Monday 29 July 2013

ProSoft Micro800 SMS Plug-In Module


The ProSoft Micro800 SMS Plug-In Module provides a secure method for OEM and Machine Builders to add remote communication features by using cellular phones as user interface to their systems.

For all Micro800 accessories, click here: http://goo.gl/q3h1sc

For more information, email: sales@routeco.com or call: 0370 607 1000 

Friday 26 July 2013

Thank Routeco It's Friday (TRIF)

Hi Everyone,

Rachael here... If you read the previous TRIF blog you will know that Helen has handed her position of Marketing Intern over to me. So... being my first blog I will introduce myself a little, I have just finished my second year at Bournemouth University and will spend my placement year at Routeco before returning to Uni for the final year. I look forward to working with/ getting to know everyone!

I thought I couldn't end this blog without talking about the top news this week, can you guess what it is? William and Kate had a baby boy, finally! The nation took to celebrate the birth of the third heir to the throne. This became a popular betting subject, people placed money on gender, name and even weight! I won the bet on gender of the baby but unfortunately all I won was pride against my parents who guessed it would be a girl (oh well, I've learnt for next time!) Did anyone else make any bets on the birth? And perhaps win more than I did?

Have a great weekend.

Rachael

Thursday 25 July 2013

MRO Asset Management Services Available


If you want improved inventory integrity and quick access to global spare parts inventory, then Rockwell are here to help with MRO Asset Management. This provides aid to reduce operating costs that are associated with managing spare parts.

The Benefits include:
  • Warranty Tracking
  • Consolidated Assess Reports
  • Quick Access To Global Spare Parts Inventory
  • Owned and Managed Spare Parts Inventory
  • Decreased Costs- By reducing the number of repairs and repairable assets. Assisting the decision to repair existing components vs. buying new.
This solution provides complete end-to-end functionality for efficient asset management through greater optimisation and allocation of existing assets. This service can help to increase reliability, reduce investment, improve return on assets and enhance bottom-line performance.

Rockwell Asset Management

For more information, email: sales@routeco.com or call: 0370 607 1000 

Tuesday 23 July 2013

802.11abgn Fast Industrial Hotspot RLX2 from ProSoft Technology

The ProSoft Technology 802.11abgn Fast Industrial Hotspot provides reliable wireless solutions for plant-floor, SCADA automation, process control systems and mobile worker Wi-Fi infrastructure. It operates in the 2.4 Ghz or 5 GHz bands, including DFS channels. The Hotspot supports Access Point, Repeater, Bridging and Client models. 802.11n technology delivers faster data rates up to 300Mbps. This provides excellent packer-per-second performance and robust communications in rugged industrial environments.

Key Features:
  • 802.11n MIMO & Channel Bonding (up to 300 Mbps RF data rates)- Supports demanding wireless applications including Ethernet I/O an high resolution video.
  • Excellent RF coverage and performance in industrial plants/ facilities.
  • Fast Roaming (less than 50 ms) with Full Bridging- Maintains seamless, high speed connections to one or more devices on moving equipment and machines.
  • IGMP Snooping & Packet Filtering- Optimizes UDP multicast traffic for superior EtherNet/ IP I/O communications. 
  • -40C to 70C Operation- Reliable in extreme conditions without the need for temperature adjustments.  
Datasheet RLX2IHNF 

Datasheet RLX2IHBTK

For more information, email: sales@routeco.com or call: 0370 607 1000 

Friday 19 July 2013

Thank Routeco It's Friday!

My last TRIF blog....

Sadly today is my last TRIF blog, as I am leaving Routeco and will be heading back to university in September to complete my final year of studying. I have learnt so much over the past year, about the industry, products and marketing. I would like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone for making my time with Routeco so great – and thank you for reading the TRIF blogs, I hope you have enjoyed them!
But never fear…Rachael is here! I would like to take this opportunity to introduce Rachael who will be taking over the TRIF blog posts from now! I hope you will join me in welcoming her to Routeco!

I hope you all enjoy the sunshine this weekend!

Helen J

Thursday 18 July 2013

Rockwell's NEW Safety Website

Rockwell Automation have launched their new safety website.

Providing a wealth of safety information and collateral, plus the key aspects of the new website include the option to book online for:
  •  Free health checks with 1-2-1s with TUV Functional Safety Engineers
  • Safety Training Courses
  • Risk Assessment
Check out the new website here

Wednesday 17 July 2013

New from Grace Engineered Products!

