Ladder Logic 203: Faults
This is the third in a series of posts on Ladder Logic. So far I have discussed input and output routines and a bit on program organization. This week I am going to cover faults. As shown in the organization …
Author: Frank
Electrical Engineer and business owner from the Nashville, Tennessee area. I also play music, Chess and Go.
New Book Cover Ideas
The pictures above are two new cover ideas for my new book “Industrial Automation: Hands On”. I mentioned to the editor that I thought the cover they had proposed looked more process-oriented, while the book concentrated more on machinery. They …
Ladder Logic 202: Outputs
This is a continuation of a series on programming techniques that I started last week. In the Ladder Logic 201 post I discussed conditioning, backchecking and debouncing of inputs. This weeks topic covers how outputs are actuated including permissives, Auto, Manual …
Ladder Logic 201: Inputs
*Note: Since the time of this post I have written a number of other posts on ladder logic you may find useful. These are listed below for your convenience: Ladder Logic 101: Where do I Start? (February 2011) Ladder Logic …
Motivation
Last week I discussed a little bit about a project I was working on. It involved evaluating a system that had a lot of problems, mostly due to human error and lack of attention to detail. The follow-up involved having …
Details
Not long after starting the original Automation Consulting in 1996 I met a machine builder in Knoxville who taught me a great deal about machine building. When we started working together there were only a few of us and sometimes …
Scales and Load Cells
Last week I described some of the vibratory equipment used in the system I was working on. I wrapped up most of the work on that system and have moved on to a different type of machine, but I thought …
Mechanics of Vibratory Equipment
The system I am currently working on is a machine that packages small plastic components. It consists of a number of hoppers with linear vibratory feeders that convey the parts into a mechanism that weighs the parts and feeds them …
Video
A friend of mine made this video for me for this site. Allie Small and I were in a rock band from 1983-1985, he now owns a company called Signature Media Group near Atlanta. We only recently got back in …
Free Book!
I have been asked by McGraw-Hill to find people willing to review my book on Amazon’s website. So far I have three people who have volunteered to do it, I still need 9 more. Tony? Gordon? The only requirement is …