Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all at Routeco

From all the staff at Routeco, we would like to wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy New
Year. 

For our Christmas opening times over the festive period please Click here.

We have enjoyed working with you the last year and look forward to continuing working with you in 2016. 

Everyone at Routeco wishes you all a prosperous New Year. 

Christmas Opening Hours

The Christmas Holidays are nearly here! Please find below our opening hours over the festive period. 

Sales

Normal sales opening times will operate on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd December.

The sales team will be working limited hours on Christmas Eve.

On the 29th, 30th and 31st of December from 9am until 5pm there will be a member of staff covering this Department, an out of hours service is available at other times.

Normal sales operation resumed on Monday 4th January 2016 (England & Wales) and Tuesday 5th January in Scotland.

Despatch 

The last despatch date for normal next day deliveries will be on Tuesday 22nd December.

Despatches on the 23rd will be for timed deliveries only for Christmas Eve.

Normal Logistics operation resumes on Monday 4th January 2016. 

Please find delivery information below:

Date	Delivery status	Notes
22nd December	Normal delivery service
23rd December	Last Collection – must be for timed delivery 24th Dec
24th December	No DPD/Knights of Old collections. Same day only	Call out applies after business close
25th December	Closed
26th December	Same day only	Call out applies
27th December	Same day only	Call out applies
28th December	Same day only	Call out applies
29th December	Same day only	Call out applies
30th December	Same day only	Call out applies
31st December	Same day only	Call out applies
1st January	Closed
2nd January	Same day only	Call out applies
3rd January	Same day only	Call out applies
4th January	England/Wales return back to work	No deliveries in Scotland
5th January	Scotland return Normal service resumes

From everyone at Routeco, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Routeco announce distribution partnership with SMC Pneumatics (UK) Ltd

Routeco is very proud to announce that on the 10^th November 2015 we have signed a UK distribution agreement with SMC Pneumatics (UK) Ltd, which will further enhance our product portfolio offering to our OEM Machine Builder customers, as we continuously strive to enhance our position as our customers’ Technical ‘Partner of Choice’ for Control and Automation products.

Established in Japan in 1959, SMC has pursued a strategy of sustainable growth and now has a presence in 78 countries worldwide. With over 55 years of experience and a global reputation for excellence, pneumatics market leaders SMC continue to invest in new product development and meet customers’ needs with innovative, high-quality products which are supported from a 24,000m² purpose-built production, logistics and administration facility in Milton Keynes where around 100 design engineers offer European wide technical support. In addition to the staff based at Milton Keynes, SMC has a nationwide sales team of over 120 technically trained sales engineers.

Routeco UK Sales Director, Dave Amps said: 

“This is an exciting new venture with a market leading global brand. SMC has a focus on innovation and high quality products, something that Routeco values greatly.  By working together in close partnership, SMC and Routeco can bring technical and supply chain benefits to its extensive OEM customer base. By having competency in both electrical and pneumatic control, Routeco will be able to add additional value to our customers when assisting in the specification and selection of their control architecture.”

(L) Phil Stockdale (SMC) Tony Usher (Routeco) Mark Jeffries (SMC) 

(R) Dave Amps (Routeco) Kevin O’Carroll (SMC) Keith Harrison (Routeco)

Back Row (L-R) Dave Amps (Routeco) Keith Harrison (Routeco) Phil Stockdale (SMC) Mark Jeffries (SMC)    

Front Row (L-R) Tony Usher (Routeco) Kevin O’Carroll (SMC)

Hazardous Area Products available from Routeco

Routeco is a specialist supplier of hazardous area equipment.

We have the in-house expertise to offer a complete range of ATEX control solutions for both gas and dust applications. Our range of ATEX solutions, including bespoke control systems, encompasses all of the major protection concepts including:

• Intrinsically safe (Ex i) solutions for zone 0
• Increased safety (EX e) terminal boxes
• Flameproof (Ex d) panels and equipment
• Ex n solutions (Ex nA, nC and nR) for zone 2 control panels
• Protection by enclosure (Ex t) specifically for explosive dust environments

Working alongside global supply partners and many other specialist suppliers, we have an enviable offering of products and solutions for Hazardous Area customers. 

Services we offer: 

• Training customised to clients’ requirements
• Introduction to hazardous areas
• Dust hazards
• Intrinsic safety
• Lunch and learn sessions

Design assistance

• Converting non ATEX systems for zone hazardous area
• Protection method options
• Equipment type selection 
• Compare commercially and technically different manufacturers offerings

Site surveys:

• On non-certified equipment to assess for conversion to ATEX
• On existing equipment to assess suitability for zoned areas

Click here for our hazardous areas brochure to see the ATEX products available.

