Control Intelligence

The ins and outs of a motion control system

Founded in 1985, Advanced Micro Controls is a U.S.-based manufacturer with a global presence. AMCI industrial control products are designed for PLC-based automation systems with specialized position sensing and motion control technology.

Matthew Tellier has been with the company for nearly 30 years, starting off as an applications engineer. He earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering from University of Connecticut.

In this episode of Control Intelligence, editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore and Tellier talk about motion control and position sensing.

How variable frequency drives compare to other drives

Mike Bacidore explains how VFDs compare to motor starter, inverter or variable-speed drives in this episode of Control Intelligence.

Applications of the servo motor’s power and precision

Mike Bacidore discusses the basics, uses and functionality of servo motors.

Learning about the programmable logic controller (PLC)

Editor-in-chief Mike Bacidore discusses the history behind the PLC and its applications.

ARMI/BioFabUSA and Downeast Cider House address manufacturing scalability

New England is a hotbed of growth, from turning live cells into tissue and organs to turning apples into hard-cider blends.

Can digital transformation go hand-in-hand with sustainability?

Digital transformation can enable sustainability when done in an environmentally responsible way. Responsible digital transformation can be achieved through digital technologies that support resource efficiency — such as energy, water, raw materials and reduced waste; to support data-driven decisions that promote sustainability; to support remote access and collaboration, which reduces the need for travel and associated emissions; and to support supply-chain transparency by identifying and eliminating practices that are harmful to the environment; and to support the circular economy, leveraging artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things to reuse and recycle resources.

Selecting and communicating with uninterruptible power supplies

Uninterruptible power supplies are common devices found in almost every enclosure to protect against outages or disruptions. The uninterruptible power supply (UPS) can vary in input or output ranges, and a fundamental choice between alternating current (ac) and direct current (dc) needs to be made.

Emerson’s UPS knowledge and offerings span the spectrum from mounting suggestions to communication options.

The evolution of integrated safety logic

Two decades after its introduction, machine safety technology keeps getting more interesting. Safety in a machine-control context was born in 1996 with the EN 954-1 standard allowing only relay logic or simple electronics. Although process industries have widely used programable safety controllers since the 1980s, it wasn’t until 2002 that NFPA 79 finally allowed for programmable safety controllers in machines.

Today, integrated safety logic has found its way into a great variety of industrial devices, such as DIN-rail or machine-mounted safety I/Os and servo-drive systems. This proliferation of safety hardware and architectures means machine builders can introduce far more safety functionality in more places to better protect people, equipment and products.

Helping OEMs get what they need

WESCO builds, connects, powers and protects the world. Delivering ingenuity and expertise to approximately 150,000 customers worldwide, WESCO helps businesses run smoothly by providing solutions that can increase profitability, improve productivity and mitigate risk. With nearly 1.5 million products and locations in more than 50 countries, WESCO delivers what companies need when they need it.

Automation software development using DevOps strategies

AUTOMATION Studio is the bread and butter of software development at B&R. All B&R hardware is programmed with this integrated development environment. The mechanisms for compiling, creating installation packages and deploying the software are usable outside of Automation Studio itself (i.e., via the command line). Also, the source files within the Automation Studio project are stored in plain text. This makes for easy integration with DevOps practices.