PLC
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The Modern Lab: Building a Low-Cost Unified Namespace for Technical Education
In the traditional “Purdue Model” of automation, data is trapped in a rigid hierarchy. Information moves like a bucket brigade: from the sensor to the PLC, then to the SCADA, then to the MES, and finally to the ERP. By… Continue reading
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The Language of Automation: Mastering PLC Tag Naming Standards
In the early days of automation, PLC programming was limited by memory. Tags were often cryptic addresses like N7:0 or I:1/0. If you didn’t have the “cheat sheet,” you didn’t know what the machine was doing. Today, memory is cheap,… Continue reading
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Teaching the “Talk”: Moving Technical Education from PLC Logic to Data Modeling
In the world of industrial automation, data is the new oil—but raw oil isn’t very useful until it’s refined. In a manufacturing plant, a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) generates thousands of data points every second. However, a value of 350… Continue reading
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Moving Beyond Fixed Logic: The Future of Adaptive Control
For decades, industrial automation has relied on fixed control systems, where controllers like PLCs and DCS units execute logic based on static, pre-tuned parameters. These systems are rigid, reliable, and excellent at maintaining consistency—but they struggle with variability. The emergence… Continue reading
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From Sensor to Server: Mastering the Industrial “Digital Chain”
The world of industrial automation has evolved far beyond copper wire and relay logic. In today’s advanced manufacturing environment, the most valuable pathway isn’t a cable run—it’s the Digital Chain. The Digital Chain is the continuous, interconnected flow of data,… Continue reading
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The Next Frontier: Future Trends in AI and ML for Automation Control Systems
We’ve already seen how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) have revolutionized manufacturing through predictive maintenance and basic quality control. But this is just the beginning. As industrial data volumes explode and edge computing power increases, the application of… Continue reading
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The Algorithms That Drive the Smart Factory: AI and ML in Control Systems
The transition to advanced manufacturing, often called Industry 4.0, isn’t just about putting sensors on machines—it’s about using intelligent algorithms to make decisions faster and better than humans can. While the term “AI” is broad, the real work on the… Continue reading
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Beyond Logic: Common Use Cases for AI and ML in Automation Control Systems
Advanced manufacturing—often defined by interconnected machines and data-rich environments—is rapidly moving past traditional, fixed Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) logic. The next evolution of industrial automation control systems involves incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) directly into the operational… Continue reading
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Machine Safety Controllers vs. Process Safety Controllers
In the world of industrial control, safety is paramount, but the way we achieve it differs drastically depending on the application. A safety system designed for a high-speed assembly line will have different requirements than one designed to manage a… Continue reading
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Decoding Machine Safety: An Overview of Essential Control System Standards
In the world of advanced manufacturing and industrial automation, machine safety is non-negotiable. It protects personnel, prevents equipment damage, and ensures operational compliance. For anyone designing, implementing, or maintaining a control system, understanding the applicable safety standards is the foundation… Continue reading