To speak to a member of Routeco staff about the hazardous area support we can provide you can email info@routeco.com or call us on 0370 607 1000.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

There’s only two more weeks before the big day and it’s feeling very Christmassy now at our head office in Milton Keynes.

It’s also the first of our Christmas jumper Fridays and doesn’t everyone look great - money raised from our dress down Fridays this month is going to Willen Hospice. 

A reminder that our Christmas opening times can be found here.

EPLAN Pro Panel: virtual enclosure layout in 3D

EPLAN Pro Panel is a switchgear solution for the 3D engineering of control cabinets and switchgear systems. 

The software supports the 3D assembly for the fluid and electrical configuration of control cabinets and provides virtual wiring and 3D data for wire assembly and production machinery, in addition to 3D power distribution and copper rail configuration. 

The EPLAN platform simultaneously connects control configuration with the 3D control cabinet assembly information, providing a consistent data exchange to enhance project quality and accelerate the speed and ease of engineering design.  

The benefits of using EPLAN Pro Panel include:

                  

Safe planning

• Ability to align components and position them exactly
• Fitting regulations and minimum distances based on manufacturer requirements are taken into consideration as are the correct positioning of equipment, wiring ducts and support rails

Flexible layout

• Using the electro-technical circuit diagram, the EPLAN Pro Panel calculates the optimum wiring routes wires and cables, including checking how full the wire ducts are
• Automatic length calculation allows you to increase your productivity

Quick start

• A range of options available for accessing device data including 3D geometry whether it’s from the EPLAN Data Portal or via the built in STEP interface, directly from the component manufacturer or data CDs from any 3D CAD programme 

Consistency for lively exchange

• The EPLAN Platform connects electrical engineering and 3D mounting layout directly with one another 
• No more time lost thanks to redundant data, manual data transfer, synchronisation, consistency checks and maintaining parts list information

Top class workflow optimisation

• A consistent product development process makes your work easier: redundant data storage, multiple data entry and time-consuming reverse engineering all become things of the past

Directly into (NC) production

• EPLAN Pro Panel provides information on the mechanical processing of mounting plates, doors or entire cabinet casing
• At the touch of a button, you can produce production-related information on drill holes, threads or openings and make this available directly to your NC processing machine 

Wiring made easy

• Whether assembly is manual or automated, all the information required for cable assembly is provided
• Data is output in neutral or machine-specific format, so you can connect standard cable assembly machines and provide information for specialist suppliers

Added value at a glance

• EPLAN Pro Panel offers perfect consistency and optimum configuration support as well as top-notch production integration

For more information or to discuss your design software requirements with one of our account managers please contact us at info@routeco.com or visit our website at www.routeco.com

You’ll always see the big picture with Safeside IR viewing windows

Grace Engineered Products’ SafeSide® W–MC Series allows for safe thermography inspections of multiple components through one big window, reducing the number of windows required and enhancing productivity.

Safeside® infrared viewing window features:

• The W-MC series features a larger rectangular viewing area that provides an unparalleled field-of-view (FOV) when compared to traditional round IR windows
• The exclusive, industrial-grade, reinforced polymer allows any infrared camera to monitor completely undisturbed assets inside electrical equipment
• Safeside® Polymers do not degrade when exposed to acids, alkalis, UV, moisture, humidity, vibration, and high frequency noise – a guarantee no crystal IR window can provide

Infrared (IR) cameras are essential tools for predictive maintenance, but they can only inspect what they can see. With their unparalleled field of view, the W-MC Series IR Viewing Windows from SafeSide® give you a quick, efficient way to safely inspect electrical equipment.

Whitepapers and datasheets on SafeSide® can be found here.

If you require any further information you can email info@routeco.com or call us on 0370 607 1000. 

Why is power supply one of the greatest challenges of the future?

The demand for power continues to grow. Experts predict an increase in global power consumption of around 60 per cent by 2030. Industrialisation in the emerging markets and changes to power concepts in industrialised nations involving an increased amount of renewable energies form the background to the paradigm shift: smart processes and new technologies for generation, distribution and consumption are gaining in importance. Added to this are changes in the power plant landscape, the integration of renewable energies, the expansion of networks and the development of power storage solutions. New power concepts such as these represent both an opportunity and a challenge for the entire industry.

Weidmuller understand the need for low CO2 energy production with zero emissions.  As an international connectivity partner, Weidmuller provide a wide range of powerful modules and components developed especially for these requirements. 

You can read Weidmuller’s journal on how they think the power landscape will change and their solutions by clicking here.

For more information about Weidmuller and their products please contact us at info@routeco.com or visit our website at www.routeco.com.

