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Programmable Logic Controller (PLC): Products, News & Resources
PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) Products, News, Articles, Events & Resources
Welcome to Automation.com's portal for PLCs (programmable logic controllers) where controls and automation engineers can find valuable information and resources to apply to Programmable Logic Controllers. PLCs are continually evolving with the addition of new features, add-on modules, software and networks. Subscribe to our e-Newsletter or get the latest information on PLCs (programmable logic controllers) sent to your desktop as soon as they are published on this page.
Articles
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Automatic PLC Code Generation & Design Interchange Standards
Open standards, more powerful desktop computers, and lower cost software are making design, modeling, and automatic code generation for PLCs and PACs practical for improving automation. |
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DCS Migrations: Risk vs Return
- 03/19/10 Industrial Automation Asia, March 2010 By Mike Vernak, Rockwell Automation, and John Bryant, Arkema Instituting a phased migration is a major step for any manufacturing system. Although replacing an old DCS system with a single, plant-wide system poses some risks, it is important to help your production team realise the potential benefits. |
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A PLC by Any Other Name
- 03/19/10 Control Design, March 2010 By James Ingraham The line between a PAC and a PLC remains quite blurry. When exactly is the jump made between a high-end PLC and a low-end PAC? In the end, the distinction is less about naming convention and more about application needs. |
White Papers
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Using HMIs to Lower Your Cost of Ownership
By Hector Lin, Advantech The Windows- or Linux-based HMI is essentially replacing the standard operator panel, even as an embedded controller in devices like variable frequency drives, and PLCs or PACs, and has set the standard for operator interfaces now and in the future. |
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Improving Flow Measurement Using PLC Flow Computing
By Jim Ralston & Scott Monton, Prosoft Technology Paper explores embedding hydrocarbon flow computer technology into PLCs for integrated measurement, control and communications. |
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Custom Controller or COTS? Step-by-step guide to making the right choice
By ARC OEMs typically have two choices, to develop "green boards," which are internally designed custom controllers, or to apply COTS (commercial-off-the-shelf) micro PLCs. This whitepaper will examine some of the important and sometimes overlooked factors involved in choosing between a custom controller and a COTS micro PLC. |
Application Stories
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Using Industrial Wireless Ethernet in Mining Systems
By Moxa A mine uses a combination of Moxa's AWK-1100 wireless AP/Bridge/AP Client and an industrial Ethernet switch. PLCs connect to the switch, which connects to an AWK-1100 wireless AP. Another switch/AP combination is used at the control end of the system. |
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Oystar Jones Puts the PLC in Packaging Equipment
- 03/19/10 Control Design, March 2010 By Mike Bacidore Oystar Jones’ soap packaging machines use PLCs, servo motion, discrete I/O, analog I/O, variable frequency drives and operator touchscreens, and a mix of hardwired and digital networking, depending on the vintage of upstream and downstream equipment. |
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Schneider Electric provides interface for Nicholl Food Packaging
- 03/13/10 Process and Control Today, March 2010 Nicholl Food Packaging in the UK had problems with failure of HMIs, some apparently caused by machine vibration. They installed Magelis HMIs with touch screens and interfaced them to the plant’s old PLCs. |
Resources & Literature
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Poll Question - How many different networks do you have in your facility?
How many different communication networks do you have implemented in factories and/or plants? The list of available networks includes, but is not limited to: Foundation Fieldbus, ControlNet, PROFIBUS, Interbus, AS-Interface, CanOpen, CC-Link, PROFINET, HART, Ethernet, EtherCAT, Ethernet Powerlink, SERCOS, Modbus, LonWorks and DeviceNet. |
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AutomationDirect Industrial Automation Product Reference Catalog
Desk Reference contains detailed product descriptions complemented by plenty of technical illustrations, step-by-step procedures for selecting various PLC hardware and software, PC-based control, operator interface, motor contactors, drives, sensing equipment, connection systems, and much more. |
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Siemens Automation and Drives Interactive CD Catalog
The interactive catalog of Siemens Automation and Drives Business (CA01) gives you information on more than 80,000 products and systems used for industrial automation and control. |
Training & Seminars
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Opto 22 Remote I/O for Allen-Bradley Logix seminar
Half-day technical seminar, hosted by Opto 22, shows how to add intelligent remote I/O to Allen-Bradley PLC/PAC systems without programming. |
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Opto 22 introduces SNAP IO Learning Center
- 05/05/09
Learning Center provides all the hardware, software, and instrumentation required to learn how Opto 22 I/O can connect to and communicate with Allen-Bradley Logix systems. |
Featured Products
Product Announcements
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Rockwell Software enhances RSLogix 5000 programming package
- 03/15/10
Enhancements include integrated motion on EtherNet/IP, high-integrity add-on instructions, and one-to-one transmission of EtherNet/IP I/O data. |
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mikroElektronika announces PICPLC4 PLC
- 03/14/10
PICPLC4 v6 PLC includes four relay outputs, GSM/GPRS communication and Ethernet. Price: $99. |
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EPSON introduces G1 Mini SCARA robots
- 03/11/10
G1 Mini SCARA robots are available in arm reaches of 175 or 225mm. |
Company & Organization News
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ISA selects Automation.com as advertising sales partner
In addition to daily and weekly digital and online content, ISA will publish 6 print issues of InTech magazine in 2010. ISA selected Automation.com as the advertising sales representative for InTech magazine’s print, digital, and online editions. |
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ARC says prices are coming down on automation products
- 03/07/10 One element contributing to the price erosion is that controllers are rapidly becoming an automation commodity in some sectors. |
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WAGO offers free IEC 61131-3 training
- 03/04/10 WAGO is hosting five free IEC 61131-3 programming training seminars for customers at its Milwaukee area headquarters. |
Project News
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Software Toolbox to provide graphics to Rockwell Automation
- 03/15/10 Software Toolbox will provide its Symbol Factory technology to users of FactoryTalk View Site Edition and FactoryTalk View Machine Edition from Rockwell Automation. |
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Cotton ginning firm invests with APAG
- 01/24/10 Process and Control Engineering, January 2010 By Sarah Falson Atlantic Pacific Automation Group (APAG), will upgrade safety and motion control systems at Namoi Cotton Commodities in Australia. Equipment includes Parker Hannifin HMI panels, 30 Parker Variable Speed Drives, a PLC for process control, and Pilz’s PNOZmulti system for safety control of plant and equipment. |
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Siemens to automate algae biofuels production
- 12/08/09 Siemens will supply a Simatic S7-300 controller and Micromaster drives to Renewed World Energies to automate its new Georgetown County, S.C., facility. |
Events
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