Guest Post

Christmas Light Show Automation, 2024 Update

Will I decorate for Christmas? Not in this lifetime... In June 2015 we moved into a new house. Our agent mentioned "the selling agent said...

Eight Advantages of IO-Link

IO-Link is an open standard serial communication protocol that allows for the bi-directional exchange of data from sensors and devices that support IO-Link and...

How Automation is Shifting Traditional CNC Machining

Modern manufacturing has paved the way for improved machinability, enhanced machine efficiency, and superior quality products. Modern manufacturing technology started with the Industrial Revolution...

Data-Driven Decision Making: Driving the Need for Remote Sensors in Manufacturing

Too often, manufacturing and Industry 4.0 are described only in terms of greenfield deployments. Unrealistic and expensive descriptions of shiny new factories outfitted with...

Automated Downtime Tracking the Right Way, Part 1

I have been chasing OEE and throughput improvements my entire career; it is a way of life in manufacturing. The first step to enable your...

3D Printing Applications In Manufacturing Processes

3D printing is the latest in a long line of technologies and innovations that have transformed and evolved the manufacturing industry. As 3D printing...

Harnessing Developments in 3D Printing Technology for Manufacturing Innovation

3D printing has been a capable technology for quite a number of years now, but the developments in machine technology and the extensive range...

Christmas Light Show Automation

Are you going to decorate for Christmas? Never! UPDATE: Check out the latest edition of this article here. I moved into our house in June 2015...

S7 – How To Add Profinet I/O & Drives (S24)

In this week's episode of The Automation Show, John DeTellem walks us through how to add PROFINET (Ethernet) I/O and Drives to an S7-1500...

Connecting PLCs and Sensors to the Cloud

Life would be so easy if there were only one PLC manufacturer, one Communication Protocol, and just one Cloud Solution. Unfortunately, since this is not...

TIA Portal, S7-1500 – Create, Download, and Test your first PLC Program (S20)

In this week's episode of The Automation Show, John DeTellem of Siemens walks us through how to create a new program for a Siemens...

Poka Yoke in Manufacturing

Humans make mistakes, and these mistakes can cause defective products. Poka Yoke, also known as mistake-proofing, is a technique for avoiding simple human errors at...

Share Your Knowledge

2024 Update: Hey all, Shawn here with an update about article submissions. After reviewing what worked and what didn't over the last ten years, I've...

TIA Portal, S7 – Exchange Data Between Simatic PLCs on Different Subnets

Easy data exchange between two Siemens Simatic S7 PLCs on different Ethernet subnets using a PN/PN Coupler Suppose you have two Simatic S7 PLCs, like...

Upgrading Legacy Winder and Slitter Positioning Control Systems

In today's article, Jeff Turcotte of PLC Concepts discusses winder and slitter positioning control system upgrades, and how his company's upgrades increase throughput and...

Logix, S7-300 – Connecting via Ethernet

In this article I'll walk you through how to setup a connection between an Allen Bradley CompactLogix 1769-L36ERM controller, and a Siemens Simatic S7-300...

Robots Defeat Humans on Foosball Playing Field

Robotics is a field of study which is experiencing constant progress. People are wondering how they can improve or make a groundbreaking discovery in...

Here We Grow Again! Guest Bloggers Wanted.

The Automation Blog is looking to expand its reach with new content and know-how, by welcoming guest bloggers who have expertise and knowledge about...

Careers in Industrial Automation

When you think "industrial automation" you may visualize robotic arms putting cars together on an assembly line. The field is about so much more than...

Serial Communications – If it ain’t broke, why fix it?

I’ll be the first to admit it, serial communications (RS-232) is so 1980’s.  However, it is also relatively easy to install and support and...