Passing of an Automation Legend

The “father of the PLC,” Dick Morley, has passed—but not without leaving a legacy that forever changed industrial automation.

David GreenfieldDirector of Content, Automation World

Oct 18th, 2017

Aw 154222 Morley 1

In an industry where few innovators receive widespread recognition, Richard “Dick” Morley was an exception—and for good reason. Morley was considered to be the “father of the PLC (programmable logic controller)” based on his involvement in the production of the first PLC—the Modicon (MOdular DIgital CONtroller). He passed away on October 17, 2017.

Though his work in developing the first PLC is what Morley was most known for, he remained active on the engineering, manufacturing and automation fronts through his work with the ISA and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, among others.

Over the years, Automation World interviewed and published contributions from Morley on numerous occasions. Following are a few links to content published by Automation World relevant to Morley.

Thank you, Dick, for all you did for industry and the world of automation.

Unilogo Robotics’ Cleanline packaging system targets liquid product CPGs in industries like cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and household cleaners and chemicals.

Linear Servo Track System Allows Production-on-Demand for Liquid Filling

With the help of a track system from B&R, this Polish OEM is building machines that make it practical for liquid products CPGs, like cosmetics or pharma companies, to plan for short and specialized product runs.

4 Hardware Trends Driving the Evolution in Warehouse Automation

4 Hardware Trends Driving the Evolution in Warehouse Automation

As the market for warehouse automation grows, hardware will play an important role in the next generation of technological advancements. Take a closer look at four hardware trends worth watching.

Abaco Systems Announce New 16-Port Serial Controller and XMC Carrier Card to Protect from Obsolescence

Brooks Instrument Introduces First Fully Pressure-Insensitive Pressure-Based Mass Flow Controller for Etch and CVD Processes in Semiconductor Manufacturing

The new GP200 Series improves flow measurement accuracy and repeatability in semiconductor manufacturing over the widest range of operating conditions in the industry.

Power Flex 6000 T Image

New PowerFlex 6000T Drive Delivers Big Performance in a Compact Design

Medium-voltage drive for global IEC markets accepts high-voltage primary without increasing footprint.

Nidec Leroy-Somer TAL 0473 industrial alternator

Nidec Leroy-Somer Announces the Launch of LSA 47.3 Industrial Alternator with Increased Performance and an Optimized Cooling System

The Linea Lite family of line scan cameras is built for a wide range of machine vision applications.

AMETEK Vision Research Launches Phantom T3610 and TMX 5010 Ultrahigh-Speed Cameras With Back Side Illumination

Featuring CMOS sensors with back side illumination, the new T3610 and TMX5010 cameras sustain their image throughput with optimized light sensitivity for high frame rates and sub-microsecond exposures.

4 Hardware Trends Driving the Evolution in Warehouse Automation

4 Hardware Trends Driving the Evolution in Warehouse Automation

As the market for warehouse automation grows, hardware will play an important role in the next generation of technological advancements. Take a closer look at four hardware trends worth watching.

Beckhoff E Xtended Transport (xts) System

Transport System Creates Realistic Representations of Complete Systems

Provides collision-free motion with movers working independently or in groups

4 Pneumatic Valves

Festo Adds New Manual and Mechanical Pneumatic Valves to Its Core Product Range

3 Profinet Option Card

Hardy Process Solutions Profinet Option Card

This Profinet Option Card from Hardy Process Solutions works with the company’s HI 4050+ weight controller.

1 High Precision Solenoid Pump

Spartan Scientific Introduces High-Precision Solenoid Pump

The SSDP offers fluid control for rigorous environments.

Siemens Motion Control Program

Motion Control Program Features Unprecedented Level of Integration

Offers the innovation necessary for a sustainable competitive advantage

Wago Compact Power Supplies

Power Supplies Are Efficient and Economical for Standard Applications

Include removable front panel for better cooling in alternative mounting situations

M3 Sm15 Mobile Computer

Mobile Computer M3 SM15 for IoT Mobile Device Management

The M3 mobile computer is a compact RFID handheld computer for Internet of Things applications.

16x9 450l B Safety Light Curtain 1600

Introducing the World’s First CIP Safety Over EtherNet/IP Safety Light Curtain

The Allen-Bradley 450L GuardShield safety light curtain is reported to be the first of its kind to provide CIP Safety over EtherNet/IP.

More in Control

Idec Hr5 S Safety Relay Image Hr5 S C2 B S

IDEC Introduces Category 2 Safety Relay Module

Designed specifically to comply with updated ISO 13849 Safety Category 2 requirements, this safety relay module helps users economically apply better and more appropriate safety measures.

SIRIUS components are compact and designed for quick and easy connection to facilitate industrial control panel maintenance.

Sirius Modular Systems for Industrial Control Panel Design

Allied Electronics & Automation and Siemens team up to offer systems for control panel building.

Mps035 Sm 1200x628 D[2]

Robotic Tool-Changing Systems

Stäubli Connectors offers a new range of compact robotic tool changing systems covering a payload range up to 80 kg. They can accommodate several transfer technologies precise repeat accuracy of +/-1.5 µm.

3 Eaton Io T Connected Surge Protector

IoT Connected Surge Protector

This latest surge protection device by Eaton enables remote monitoring of surge data, both real time and historical, that can be used to predict future surge events or proactive maintenance.

The ASCO Series 256/356 solenoid valves set a new benchmark for fluid control performance by reducing the overall footprint and power consumption while increasing pressure ratings.

Emerson’s Solenoid Valves Enable More Compact Machine Designs

ASCO™ Series 256/356 offers smaller footprint, up to 40% reduced power consumption and up to 30% higher pressure ratings.

1 Galil Motion Control Multi Axis Motion Controller

Multi-Axis Motion Controller

Galil Motion Control's new DMC-21x5 controller introduces a state-of-the-art ARM-based processor that improves its communication, command processing, and memory capabilities while staying at the same series price as its series predecessor, DMC-21x3.

2 Velo3 D 3 D Metal Printer

3D Metal Printer

Velo3D's new Sapphire XC printer features higher productivity, larger build volume, compatibility with different alloys, and reduces cost-per-part.

1 Moog Modular Electrohydrostatic Actuation System

Modular Electrohydrostatic Actuation System

Moog's new product features lower oil requirement, a decentralized system, low mass inertia, and much more.

Bosch Rexroth Ctrl X Drive 38644

Compact, Scalable Drive System

Bosch Rexroth’s ctrlX DRIVE is said to be the most compact, scalable, and consistent modular drive system available. It has space-saving dimensions of up to 50% and can provide tailored solutions with peak currents of 6 A to 375 A.

Mass Flow Controller for Gas

Burkert's Type 8742/46 mass flow controllers/meters can handle low- to mid- to high-flow gas applications.

Pr182020 Beckhoff Elm72xx Print

Servo Drives

Beckhoff’s ELM72xx EtherCAT servo drives deliver an output current (Irms) of up to 16 A at 48 V DC for the power supply.

Inductive Automation Ignition8

Industrial Application Platform Update

Find out about the latest application platform tools included with Ignition 8.1.