Grace Engineered Products have introduced their GracePort Configurator - a simple way to search for products.

Check it out here at Find a GracePort

Grace Engineered Products produce customised PLC ports that allow workers to access control panels without having to open the panel doors.

If you would like more information about Grace Engineered Products please contact info@routeco.com

Tuesday 16 July 2013

Bulletin 700-HPS from Allen-Bradley

The Bulletin 700-HPS from Allen-Bradley is a PCB Pin Style Safety Control Relay.

These small relays feature mechanically linked contacts required for safety circuits as per EN 50205 (type B).

Key features:
  • 8A Contact Ratings
  • DPDT/ (2 c/o) contacts
  • Plug-in PIN style (PCB) terminals (5mm pricing)
  • Choice of standard silver nickel contacts, or silver nickel with gold-plated contacts
The red cover provides quick identification of safety circuits. The wiring diagram can be found on the top faceplate.

Agency Approvals
 UL, CSA, IMQ, and TUV Certified

Read the datasheet here.

For more information, email: sales@routeco.com or call: 0370 607 1000

Friday 12 July 2013

Thank Routeco It's Friday! (TRIF)

In the summer time when the weather is fine...

The summer holidays are fast approaching, schools are getting ready to break up for the summer and everyone is itching to jet off into the sunshine!

My summer holiday will be two weeks in France, a family holiday which I am sure will include sightseeing, canoeing, swimming, BBQs and trying out some of the local wine (well it would be rude not to...!) I throw my hands in the air and admit that I am slightly too excited about this holiday - the planning has been going on for months and I am sure everyone is sick of me talking about it!

The passports, E111, insurance etc. have been checked and triple checked for those "just in case" moments...but there still seems to be an awful lot to sort out before we can go! Suncream is a definite must-have (I look like a lobster after half an hour in the sunshine) and we still need to get our Euros changed.

I would love to hear your holiday plans! Where are you going? What are you planning on doing? Feel free to recommend any holiday destinations!

Have a great weekend.

Helen

Thursday 11 July 2013

Industrial Electronic Repairs with Rockwell Automation

Meet your repair needs quickly and conveniently with repair services from Routeco. Working alongside Rockwell Automation, we are able to provide comprehensive repair services for over 200,000 items, from 7,000+ manufacturers. This provides you with a single source solutions for all of your electrical, electronic, mechanical, and servo product repairs.

Along with Rockwell Automation, we offer techniques used in the remanufacturing process to support quality repairs, these include:
  • ISO 9001 and ISO 14001certified facilities
  • Automated testing
  • Full-year warranty
  • Web pricing
  • After hours support
  • Local representation
Key benefits of our Industrial Electronic Repairs:
  • 100% fully functional test repairs
  • 12 months warranty
  • Fast turnaround
  • Professional service
You can view the list of manufacturers that we are able to repair here.

Check out the Rockwell Repairs video here.

For help with your repairs, contact your local Routeco sales team: 0370 607 1000 or email sales@routeco.com

Wednesday 10 July 2013

Southampton Technical Workshop

On Wednesday 5th July, the Routeco Southampton Branch held a Technical Workshop, which focused on the Rockwell Automation PowerFlex 525, Micro800 family, and introduced remove access using eWON.

This event was attended by 10 customers from the Southampton area, and provided a hands-on opportunity with the equipment, and presentations about the products.





We hope everyone enjoyed the day and took away some useful knowledge about the products. Check our events calendar for upcoming events.

Tuesday 9 July 2013

SafeZone Mini Safety Laser Scanner from Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation has expanded the SafeZone family of safety laser scanners with the release of the new SafeZone Mini Safety Laser Scanner. The compact device is designed for stationary and mobile applications with a scanning angle of 270 degrees.

The SafeZone Mini Safety Laser Scanner has a single configurable safety field and one or two configurable warning fields. The second warning field can be configured through one of the configurable I/Os.

The SafeZone Mini Laser Scanner uses the same Windows based SCD programming software as the larger SafeZone laser scanners and shares the same functionality as the other SafeZone safety laser scanners in terms of configurable resolutions and response times, multiple samplings, restart delay up to 60 seconds, and restart interlock.

