Merry Christmas from everyone at Routeco

It is officially Christmas Eve, meaning that we are just one day away from Christmas day! We would like to take this time to thank you for the support that you have provided us with this year.

From everyone at Routeco we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, we look forward to seeing everyone again next year!

Click here to watch our festive e-Card.

Please find a reminder of our Christmas Opening Hours below.

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

On the 27th, 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. A normal sales operation will resume on Thursday 2nd January 2014.

 
Despatch 
Please find delivery information below:
 

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

Thank Routeco It's Friday! (TRIF)

So this is officially the last Friday before Christmas (can you believe it?) The Christmas trees are all up by now, decorations have been hung and if you’re anything like our Marketing Department, one too many chocolates have been eaten.

So whether you’re spending this Christmas with friends or family, inside by the fire or away on a tropical island we all love to celebrate the big day!

Here at Routeco we participate each year in the Secret Santa tradition. What could be more fun that buying someone a present, no matter how crazy and knowing they’ll never find out who it was. We’ve heard a mixture of gift ideas here from extremely sweet and loving to a little out of the ordinary… Have you decided to take part in secret Santa this year? What is your theme?

Let us know how you’re celebrating this Christmas.

Please find our Routeco Christmas scene below, what hidden products can you see?

 

Have a great Christmas everyone and a happy New Year!

Rachael

The Automation of the Labelling Machine

Labels play a large part in the life of packaged products. Labelling is critical to the product packaging process. If a package is not labelled it cannot be identified or shipped, it is even forbidden to sell the product in most of the markets.

Pressure sensitive labelling machines are becoming more popular because it offers the user a lower maintenance and operator intervention solution. A pressure sensitive Labelling Machine applied pre-glued labels that are supplied on a reel of release paper of film. The pressure sensitive labels undergo multiple manufacturing steps to have the label temporarily adhere to a web or roll but will permanently adhere to the package.

A Pressure Sensitive Labelling Machine has three basic sections:

The labelling head: Its function is to accurately dispense a single label from the h 56 h 56 h 56 h 56e carrier tape to the applicator at the required speed. It is a motor driven tape transport mechanism. The label which is on the tape is dispensed when reaching the peeling plate.

The applicator: Its function is to accurately place the label on the product at the required speed.

The product handling system: Its function is to place the product consistently at the required speed in position for label pasting. 

Micro850™ programmable controllers can be applied on a labelling machine to help OEMs quickly design, develop and deliver labelling machines, find the solutions and benefits below:

• Modular Software Design- Allen-Bradley® Connected Components Workbench™ software supports programming in ladder diagram, function block diagram and structured text. User Defined Function Blocks (UDFBs) are supported to implement a modular code structure.
• Advanced Motion Control - The Micro850™ programmable controller supports up to 3 motion axes using Pulse Train Outputs to stepper and servo drives. Graphical Axis configuration screens are provided in the Allen-Bradley® Connected Components Workbench™ software to aid in configuration.
• Touch Probe / Registration- The Touch Probe function is able to capture accurate registration position at high speeds with built-in hardware. This is extremely useful for applications like labeling machines where precise positioning is required at high speeds.
• Versatility of Micro850™ Interfaces- Digital and analog Inputs & Outputs, up to 6 High Speed Counter inputs and up to 3 Pulse Train Outputs. Embedded USB programming port, serial port (RS232/485) and 10/100 Base-T Ethernet. 
• High Performance and High Flexibility- Plug-in and expansion modules allow you to optimize your machine cost by choosing performance and functionality specific to your machine needs.

For more information about the benefits of applying Micro850 programmable controllers click here.

FactoryTalk Gateway from Rockwell Automation

The FactoryTalk Gateway is a configuration tool that configures the runtime operation of the service. The configuration tool enables you to select the area or application from which you want to access data (called the scope) as well as start and stop the service. This gateway includes the Diagnostics Counter Monitor, which is installed with FactoryTalk Gateway. This stand-alone tool displays diagnostic counter information as well as OPC clients, groups, and corresponding items.

