Are Things too Complicated?
Today’s post is inspired by an ongoing adventure I have been having in the design and fabrication of My Little Factory. For those who haven’t been following my post since the beginning of this year, a great deal of my …
Category: Applications
Special machines and custom projects
Super Vision!
As some of you may know, especially those of you who have known me since the 1990’s, machine vision used to be a major part of my career. I could conservatively say I was part of at least 40-50 vision …
Sensors 102: Signal Conditioning
Today’s post is about what goes on between an actual detection device and the input of a control system. In many control applications you don’t need to think about what goes on inside of a device. The signal is converted …
My Little Factory – April 2017
This post is the first in a series I am writing about a project I am working on, hence the “April 2017” designation. As most of my regular readers know, I have spent much of the past several years teaching …
Make vs. Buy: An Infographic from Dorner Conveyors
This is a pretty cool article and Infographic from Dorner. I used to use them a lot in the old Automation Consulting Services, Inc. and working with NAS. As they mention in the infographic and in their blog, a lot …
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The IEM Dilemma
First I’d like to apologize for a term I’ve mis-used in the past, that of the OEM. I’ve always considered manufacturers of specific types of industrial equipment to be “OEM”s, or Original Equipment Manufacturers. After looking carefully at the various …
GMC – Adhesives Across Industries
Today’s article is a guest post by Glue Machinery Corporation ***************************************** Adhesives Across Industries When is the last time you thought about glue? If you’re like most people, the answer is “not lately.” Adhesives are a part of our everyday …
Robotics Automation for Welding
Today’s article is a guest post by National Metal Fabricators. ******************************************** Robotic Automation for Welding It’s difficult to inspect a welded joint. Two metal pieces may appear fused together, but without destructive testing, it’s hard to be sure. That’s why …
Ladder Logic 304: Timer Application
Today’s post is in response to Dave Tompkins, who posted a request for help last week for an application. Since he posted it on one of my series posts on ladder logic (204: Auto Sequences) I decided to frame it …
The Big Toys
Hello from Atlanta, Georgia where I am about to teach a 4 day class on Siemens’ TIA Portal. I have been away from home for two weeks trying to finish up my project down at American Beverage Depot in Miami …