So, can a microcontroller be used in place of a PLC? The answer is in a very narrow set of circumstances, such as straightforward control requirements in a low duty environment, then the answer is yes. However, the differences above highlight that PLCs are designed for industrial and high-volume service applications that require safety, redundancy, ease of programming, and a host of other features that microcontrollers cannot provide.
According to ISA, automation is defined as “the technique of making an apparatus, a process, or a system operate automatically”. In a more practical sense, it is a system that operates with minimum or no human intervention at all. It has been part of the development of mankind all along however, the concept was further…
The Kinetix 5500 and 5700 series servo drives offer innovative responses to automation and motion control needs for any system. Combined with the right Kinetix VP servo motors, these systems optimize space and are easier and simpler to use. Because they integrate motion control on EtherNet/IP, a dedicated motion network is not required. This allows…
The PowerFlex 525 and PowerFlex 755 by Allen Bradley deliver powerful control functionality in cost effective packages that allow you to design and deploy a control solution quickly.
The position of a shaft within a machine can affect several concerns including safety, quality, volume and other variables. To monitor and control information that can be obtained from the shaft position and rotation, encoders were devised to measure and control the data and motion of the machine along the shaft. There are two types…
While there are many options for VFDs from a variety of manufacturers, there are many things to consider when choosing a new VFD. These include motor considerations, VFD selection and how the VFD can or should integrate with PLCs.
