#12: Industrial Automation Products: An Overview

What kind of products are used in Industrial Automation and manufacturing? Are computers used to control machines? Why are industrial components so expensive compared to commercial products? A look at some of the items used in manufacturing.

TAKEAWAYS

Controllers (01:00 – 7:20)

Types of controllers: PLC, DCS, process and microcontrollers, timers and counters, computers, even pneumatic!

Sensors (7:20 – 18:25)

What do industrial sensors detect? Photoelectrics, Inductive and capacitive proximity switches, limit switches, buttons and switches are examples of “discrete” sensors. Analog sensors, linear current and voltage, thermocouples are examples of analog sensors. Color detection, encoders and resolvers, machine vision are examples of sensors that don’t fall cleanly into analog and discrete categories.

Actuators (20:10 – 23:20)

Things that move, fluid power and motors. Servos and steppers. Indicators…

Actuator Controllers (23:20 – 29:20)

fluid power accessories, VFDs and other motor controls.

Associated Devices (29:20-33:30)

Transformers, fuses and breakers, power supplies, wire distribution, relays, enclosures, wire, labels etc.

Software (33:30-34:20)

SCADA, CAD, programming, sizing

Machinery Types (34:20-37:50)

A few of the types of machines you might see in a typical factory, process control and utilities.

Links mentioned in this episode

Automation Consulting, LLC, www.automationllc.com

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