PLCs, PCs, and PACs: When the Lines in Motion Control Become Blurred (.PDF Download)

Historically, motion controllers, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and industrial personal computers (PCs), which have clearly defined functions in a control system, were separate components. With the rise of programmable automation controllers (PACs), motion controllers are increasingly difficult to distinguish from PLCs. Programmers are building custom applications on PCs to create decentralized control schemes that command a wide array of sub-control devices, including motion controllers, drives, vision systems, etc...

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