Category: Mechatronics, Industrial Control & Instrumentation
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Programmable Automation Controllers (PACs) – Features & Applications
What are Programmable Automation Controllers? Programmable automation controllers (PACs) are process controllers with an open configuration and possessing the enterprise integration power of a PC-based structure. In other words, PACs are industrial controllers that combine the functionality of a programmable logic controller (PLC) with the processing capability of a PC. Basic Features of Programmable Automation…
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The Role Played By Edge Computing in Manufacturing
Edge computing can be defined as a distributed computing framework that brings enterprise applications closer to data sources like local edge servers. In manufacturing, edge computing offers an effective processing and storage choice since intensive data handling and storage can be kept on the plant floor. Edge computing has developed, and plays an important role…
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How to Wire an Industrial Control Motor
Option 1: With a Toggle Switch Let’s consider a simple three-phase, 480V AC motor control circuit consisting of a contactor, overload block, control power transformer, power fuses or (you may use circuit breakers) and the associated components as illustrated in the figures below: The schematic diagram for the same circuit is shown below: The control…
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How PLC Systems are Protected from Plant Voltages
Internally a PLC typically operates at 5 V dc. The external devices such as solenoids, limit switches, motor starters, etc. operate at voltages up to 110 V ac. The mixing of these voltages will cause irreparable damage to the PLC electronics. A less noticeable problem may occur from electrical noise introduced into the PLC from…
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Industrial Motor Control Using Contactors
Motor contactors are large, high-current rated electromechanical relays. These are special relays in the sense that, they have heavy duty contacts that can handle the motor’s inrush current over many start and stop cycles. The contactor is actuated by an electromagnetic solenoid (coil) which pulls the contacts closed when energized. They also have an arc-suppressing…
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Key Requirements for Industrial Control Computers
A computer is often used as part of a control system. The input data is typically from the operator’s commands and signals from the plant (flows, pressure, temperatures, limit switches, etc.). The output data comes in form of control actions to the plant and status displays to the operator. The instructions fed into the computer…
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A Basic Introduction to Ladder Diagrams for PLC Programming
The ladder diagram which is a special type of wiring diagram consists of two power rails, which are placed vertically on each side of the diagram, and rungs, which are placed horizontally between the power rails. The power rails are the source of power in the circuit (ac or dc), where the left rail is…
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How Synchros are used as Position Transducers
Let’s consider the transformer in Figure 1.0 whose secondary winding can be rotated with the respect to the primary winding. At an angle ϴ, the output voltage will be given by: Vo = KVicosϴ where K is a constant The output amplitude is dependent on the angle, and the signal can be in phase or…
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Actuators as Automation Components
An actuator is normally controlled by the controller. The actuator, in turn, changes the output of an automated process. The actuator in an automated process may in actual fact be several actuators, each of which provides an output that drives another in the series of actuators. Let’s consider the hydraulic actuator that controls the position…
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The Role of Forms in Robotics: Creating Smart Data Inputs for Automation
Introduction Hello and thank you for joining us here in the exciting realm of robots and automation! Prepare yourself for the “forms” notion, which is the ultimate game-changer that will determine the efficiency and smarts of operations. Prepare to have your mind blown! Okay, let’s get started on this exciting voyage! In the field of…