Author: Lukas Berger

When a machine needs controlled, precise motion, designers often choose between stepper and servo motors. Both can position accurately, but they work […]

The programmable logic controller, or PLC, is the quiet brain behind most automated machinery. It reads inputs, makes decisions according to a […]

For a machine to move precisely, it must know where it is. Encoders provide that knowledge, converting mechanical position or motion into […]

Among the least glamorous yet most important aspects of building reliable control systems are grounding and shielding. Done well, they are invisible, […]

When automated machinery can injure people, its safety functions must be exceptionally reliable. Safety PLCs exist precisely for this purpose, providing control […]

Variable frequency drives and programmable logic controllers are two pillars of modern automation, and they work best together. The PLC provides the […]

The human-machine interface, or HMI, is where people meet automation. It is the screen and controls through which operators monitor a machine, […]

Conveyors are the arteries of automated production, moving material and product between processes. Though they seem simple, controlling conveyors well involves more […]

Sensors are the senses of an automated system, telling the controller what is happening in the physical world. Choosing the right sensor […]

As automation has grown more sophisticated, the way devices communicate has become as important as the devices themselves. Industrial networks connect controllers, […]