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.

We're Hiring!

Check out our latest job vacancies available in our Dartford branch.

Internal Sales (Dartford)

We are looking to recruit an Internal Technical Sales member to join our team. The ideal candidate will provide technical knowledge to the internal sales team, whilst developing and maintaining customer relationships and promoting Routeco’s products and services to maximise sales opportunities. Duties for this include, but are not limited to:

• Deal with customer orders and enquiries appropriately and in a timely manner.
• Promote and advise on compatible products and services whilst maintaining high levels of customer service
• Check and ensure the customer is advised on; availability of product, pricing and appropriate discounts
• Meet the branch KPI’s to maximise sales; maintain and grow the number of trading accounts; and increase the range of products sold.

  Internal Technical Sales Trainee (Dartford)

We are looking to recruit an Internal Technical Sales Trainee to join our team. The ideal candidate will provide technical knowledge to the internal sales team, whilst developing and maintaining customer relationships and promoting Routeco’s products and services to maximise sales opportunities. Duties for this include, but are not limited to:

• Deal with customer orders and enquiries appropriately and in a timely manner.
• Promote and advise on compatible products and services whilst maintaining high levels of customer service
• Meet the branch KPI’s to maximise sales; maintain and grow the number of trading accounts; and increase the range of products sold.
• Demonstrate sufficient commercial awareness to negotiate prices, depending on the customer status, ownership and type of product; thereby maximising the margin achieved on the transaction.

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

Endress + Hauser's Free Online Training

Endress+Hauser’s my|e campus provides technical staff and students in the engineering industry with high quality online training programmes. These are adaptable and can be studied around the clock to develop a knowledge of measurement technology and automation solutions. 

 

Programmes such as measurement technologies and application solutions are presented in a practical, interactive way across a range of considerations, enabling trainees to expand their technical knowledge in the process engineering field. Courses applicable to industry wide issues such as functional safety, explosion protection and calibration. 

 

Little or no existing technical knowledge is required to complete the training courses. 

 

FREE Introductory Courses include:

• Basic concepts in measurement technology 
• Temperature measurement 
• pH measuring technology 
• Conductivity measurement 
• Digital communication 
• Coriolis mass flow measurement 
• Explosion protection 
• WirelessHART communication 
• Measurement technology in the food and beverage industry 
• Functional safety in the process industry

For more information, please click here.

Hardy's New EtherNet/ IP Weight Processor

Hardy has announced the new standard in weight processing with its HI 6500 series. It has EtherNet/IP, a clear, bright, multi-channel display and offers fast, high-resolution stable weight readings. 

Weight processors are used as front ends to control systems or standalone for a wide variety of general weight applications. They can operate blind or with a display, they measure, condition and communicate weight without a need to control this. This also features alternative communication options. To save space and energy, the HI 6500 series can deliver the weight readings of up to four instruments on one display panel at the same time. Users can name their display inputs for easy ID and rearrange them in any order.

 

Product Features:

• Easy to read, mount, set-up, calibrate and maintain
• Multi-channel display
• Operates in weight or count mode
• Rockwell automation Add-On-Profile (AOP) makes setup of the HI 6500 quick and easy in RSLogix.
• Backs up configuration to a USB (auto)
• EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP & RTU, Serial (232/485), Ethernet-UDP &TCP/IP with optional Analog 4-20mA
• Hardy Process Toolbox features: C2® weightless calibration, INTEGRATED TECHNICIAN® diagnostics, and WAVERSAVER® vibration immunity

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

Thank Routeco It's Friday! (TRIF)

Children in Need!

Today is National Children in Need day and to show our support we are dressing up!

This morning I pulled up in the car park to meet a crocodile standing in the road, not quite the usual sight. Although I recognised the crocodile as a fellow colleague I did not smile at it.

I then proceeded to make my way into reception where I was met by Batman making his morning cup of tea (even superheroes need a pick me up).

Our sales department was made up of a giant banana, a nun, 80s theme outfit, a convict, an aviator and a lucky leprechaun.

