Wednesday 31 August 2016

Rockwell Automation release Studio 5000 Logix Designer v29

The Studio 5000 software from Rockwell Automation intuitively aligns control systems with manufacturing operations for improved design experience. The latest version has now been released and is ready to download.

With the Studio 5000 Logix Designer v29 software from Rockwell Automation, engineers have new design capabilities that can dramatically increase automation productivity, improve start-up time and reduce costs throughout a project’s life cycle. The new additions include an application-centric view of code, enhanced work flows for more efficient re-use of content, and new collaborative tools that make it easier for multiple people to work together.
What is Studio5000 Logix Designer V29?
  • Programming environment for the whole range of 5580 ControlLogix and 5380 CompactLogix processors (including the newly released L81E,L82E,L84E & L306,L310,L320,L330,L340).
  • CompactLogix DLR and Dual/P support.
  • 5580 & 5380 Alarm Instruction Support (FTAE) 
  • 5580 & 5380 Panelview5500 support.
  • Improved security 
    • Disable/Enable Ethernet port and web page plus MSG to SELF.
  • New V2.01 Add on Profile for 440C-CR30 Safety Relay 
For more information and to download, please click here

Friday 26 August 2016

Don't let the distance put you off!

Routeco LIVE is shaping up to be the Automation and Control event of the year! Sign-ups for pre-registration are going fast and we don’t want you to miss out if you think Salford and Milton Keynes are too far to travel.

We have secured a number of special rates at hotels close to the venues. Numbers are limited so please email RoutecoLIVE@routeco.com for more details. Transport to and from the events can also be provided from our various branch locations around the country, so please speak to your local Routeco branch to discuss your travel requirements.

Routeco LIVE will showcase the very latest in Industrial Control and Automation products and give you the opportunity to learn about the latest trends and hot topics within the industrial sector. Our events will comprise of both a show floor, where you find exhibits from our manufacturing partners, and three break out rooms with presentations and discussions running throughout the day.

Routeco LIVE is a free of charge event but pre-registration is a requirement for attendees. 

To register, email RoutecoLIVE@routeco.com stating your full name, contact details and company stating which event you wish to attend.

Event details:
AJ Bell Stadium, 1, Stadium Way, Eccles, Salford, M30 7EY

Tuesday 4th October 2016

MK Dons Stadium, Grafton Street, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK1 1ST

Thursday 6th October 2016

The events will open at 8.30am with presentations running from 9.30am and closing at 4pm. Breakfast rolls, refreshments and a buffet lunch will be provided.

If you are a business leader, engineer, technical manager or commercial manager for a machine builder, system integrator, panel builder or manufacturing plant then this event is for you! 

Wednesday 24 August 2016

Monday 22 August 2016

Energy efficient regulators from SMC Pneumatics

SMC has launched two regulators, the basic IR200-A and precision IR000-A that feature a new internal bleeding structure, which almost doubles the flow rate and eliminates the fix throttle.

The result is a number of savings for those in manufacturing utilising pneumatic applications, such as accurate balance pressure setting, contact pressure control and residual pressure relief.

The IR000-A offers exceptional precision by achieving repeatability within ±0.5% of full span and low air consumption of just 1 l/min or less. Although not as accurate, with a repeatability within ±1% of full span, the IR200-A features a bleed air ‘0’, generating less noise by reducing the frequency of the compressor start-up. Their intelligent design also avoids the need for purchasing additional components, such as a mist separator, delivering cost and space savings.

Flexibility is key when it comes to both Series, as they are available in three sizes with a trio of set pressure ranges. Together with a knob direction that can be moved upwards or downwards, they also feature a digital pressure switch as standard.

Lighter in weight, these regulators are easy to handle and mounting is interchangeable with the existing IR Series, making it simple for customers to adapt to the new models.

For more information please contact us at info@routeco.com or visit our website atwww.routeco.com

Friday 19 August 2016

FreeCon contactless transmission system from Weidmuller

Burnt, bent or dirty contacts are often the cause of time consuming and costly production failures, especially in applications requiring frequent plugging cycles, for example industrial robots performing frequent tool changes where the level of wear and tear is especially high.