This Gateway converts FactoryTalk Live data to OPC Date Access 2.05a to connect and get data. The FactoryTalk Directory is used by the FactoryTalk Gateway to find the data that your third party client requires, the data will always be up to date.

The FactoryTalk Dirctory acts as your phone book and allows you to register the applications and servers (data and HMI servers) so anything that can speak to the Factory talk directory will know where to find the data.

FactoryTalk live data reaches the client through FactoryTalk Live Data by providing secure data transmission of the information the client is requesting.

Features and Benefits:

• Easy to use- To configure the FactoryTalk Gateway, simply tell the software where in the FactoryTalk Directory you want to serve OPC data, this one configuration step allows you to select one area to expose to OPC clients, or the entire FactoryTalk application.
• Enhanced Connectivity- Connecting OPC clients to FactoryTalk applications allows heterogeneous systems to experience the benefits of the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture™.
• Integration to Logix- The FactoryTalk Services Platform is the foundation of the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture. It provides a set of common features that enables customers to realize incremental value when applying more than one Integrated Architecture product in their application.
• Redundancy and Security- The FactoryTalk Gateway provides redundancy options that can also protect your third-party applications. You can configure the distributed FactoryTalk Gateway so that the redundancy built into RSLinx Enterprise and FactoryTalk View SE servers can be made available to third parties.

For a full description of the product features, please click here.

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

 

We're Hiring!

Check out our latest job vacancies available!

Technical Support Manager (Milton Keynes)

We are looking for an individual to run the helpdesk, manage the apprenticeship program, provide Pre-sales support and advice including liaison with marketing and product management to raise product awareness and support branch internal technical sales team

• Manage and promote the Technical Helpdesk, ensuring that enquiries are managed within the Service Level Agreement
• Provide Pre-sales and Post -sales support and advice including liaison with marketing and product management to raise product awareness across the business
• Co-ordination and mentoring for Tech Services Apprenticeship Program
• Co-ordination and mentoring of Branch Internal Technical Sales team
• Liaison with Routeco field based Sales Team, Product Sales Specialists & Automation Engineers

External Sales Engineer (Southampton)

 

We are seeking an experienced External Sales Engineer to join the branch and contribute to Routeco's continued growth and success. The ideal candidate will have industry experince, technical knowledge and the commercial accumen to continue to build relationships with existing customers as well as the drive and enthusisam to secure new business.

• The achievement of sales targets in relation to turnover and profitability
• Business planning and review meetings.
• New trading account generation
• Pro-active telephone canvassing for appointment generation.
• Present to various audiences subject matter of products and services.

Internal Sales (Dartford) 

 

We are looking for an individual to enter sales orders and to keep customers fully updated on progress of their orders. Develop and maintain customer relationships whilst promoting Routeco’s products and services and maximising sales opportunities

• Deal with customer orders and enquiries appropriately and in a timely manner (expectations are within 24 hours hours)
• All aspects of non-franchise purchasing (order placement, carriage, progress etc.)
• Maintenance of customer discount schedules
• Check and ensure the customer is advised on: availability of product, pricing and appropriate discounts
• Ensure accuracy of orders before entering onto the Strategix system.

For more information, or if you would like to apply, please click on the job role.

Thank Routeco It's Friday! (TRIF)

Christmas Films!

So we are officially just under two weeks away from Christmas day and as a result we have started talking about our favourite Christmas films here in the office.

These have ranged from Christmas classics such as it’s a Wonderful Life to modern day hits like Elf and Arthur Christmas.

The Christmas period is particularly known for family films such as Home Alone, Miracle on 34^th Street and The Muppets Christmas Carol.

However, comedy classics have taken over the scene with films such as Bad Santa and Love Actually becoming exceedingly popular in recent years.

Here we have created a montage of our favourite Christmas classics:

What film gets you in the Christmas spirit?

Have a great weekend!