Further down the hallway I came upon a 1920s dancer, a pilot, and some cowgirls in our HR Department!

Other outfits included Michael Jackson, Barney from the Flintstones and the adventures of our Southampton Bunny.

Just another casual day in the office really…

What have you dressed up as today? Feel free to share!

Have a great weekend!

Rachael

We're Hiring!

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

Hazardous Area Business Development Manager (National)

External Sales Engineer (Glasgow)

External Sales Engineer (Derby)

Technical Sales Supervisor (Milton Keynes)

External Sales Engineer (Dartford)

PSS Team Leader ~ ATEX / Process Components (South)

Assembly Wire-person (Milton Keynes)

Internal Technical Sales (Peterlee)

Internal Technical Sales (Derby)

PSS ~ ATEX / Process Components (South)

Branch Supervisor (Manchester)

Apprenticeships at Routeco (Various)

External Sales Engineer (Milton Keynes)

Warehouse Operative (Milton Keynes)

External Sales Engineer (Manchester)

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

Rittal's Enclosure Heaters

Warming equipment in colder temperatures is arguably as important as cooling them in hotter temperatures. Rittal’s enclosure heaters can prevent the temperature of delicate electronic equipment from falling to a level at which condensation occurs.

Rittal’s enclosure heaters with fans have capacities which range from 250 W to 800 W. Smaller heaters without fans have an output range of 10 W to 150 W. This provides a high level of energy efficiency due to the incorporation of self-regulating positive temperature coefficient (PTC) technology. The heaters benefit from a development using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) combined with a compact physical size that belies their heating performance.

Positioned anywhere inside the enclosure, Rittal heaters can be fitted either by snap fastening onto 35mm support rails or direct screw fixing onto TS 8 punched frame sections.  It is quick and easy to assemble using clamp-style wiring terminals.

Control is effected simply by the addition of a thermostat or hygrostat in the supply heater, this ensures that a minimum temperature is maintained or maximum relative humidity is not exceeded. The ideal solution for extreme weather conditions.

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

Routeco Has a Shoot

Last Friday the first ever Rittal and Routeco clay pigeon shoot took place in Norfolk. Despite a cold start to the day, 14 customers arrived excited and ready to take part in the event. Some customers even brought their own guns, an indicator of the good competition to follow.

The day started with a safety briefing by Alan Evans of Fairclay Targets who was the host for the day, he supplied everything that was required to shoot in a safe manner. Everyone was split into 2 groups and started with a 30 bird sporting set-up over 3 stands.

 Once the sporting was completed everyone moved on to a 3 man flush where random traps were set up throwing clays all over, the idea was to hit all of the clays without missing some, a seemingly impossible mission. After the 2 rounds of flush we managed to fit in the morning, everyone’s shoulders were getting pretty tired.

The last event was a long shot competition. The clay shooting was setup directly to the sky with lots of power. The shooters were 50ft away and had to shoot the clay, if the target was hit you then had to move 10ft further away and try again. The winner was the one who scored a hit from the furthest distance away with only 2 shots available in each section.

 An excellent day was had by all with lots of networking going on throughout the morning. Once we had finished the shoot we headed for the local pub for a nice warming chilli and a drink. Prizes were awarded following lunch.

High Gun:                 Simon Cook                                 4i Water Services

Sporting 2nd Place    Simon Rounce                            Glenfair Electrical

Team Flush               Glynn White                                 ECS Power and Control

                                  Mick Chappell                              Routeco

                                  Steve Mitchell                              Routeco

Long Shot                  Edward Tann                               TES Europe

Most Improved          Dorian Hindmarsh                       Proeon Systems


Many thanks to:

• Alan Evans for supplying an excellent venue and shoot
• David Abrahams from Rittal
• Ploughshare in Beeston for the food and drink

Thank Routeco It's Friday! (TRIF)

Tomorrow’s Engineer Week 4-8th November is an opportunity to find out more about the career opportunities available for you in engineering. Tomorrow’s Engineers has teamed up with the Department for Business, innovation and skills for a week of activity that showcases all of the exciting businesses and industries that rely on creative engineers, this includes; space, construction, transport, medicine and food.