Routeco Christmas opening hours

Christmas Opening Hours

The Christmas Holidays are nearly here! Please find below our opening hours over the festive period. 

Sales

Normal sales opening times will operate on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd December.

The sales team will be working limited hours on Christmas Eve.

On the 29th, 30th and 31st of December from 9am until 5pm there will be a member of staff covering this Department, an out of hours service is available at other times.

Normal sales operation resumed on Monday 4th January 2016 (England & Wales) and Tuesday 5th January in Scotland.

Despatch 

The last despatch date for normal next day deliveries will be on Tuesday 22nd December.

Despatches on the 23rd will be for timed deliveries only for Christmas Eve.

Normal Logistics operation resumes on Monday 4th January 2016. 

Please find delivery information below:

Date	Delivery status	Notes
22nd December	Normal delivery service
23rd December	Last Collection – must be for timed delivery 24th Dec
24th December	No DPD/Knights of Old collections. Same day only	Call out applies after business close
25th December	Closed
26th December	Same day only	Call out applies
27th December	Same day only	Call out applies
28th December	Same day only	Call out applies
29th December	Same day only	Call out applies
30th December	Same day only	Call out applies
31st December	Same day only	Call out applies
1st January	Closed
2nd January	Same day only	Call out applies
3rd January	Same day only	Call out applies
4th January	England/Wales return back to work	No deliveries in Scotland
5th January	Scotland return Normal service resumes

From everyone at Routeco, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

What to consider when starting your Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) journey – part two

Last week ProSoft Technology defined what the IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) is and we looked at some of the ways old-school automation engineers are making use of IIoT concepts. This week will give you the opportunity to learn more about the things to consider before your systems are IIoT ready to fit into this new world of connected machines.

Network Migration 

• While many of your field devices are likely already on a network, it is probably not an Internet Protocol-based network. 
• Not to worry! Gateway devices and in-rack protocol interfaces in your controller allow you to easily connect those older networks to the IP-based applications that need that device data. 

Cybersecurity 

• While the interoperability of the IIoT brings great benefits, it also opens up new risks that we need to address. 
• It is important to understand what equipment can be accessed by whom, what connections are necessary and not necessary, and how data that’s transmitted outside the boundaries of your organisation’s network is protected.

Effective Energy Management 

• A great place to start your IIoT journey is effective energy management. Energy costs such as electricity, compressed air, natural gas, water, and steam are no longer considered overhead.
• Typical savings when energy costs are optimised can be 5 percent to 15 percent.
• Think of the savings to your production line if you could move the data collected by these networks into your PLC, where it could be analysed and optimised.

Design Connectivity In 

• Network connectivity through cellular, WLAN, or wired Ethernet should be designed into your system when you can. 
• IIoT applications will continue to evolve and grow in the value they can deliver, so it makes sense to build Internet Protocol into your systems even if you’re not using IP-based networks for control. 
• Consider how wireless technologies can layer on top of your current network, or perhaps replace an older networking technology.

Start Small 

• Look for applications in your industry that make sense, and give them a try. 
• One of the best parts of the IIoT concept is its scalability – Internet-based applications can just as easily serve one deployment as one million. 

Get Help 

• Most importantly, work with vendors you can trust. When it comes to industrial networking, ProSoft Technology has been helping engineers get different equipment all talking the same language for more than 25 years. 
• They can help you navigate your IIoT course, from connecting older Modbus® and PROFIBUS® networks to enabling remote equipment connectivity via cellular networks

If you would like to arrange for one of our team of Automation Engineers to visit you to discuss your IIoT needs and what Routeco can do to assist you on this journey  contact us at info@routeco.com or speak to a member of staff at your local Routeco branch on 0370 607 1000.

The full whitepaper from ProSoft Technology can be found here.

Intrinsically safe isolators designed by MTL

The MTL5500 range modules from EATON are versatile yet simple to apply; use the latest technology and yet are well proven.

These contrasting attributes stem from the progression in the design and manufacture of isolators for intrinsic safety and the application of innovative technology to achieve the required separation and segregation of the circuits.

The MTL5500 (DIN-rail mounting) and MTL4500 (backplane mounting) isolators share a common design, differing only in the mechanical mounting and connection methods.

• Compact modular design with DIN rail mounting
• High packing density
• Single and multi-channel I/O modules
• 3-port isolation with low power dissipation
• Compatible with MTL5000 

A wide range of MTL products are available to buy from Routeco by clicking here. If you would like more information, you can email info@routeco.com or call us on 0370 607 1000. 

Rethink what you should expect from your distributed control system

Today, process industry professionals face difficult challenges. How can we adhere to increasingly tighter compliance requirements while competing for market share in today’s globalised economy? How can we meet the continuous demand for new sources of productivity and margin growth while using the same automation approach and control system strategy we have been using for decades?

