Latest Industrial Automation Articles and Videos

This article explains how to install PyVisa and MatPlotlib for Python. PyVisa connects a computer to the measurement…

This article explains how to install PyVisa and MatPlotlib for Python. PyVisa connects a computer to the measurement instruments and matplotlib helps to visualize the data collected from these instruments.

Some of the unique aspects of embedded programming design will be highlighted, and various standards and tools common to…

Some of the unique aspects of embedded programming design will be highlighted, and various standards and tools common to the field will be discussed. Great for first-time designers and developers who have some programming experience, but are new to microcontrollers and things such as real-time operating systems.

A brief overview of several of the major free EDA tools out on the market geared toward budding electrical circuit designers.

A brief overview of several of the major free EDA tools out on the market geared toward budding electrical circuit designers.

An inexpensive PICAXE microcontroller makes it easy to read a temperature sensor, compare the temperature to a setpoint,…

An inexpensive PICAXE microcontroller makes it easy to read a temperature sensor, compare the temperature to a setpoint, and turn a heater or cooler circuit on or off.

Use a WS2812 RGB LED strip to visualize the pose of an MPU-6050 6-degree-of-freedom IMU in three dimensional space.

Use a WS2812 RGB LED strip to visualize the pose of an MPU-6050 6-degree-of-freedom IMU in three dimensional space.

Control a fan based on the current temperature with a Raspberry Pi!

Control a fan based on the current temperature with a Raspberry Pi!

This article demonstrates how to use the built-in die temperature sensor on the nRF51. The die temperature is not the…

This article demonstrates how to use the built-in die temperature sensor on the nRF51. The die temperature is not the same as ambient temperature, but can be calibrated to ambient temperature by using a correction factor.

Teaming up a PICAXE µC, a DS1307 real time clock module, and an LCD117 serial adapter with a liquid crystal display is…

Teaming up a PICAXE µC, a DS1307 real time clock module, and an LCD117 serial adapter with a liquid crystal display is a fun, educational way to assemble your own date and time demo.

Maker spaces are utilizing existing spaces to keep costs down and engage young minds. Here's a closer look at one…

Maker spaces are utilizing existing spaces to keep costs down and engage young minds. Here's a closer look at one successful approach.

Create a wireless "relative comfort" light bar thermometer by broadcasting temperature data across multiple ESP8266…

Create a wireless "relative comfort" light bar thermometer by broadcasting temperature data across multiple ESP8266 modules running NodeMCU using MQTT.

Thread, a network protocol released July 2015, is optimized for the connected home network. It is IPv6 based, uses IEEE…

Thread, a network protocol released July 2015, is optimized for the connected home network. It is IPv6 based, uses IEEE Standard 802.15.4 and runs on existing hardware.

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.