLogic XLC PLC offers faster automation functions

Rexroth (www.boschrexroth.com) has introduced its latest range of PLC controllers that uses IndraLogic XLC (eXtended Logic Control). Offering capabilities beyond the standard functions of traditional PLC’s, Rexroth’s IndraLogic XLC PLC allows users to leverage numerous new functions that quickly deliver modular software projects.The new PLC controllers... [Read more]

Motion over Ethernet provides new level of performance

Rockwell Automation (www.rockwellautomation.com) proudly offers a fully integrated motion solution that operates on similar high-level communications protocol such as those running on other parent automation systems.With the enhancements on its programmable automation controllers (PACs) portfolio, the company now offers Integrated Motion over EtherNet/IP... [Read more]

New IndraLogic XLC PLC Family from Rexroth

Hoffman Estates, Ill. – A new PLC family from Rexroth (www.boschrexroth-us.com/brc), the IndraLogic XLC PLC family, enables scalable, controller-based and embedded PC solutions in conjunction with the company’s latest IndraControl device platform.  IndraLogic XLC (eXtended Logic Control) PLC controllers feature capabilities go beyond standard PLC... [Read more]

Triangle Research optimizes integrated PLCs

Triangle Research International (www.tri-plc.com) has announced the latest addition to its extensive portfolio of programmable logic controllers (PLC) for original equipment manufacturers (OEM) — the FMD1616-10 and FMD88-10 PLCs.These new FMD PLCs complete Triangle Research’s lineup of highly integrated “Super PLCs”, which starts from the... [Read more]

Cognex Connect provides ID readers industrial connectivity

Cognex Corporation (www.cognex.com) has announced the release of its Cognex Connect, which provides industrial protocol connectivity for hand held ID readers such as the Cognex DataMan 8000 ID readers, via PROFINET and EtherNet/IP support. Available in In-Sight vision system, Cognex Connect is an extensive collection of communication capabilities that... [Read more]

ABB Drives unveils FECA-01 EtherCAT Adapter

ABB Low Voltage Drives (www.abb.com), the world’s leading producer of electric drives and motors, has proudly announced the launch of the FECA-01 EtherCAT Adapter, which supports CANopen protocol over EtherCAT (CoE) protocol.“Combining this feature-rich industrial fieldbus adapter with the ACS355 and ACS850 drives will make available a great drive... [Read more]

Schneider Electric unveils Modicon M168 Programmable Logic Controller

Schneider Electric (www.schneider-electric.com) has announced the release of Modicon M168 Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), which was designed to help end users and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) speed time-to-market, optimize costs and improve performance of HVAC/R machines. The new controller uses flexible architectures, SoHVAC software... [Read more]

Lenze unveils “motion-centric” controller for complex machines

Lenze (www.lenze.com) has launched a controller for centralized control systems at the SPS/IPC/Drives show in Germany. The 3200C controller combines motion control, PLC logic and visualization functions. It is also intended at “motion-centric” automation of complex machines with multiple linear and rotary axes.Lenze’s I/O System 1000 is integrated... [Read more]

Texas Instruments introduces new AM1810 Sitara ARM MPU

Texas Instruments Incorporated (www.ti.com) is proud to announce the launch of its all-new AM1810 Sitara ARM microprocessor (MPU) – a new single-chip ARM9 solution with an embedded PROFIBUS interface – the most popular fieldbus used for communications among factory automation equipment.This embedded, low-power tool removes the need for an external... [Read more]

Vishay Precision launches new Weighing Systems with EtherNet/IP Protocol

Vishay Precision Group, Inc. (www.vishaypg.com) has announced that its VPG Process Weighing division has upgraded the fieldbus protocols of BLH-Nobel Weighing Systems G4 family of multi-channel weight or force indicators to include the EtherNet/IP open communications protocol.This allows the instruments to communicate with other kinds of industrial... [Read more]

Intel introduces multi-core technology that consolidates controls

The main attraction of an Intel multi-core processor is how an industrial automation vendor is allowed to create solutions using PC-based technology as well as other standards-based components, said Ian Gilvarry of Intel Corporation (www.intel.com).“These solutions scale capacity and integrate special functionality more easily than platforms based... [Read more]

