Motion Control and Automation

Process automation is most used when talking about computer technology paired with software engineered to help industrial plants or factories operate more efficiently and safely. Before process automation, individuals would have to physically monitor the components and outputs of a plant or factory.

Now more than ever the industrial plant model has become heavily reliant upon the connectivity possibilities between equipment and the automation that it can provide. The future digital plant will connect machines to work faster, more efficiently and in collaboration with one another. Learn more.

Contemplating an actuator for your pneumatic linear-motion system? Here are some tips on how to select the best one for the job.

An extensive range of Panel Builder products feature time saving, Push-In Plus terminals and reduced mounting depth and volume to fit smaller control panels.

A specialized version of the Internet of Things (IoT), referred to as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), enables industrial application engineers to implement new or retrofitted systems with upgraded levels of connectivity that allow more advanced process control. Learn more.

Omron has been providing automation solutions for more than 80 years. Their washdown-rated products and extreme washdown products in the IP69k protection class help you deliver safer solutions to your customers.

Workplace safety is—or should be—a primary focus of every organization, regardless of whether we're talking about a classroom, an office, a manufacturing facility, or an oil rig. Employees deserve a workspace that is as safe and secure as it can possibly be.

Meet Parker's new mSR (miniature square rail) linear motor positioner. The mSR integrates dual square rails for guidance, with one of two different linear motor technologies, and up to six different encoder technologies.

Nearly 30 years ago, in 1987, the Nobel-winning economist Robert Solow surveyed the impact of IT on the economy and concluded that "you can see the computer age everywhere but in the productivity statistics."

Patlite innovation continues with improved functionality to drive productivity, improve efficiencies, and reduce waste. One of their basic themes is to help you make continuous improvements in your process. With that in mind, Patlite introduced the LA6 multi-informational signal tower.

Trying to size and space the electrical components before the mechanics are defined can lead to wasted time and rework.

Standard practices today simply use human-machine interfaces (HMI) as windows into a system by allowing some information to be passed back and forth through those windows. This method anticipates the user having the knowledge to use that information both in and out of the system. Learn more.

As the automation and motion control needs of industries using control and drive functions continue to progress, the technology that meets those needs must adapt to the growing demand for connectivity, accessibility, and efficiency, all while maintaining a high level of quality and durability.

The future of the petrochemical refining industry will be driven by human-machine interfaces (HMIs) pushing information to where it is needed. An HMI that pushes production, quality and alarm information to the right level of user or management anywhere in the world has the ability to increase the visibility and reaction time.

Advice follows on using proportional-integral-derivative (PID) tuning for motion control and robotics. High-end robotics with high dynamics and reasonably high accuracy of movement almost always require the use of these control algorithms for operation.

IAI's new IXP Series Robots cost around 1/2 of that of a conventional model due to the adoption of the pulse motors. The IXP achieves a payload equivalent to that of a conventional model by adopting high-output drivers. All IXP models come standard with battery-less absolute encoders.

With air cylinders, a compressor is operated with electricity to generate compressed air, and generated air is supplied through a line to the air cylinder where it is then converted to linear-motion force. This mechanism is subject to significant energy loss.

Advanced Process Control (APC) methods used to be so advanced as to be esoteric- too complex and unusable except by a few high-level experts. Today, however, it seems APC is little talked about for an entirely different reason: It's become a commodity.

When using a servo motor, one should consider torque, speed, and other applications for a specific motion control application.