Rachael

Prosoft - A Brains Brewery Application Story

Whether it's Football or Rugby in Great Britain, the two entirely different sports have one thing in common – many of the spectators like drinking their beer. One of the prominent beers in the United Kingdom is SA, manufactured by Brains Brewery. SA recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. Its tagline or slogan is "It wouldn't be Wales without SA."

Brains Brewery in Wales, founded in 1882, has the beer to satisfy any beer connoisseur, from those who prefer unique craft varieties, such as Calypso and Bragging Rights, to those who like more traditional ales like SA. Brains has a wide variety of brews.

Brains, based in Cardiff, Wales, decided it was time to upgrade its yeast handling control process with a Rockwell Automation® CompactLogix™ system. We all know how important yeast is to beer and Brains postponed the upgrade until after the Christmas festive period to avoid downtime. The point here is that downtime, as is often the case in any automation system, was not an option.

Mike Cooper of IAC Engineering proposed using ProSoft Technology's Remote I/O to Ethernet (AN-X2-DHRIO) Gateway to allow the CompactLogix™ system to communicate with six racks of 1771 Remote I/O over Ethernet. He met ProSoft Technology Regional Sales Manager Myles Heinekey at a Rockwell Automation event in Birmingham. “The main aim of the project was to upgrade two PLC2 Controllers, which were 27 years old. Limited downtime was available, only three days, so the old 1771 I/O racks would be retained, but two obsolete PLC-2® controllers were replaced by the CompactLogix™.” The commissioning time was reduced massively because the existing Remote I/O cards and wiring could be retained,” Mike Cooper noted. “Only the processor and software needed to be added and commissioned, not the field wiring.”

With ProSoft Technology’s solution, Brains Brewery was able to reduce project costs by installing a CompactLogix™ PAC system. Without the ProSoft Technology gateway, a new I/O system would need to be added and wired in. ProSoft Technology's solution didn't just reduce the project cost, it reduced it by 40 percent in terms of the other option. One additional, yet important benefit of the solution is the system still retains the 1771 Remote I/O cards with the CompactLogix™ processor. This means no additional spare I/O cards need to be carried, and none of the Remote I/O needed to be rewired.

Finally ProSoft Technology's solution allowed for flexibility at Brains Brewery's automation system. "The Remote I/O to Ethernet gateway allowed a great level of flexibility, so the different racks of I/O could be moved on to a network and controlled from different PLCs, if required," Mike Cooper added. "The ProSoft gateway also gets the I/O data onto Ethernet which can be accessed anywhere on the plant network at a higher speed."

We're Hiring!

We have a number of exciting vacancies available across our branches! Here is an overview of our current opportunities.

Pricing & Commercial Support Coordinator (Milton Keynes)

Branch Supervisor (Leeds)

Technical Sales Manager (Milton Keynes)

Internal Technical Sales Trainee (Dartford)

Internal Sales (Dartford)

External Sales Engineer (Glasgow)

External Sales Engineer (Derby)

Internal Technical Sales (Peterlee)

Internal Technical Sales (Derby)

PSS~ATEX / Process Components (South)

Apprenticeships at Routeco (Various)

External Sales Engineer (Manchester)

For more information, or if you would like to apply, please click on the job role.

Rittal's ISV Wall Mounted Enclosures

Rittal’s ISV wall mounted distribution enclosures based around Rittal’s robust AE enclosure offer the flexibility to assemble enclosures that will accept DIN rail mounted devices including miniature circuit breakers, contactors, meters relays.

To accommodate incoming protection devices there is a circuit breaker module suitable for standard moulded case circuit breakers with ratings up to 630 amperes.   

 

 

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

Thank Routeco It's Friday! (TRIF)

This Friday marks the first day of ‘Christmas Jumper Friday’ at Routeco, and to celebrate we have thrown on our biggest and woolliest attire. From a Santa themed outfit to a jumper with ringing bells and everything in between, we have a wide variety of festive outfits today!

 

Have you put on your Christmas jumpers yet? Or are you doing something different?

Feel free to share! 

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 23rd December.