JVL launches world’s shortest stepper motor

Danish motor specialist JVL (www.jvl.dk) is proud to launch an integrated stepper motor – which it says is the world’s shortest stepper motor with a built-in controller. The 3-Nm version of the motor is only 95 mm long, but incorporates all the stepper control electronics, such as a programmable motion controller and IP67-protected CANopen and RS-485... [Read more]

Purfresh introduces Multi-Room Control Box equipped with PLC

Purfresh (www.purfresh.com) is proud to announce the release of its Multi-Room Control Box (MRCB) technology that offers Purfresh’s Cold Storage and Intellipur software analytics. The MRCB is a ground-breaking innovation that enables one ozone generator to precisely control and distribute ozone in up to 16 cold storage rooms. Distributing the advanced... [Read more]

Divelbiss introduces Harsh Environment HMI Controller with PLC functionality

Divelbiss Corporation (www.divelbiss.com) has launched the all-new HEC-HMI Harsh Environment HMI, an addition to its family of Harsh Environment Controllers.Based on the patented PLC-on-a-Chip technology, the HEC-HMI series controller allows programmable intelligence under lesser ideal conditions thanks to a water-tight enclosure with gland connectors.... [Read more]

Cognex’s embedded vision systems support PLCs and HMIs

Cognex (www.cognex.com) is making a breakthrough in embedded vision systems that support programmable logic controllers (PLC) and human-machine interface (HMI) industrial protocols.Nowadays, if the manufacturing system of the customer has a Rockwell PLC, then the vision system must talk to it, said Rick Roszkowski, the company’s senior director... [Read more]

Kors Engineering introduces PleXML with PLCs

Kors Engineering (www.korsengineering.com) is proud to announce that it has concluded the integration of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) with the company’s PleXML tool for industrial machines at Marwood Metal Fabrication, Ltd. (www.marwoodmetal.com), which results in improved quality, enhanced customer satisfaction and lowered cost.Kors Engineering... [Read more]

New EZ Limo Motorized Linear & Rotary Actuators from Oriental Motor

Oriental Motor USA has introduced four new linear motor driver packages to its already wide range of linear and rotary actuators. Designed for higher performance in positioning applications and greater ease of use, each of the four new packages –SPV, EZC II, EZA and PWA II, accommodates a wide array of possible applications as well as simplicity in... [Read more]

CimQuest INGEAR releases .NET class libraries for Allen-Bradley Logix Controller

CimQuest INGEAR (www.ingeardrivers.com), which publishes runtime-free software development solutions for several industrial applications, is proud to announce the release of Visual Studio.NET class libraries to be used with Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix programmable automation controllers (PACs) (www.ab.com).INGEAR NET.LOGIX version... [Read more]

Advantech introduces new HMI Line for PLC Control

Advantech Automation Corp. (www.advantech.com/ea) is proud to announce the release of the WOP-2000 series for applications that involve the use of motion/thermal controllers, PLCs, sensors and inverters. The new series is bundled with a PM Designer 2.0 – a software development kit which creates application solutions for easy control of machines within... [Read more]

Complete line of water recycling and filtration equipment focuses on environmental compliance

Environmentally compliant wash racks are being designed, made and used all around the world. Wash rack systems collect the waste water seamlessly, filter the collected water to sewer for discharge or filter and recycle the waste water (if no sewer is available) and process it back into the wash process.Hydro Engineering Inc. (www.hydro-eng.com), which... [Read more]

Royal Products introduces Parts Accumulator with solid-state PLC control

Royal Products (www.royalprod.com) is proud to announce the release of its Rota-Rack Parts Accumulator, a cost-effective device that allows any bar-fed CNC lathe to operate unattended for extended periods of time. The new device indexes each time a completed part exits the machine, safely protecting and collecting finished workpieces.The benefits... [Read more]

National Instruments introduces latest products for connecting NI LabVIEW to Industrial Networks

