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Difference Between Robotics Technician And PLC Technician

If you’re studying towards or considering a career in industrial automation, you may be wondering about the difference between “robotics” and “automation”. Some other industrial automation words that sound suspiciously similar are “mechatronics”, “controls”, and “motion control”. Many of these terms are synonymous, or at least describe greatly overlapping domains. With that said, there is […]

Difference Between Inductive And Capacitive Proximity Sensors

Have you recently found yourself staring at two seemingly identical proximity switches? Have you wondered, what the heck is the difference between these two? Or maybe you’re getting ready to buy some sensors. You want to make sure you pick up the right device for the right application. Below, we’ll illustrate the differences between capacitive […]

Types Of Proximity Sensors Used In Industrial Automation

When you write logic in a PLC that initiates motion, you want to be certain that the motion you are expecting actually occurs. This is where sensors come into play. Sensors provide indication to the PLC, robot, or other controller that some physical event has taken place. As examples, sensors may detect that a part […]

Link Building? Get Backlinks! Home & Industrial Automation Link Roundup

What do ya gotta do to get some backlinks around here? Well, as it turns out, all ya gotta do is send me an email! I’m putting together a link roundup for industrial automation and smart home automation content. If you have an automation blog, automation forum, or you post video content in the industrial […]

5 Ways To Know If You Should Be A PLC Programmer

Are you considering a career in PLC programming? Awesome! I can tell you, first-hand, learning how to program PLC’s (and how to debug under pressure) is an incredibly fun and rewarding experience. Maybe you’ve been considering attending a tech school, or have been talking to a friend who is a licensed electrician or who works […]

What Is An Automated Systems Integrator?

If you’ve become involved in the world of industrial automation, you may have heard the terms “integrator,” “automation integrator,” or “automated systems integrator.” The term “systems integrator” exists in both the fields of industrial automation and information systems. There are some blurred lines between those fields, as both involve networking, computers, and programming. In this […]

So, You Want to Be an Industrial Automation Engineer

Are you considering or aspiring to a career as an Industrial Automation Engineer or Controls Engineer? Awesome choice. Below, I’ll talk about what employers are looking for in an Industrial Controls Engineer. Additionally, I’ll cover what a typical workday is like and some pros and cons of automation industry jobs. Lastly, we’ll look at what […]

NO and NC (Normally Open and Normally Closed) Proximity Sensor Basics

When I was learning PLC programming, I remember scratching my head about some of the concepts surrounding proximity sensors. Digital or analog, Normally Open (NO or N.O.), or Normally Closed (NC or N.C.)?  What exactly does it mean for a sensor to be NO or NC? What effect will it have when I’m checking the […]