Control Design eHandbooks

Control Design's State of Technology ebook series is designed to provide Industrial Machine Builders with an up-to-date, top-level understanding of a range of key OEM Machine Builder topics. Each ebook is a compendium of the latest trends, articles, back to basics tutorials, application stories and product solutions compiled by the editors and all together here in convenient ebook format, well suited for online consumption.

2022

Packaging automation 2022

Topics covered include: 

  • Equipment upgrades find their way back to you
  • 5 aspects of bottle-capping machinery
  • Can quality assurance be trusted without off-line inspection? 
  • Standards guide the expansion of collaborative robots
  • Linear motion moves ahead

→ Download now.

I/O systems, termination and power supplies 2022

Topics covered include: 

  • Distributed I/O delivers
  • Why hardwiring is still important
  • UPS for your power needs 
  • How to plan for space I/O space
  • I/O systems become fast and integrated

→ Download now.

Industrial Networks

Topics covered include: 

  • It's smart; it's TSN
  • The edge moves deeper into the Industrial Internet of Things
  • Edge (of space) computing
  • Cybersecurity: a precondition for industrial digitalization
  • and more!

→ Download now.

Automation software

Topics covered include: 

  • Software and IT related products continue to rise
  • CNC builders look to software
  • Is open-source software the way?

→ Download now.

Sensors, Vision and Machine Safety

Topics covered include: 

  • How can cobots and safety controllers work hand in hand? 
  • 5 sensor trends (including 3D vision, advances in sensor technology, vision guided robots and more)
  • Machine vision looks more like the human eye

→ Download now.

HMIs, IPCs, Enclosures, Part 1

Topics covered include: 

  • Open compatibility, especially in HMI platforms, can make upgrades smoother
  • Hazardous locations require special enclosure considerations 
  • Enclosure purge systems eliminate combustible-dust hazards

→ Download now.

Motors, Motion & Drives, Part 1

Topics covered include:

  • Ease of use dominates motor and drive trends
  • Motors and drives become smaller, more powerful and more efficient
  • 5 ways  IIoT/Industry 4.0 is changing VFD design

→ Download now.

Rotation & Displacement Measurement 2022

Topics covered include: 

  • How to convert Gray Code for position feedback
  • Contact-free sensor solution for harsh environments
  • Are you resolved in your position?

→ Download now.

2021

Pneumatics 2021

Topics covered include: 

  • Pneumatic vs. hydraulic vs. electric linear
  • Motion and energy drive performance characteristics
  • Advantages of smart pneumatics in the age of Industry

→ Download now.

Explore the latest trends in PLCs and PACs in 2021

Topics covered include: 

  • Who put the mouse in control?
  • PLC options for code documentation
  • Control your design
  • PLC change moves manufacturer along its Industry 4.0 journey
  • PLC-ready for today, tomorrow and the future

→ Download now.

HMI, Industrial PCs and Enclosures Part 2

Topics covered include: 

  • 5 recommendations for enclosure design
  • Vintage industrial PCs stand the test of time
  • The transformation of HMI
  • HMI software doing more at home
  • Some assembly required
  • Flexible, customizable enclosures

→ Download now.

Motors & Drives 2021

Topics covered include: 

  • Steppers, servos and variable frequency drives
  • What's driving your decision? 
  • Pneumatic vs. hydraulic vs. electric linear
  • What you need to know about motor selection
  • A clean adjustable speed drive installation
  • The future of linear-motion technology

→ Download now.

Packaging Automation 2021

Topics covered include: 

  • Consider machine-mounted devices in controls architecture
  • Top 5 trends affecting packaging laminates
  • What’s driving your packaging equipment?

→ Download now.

Industrial Networks 2021

Topics covered include: 

  • Remote monitoring aids in PdM practices
  • How to harness the best of IT to solve problems in OT
  • Welcome to the edge

→ Download now.

Automation Software 2021

Topics covered include: 

  • CAD software draws on the concept of innovation 
  • HMI software makes the user experience
  • Where’s the logic in the PLC?
  • Decoupling of hardware & software enables reduction of IoT device requirements

→ Download now.

Sensors, Vision and Machine Safety

Topics covered include: 

  • Intrinsically safe devices vs. systems
  • Create a vision design specification
  • How to choose the right presence sensor
  • All the monitoring in one sensor
  • Time for Control and Safety to live together

→ Download now.