National Instruments (www.ni.com) is proud to announce the release of new interfaces for DeviceNet, PROFIBUS and FOUNDATION Fieldbus that allow industrial control engineers to connect embedded systems, LabVIEW and programmable automation controllers (“PACs”) to existing industrial networks. The latest interfaces give engineers the ability... [Read more]

Tyco Electronics introduces Mini I/O Connector ideal for industrial controllers

Tyco Electronics Corp. (www.tycoelectronics.com) is proud to announce the release of the new Industrial Mini I/O connector system. This compact connector features two points of contact to increase reliability and maintain performance in high vibration environments. The mini I/O connector system, which is approximately four times smaller than the size... [Read more]

B&R introduces Power Panel 65 ideal for multi-axis applications

B&R Industrial Automation (www.br-automation.com) unveiled its latest unit that combines a high performance programmable logic controller (“PLC”) processor with Multi Axis Motion controller, the Power Panel 65. This unit is housed within a 5.7 inch or 3.5 inch HMI. This single tool is utilized for the integration of programming, safety systems,... [Read more]

Franklin Miller introduces Spiralift SC Screenings Conditioner with high-impact Spray-Wash Design

Franklin Miller, Inc. (www.franklinmiller.com) is proud to announce the release of the new SPIRALIFT SC Screenings Conditioner, which compacts, washes, conditions and cleans screenings. The high impact spray-wash design adds high pressure washing at the drop area between the auger and the grinder. With this new design, the output from the SPIRALIFT... [Read more]

Inductoheat introduces induction hardening and tempering system

Inductoheat, Inc. (www.inductoheat.com) is proud to announce the release of its new Induction hardening & tempering system to a world leading supplier of driveline components. This new equipment was made specifically for tempering and hardening hub spindles and ball races.The machine is comprised of a STATISCAN II unit for induction tempering... [Read more]

Saelig introduces R-LITE transmitting information to cell phones

Saelig Company, Inc. (www.saelig.com) is proud to announce the release of the latest R-LITE family. It is an easy-to-use GSM/GPRS remote monitoring system, which ensures crucial information to be directly transmitted to your mobile phone (“or optionally to a secure website”). It can also automatically transmit real-time information at scheduled... [Read more]

Peak and Hold PWM Driver for solenoid power save applications from Applied Processor and Measurement, Inc.

Applied Processor and Measurement, Inc. (www.appliedprocessor.com) introduces the Model 500 Peak and Hold PWM Driver. It is made to drive solenoid based devices along with a full-on pull-in pulse, then give a reduced power hold-in voltage by pulse width modulating the output. This Model 500 has the ability to reduce overall voltage in existing on/off... [Read more]

Mountz unveils the next generation Scout Screw Counter

Mountz Inc. (www.mountztorque.com) announced the release of the second generation of Scout Screw Counter. This new Scout screw counter helps users eliminate and detect costly screw-fastening errors in the assembly process. Using it is like putting the quality control manager’s ears and eyes where they are most needed, right on the assembly area. It... [Read more]

Powerful Positioning Controller offers various operating modes

Maxon (www.maxonmotorusa.com) is proud to announce its expanded EPOS (“Easy to use Positioning System”) for its second generation. The brushless EC motors with Hall encoders and sensors or the EPOS2 70/10 drives DC brush motors with encoders, from five to 700 watts power.The new unit is packed with a broad range of features and functions and it... [Read more]

Free EtherNet/IP Tag Wizard with automated mapping features from Beckhoff

Beckhoff Automation is proud to announce the release of the new EtherNet/IP Tag Wizard that accelerates and simplifies programming of EtherNet/IP I/O architectures. It is made to optimize programming time; its free EtherNet/IP Tag Wizard is a very dynamic tool, which permits simple integration of cost-effective Beckhoff I/O to the Allen-Bradley Logix... [Read more]

Rockwell Automation introduces Modular Servo Drive for enhanced and simplified machine design

Rockwell Automation (www.rockwellautomation.com) is proud to announce its first powerful, modular servo drive, which leverages embedded EtherNet/IP technology for integrated motion control. Its embedded EtherNet/IP drive with Allen-Bradley Kinetix 6500 servo drive will eliminate the need for dedicated motion network, as well as allowing high-performance... [Read more]

