Tag: Industrial control
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Thyristor Power Converters: Function, Applications, Advantages & Disadvantages
Thyristors are semiconductor devices that tend to stay ‘ON’ once turned ON, and tend to stay ‘OFF’ once turned OFF. A momentary event is able to flip these devices into either ON or OFF states, where they will remain that way on their own, even after the cause of the state change is taken away.…
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Precision Control in Industrial Heating: How Advanced Induction Systems Enhance Efficiency
Modern manufacturing demands smarter heat treatment. Specifically, factories seek greater precision, energy efficiency, and automation. Traditional methods like gas or furnace heating often fall short. They struggle with slow response times, inconsistent results, and high energy waste. So, what is the solution? Advanced induction heating systems answers this call. They offer unparalleled precision control. This…
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How Temperature Sensors Are Transforming IoT in Smart Devices
The rise of smart devices and the Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionised the way industries collect, process, and act on data. Among the many parameters being monitored, temperature stands out as a critical factor across sectors such as manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, automotive, energy, and consumer electronics. Temperature sensors, particularly thermocouples and Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTDs),…
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Hydraulic System: Function, Components, Advantages & Drawbacks
Hydraulic systems are built in such way that they are able to move large loads by controlling a high-pressure fluid in distribution lines and pistons with mechanical or electromechanical valves. A typical hydraulic system such as one illustrated below consists of a pump used to deliver high-pressure fluid, a pressure regulator to limit the pressure…
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Analog PID Controller: Basic Features
PID action can be performed using either analog or digital electronic circuits. In this article we look at the fundamental features of an analog PID controller. To help us understand the basic operation of an analog PID controller, let’s consider the block diagram below: In reference to the diagram above, the measured variable from the…
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PLC Input & Output Modules Circuits
The PLC Input/output modules are control ports either built into the PLC unit or, more commonly, are packaged as separate plug-in modules where each module contains a set of ports. These I/O modules act as interfaces to the outside world. I/O Modules can be broadly classified into two groups: Those that utilize discrete I/O levels…
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Sheet Thickness Control System: Configuration & Operation
The Structure of Sheet Thickness Control System A typical process control system that may be used to control the thickness of sheet produced by rollers is illustrated in the diagram below: A block diagram of sheet thickness control system describing the above system is shown below: Operation of Sheet Thickness Control System The thickness of…
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Basic Features of Numerical Control
Numerical control is a form of digital control that is employed on machine tools such as milling machines and lathes to automatically cut and shape the work-piece without a human operator. Each machine has its own set of axes or parameters that must be controlled; case in point is a milling machine as illustrated in…
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Limit Switches vs. Proximity Sensors
An object can be used to activate a switch directly, producing an ON or OFF signal to indicate the presence of that particular object, alternatively we can use the presence of a nearby object to activate a sensor giving a signal which is either ON or OFF. A limit switch is a mechanical switch in…
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How AI and Machine Learning are Enhancing Electrical Control Processes
Electrical control processes form the backbone of industries, enabling seamless operations across sectors like manufacturing, managing machinery, energy distribution, complex production processes with precision, and transportation. However, traditional systems—based on fixed algorithms and limited automation—often struggle to meet modern demands for efficiency, flexibility, and reliability. This is where artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)…