Programmable Controllers

New Generation of HVAC Programmable Controllers by Danfoss

Danfoss Introduces New Generation HVAC Programmable Controller Portfolio: Danfoss announces the Alsmart Universal Controller platform which is a new-generation programmable controller portfolio for the HVAC market. The platform has been designed to meet today’s advanced needs as well as tomorrow’s combining flexible and advanced control features, multiple communication options, the...

PLC-Next Makes OPC-UA Easy

New PLCNext Article Details How They Make OPC-UA Easy: OPC UA is a crucial standard for representing and accessing complex data in Industry 4.0. It offers data modeling, security features, and various communication paradigms. However, OPC UA's complexity can be challenging for new users. To address this, Phoenix Contact provides...

What’s New With Rockwell’s Logix and View (P191)

This week I take a look at what's new with Rockwell's Logix and View products as seen at Automation Fair 2023 in this episode of The Automation Podcast. For more information, check out the "Show Notes" located below the video. Watch to the Podcast on The Automation Blog: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5e-OwgpQYM?si=cIwH_l0qjTupvUyC] Listen to the...

Tech Talk: Siemens S7-1500V Virtual PLC (TT001)

This week I meet up with John DeTellem and Bryan Lilly to learn all about the Siemens S7-1500V Virtual PLC in this episode of Automation Tech Talk. For more information, check out the "Show Notes" located below the video. Watch to the Show on The Automation Blog: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfJiHXxAlyE?si=dNwhFF_tEpoXbGWi&w=720&h=387] Automation Tech Talk is...

Horner Automation OCS: PLC, HMI and Distributed IO (P186)

This week I meet up with Chuck Ridgeway of Horner Automation to learn all about their OCS All-in-one Controllers in this episode of The Automation Podcast. For more information, check out the "Show Notes" located below the video. [vimeo 899619700]https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js The Automation Podcast is also available on most Video and Podcasting platforms,...

What is PLCnext, and How To Use It (P183)

This week my guest is Zachary Stank of Phoenix Contact, and he introduces us to PLCnext and demos how to program it in this episode of The Automation Podcast. For more information, check out the "Show Notes" located below the video. [vimeo 893887802]https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js The Automation Podcast is also available on most Video...

Straton Redundancy S2 ProfinetIO

As we previously reported, the Straton redundant runtime now supports S2 redundancy on ProfinetIO. In this configuration, the Primary and Secondary controllers both connect to devices on Profinet, allowing active switching with low latency, avoiding temporary network failures. S2 redundancy also allows a reduction of the switching time from one controller...

FLEXHA 5000 I/O from Rockwell Automation (P167)

Today my guests are Armand Prezioso and Chris Stearns of Rockwell Automation, and they bring us up to speed on their new High Availability Distributed I/O, FLEXHA 5000, in this episode of The Automation Podcast. For more information, check out the "Show Notes" located below the video. Watch the Podcast: [vimeo 855099432...

Evolution of the Programmable Controller (P165)

Today I share some high points from the evolution of Programmable Controllers in this episode of The Automation Podcast. For more information, check out the "Show Notes" located below the video. Watch the Podcast: [vimeo 851003017 w=750 h=420] The Automation Podcast is also available on most Video and Podcasting platforms, and direct links...

Modicon Machine Level PLC Product Line Update (P161)

Today my guests include Mohua Ghosh, Joel Zupancic, and Jay Cortel of Schneider Electric who introduce us to the current line of Machine Level Modicon PLCs in this episode of The Automation Podcast. For more information, check out the "Show Notes" located below the video. Watch the Podcast: [vimeo 842601350 w=750 h=420] The...

PLCs vs PACs: Did Digi-Key get it right? I’m not so sure… (qa230316)

Automation Q & A from the Morning Show dated 03/16/23: There's no question that Digi-Key has contributed to the industry with its many high quality (and completely free) technical articles. But the question today is if they got the difference between PLCs and PACs right in their recent article, a...

S7 PLCSim, TIA Portal v18 – Create and Test PLC Programs (T010)

In this edition of Automation Tech Tips, I walk through how to create your first PLC Program in TIA Portal v18, and then run it inside of the free PLCSim software. NOTE: If you need to learn how to use the S7 PLC, check out my S7 PLC Course. It...

Industrial PLCs based on Arduino and Raspberry PI (P143)

Today my guest is David Peterson from Control.com who comes on the show to share his experience with PLCs based on Arduino and Raspberry Pi in Episode 143 of The Automation Podcast. For more information, check out the "Show Notes" located below the video. Watch the Podcast: [vimeo 803631201 w=750 h=420] The Automation...

CompactLogix – Why Does Its IP Address Keep Changing? (qa230221)

Automation Q & A from the Morning Show dated 02/21/23: A reader recently asked why does his CompactLogix's IP Address keep  reverting back to the old value every time he cycles power, and I share my thoughts on that in today's Automation Q&A. NOTE: You'll find the articles mentioned in this...

TIA Portal – How To Download A Free Trial (2023, T007)

In this edition of Automation Tech Tips I walk through how to download the free trial of TIA Portal v18. NOTE: If you need to learn how to use TIA Portal, check out my S7 Level 1 PLC course. It comes with instructor support and never expires. Automation Tech Tip Video:...

RSLinx – What To Do When The Ethernet/IP Driver Won’t Find Your Device (T006)

In this edition of Automation Tech Tips, I walk through how to setup the Ethernet Devices Driver in RSLinx Classic, which can be helpful if your device is not showing up in the Ethernet/IP driver. NOTE: If you need to learn how to use the CompactLogix, check out my CompactLogix...

BOOTP-DHCP Utility – Why Won’t It Disable BOOTP? (qa230210)

Automation Q & A from the Morning Show dated 02/10/23: I was recently asked by a community member what to do if the BOOTP-DHCP Tool/Utility wouldn't disable the BOOTP setting in a PLC and HMI, and I share my thoughts on that question in today's Automation Q&A below. NOTE: For our...

Message (MSG) – ControlLogix to PowerFlex 525? (qa230208)

Automation Q & A from the Morning Show dated 02/08/23: Recently I was asked by a community member if they could use a MSG instructions in a ControlLogix to communicate with a PowerFlex 525, and I share my thoughts on that question in today's Automation Q&A below: NOTE: If you need...

Micro800 – Can I use the USB Port to Read Data? (qa230202)

Automation Q & A from the Morning Show dated 02/02/23: Recently I was asked by a community member if they could use the USB Port on a Micro800 to connect to a third party RFID device to read data into the PLC, and I share my thoughts on that question...

CCW – How to use the free Micro800 Simulator (T004)

In this edition of Automation Tech Tips I walk through how to use the free PLC Simulator for the Micro800 that comes with CCW. For the written version of this video, click here. Note: If you need help learning to use CCW with the Micro800 line of PLCs, check out...