A modern Distributed Control System (DCS) is designed to help you address these challenges.

Integration of the DCS with the automation systems used in the balance of plant is often costly and engineering intensive. 

Maintaining multiple disparate automation systems is straining operations and support resources, restricting flexibility and responsiveness.

What is needed is a modern approach--one that delivers all of the core capabilities of a DCS to address the requirements of process control, but is built on contemporary technology that easily integrates with other automation systems, operators’ activities, and critical business systems. A modern DCS is built using plant-wide control technologies. Today, process control, discrete control, power control and safety control no longer have to be a choice of separate technologies. Today, manufacturers can choose to implement a plant-wide control system.  

Read a new whitepaper from Rockwell Automation on this subject by clicking here.

To discuss your control system requirements with one of our team of automation specialists please email info@routeco.com or call us on 0370 607 100 to book an appointment.

What to Consider When Starting Your Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Journey – part one

The term ‘Industrial Internet of Things’ or IIoT seems to be everywhere at the moment! But what does it actually mean?

ProSoft Technology define it as: “The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is about intelligent devices like overloads, photo eyes, variable frequency drives, or PLCs providing data that we use to make our processes more efficient.” 

ProSoft have also looked at some of the ways old-school automation engineers are making use of IIoT concepts to improve their operations, and what considerations all of us should keep in mind.

Remote Monitoring and Equipment Access

• In the old days, remote access meant installing a serial modem connected to a dedicated phone line, so the machines made remote access-capable were limited to the most critical operations.
• What’s changed in the IIoT world is the proliferation of wireless connectivity, especially cellular networks and wireless LAN. Now, all that data deemed not important enough to transmit can be made available from remote sites. 
• Remote access to industrial equipment has become more accessible for more people throughout the organisation
• Finally, machine builders and control engineers responsible for widely dispersed global operations can build reliable connectivity into their systems without the need for custom infrastructure and integration at the end site.
• For mobile equipment, access is available just about anywhere the equipment goes. This simplifies the design and maintenance of the system, and enables the machine OEM to build high-value applications that make use of an “always connected” machine.

Machine and Process Control

• IIoT technology is not just about cellular connections to remote machines. 
• Major automation vendors like Rockwell Automation have been offering industrial Ethernet connectivity for PLCs and related devices for more than a decade. Industrial Ethernet protocols like ODVA’s EtherNet/IPTM provide the kind of performance required for automation systems, while also enabling interoperability with the massive Internet Protocol-based network infrastructure found in virtually every organisation. 
• Today’s automation engineers are taking advantage of the Internet Protocol-based industrial technologies to design more reliable networks for moving equipment. 
• Wireless LAN products designed for the harsh industrial environment and optimised to handle protocols like EtherNet/IP allow engineers to eliminate the cost and downtime of frayed cables, yet still take advantage of high data rates and application-specific requirements like machine safety and time synchronisation.

Asset Mobility

• One area of automation where IIoT technology is creating new opportunities involves taking the network connection anywhere in the plant. 
• Old systems offered only so many places to “plug in.” 
• Automation systems are now benefiting from the same “network everywhere” mindset as our home and office environment. 
• Using industrial hotspots, control engineers can connect to the automation system easily from anywhere in the plant. The same wireless network allows maintenance applications running on smart phones or tablets to access and update equipment records, capture and store photos, and even help maintenance technicians troubleshoot machines. Operators and supervisors can view the status of a machine from anywhere, and even control the machine.

Next week in Part Two: Things to consider about how your system can fit into this new world of connected machines. Make sure you’re subscribed to our blog and the part two will go straight into your email inbox. In the meantime, please email info@routeco.com if you require more information. The full whitepaper from ProSoft Technology can be found here.

Milton Keynes Motion Control Technical Workshops

On Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th November, Milton Keynes’ Area Sales Manager Phil Huntley organised for customers to spend the morning at Routeco Head Office for a Rockwell Automation Motion Control Technical Workshops.

The two days gave engineers the opportunity to develop an understanding of Rockwell Automation’s Logix control and motion platform through hands-on exercises using PLCs, Variable Speed Drives, Remote I/O, Motion Controllers, HMI, Safety and Ethernet/IP products. 

Both workshops were fully subscribed and we received some excellent feedback from attendees. Thank you to everyone who attended and Routeco’s Product Sales Specialists’: Colin Wayman, Kevin Johnson and Chris Coe who delivered fantastic workshops. 

Check out the video here to get an overview of what happened across the two days and to get an insight into how the whole process works and what to expect from one of our technical workshops.

Make sure you’re subscribed to our blog and following us on LinkedIn and Twitter to be able to register and attend future events.