Parker’s Electromechanical and Drives Division – North America has just released the Parker Automation Manager (PAM) 1.3 — an update that significantly expands Parker Automation Controller (PAC) features and functionality, allowing users to integrate complex robotics into their machine controller in an easy-to-use, graphical environment. While the PAC is Parker’s all-in-one machine controls solution that combines PLC, HMI, […]
PLCs + PACs
What are sequential function charts (SFCs) for PLCs?
Sequential function charts (or SFCs) are one of the five PLC programming languages defined by the IEC 61131-3 standard. (The others being ladder logic diagrams, function block diagrams, structured text and instruction lists.) SFCs are a graphical programming language, not text-based. Being a visual programming language means that it’s well suited to the task of […]
Multi-axis controller improves motion-control performance of any EtherCAT-based automation network
ACS Motion Control now sells a multi-axis motion controller that includes a high-speed EtherCAT-to-EtherCAT bridge to address the needs of highly demanding modern equipment. The SPiiPlusES combines ACS’ powerful motion controller capabilities with an external EtherCAT network master controller. The SPiiPlusES is used both as a node in any EtherCAT Automation Controller network, and as a […]
Industrial IoT for updating the dated — B&R Orange Box brings intelligence to legacy operations
For those looking to bring manufacturing intelligence to legacy production sites, B&R Automation introduced its new Orange Box at the 2017 Hannover Fair. According to company officials, the Orange Box lets machine operators collect and analyze data from previously isolated machines and production lines and upgrade them for IIoT/Industry 4.0 operations—with a minimal effort. An […]
FAQ: What to know about integrating I/O with a PLC?
Input/output (or I/O) is central to every PLC. I/O is the connection of the controller to the outside world and to the machine or process being controlled. Inputs to the PLC can be either voltages or currents representing physical variables or the status of devices such as switches, motors, or lights. Inputs and outputs can be […]
Motion controllers see major shifts in design thanks to IoT, online configuration, and more
We recently asked several industry experts about trends in the design and application of motion controllers to get an idea of where these precision command centers are changing approaches to design engineering. Then we published a much-abbreviated sampling of the enormous amount of insightful feedback Design World received. Below is the uncut commentary in its entirety. Enjoy […]
FAQ: What’s the learning curve for programming a PLC?
The answer is… it depends. For starters, it depends on one’s level of programming experience. Either past PLC programming or computer programming in general, as well as the types of programming environments (visual or textual, for instance) one is used to. Someone with a good bit of programming experience will probably find the process easier […]
Direct from Chicago: New motion technologies at Automate 2017
There’s a lot of excitement at the Automate 2017 show here in Chicago. The event has more than 400 exhibitors this year, and some 20,000 attendees have made the trek to Chicago for it. We’ve been tooling around to see some of the latest motion control, linear designs, and robotics for automation on display. Here are some highlights […]
FAQ: What’s the difference between PLCs and distributed control systems (DCS)?
While there are differences between a programmable logic controller (PLC) and a distributed control system (DCS), there has also been a move towards greater convergence of the two technologies. But first, a little history. In the early days of automation, PLCs dominated machine control, that is, applications calling for discrete control of machine processes. Meanwhile, […]
AutomationDirect launches BRX programmable logic controller (PLC)
AutomationDirect has added the new BRX PLC platform to the Do-more line of programmable logic controllers. Starting at $199, the compact BRX PLCs offer outstanding features including built-in data logging, motion control, serial and Ethernet communication, an interchangeable (hot-swappable) communications port and integrated high-speed I/O. Support for EtherNet/IP, Modbus RTU and TCP, ASCII and custom […]
