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programmable logic controllers

Top 20 programmable logic controller manufacturers

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Sometimes described as “the workhorse of industrial automation”, a programmable logic controller, or PLC, is a computing device that is specially designed for use in an industrial operation.

A PLC can take many shapes and sizes, but in most instances it does not look like a conventional desktop computer like the ones you find in offices or in homes – a PLC has no display screen, no hard drive, and no keyboard.

PLCs started out in the automotive manufacturing trade, although they can now be found in almost all sectors, where they tend to replace relays.

Relays are devices that essentially turn machines on and off, and are said to be time-consuming and complex to use compared to PLCs. Relays also require more operational downtime when they need to be reconfigured. PLCs are estimated by one research company to reduce downtime from 20 percent to about 4 percent. [Read more…] about Top 20 programmable logic controller manufacturers

Emerson to buy General Electric’s PLC business

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Acquisition increases Emerson’s capabilities as a complete automation solutions provider across process, hybrid and discrete end markets

Emerson, a provider of automation for process and industrial applications, has agreed to acquire Intelligent Platforms, a division of General Electric.

Intelligent Platforms’ programmable logic controller technologies will enable Emerson to provide its customers with broader control and management of their operations.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.  [Read more…] about Emerson to buy General Electric’s PLC business

How to choose the most appropriate programmable logic controller for your industrial automation requirements

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By Joseph Zulick, MRO Electric

As many machine automation professionals know, deciding on which programmable logic controller to work with can be one of the most difficult decisions you have to make when organizing your control system.

There is no one size fits all equation, so are here are some guidelines I use.  [Read more…] about How to choose the most appropriate programmable logic controller for your industrial automation requirements

Camille Bauer Metrawatt launches new product which combines measurement device with programmable logic controller

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Camille Bauer Metrawatt says it has combined the functionality of a highly accurate measurement device for heavy current applications with the capabilities of an integrated programmable logic controller.

The company claims this is the first time such a device – the Centrax CU5000 – has been launched.

With this solution, closely coupled automation tasks can be carried out directly and flexibly by programmable logic, says CBM.  [Read more…] about Camille Bauer Metrawatt launches new product which combines measurement device with programmable logic controller

Growing support for open standards for programmable logic controllers

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Support for open standards for programmable logic controllers – which are the computers used in industrial automation systems – has been growing in recent years. 

The organisation partly responsible for the trend, PLCopen, last year released a set of coding guidelines to help standardise PLC programming. These guidelines have been adopted and further developed by a variety of companies.

One of those is software engineering company Itris Automation, which has integrated the guidelines into its automatic static analysis tool PLC Checker.  [Read more…] about Growing support for open standards for programmable logic controllers

Emerson launches ‘industry’s first’ controller designed for automation versatility and IIoT operations

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Emerson has launched what it claims is the industry’s first controller designed for automation versatility and industrial internet of things-enabled operations.

The Emerson DeltaV PK Controller simplifies capital projects and prepares organisations for the operational benefits of IIoT, says the company.

Emerson says the DeltaV PK Controller makes the advanced automation of its DeltaV distributed control system available to fast-growth industries traditionally less reliant on large-scale automation.  [Read more…] about Emerson launches ‘industry’s first’ controller designed for automation versatility and IIoT operations

Yaskawa Motoman launches new software for robots and programmable logic controllers

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Yaskawa Motoman has launched new software for robots and programmable logic controllers – the computing appliances connected to industrial robots.

The MLX300 software option is the newest generation of integration for Yaskawa robots and PLCs.

The MLX300 enables operators to control and program Yaskawa robots in a standard PLC programming environment, eliminating the need to learn a specific robot programming language, says the company.  [Read more…] about Yaskawa Motoman launches new software for robots and programmable logic controllers