Weidmuller’s FreeCon Contactless product allows power to be transmitted via an air gap by means of an inductive resonance coupling – it’s a solution that’s completely wear-free and especially efficient. Double the power density and a far higher degree of efficiency is achieved compared with  other solutions that are available on the market.

With FreeCon Contactless, you can avoid contact related failures and reduce your maintenance costs considerably. It even opens up completely new areas of application, since for the first time ever an automated process can be used to establish a connection which previously would have to be plugged manually. The process of charging driverless transport systems, for instance, can be automated. High maintenance slip ring transmitters can be replaced too, since FreeCon Contactless securely transmits power even in the case of rotational movements.

Weidmuller’s FreeCon is available to purchase from Routeco here. For more information, please email info@routeco.com

Wednesday 17 August 2016

Allen-Bradley all in one Industrial PC options

The Allen-Bradley® 6181 Integrated Display Computers form a dynamic portfolio, with Performance and  Advanced Models that provide all-in-one industrial PC options to help meet your application needs.

Performance and Advanced models are equipped with the latest features designed to meet the most demanding integrated display computing needs. These rugged industrial computers help provide flexibility to your application with the combination of multi-touch touchscreens, high performing processors, field replaceable components and remote management capabilities. Additionally, the user interface button and installation assist clip help enhance your user experience.

The latest addition to the Allen-Bradley Integrated Display Computers combine leading edge Intel technology and state-of-the-art hardware for an enhanced user experience.

Features and benefits include:
  • High performance processing
  • Ease of use
  • Efficient management
Allen-Bradley industrial computer products are available to purchase online from Routeco.

For more information email info@routeco.com

Monday 15 August 2016

Allen-Bradley 140M MPCB for multiple motor installations

Rockwell Automation’s motor protection circuit breakers (MPCB) are suitable for application at the output of variable frequency drives in multi-motor installations.

Features and benefits:
  • Suitable for application at output of variable frequency drives in multi-motor applications
  • PWM Frequency ≤ 4 kHz
  • Variable frequency drive output frequency ≤ 400 Hz
  • Fixed magnetic trip
  • Motor overload protection, Trip Class 10
  • Current limiting
  • Nominal max rated voltage IEC: 500V; UL: 480V
  • Interrupting rating @ 480V & 400V: up to 65 kA

For further information please email info@routeco.com

Rockwell Automation products are available to buy online from Routeco.

Friday 12 August 2016

ProSoft Technology look forward to Routeco LIVE

ProSoft Technology are one of our many franchise partners exhibiting at Routeco LIVE and here's what they have to say about the events. 

ProSoft Technology and Routeco have been partners for over 20 years and that partnership has gone grown and strengthened over the years, so we are really looking forward to participating in Routeco Live and exhibiting and presenting our range of communication solutions for the Connected Enterprise, migration of legacy equipment & wireless solutions for the IIoT age.

A lot has been said about IIoT and the concept has many names such as The Connected Enterprise, IIoT, Industry 4.0  but what does it all mean for the customer? You can call it want you want but the customer needs to relate the concepts to their application and determine for themselves what they need. Whether it is increased automation, flexibility, ease of use, secure remote access, mobile workers, integration of remote equipment, integration of equipment from different vendors or migration of legacy equipment, ProSoft Technology has a range of solutions that can help you reach your IIoT goals. Routeco LIVE will be a brilliant way to meet customers and discuss their current applications and their future needs.


Visit the ProSoft Technology stand and see our range of communication solutions for the Connected Enterprise, integration of legacy equipment from different vendors, migration of legacy equipment & range wireless solutions including secure remote access.

Routeco LIVE are free events, however you must pre register to attend. Email routecoLIVE@routeco.com to register stating which event you wish to attend along with your full name, contact details and company. 