Key Features:
  • Designed for stationary and mobile applications
  • Park mode selectable for mobile applications
  • Two configurable I/O for added functionality
  • Class 1 Laser (eye safe)
  • Two warning fields can help reduce brake wear on AGVs
For more information, email: sales@routeco.com or call: 0370 607 1000

Friday 5 July 2013

Thank Routeco It's Friday! (TRIF)

WIMBLEDON

What a year it has been with the tennis at Wimbledon! So many shock exists due to injuries and the like…!

As I write this (a day early as I am off to Scotland for the weekend!) Andy Murray is still in with a chance at reaching the top spot and getting into the Men's Singles Final. Usually I am a Roger Federer fan (I know, I know – I should be supporting Murray as he is from the UK…) and I was gutted when he went out. So this year I am supporting Murray all the way!
I also feel for Laura Robson – she was so close to becoming the first woman to be in the semi-finals since Jo Durie in 1984! Although she did the nation proud and definitely tried her hardest! Here’s to next year – maybe it will be the year for Laura!

Who do you want to win the finals? If anyone has been to Wimbledon this year, it would be great to hear all about it – I will be trying to get tickets for next year!

Have a lovely weekend!

Helen

Thursday 4 July 2013

How to troubleshoot an unstable weighing reading - from Hardy Process Solutions

There are many reasons why your weight readings could suddenly start to drift. A common cause of this is at times of the year were humidity is low, and causes static buildup on load cells and/or weight controller. As the humidity changes, so does the static charge in the air and static discharges can cause the weight reading to drift.

The most effective way to determine what is causing your weighing system to drift, is to isolate the problem to the load cells, controller, junction box wiring, or the cables. The problem could also be caused by external mechanical binding.

Weighing System Tests
The following tests are used to diagnose drifting or unstable weight reading problems. They require a Hardy IT Junction Box for full utilisation.

First, use the IT Stability Test to determine if the problem is in the instruments or the cable. Check all the load cell connections to make sure all connections are tight. Check in the Junction Box and double check the connector on the back of the controller. You should also make sure there is no moisture trapped in the Junction box - if water or moisture gets into the Junction box the load cell cable or load cell may need to be replaced.

Next use the IT Weight and Voltage Test and read the weight of each individual load cell in the system to see if that load cell might be causing the problem. Replace the bad load cell.
If this is inconclusive, you will nee to perform a calibration with the scale empty and then record the mV/V levels for the load cells. You can find the mV/V levels by going into the IT Weight and Voltage Test section of your Hardy controller.


If your Hardy instrument does not have IT then you will need to get the mV readings using a volt meter at the back of the controller.

Operate your Hardy weight controller as you normally would, and when the weight drifts again empty the scale. Your reading may not go to zero, but it should put the scale in the same condition as when you took the reference reading. Now, go back into the Integrated Technician mode (or check the voltages with your meter) and check to see what the mV/V reading is again. If your mV reading are higher or lower, then your scale is sending a different value signal to your Hardy weight controller user the same circumstances. This would indicate there is a problem with your scale not being repeatable.

Tuesday 2 July 2013

2080 4 -channel Thermistor Input Plug-In Module from Spectrum Controls, Inc.

The 2080sc-NTC, 4-channel thermistor input plug-in module provides fully linearized temperature measurement for your Allen-Bradley Micro830 and Micro850 series PLCs, and is easily configured using your existing CCW programming software.

Features such as input type, open-circuit detection, and high and low-range alarms are individually programmable for each channel. With 4 channels of thermistor/resistance input, NTC thermistor support, as well as 250 VDC channel-to-chassis ground isolation, the 2080 Thermistor module offers the functionality of a dedicated analog input module without compromising performance or price.

The 2080sc-NTC is well suited for applications that require low-cost temperature measurement. Applications include up-stream and down-stream temperature measurement in air handles, ambient zone temperature measurement, and air flow measurements. This module also offers the flexibility to use some of the most common sensors. All sensor inputs are converted to temperature without any special programming in your ladder logic. The module also has selectable ADC filter frequencies that allow you to balance between update rate and noise rejection.

Data Sheet

For more information, email: sales@routeco.com or call: 0370 607 1000.

Monday 1 July 2013

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Alongside the Routeco blog, we also provide company updates, events and product news via our social media channels!

Join us on our LinkedIn page for regular links to our blog pages and other news.

Our LinkedIn group provides you with an opportunity to ask the expert, create discussions and keep up to date with the latest product and industry news.

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Don't be shy - you can interact with us via all of the above channels!