The Material Handling Blog

A PLC or programmable logic controller is the “brain” for any automatic application. The PLC program is what provides and gives signals to any automatic system. Quite simply, without the “brain” the application wouldn’t work; therefore, it is of upmost importance to make sure that it is taken care of and maintained. It needs to be stored in its recommended environment and preventative maintenance (PM) should be completed as recommended.

Adding advanced technologies to a distribution or manufacturing operation can certainly create efficiencies. With food and beverage, I’ve found that there are four key focus areas that can help manufacturers truly make the most of automating their processes.

PC-based controls were all the rage a decade or so ago. I saw many systems delivered with PC-based controls touting advantages ranging from less cost to more functionality. From my perspective, it seems as though the tide has turned in recent years back to PLCs, so let's take a minute to review the pros and cons of each... Read More >>