Questions tagged [automation]

Automation or automatic control, is the use of various control systems for operating equipment such as machinery, processes in factories, boilers and heat treating ovens, switching in telephone networks, steering and stabilization of ships or aircraft and other applications with minimal or reduced human intervention

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Motor with two endstops using limit switches

I have a circuit where two limit-switches to be wired with motors to do the following functionality. It is to be used in a remotely placed device so that the intervention of microcontroller on the ...
Amalnath Satyan's user avatar
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1 answer
49 views

Using selector switch to engage only one set of valves

Can you have a selector switch engage one set of directional valves on a machine that can have 2 automated cart dampers which share a motor? Basically the first position on the switch means no set ...
Guitarman11's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
865 views

AC servo ASDA-B2 modbus position control [closed]

I have a very specific question on ASDA-B2 servo driver and I hope there is someone who has hands on experience with it who can help me out. I have referred to this user manual and it is not very ...
Teshan Shanuka J's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
153 views

How to connect a device to ground using negative signal with high impedance

simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab I have a device that enables a ground connection when I press a key on a remote control. This negative signal used to control other ...
Ivan Monteiro's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
582 views

Reading digital wafevorms via VXI11 from the LeCroy wavesurfer 510/MS-500

I automating a test with an osciloscope via VXI11 with python's vxi11 package. I am using the remote control manual given by LeCroy. I am trying now to extract the raw Waveformdata according to page ...
Paul Würtz's user avatar
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1 answer
304 views

How do you set up a VFD to run a motor at 2 different speeds?

I'm already familiar with the concept of altering the frequency to change the speed of the motor. So in this scenario, I'm looking into running a pump at 40Hz (high speed) and 23Hz (low speed). This ...
Ph3ng's user avatar
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1 answer
48 views

Light Barrier Sensor - clocked or non-clocked light?

I was looking for a sensor, then I caught this: https://www.di-soric.com/pt/OGU-031-P3K-TSSL-44413.html In the specs - emitted light section, it says the emitted light is "Red, Clocked", with a ...
C K's user avatar
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For SCPI programming in python, Is it necessary to install a NI-VISA back-end if you are trying to iterface with a non-National Instruments device? [closed]

[background/context] hello, I am trying to learn to automate measurement devices using SCPI commands, but instead of using Labview I decided to go with python. I have played around with SCPI commands ...
Peter James Beierle's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
458 views

Measuring sensor with two PLCs

Can I measure one sensor with two PLCs? I have a PLC that's part of a machine manufacturing stuff. Another PLC is part of a robotic arm that needs to grab the piece. It would be intresting to be ...
RubenDefour's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
586 views

Machine learning for floorplanning

I have an educational assignment to make an floor-planning tool. Can I use machine learning in some part of the algorithm? For example, I was reading the book Algorithms for VLSI Physical Design ...
user3132457's user avatar
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1 answer
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Safety Interlock [closed]

I'm looking to design a basic system that I believe requires a solenoid interlock. The basis of the system is a swinging gate. The gate has two positions, as you might expect - open and closed. There ...
CircularRecursion's user avatar
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2 answers
358 views

PLC as gateway with TCP/IP communication stack?

I'm having issues designing an architecture for communication in a vehicle. Currently a PC is connected through a switch to a series of ECUS, each one with a TCP2CAN converter. The PC has to be ...
magni's user avatar
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10 votes
2 answers
2k views

Command line interface for KiCAD

Is there a way to produce Gerber files from command line in KiCAD (Linux/Unix) or a tool which can do it for me? The same question for SPICE netlist and BOM xml? I need it to automate this process ...
Jan Rosum's user avatar
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2 answers
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What is the recommended way for starting an ac induction motor with a VFD?

I am designing a control strategy for an AC(induction) 3-phase motor fan in an HVAC air handling unit for pressure control inside the ductwork. The plan is to use a PID algorithm for the pressure ...
Phill Donn's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
3k views

AC 230V voltage line detection with Sharp PC814 switch (home automation)

I want to use home automation, so I am thinking of using an input to an ESP8266 from a PC814 bi-directional optocoupler for a 230 VAC mains physical switch. Using this scheme I don't have to modify my ...
Kalpesh's user avatar
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2 answers
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Transfering configuration to IEDs using IEC 61850

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but since I don't have much experience with IEC 61850 compliant devices, I am having trouble creating the "big picture" of how the whole system is being configured in ...
vgru's user avatar
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1 answer
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Turn off automatically - timer [closed]