Micronor introduces new MR266/MR267 remote control potentiometers facilitate automation upgrades

Micronor (www.micronor.com) unveiled its latest turn-key solutions to upgrade manual potentiometer-based process controls for automating programmable logic controller (“PLC”) control, the MR267 series Remote Control Potentiometers and MR266 series Remote Control Rheostats. These products operate at 24 V DC and offer choice of 0-10 V or 4-20 mA output/input... [Read more]

New LAF 631/1001/1251/1601 DC Power Sources suit high-production welding applications from ESAB

ESAB Welding & Cutting Products (www.esabna.com) is proud to announce the new LAF DC power sources. The latest LAF series are 3-phase, fan-cooled DC welding power sources made for high productivity GMAW welding or high productivity mechanized submerged arc welding. These are designed to be utilized in combination with the company’s A2-A6 Process... [Read more]

Ethernet Control Module with logic control engine and custom connectivity for industrial Ethernet Host Interface from MKS

MKS Instruments, Inc. (www.mksinst.com) is proud to announce the new Ethernet Control Module (“ECM”) programmable automation controller that is ideal for high-density industrial and commercial applications, as well as for remote monitoring applications including high I/O point counts. The new ECM can be enforced as a complete control platform for... [Read more]

Bridging Modbus-TCP and Profibus using Anybus X-gateway™ from HMS Industrial Networks

HMS Industrial Networks (www.anybus.com) is proud to announce the new Anybus X-gateway, which enables system integrators to transfer I/O data between two different programmable logic controller (“PLC”) networks and systems. The new X-gateway is a stand-alone gateway which can be configured to allow plant-floor devices on a Profibus network communicate... [Read more]

New TOUGH GARD™ Spatter Cleaner helps extend life of MIG consumables from Tregaskiss

Tregaskiss (www.tregaskiss.com) unveiled its latest TOUGH GARD™ Spatter Cleaner that helps extend the life of robotic MIG consumables and minimizes spatter build-up. This powerful, all-in-one spatter cleaning station operates on as little as 60 psi, it is wired to easily integrate with existing programmable logic controller (“PLC”) or robotic... [Read more]

New SNAP PAC Redundancy Option Kit to build redundant PAC systems from Opto 22

Opto 22 (www.opto22.com) unveiled the new SNAP PAC Redundancy Option Kit (“SNAP-PAC-ROK”) utilized to design Ethernet-based redundant control systems with maximum distributed intelligence and reliability that can immediately recover from failure.Using Opto 22’s award-winning SNAP PAC System(tm) family, SNAP Ethernet I/O, and the latest PAC Project... [Read more]

The new PLC HMI software simplifies development of 64-bit versions of Windows to Allen Bradley Controllers

CimQuest INGEAR is proud to announce its latest Allen-Bradley ActiveX Studio software which enables 32-bit programs to operate with 64-bit versions of Windows and supports creation of Windows 7 PLC HMI applications, the Allen-Bradley ActiveX Studio version 6.0. It allows creation of easy-to-use, powerful programmable logic controller (“PLC”) communications... [Read more]

The new Mid-range PACs integrated motion and safety by Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation (www.rockwellautomation.com) is proud to announce their latest two mid-range controllers which integrate drive control, discrete, motion and safety capabilities in a single device. The L45S Compact GuardLogix and Allen-Bradley L43S programmable automation controllers (“PACs”) offer functions that are previously available only... [Read more]

Pepperl+Fuchs introduces the Diagnostics Add-On Instruction for Allen-Bradley CompactLogix and ControlLogix Controllers

TWINSBURG, OH – Pepperl+Fuchs introduces the Diagnostics Add-On Instruction for Allen-Bradley CompactLogix and ControlLogix Controllers.  Available as a free download, this Add-On Instruction enables PLC programmers to retrieve detailed diagnostic data from an AS-Interface SafetyMonitor with just three instructions.“Pepperl+Fuchs developed... [Read more]