Event details:
AJ Bell Stadium, 1, Stadium Way, Eccles, Salford, M30 7EY
Tuesday 4th October 2016

MK Dons Stadium, Grafton Street, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK1 1ST
Thursday 6th October 2016

The events will open at 8.30am with presentations running from 9.30am and closing at 4pm. Breakfast rolls, refreshments and a buffet lunch will be provided.

Register now to avoid disappointment! 

Wednesday 10 August 2016

See the innovative iTRAK in action!

Milton Keynes’ Area Sales Manager, Phil Huntley, took a key account, a blue chip end user, to Rockwell Automation’s demo suit in Kiln Farm to see the innovative  iTRAK in action.

Rockwell Automation has developed the most innovative motion solution on the market today – iTRAK The Intelligent Track System. 

iTRAK is a modular, scalable linear motor system that allows for independent control of multiple movers on straight or curvilinear paths.Gone are the rotary driven chains, belts and gears of the past. iTRAK replaces hardware with simple, effective software profiles redefining speed and flexibility in automation.

Features of the iTRAK system include:

  • Independent control of multiple movers across straight and curved lines
  • Can offer increased productivity
  • Reduces downtime
  • Fully integrated Rockwell Automation solution






At Routeco, we believe it will change how you move items around the plant floor. If you would like to know more or would like to arrange a visit to see iTRAK in action please email info@routeco.com or phone 0370 607 1000.

Watch the above YouTube video to see the customer demonstration and how the iTRAK system works. 

Monday 8 August 2016

Do you need a Rockwell Automation product for quick delivery?

RApid 6 is available! Do you have a copy?

With the most up to date Rockwell Automation products, all items are available for immediate delivery from Routeco in the new RApid 6 catalogue.

RApid 6 includes several great features:
  • The latest products from Rockwell Automation
  • Latest pricing
  • Product Images
  • Product description index

All available to purchase at www.routeco.com. Please email info@routeco.com if you would like a copy. 

Friday 5 August 2016

Expand your performance capabilities with 5069 Compact I/O platform

The Compact I/O system from Rockwell Automation future-proofs your system and enables The Connected Enterprise, allowing machine builders to bring added value to their customers through a single, unified architecture, using EtherNet/IP™ for increased overall productivity. It is the ideal distributed I/O solution for use with the Allen-Bradley ControlLogix® 5580 controller and for users with high processing requirements.

The 5069 Compact I/O system offers diversity and flexibility with dual 1 Gigabit (Gb) embedded Ethernet ports for Linear and Device Level Ring topologies allowing easy customization for applications demanding high performance and speed.

Features and benefits:
  • Built-in power input with field power to I/O modules
  • Support for 31 local I/O modules
  • High-speed backplane for faster transfer rates
  • Improved status indicators for information about module health
  • Supports 1-Gb embedded switch technology for Linear and Device Level Ring (DLR) topologies
  • Integrated USB port allows easy configuration
Further product information can be found by clicking here to purchase this product on our website please click here.

Wednesday 3 August 2016

Which Modbus® TCP module should I use in my ControlLogix® PLC?

For all applications, you can use the MVI56E-MNETC module. This module allows multi-client (30) and multi-server (10) communications, with a 10,000-word database.
If you need to use your module in a rack with ControlNet™ and that network is already crowded, you can use the MVI56E-MNETR. If you need to communicate with up to 30 server devices simultaneously, you may prefer the MVI56E-MNETCR.
Learn more about our Modbus TCP solutions  on ProSoft Technology's website here
If you would like more information about ProSoft Technology products please email us. 

Monday 1 August 2016

FactoryTalk AssetCentre Software Simplifies Life-Cycle Management

Manufacturers and industrial producers are gaining insight into their operations through connected technology.

Now, they have a single tool for managing automation assets. FactoryTalk AssetCentre v7.0 software from Rockwell Automation automates discovery and tracks the status of devices, network switches and software on workstation computers across an entire facility or production operation. The software streamlines life-cycle management and helps decrease unplanned downtime.


If you require further information please email us. FactoryTalk software is available to buy from our website