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

On the 27th, 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 Thursday 2nd January 2014.

 
Despatch 
The last despatch date for normal deliveries will be on Friday 20th December.

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

Normal Sales operation resumes on Thursday 2nd January 2014. 

Please find delivery information below:
 

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

The Routeco team would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas, we look forward to hearing from you again next year!

Rittal's 'Standard-compliant Switchgear and Controlgear Production' Guide Book

The new IEC61439 standards are fast approaching 

Rittal has produced a new guide book which offers insight into the IEC61439 standards. The book ‘Standard-compliant Switchgear and Control Protection’ provides guidance to customers on how to comply with the IEC61439 standards.

Relating to the construction of control panels and electrical distribution systems, the new standards will be in force from November 2014 an impact upon the design of the panel, selection of components and the testing methodology used.

Essentially, the panel will become a system, this means the designer/ panel builder must consider the enclosure, cooling equipment, the effects of heat upon the components, busbar system, mechanical properties and the generation of test documentation, which is a requirement. 

To view Rittal's Standard-compliant Switchgear and Control Protection’ click here.

The new solid state SMC from Allen-Bradley

Soft starts and solid state starters are one of the 3 common motor starting methods. Alternative technologies of Direct on Line (DOL) full voltage starters and Variable Frequency Drives (VFD) compete with soft starters in the general motor control space. Each of these technologies has a set of advantages and disadvantages depending on the application and customer defined requirements. In the most basic sense, soft starters provide simple control of the motor during starting and stopping while maintaining a competitive size and installed cost advantage. 

 

The Rockwell Automation solid state starter offering today consists of a contemporary product position (SMC Flex and SMC-3), along with a legacy position consisting of the SMC Dialog, silver series this year and STC product lines.  

 

This next generation of SMC products, the SMC-50, bridges the gap between our legacy platforms and the technological advances required by the future generation of motor control. 

  

Leveraging years of experience in solid state control and motor protection, the SMC-50 meets even the most stringent demands of our toughest legacy customers while providing the underlying design needed to sustain continued growth in the general motor control space. 

 

Key features and benefits of the SMC-50: 

• Latest SMC motor control solution with current and voltage sensing on each phase
• Nine standard start modes
• 14 metering, and monitoring options for sustainability (power monitoring, linear speed control start/stop, energy saver, & advanced diagnostics)
• Rated voltage 200…690V
• Built in electronic motor overload protection
• Fully Solid State continuous SCR control (Silicon-controlled Rectifier)
• Scalable design for ease of replacement and/or field modification and enhancements
• Communication options allow the SMC50 to connect to multiple networks, including EtherNet I/P, ControlNet, DeviceNet and others
• External bypass as an option  

To view the video tour please click here 

 

If you would like to discuss these products further, require more information, or would like one of our Application Specialists to contact you please do contact us on 0370 607 1000 or email info@routeco.com.

The Rockwell Automation Fair Highlights

The Automation Fair in Houston was a fantastic event with so many great exhibits. Please find our top highlights below:

Online community demonstrated power of industrial IP
 As technology experts discussed emerging technology trends such as the Internet of Things, convergence, Big Data and analytics this week at Automation Fair, attendees also learned of a new source of network technology information: the Industrial IP Advantage community…

Rockwell Automation showcases oil & gas capabilities
For energy companies presenting at today's Oil & Gas Industry Forum at the Automation Fair, presented by Rockwell Automation this week in Houston, saving time is of the essence. Forum attendees learned how Petrobras is halving delivery time for its floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) ships...