I'm creating a simple circuit and I need it to turn on when I press a button and stay on for the time that I choose on the timer (choose the time on a potentiometer, and it needs to go from like a few ...
Lucas Heise's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
2k views

Timer to start car engine

For some reasons, i'd like to start my car at some specific times (e.g. from 11:00pm to 11:10pm, then from 5:00am to 5:10am). Are there any simple ways of achieving this? I thought of Arduino but I ...
anderstood's user avatar
0 votes
4 answers
2k views

Replace Potentiometer With Arduino Controlled Circuit

Background: I recently bought a Scr Voltage Regulator (10000w Ac110v 220v 75a) to act as a motor controller for a hobby project (Figure 1). After taking it apart, I found the Voltage Regulator is ...
GentlemanS's user avatar
9 votes
5 answers
2k views

Are there any commercially available PLC's that can compile/ download programs through an API?

My team has decided to use a PLC for controlling an industrial process that requires simple, real-time IO to external devices with minimal processing. However, we expect the exact outputs needed to ...
Dragonsheep's user avatar
6 votes
5 answers
2k views

Automated test for pushing a pcb mounted mini push button

We have a test that checks whether or a push button works or not, and as of now the test is done manually by hand. My question is how to do this automatically? We have considered using a solenoid to ...
Heneer's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
282 views

Setup of motor control with remote and limit switches

I have a need to setup a rig that will raise and lower at the press of a button. I have two 12v motors which run the two ends of a gantry (i am not worried about speed control - since I will add that) ...
Hightower's user avatar
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Most accurate, available way to control a stepper motor with python

I am doing a project where I am controlling a nema 17 stepper motor with a raspberry pi 3b. The raspberry pi is controlling the motor through a pyqt5 gui (python 3 is the language). I am using tb6600 ...
Fillups's user avatar
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-1 votes
1 answer
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Modify Taylor Digital Thermometer #3516 So that it Does Not Shutoff Automatically [closed]

I want to mount a Taylor 3516 Digital Thermometer in a remote location that can still be seen. It is inconvenient to turn the temperature indicator back on after it has automatically shutoff. Can I ...
Model TAB's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
88 views

How do I monitor voltage on a circuit even when switched off?

Here's the situation: I have a baby. Soon, I'll have two. So I don't really like spending half an hour trying to get him to sleep and then somebody rings the doorbell, waking him up. I've already ...
Brad Parker's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
430 views

KiCAD - Automating library part creation

I started a project in EAGLE, however found that the free version limits were too restricting. I then moved to KiCAD. I am trying to create a 144 pin chip as a library component for use in Eeschema. ...
Flash_Steel's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
108 views

Are the PIR sensor modules motion sensors or proximity sensors?

I wanted to make a small project in which the lights of a room can only be turned on when there is someone in the room and it will turn off in absence of any person. I thought of using PIR sensors but ...
Vibhore Jain's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
192 views

Industrial Control Voltages 120VAC or 24VDC

Lately I have been designing some industrialized products (Industrial Arduino / RP IO boards) for use in automation environments. I have worked in the automation field briefly when I was younger and ...
MadHatter's user avatar
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0 votes
3 answers
596 views

Controlling hardware with serial port [closed]

I initially posted this in SuperUser SE Site, but it was recommended that I bring it here instead. So, here we go :) We have a 'dated' security system at the office. It is a model that was made (or ...
Jason H.'s user avatar
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1 answer
119 views

Stop position circuit for pwm regulated DC motor (bi-directional)

I'm building DC motor blind movement. I've paired motor with bi-directional PWM controller but so far I need to stop/start manually or time it...temporary I have USB relay configured to open blinds ...
czechDude's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
77 views

Sample an AM Demodulated Signal to Bits

Is there a method for automatically sampling and converting an analogue signal into a series of bits? I have an AM capture of a ceiling fan remote as a wave form, and so far I've been manually ...
yeeeeee's user avatar
  • 33
2 votes
2 answers
4k views

start a LTSpice simulation using code in MacOS

Help me please, I'm looking for the solution how to automate spice simulation with python on MacOS, currently, I'm thinking to use LTspice. However, I'm open to any proposal. I want to make ...
Vadim's user avatar
  • 155
1 vote
1 answer
2k views

Understanding DIN terminal block current ratings

I am making a control box for 12V 5 DC motors (~1.5 A total) and LED panels (~30 A). The system will pull ~30-35 A when it is running. Upon hearing of my project, a friend gave me some Allen Bradley ...
TBP's user avatar
  • 113
1 vote
0 answers
188 views

