Thank Routeco It's Friday! (TRIF)

Can you believe that this weekend marks the start of February? 

The past month has been the wettest January since records began over 100 years ago! (You never see these news reports for Florida).

The treacherous conditions endured over the past month have left most of Somerset flooded. The weather has combined high winds, hail and thunder storms (so forget the umbrellas!). I think I speak for everyone when I say we are struggling to see the bright light at the end of this Winter tunnel.

This week it has been reported that snow is on the way and the temperate is set to freeze (it’s time to get the gloves and woolly hats out)! While school children may be celebrating with the hope of a ‘snow day’ most of us are dreading the effect that this will have on our commutes to work! 

How are you feeling about the report of snow?

Are you someone that likes the icy conditions or are you just waiting for a chance to hit the beach in summer?

Have a great weekend!

Rachael

Machine based Digital I/O for On Machine Use

The ArmorBlock I/O family provides a low-cost, hardened, digital I/O product suitable for On-Machine™ use. Water- and corrosion-proof, it can mount anywhere on a machine (without a control cabinet) allowing OEMs and Manufacturing Plants to reduce installation and operating costs. 

In addition, ArmorBlock I/O can mount close to sensors and actuators offering shorter cable runs and reduced wiring costs.

ArmorBlock I/O is available in eight and sixteen-point self-configuring versions for any mix of input and output, such as seven inputs and one output, or eleven inputs and five outputs.The ArmorBlock I/O is best suited for automotive, material handling and semiconductor applications or for machinery applications where diagnostics and local control are not needed.

It also works in conjunction with Integrated Architecture Builder, a graphical tool designed to help in the configuration and quoting of Logix control systems.

Features

• Network Independence: ArmorBlock takes advantage of the EtherNet/IP™, DeviceNet™ and PROFIBUS communication networks
• IP 65/67/69K1 Construction: Mount anywhere on a machine, close to the sensors and actuators, for shorter cable runs and lower wiring costs
• Mounting: Offers flexibility to be mounted front (panel with mount) or side (DIN-rail) 2 with consistent mounting hole dimensions on all ArmorBlock products
• Integration: EtherNet/IP modules offer premier integration into Integrated Architecture with full Add-On-Profiles in RSLogix™ 5000; no other configuration software is needed.

For more information watch this video!

If you require Part codes details, or any further information regarding this product please do contact us on 0370 607 1000, or email info@routeco.com. 

Network Address Translation (NAT) Device from Rockwell Automation

The Network Address Translation Device helps you to configure multiple machines on a single line identical network setting, offering Original Equipment Manufacturers the ability to provide support through a VPN connection. 

The NAT device offers the ability to apply consistent configurations to control systems on a network— this allows for exact duplications of machines / processes and potentially eliminates the number of “public” IP addresses. 

Benefits:

• Flexibility- Make network configuration changes easily for all of your control systems to meet your exact specifications
• Precision- Configure each machine with identical network settings repeatedly with the ability for all to communicate on the same network
• Value- Using the 9300-ENA, you can now configure your line to receive expert remote support and monitoring, reducing the need for costly on-site service call

Please see the video below for more information. 

If you require a visit from one of our Product Specialists to discuss your application further, or request further information on Rockwell’s Stratix 5700 and NAT capability from Routeco email info@routeco.com or call 0370 607 1000. 

Routeco and Weidmuller bring you the latest information on DC UPS Power Supplies

Routeco and Weidmuller 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.

We are pleased to provide you with the latest leaflet on the extensive DC UPS Power Supplies range. 

To view the leaflet, click the image. 

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

Upcoming Events!

We have a variety of exciting of events coming up in the next few months! Please find an overview below:

Ethernet Seminars

Manchester (Didsbury 11th February) - Learn more about the plantwide benefits of EtherNet/IP and how to deploy this network infrastructure, converge with your IT network and optimise your plant floor network!

Dudley (Sandbach 25th February) - Ethernet IP Technology and Application Overview

Coventry - More details to be released

For more information or to book please email info@routeco.com. 

Technical Workshops 

Agenda: These workshops focus on learning more about the PowerFlex 525 Variable Speed Drives and the Micro800 family of micro PLCs. 

Coventry - Wednesday 26th/ Thursday 27th February 

Glasgow - 6th March 

Milton Keynes - 2nd April

For more information or to book please email techworkshop@routeco.com.

Thank Routeco It's Friday! (TRIF)

So this week a colleague and I have decided to book a spontaneous trip to see Gravity in the IMAX cinema at Waterloo, although we have already seen this film, we believe that some films need to be seen on a huge screen to be truly appreciated. 

Some of you may have not visited the IMAX before, to describe it simply, it’s the UK’s largest screen with deafening surround sound. The Disneyland for film fanatics like myself.

As a result I've listed some of the top films to see if you fancy a trip to the IMAX:

Jurassic Park
It might be an old film now compared to its competitors, as it was originally released in 1993. However, it was a film completely ahead of its time and now it has been re-mastered to look stunning in IMAX 3D, worth seeing a huge T-REX jump out the screen at you.