Food processors tackle manufacturing risk
"This is the first time in 200 years that emerging market countries will contribute more economic growth than the developed ones," began Rockwell Automation's Kris Dornan as he kicked off the Food and Beverage Industry Forum at this week's Automation Fair in Houston…

 Energy revolutions leads engineers to work smarter
Global energy supplies and demands are undergoing an unprecedented transformation as yesterday's fears of energy scarcity are replaced with a new era of energy abundance due to innovative practices in the oil and natural gas industry…

 Rockwell Automation aims to connect the enterprise 
"We have thousands of assets with something to say, but are they being heard?" asked Keith Nosbusch, chairman and CEO, Rockwell Automation, addressing representatives of the press and analyst community from around the globe at the company's Automation Perspectives event today…

 Plants find powerful ways to boost energy efficiency
The University of Texas at Austin generates 100% of its electric power, steam and cooling for more than 150 buildings comprising 20 million square feet. Electricity, chilled water, steam, condensate recovery, water and sewer lines all run underground in truly redundant loop configurations through a network of tunnels throughout the campus…

To find the full articles, please click here.

November 2013. PSUG Highlights - Live from Rockwell Automation Fair, Control Global.

Thank Routeco It’s Friday! (TRIF)

This week in the Marketing Department it has been a very exciting one as Sunday marks the 1st of December (crazy, right?) As our Christmas party draws near we’ve all felt the Christmas spirit starting.

Some of us have been panicking that our Christmas shopping hasn’t been completed yet, whereas others haven’t even started! (No names will be mentioned). We’ve had heated discussions about the ideal time to start playing Christmas songs, and which song is the best (although, clearly it’s Last Christmas by Wham).

We’ve been talking about our favourite chocolates in a box of roses, luckily we all like different chocolates so no one has resorted in hiding their favourites (yet). The three Fridays of December before the big day has become Christmas jumper Friday (and we all love the cheesy ones, the more flashing red noses the better).

We’ve even been Christmas tree shopping, followed by decoration shopping later today…

Last but not least we have our advent calendars up and ready and I know I speak for everyone when I say we are all looking forward to Mondays because we get three days’ worth of chocolates.

Is your office getting ready for Christmas? If not, when do you start to celebrate?

Feel free to share!

Have a great weekend, remember to wrap up!

Rachael

Routeco and Rockwell sign a contract for the Netherlands partnership

We recently opened our Netherlands branch, located in Best and we are delighted to confirm our partnership agreement with Rockwell Automation Netherlands.

The signing ceremony took place in Eindhoven with Urs Marti, the Director of Regional Sales Europe and Africa of Rockwell Automation and myself.

Routeco B.V. will be distributing Rockwell Automation products to customers in the Netherlands region with the aim of improving the customer experience. Our in country stock of product in the Best warehouse will improve logistics with daily shipments throughout the Netherlands. 

Routeco is delighted to become Rockwell Automation's preferred distributor in the Netherlands, our primary objective is to deliver additional value to our collective customers. This we will achieve by listening to their needs and configuring supply chain solutions that match the customer's business requirements.

The Routeco group continues to enjoy considerable success and this latest European expansion in the Netherlands is a significant milestone and compliments the existing business in the UK and Austria. 

Tony Usher
Operations Director

How WirelessHART Can Improve Efficiency

In the modern world, industrial firms are continuously looking for way to improve their process while reducing costs and improving efficiency. Technology has paved the way for this industry, in particular, wireless technology has seen significant changes and it has now become a part of everyday life.

When it comes to industrial communication, WirelessHART the first wireless standard developed specifically for industrial applications has had a big impact.

The benefits of WirelessHART technology:

Flexibility- In order to improve a process, a form of measurement is usually needed. However, wiring isn’t economically feasible for such a short period of time, and can therefore mean no measurement is made. A WirelessHART sensor does not need cabling, it can be mounted for a short time and then removed once the measurement has been completed. This can be used again in another location, therefore provides the flexibility to make the necessary measurements.

Mobility- Moving parts are rare in process automation. However, they are still important parts of the process, the most prominent being rotating or moving tanks and vessels. Rotating parts are often found in wastewater facilities, the racks rotate to collect water and mud. The dirty environment on this can cause signals to degrade over time. WirelessHART can easily transfer these signals to and from tanks and rotating racks, this eliminates any need for downtime.

Cable replacement- In older plants, signals are wired, and eventually spare cables will need to be added. Over the years there is a need for more information and it can be extremely costly. WirelessHART devices can bridge some distance and ease the need to buy additional cable trays. One hop can reach up to 300m under ideal conditions.