Top robotic applications and the EOAT that helps them get the job done

Topics covered include: 

  • There's a robot for every job
  • Elbow to elbow, in the cobot future
  • Who will collaborate with cobots
  • Get a handling on grippers

→ Download now.

HMIs, Industrial PCs and Enclosures, Part 1

Topics covered include:

  • Keep enclosures cool and safe
  • Which panel design standards are relevant?
  • Standards and options for e-stops

→ Download now.

Motors, Motion and Drives, Part 1

Topics covered include:

  • Take a fresh look at VFDs
  • VFD control with the right speed and torque
  • Motor into the future
  • How to handle heavy lifting

→ Download now.

Rotation & Displacement Measurement

Topics covered include:

  • Letting the application guide your encoder choice
  • How to convert rotary motion into linear motion
  • Where and when linear measurement makes sense

→ Download now.

2020

2020 Report: Pneumatics

Explores in great detail the technology trends in the arena of pneumatics.  Topics covered include:

  • A general pneumatic specification
  • A proportional valve by any other application
  • How to ensure your pneumatic system is robust

→ Download now.

2020 Report: PLCs & PACs

Explores in great detail the technology trends in the arena of PLCs and PACs.  Topics covered include:

  • Where’s the logic in the PLC?
  • Do PLCs and PACs really differ?
  • Which panel design standards are relevant?

→ Download now.

2020 Report: Motors, Motion & Drives, Part II

There is much to consider when specifying and designing systems to use motors and drives, and the components must be installed properly. Topics covered include:

  • What should I look for in a stepper/servo family?
  • Critical alignment really is critical
  • Pneumatic devices smarten up

→ Download now.

2020 Report: HMI, Industrial PCs and Enclosures Part 2

Topics covered in Part 2 of this eBook include:

  • The next level of operator interface
  • Simplify hazardous-area HMI design
  • Visualize organization from chaos

→ Download now.

2020 Report: Packaging Automation

Learn about robots in motion, next level of operator interface, the future direction of control and more in this new state of technology report. Topics covered include:

  • Trends in technology
  • Back to basics
  • Technology in action

→ Download now.

2020 Report: I/O systems, termination and power supplies

Update yourself with the latest technology trends on input/output systems — from the uninterruptible power supply to the enclosure terminal strip. Topics covered in this new eBook from the editors of Control Design include:

  • I/O near and far
  • Keep the clean power on
  • How does I/O termination affect protocol choice?

→ Download now.

2020 Report: Industrial Networks

Cables, connectors and wire are the communications network of the Industrial Internet of Things. This new State of Technology report covers these topics on Industrial Networks:

  • The accumulating case for deterministic control
  • What will 5G do for you?
  • How to diagnose network issues

→ Download now.

2020 Report: Automation Software

The software in controllers and HMIs is what brings the machines to life. Much of this software has been around for decades in various forms, and it is starting to merge. Topics covered in this new eBook include:

  • How to document a PLC program
  • Automation, AI and the IIoT help to advance industry
  • HMI software makes the user experience

→ Download now.

2020 Report: Sensors, Vision and Machine Safety

Update yourself with the latest technology, trends, tutorials, articles and application stories on sensors, vision, and machine safety in this new eBook from the editors of Control Design. Topics covered include:

  • Safety in Automation
  • Measure Motion
  • Machine Vision

→ Download now.

2020 Report: HMI, Industrial PCs and Enclosures, Part I

The editors of Control Design have compiled this easily downloadable eBook detailing HMI, Industrial PCs and Enclosures. Topics in Part I, available here, include:

  • Make the best of an alarming situation
  • What will 5G do for you
  • Enclosures and NEMA-what you need to know
  • Control systems in hazardous areas
  • HMI, PLC and robots

→ Download now.

2020 Report: Motors, Motion and Drives, Part I

There is much to consider when specifying and designing systems to use motors and drives, and the components must be installed properly. This eBook brings together expert advice in one easy to download pdf. Topics covered include: 

  • Hey, robot, want to go for a stroll?
  • How to be gentle and accurate with linear motion
  • A clean adjustable speed drive installation
  • What you need to know about motor selection

→ Download now.

2020 Report: Encoders

Interviews with our panel of experts are compiled in this report to answer questions about encoders, and some of the most interesting applications are discussed as well. Topics covered include:

  • Key positions on encoders
  • Encoders: the pulse of motion
  • Optical or capacitive encoder feedback

→ Download now.