Latest Industrial Automation Articles and Videos

Using an LCD increases the versatility of any microcontroller by displaying data outputs and memory contents. This serial…

Using an LCD increases the versatility of any microcontroller by displaying data outputs and memory contents. This serial adapter uses only one I/O.

Part 4 introduces the readadc, select, case, and endselect PICAXE BASIC commands. It is the fourth article in a…

Part 4 introduces the readadc, select, case, and endselect PICAXE BASIC commands. It is the fourth article in a multi-part series on writing PICAXE code.

A guide on how to assemble SMT PCB with bench-top equipment. While a similar setup can be accomplished for much less,…

A guide on how to assemble SMT PCB with bench-top equipment. While a similar setup can be accomplished for much less, this is the dream setup.

MQ Telemetry Transport (MQTT) is a popular low-overhead messaging protocol used by many IoT devices to communicate. This…

MQ Telemetry Transport (MQTT) is a popular low-overhead messaging protocol used by many IoT devices to communicate. This tutorial will show the user how to to set up a basic MQTT network using Python on his or her computer and an ESP8266 running the NodeMCU firmware.

Adding variable speed control and battery monitoring to a Power Wheels truck!

Adding variable speed control and battery monitoring to a Power Wheels truck!

Part 3 introduces the if...then, endif, gosub, and return PICAXE BASIC commands. It is the third article in a multi-part…

Part 3 introduces the if...then, endif, gosub, and return PICAXE BASIC commands. It is the third article in a multi-part series on writing PICAXE code.

This article walks through SCADA systems used to automate various power systems used in numerous industries. It also…

This article walks through SCADA systems used to automate various power systems used in numerous industries. It also details what the system is made up of, how they optimize performance in large-scale systems, and how these systems still poses a threat to a company's vulnerability to data and resources.

A guideline for proper considerations when making electrical platforms that can be easily, cheaply, and quickly…

A guideline for proper considerations when making electrical platforms that can be easily, cheaply, and quickly manufactured. The purpose and methods of proper board design, validation, testing, and technical support is discussed, from small to large scale production.

Control systems engineering requires knowledge of at least two basic components of a system: the plant, which describes…

Control systems engineering requires knowledge of at least two basic components of a system: the plant, which describes the mathematically described behavior of your system, and the output, which is the goal you are trying to reach.

A look back at National Instruments' Week, a technology conference held in Austin, TX, from August 3-6th every year.…

A look back at National Instruments' Week, a technology conference held in Austin, TX, from August 3-6th every year. Attended by major players in nearly every industry, this event sets out to determine the course of technology.

Building on skills developed in the introductory KiCad tutorial, this article will focus on creating custom parts and…

Building on skills developed in the introductory KiCad tutorial, this article will focus on creating custom parts and adding them to a local library, expanding the default libraries to include community repositories, and contributing parts back into the open source ecosystem. The end product will be a MAX31855 K-type thermocouple amplifier which can be used for a huge array of temperature sensing projects.

This article walks through the very basics of quantum computing and how they are designed. It will also provide accurate…

This article walks through the very basics of quantum computing and how they are designed. It will also provide accurate information about the principles behind quantum theory that helps quantum computing work. The objective is to help you understand this new age technology and its benefits.

The new Ics are based on inductive sensing technology, eliminating current Hall-effect sensors currently used.

The new Ics are based on inductive sensing technology, eliminating current Hall-effect sensors currently used.

An in-depth look at transformer isolation. Electrical isolation is necessary to protect circuits, equipment, and people…

An in-depth look at transformer isolation. Electrical isolation is necessary to protect circuits, equipment, and people from shocks and short circuits, as well as to make accurate measurements. Isolation transformers are one way to go.

Learn how to install the new and improved KiCad on Ubuntu 15.04 and then build a simple microcontroller board to blink an RGB LED.

Learn how to install the new and improved KiCad on Ubuntu 15.04 and then build a simple microcontroller board to blink an RGB LED.

Rethink Robotics is proving that robots don't have to be in competition with humans, but can instead form collaborative…

Rethink Robotics is proving that robots don't have to be in competition with humans, but can instead form collaborative environments that increase efficiency while ensuring safer work places. This collaboration may be the key to industry 4.0: not eliminating the human element, but maximizing it.

The new Renesas Synergy Platform is designed to aid engineers in the race to market.

The new Renesas Synergy Platform is designed to aid engineers in the race to market.

To control high-voltage or high-power circuits with an Arduino, you have to isolate them from the Arduino with a relay.…

To control high-voltage or high-power circuits with an Arduino, you have to isolate them from the Arduino with a relay. Here's how!

Controlling a motor with an Arduino is relatively easy. In addition to simply spinning the motor, you can control the…

Controlling a motor with an Arduino is relatively easy. In addition to simply spinning the motor, you can control the position of the motor shaft if the motor has a rotary encoder.