Asset Management- It is important to know the health of all technical equipment used in the field. This saves time and costs and ensures the efficient operation of the plant. A WirelessHART device can provide feedback on the health of your plants assets.

For more information about the benefit of WirelessHART communication click here. 

Thank Routeco It's Friday (TRIF)

GoldieBlox Adverts...Popcorn Kernels and Skateboards

I stumbled across this the other day, it was going viral on social networking sites and ended up on the news feed of my Facebook.

Two things I LOVE about this ad:

 

First one, is that it reminds me of all the crazy experiments we used to do as kids, whether that was building ramps for bikes/roller skates/skateboards (yes I grew up with two older brothers!!) with random objects in the garage or water experiments…this list is endless!! I guess my experimenting isn’t quite as extreme now, (not sure it would be advisable for me to take to a skateboard again!!) it takes the form of artistic experiments, mixing media, seeing what happens if I mix two completely obscure objects and put them on canvas.

 

And then there’s the other end of the spectrum, the fake experiment ‘fakexperiment’ more of a prank really, the experiment which you know wont ever work but you convince somebody to try it. A classic of mine is the popcorn kernel experiment, very simple and easy to do if you can keep a straight face, and select an experiementee who is relatively open-minded. Here’s how it works… convincingly you explain that if you hold a popcorn kernel in your mouth (37 degs) for over a 5 minute time period it will explode into a popcorn piece. You then get them to try it, after 5 minutes you say something along the lines of ‘ahh it must be a tough kernel’ and get them to hold it for another few minutes. After about 8 minutes of absolutely nothing, just a soggy kernel, science and intelligence kicks in and the experiment comes to an end, definitely worth the laugh!

 

Just in case you actually have ever achieved a popping kernel in 37 deg please let me know!!!

 

The other thing I love about the ad…is the encouragement to get women into engineering, science and making it OK to not play with barbies the whole time. There is only so many times you can change her outfit, or give her a haircut before she starts to look like Miley Cyrus. It is clever, it is insightful and it is fun, incredible concept from GoldieBlox…looking forward to see what their next campaign will be like!

 

Have a fabulous weekend and let me know what crazy experiements/fakexperiments you’ve tried out.

Ashleigh

Rockwell Automation and the "Internet of Things"

To gain a better understanding of customers, technology needs to develop further, to ensure that data collected can be used to improve efficiency. The importance of interconnection between all aspects of a business, from machinery to personnel has never been so important.

Please find below an article from Rockwell Automation's CEO Keith Nosbusch describing how the "Internet of Things" is to disrupt local manufacturers.

"Rockwell Automation Inc. (NYSE: ROK) imagines a world where manufacturing plants have every pump, pipe, tank and crane connected to the Internet.

These plants have already started to take root and will increasingly become the norm when the “Internet of Things” technology concept — which proposes having machines, people and objects constantly communicating via the Internet — becomes more prevalent, said Keith Nosbusch, Rockwell’s CEO.

Nosbusch spoke about how the “Internet of Things” has started to seep into the manufacturing field at Rockwell Automation’s Automation Fair in Houston Tuesday. The Milwaukee-based industrial automation, power, control and information solutions company hosted its annual fair at the George R. Brown Convention Center with the intention of discussing how automation technology is impacting Houston’s core industries — manufacturing and energy.

Manufacturing companies have historically embraced tracking and recording data from their machines. But Nosbusch told fair attendees that data has been and is still regularly “trapped” in these machines — meaning humans haven’t had access to the data to analyze it, report on it in real time or truly use it to improve operations. However, now that companies, including Rockwell, are creating software to connect automation technology directly to business professionals and software that can analyze this information, manufacturing operations will be able to dramatically improve their operational efficiency, energy use and even profitability"...

To continue reading this article, click here.

Ryan M; "‘Internet of Things’ set to disrupt local manufacturers"; Bizjournals; November 2013.