In light of this we have decided to look into other celebrations we have throughout the year that might not be so well known, but should be celebrated.

28th- 4th Feb National Storytelling Week- This week we celebrate by telling stories from all cultures, whether old fables or modern reads, it’s a fun week everyone can enjoy!

20th – 26th Feb National Chip Week – A holiday I’m sure we would all love to celebrate- This week was created to celebrate Britain’s favourite dish (why can’t this be every week!)

24th June- Wrong Trousers Day- This day was created in inspiration of the Wallace and Gromit film denoting all funds raised to charity, on this day everyone wears a pair of trousers that clashes with their outfit e.g. pyjama trousers with a suit.

19th September- Talk like a pirate day- This is the one day of the year that everyone should talk like a pirate (could be fun around the office, arrhh?)

Are there any unusual holidays that you celebrate? Feel free to share!

Have a great weekend!

Rachael  

Industrial Connectivity Solutions... Heavy Duty Connectors

Let’s Connect

Routeco and Weidmüller have teamed up to bring you the latest electronic and connectivity solutions for industrial automation and process control applications as well as for power protection and generation inside and outside of the cabinet.

This month’s feature is Heavy Duty Connectors…

Heavy Duty Connectors ensure there is a secure, simple and time-saving assembly of machinery and facilities. The connector housings are made of die-cast aluminium, these offer excellent protection against moisture, mechanical stress and dirt. Special modular connectors make it possible to integrate signals, power supply, pneumatics and data connections into a single connector.

The Rockstar product line sets new standards with its wide-ranging level of features. What other suppliers may offer as their custom configuration, Weidmuller offers in its standard product line. The Heavy Duty Connector range includes:

• IP65 & IP69K Housings
• Moduflex IP20 cabinet assembly options
• PG & Metric Cable Glands in plastic and brass
• Modular concept series for “mix and match” of power, signal and data connections. 
• Inserts with screw, crimp, tension clamp and push in clamping technology

 

To find out more contact your local Routeco branch on 0370 607 1001 / info@routeco.com

 

Let’s Connect.

Rockwell Automation Fair Houston!

The Automation Fair comes to Houston, Texas on November 13^th -14^th. The event sessions and exhibits have been designed to help you improve performance, increase profitability and leverage your automation investments.

 

In addition to Rockwell Automation, there will also be over 100 exhibiters who include; Encompass product partners, OEM partners, and many more. The fair provides a free educational experience in which there are 9 industry forums, 83 technical sessions, 16 workshops and 19 hands on labs.

 

This year the fair will feature heavily on solutions for the oil and gas industry. An Oil and Gas Pavilion will highlight a large control room simulation: a mini pump jack and a variety of other industry specific hardware and equipment.

We have a team from Routeco heading over to the fair, they will be posting some photos and information from the event, so look out for that!

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

Thank Routeco It's Friday! (TRIF)

It’s that time of year again, Halloween!

 

Whether you like you to see kids dress up and go round trick-or-treating, or dress up for yourself and head to some Halloween themed parties there is something for everyone! (You’re never too old right?) 

 

The tradition of trick-or-treating isn’t as popular as it was years ago, when the majority of us were much younger. Instead we have taken to celebrate Halloween in other ways, with some older traditions and others new, these include:

• Ghost walks in the woods late at night (yes people jump out at you, not for the faint of heart)
• Apple-bobbing with friends (not a good idea if you’ve spent ages on your spooky facial make-up)
• Creating spooky pumpkins (here's a picture of my pumpkin)>
• Haunted houses (the fake ones made to look scary)
• A tour around haunted areas e.g. hotels, castles
• A scary film night (with classics such as Halloween itself)

 

How do you spend Halloween? Feel Free to share!

 

Have a great weekend! 

 

Rachael