LQR for inverted pendulum

I'm studying an optimal control for the inverted pendulum in the following figure the state and the output of the system are defined as $$x=\begin{bmatrix}r & \theta & \dot{r} & \dot{\...
Gost91's user avatar
  • 111
1 vote
1 answer
3k views

ASDA-A2 RS-485 Communication Configuration

First of all, I know that my question is very specific for those who have hands on experience with the ASDA-A2 Servo Drive from Delta-Electronics. But I hope that someone will guide me through the ...
ahm_zahran's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
113 views

designing a circuit to energize a 5hp motor when current is sensed to include a time delay (delay on release)

I am designing a circuit that would energize a 5hp motor(dust collector) when any of several woodworking machines are energized and would include a time delay(delay on release). I would like to use a ...
user135296's user avatar
-4 votes
2 answers
235 views

Is it possible to generate an electronic schematic automatically, and are there any tools to do this? [duplicate]

I was wondering if it is possible to automatically generate a schematic from some higher-level description (CPU ==> RAM, etc) of a circuit? And whether there are tools that can do that?
Gecko's user avatar
  • 1
-1 votes
2 answers
2k views

Standard cables for modbus protocol

What are the standard cables I can use for modbus protocol? lease add the price details if anybody knows
Nikhil N's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
982 views

Can I hook up a water pump directly to DC-DC converter after solar panel?

I have a 20W/24V solar panel, a module like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-DC-Converter-Automatic-Step-Up-Step-Down-Module-3-5V-28V-to-1-25V-26V/361283328807 (step up/down module) and a 5W/12V water ...
Sorin Trimbitas's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
2k views

PID parameters are given in percentage

I have a question about setting the parameters of PID controller if they are given in range between 0.1% and 100%. I have a device with the PID controller and P, I and D shares can be set separately ...
mikhail14's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
102 views

Extremely low power sensors powered from mains (110/220) [closed]

I hope to find some help here with powering of sensor module. I have sensor, that was designed primary for battery usage, so it is extremelly low power, now I was aked to try this sensor also indoor ...
Ice Planet's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
2k views

Using an ATS interface to remotely start a generator

I am trying to use the ATS (automatic transfer switch) interface of a generator to set up a remote start system using a microcontroller with a cell phone modem and relay bank (for a rural microgrid ...
LShaver's user avatar
  • 841
1 vote
1 answer
97 views

AGC which tells you what gain its at?

I am looking for an AGC (Automatic Gain Control) which outputs not only the normal output but also another output which tells you what gain it is using. I need this for an automatic voltage meter I am ...
S.Korai's user avatar
  • 13
0 votes
2 answers
149 views

What are automatable rheostats called?

I need to find something like this but that is automatable, over I2C or GPIB or something. Is there a name for this? I am having problems finding something. Worst case I can buy this and hook up a ...
SwimBikeRun's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
457 views

Chip Design Computer Generated Files for Fabrication Process

Could someone provide an overview of how the chip design files are used by the fabrication process? What I mean is once the design engineer(s) have completed the computer generated design blue print ...
JkT's user avatar
  • 221
-1 votes
1 answer
110 views

Automatic adjusting output into automatic adjusting input [closed]

I have a solar panel with a built-in 6-18v auto adjusting output (based on draw) and a step up/down 1.5-24v DC-DC converter with an auto adjusting input. I was thinking of using them in conjunction ...
Ulincsys's user avatar
  • 117
1 vote
3 answers
3k views

Control a water pump with a relay board

I have a water pump rated 650 W and the attached relay board. Is it ok to modify a power socket to use one relay to control the phase and one to control the neutral wire? Thank you!
Sorin Trimbitas's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
82 views

Automate Noise Sensitive Designs of SMD For 95% Sensitivity [closed]

I am thinking of automating my noise sensitive designs of high sensitivity in SMD: maintain 95% signal sensitivity by adjusting the factors (1-3) in the thread What is the best way to layout a PCB ...
Léo Léopold Hertz 준영's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
72 views

250Voltage discharging turnoff circuit

I'm reconditioning my hybrid battery. To do so requires multiple complete discharges which I do not have time to be around for. To avoid damaging my battery I've been attampting to design a circuit ...
jing7873's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
2k views

315 MHz Receiver/Transmitter Raspberry Pi

I bought a receiver and transmitter (I can't find the link, but it says FS1000A and LR1 315.00 on it). I also have a set of remote controlled wall outlets that operate on 315MHz according to the FCC ...
njha's user avatar
  • 111