Standardization
In several of my previous posts I have touched on this subject indirectly. As I finish up on my current project I am reminded of how every system has its own challenges and seems different from every other machine or …
Category: Techniques
Calibration
As I work on my current automotive-related project I have reached the point where the system is operating in Auto Mode and testing a throttle body. There are various tests performed on this system including leak and flow tests, physical …
Engineering
I started my technical career in the US Air Force. I joined when I was 21 years old after holding a series of minimum wage jobs after failing to graduate high school and getting my GED in 1978. The military …
Thermocouples and Temperature Sensing
In many applications it is necessary to sense and control temperature accurately. Processing of many products and materials can often involve the use of ovens, adhesive or plastics melting, curing, annealing or other heat treatments. Refrigeration or cryogenic applications also …
Hall Effect Sensors vs. Proxes
While doing some of the minor website maintenance tasks that you sometimes have to do when blogging, I came across a site called Alexa. I always wondered about search engine optimization (SEO) and how it works… this gave me a …
Intrinsic Safety
When using control devices in hazardous areas such as explosive or flammable atmospheres special care must be taken to reduce or eliminate the possibility of heat or an electrical arc or spark causing damage to personnel or equipment. Because of …
Process Types
In designing automated systems the first task that needs to be accomplished is to determine what type of process will be taking place. Often when making this decision we go with what we know: if building an assembly machine I’m …
Six Sigma and Lean – What have I learned?
This was the final week of my Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing courses through Purdue University. I took my final exam this morning and I’m happy to say that I aced the test, though since it was open book that’s …
Safety and Safety Analysis
The picture above is a manually operated station where an operator places two metal parts into a fixture. When the second item is placed a sensor activates a press mechanism and the two pieces are pressed together. When evaluating an …
Indexers and Synchronous Machines
From The Primer: 4.2 Indexers and Synchronous Machines 4.2.1 Rotary Cam Indexers Rotary indexers are used to move actuators to fixed points in a circular path. They are built to move to discrete points and are typically available in 2-12 …