Gravity
A recent release, and a strong contender in this year’s Oscars. This film focuses on an astronaut who gets separated from her crew and space station after an unexpected shower of debris hits them. The impressive special effects make you feel as if you’re really in outer space!

The Hobbit
Another recent release and a great family favourite, the Hobbit features a host of different mythical creates and one huge Dragon. Not to mention the stunning scenery (they film it in New Zealand) this is not a film you’d want to miss.

Let me know what impressive films you have seen recently.

Have a great weekend!

Rachael

NEW version of RSLogix 5000 released and rebranded as Studio 5000

We are pleased to inform you that the release of the latest RSLogix 5000, version 21, is now available and has been rebranded as Rockwell Software "Studio 5000". 

For existing users currently in support this upgrade is included within your TechConnect contract. Those without a TechConnect contract that wish to benefit from this version upgrade should contact 0370 607 1002 with your software serial numbers for further information.

Future releases will continue to offer further functionality with the View Designer feature. This will include a Graphical Design environment for View 5000 HMI's and a new user interface promoting shared components.

Details of the changes are as follows:

• Programming and configuration for Logix controllers, with new shared component
• Studio 5000 will be the central location to design, program and configure all aspects of RA Integrated Architecture 
• Configuration and download support for PowerFlex AC Drives and select legacy Drives

For more information call 0370 607 1002 or email info@routeco.com.

How Ethernet/IP Can Benefit Your Business

Your Automation systems don't have to be complicated, keep them simple with EtherNet/IP.

Whether you are a machine builder or end user, EtherNet/IP can help you simplify specs and assist on reducing build time and installation, total cost of ownership and much more.

View more examples of why EtherNet/IP is the number 1 industrial network in the world.

We would love you to join us at our free 'Plantwide Benefits of EtherNet/IP' morning seminar on February 11th at Cisco Systems, Didsbury. 

For more information on the day click here...

And to register please email info@routeco.com

Thank Routeco It's Friday! (TRIF)

In today’s market, phones can do just about anything, long gone are the days that they were used for just phone calls and texts.

Apps can be used to watch TV on your phone, play games and much more. This week I discovered an App that can be used to help you maintain, lose or gain weight by calculating the result of your food intake and exercise. A genius idea for the January diet… Here are a few of the most interesting Apps in the market:

Sleep Time
An app that monitors your sleep cycle to inform you how many hours sleep you get a night (including what hours you were in a deep sleep, or a half sleep) and from this calculates the ideal time to wake you up. (No more shocking alarm calls!)

Advanced Ruler Pro (For the handy man in all of us)
This app uses your phones camera and picture as a measuring tape. Even crazier, Acoustic Ruler Pro uses your headphones as a ruler by measuring sound.

RunKeeper
This app can be used to track your workouts, whether you run or cycle it will use your phones GPS to track your route to show distance covered and calories burned.

Around me
This app figures out where you are using Google Maps and lists local places to visit such as bars, banks, petrol stations and shops. 
What clever apps have you installed on your phone?

Have a great weekend!

Rachael

We're Hiring!

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

External Sales Engineer (Peterlee)

Pricing and Commercial Support Coordinator (Milton Keynes)

External Sales Engineer (Southampton)

Branch Supervisor (Leeds)

Technical Support Manager (Milton Keynes)

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.

The Astro Time Switch from Finder

Finder’s Astro 12.81 time switch provides a solution to control lighting, temperature or other functions according to daylight hours. This easily programmable time switch employs a unique digital program to calculate sunrise and sunset times by entering the locations postcode.

The latest versions now offers added flexibility, with the capability to override the Astro ON time with time-switch settings, further reducing energy waste. 

Due to the increasing pressures to reduce energy consumption, the Astro will control lighting, heating/cooling and humidity equipment in commercial, residential and industrial applications wherever sunrise and sunset times are crucial in determining operational times.

The Astro’s micro controller stores postcode data from 16 European countries, including the UK which allows for the exact calculation of seasonal sunrise and sunset times. In addition, geographical co-ordinates can also be used to calculate precise timing.

The output switching can be advanced or retarded about the calculated sunrise or sunset time in 10- minute increments- up to a maximum of 90 minutes. However, a manual override of the output status allows for maintenance or one-off events when needed.

With a 16 A 250 V AC rated output contact and a 120 A 5 ms peak current rating, the Astro time switch is capable of directly switching 2000 W halogen, 750 W compensated fluorescent, 200 W CFL or LED lamp loads and AC15 loads up to 750 VA.

The integral back-up battery, which is easily replaceable from the front, features an automatic power save mode which helps to extend battery life.

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

Time saving solutions for manufacturing Plants to increase Productivity

Do you need to maximize your ability to collect time-series data? Do you need to have access to historical information at any time across different levels and tiers of your enterprise? Streamline your manufacturing applications with FactoryTalk® Historian.

The Rockwell Software three-tiered distributed FactoryTalk® Historian strategy provides a scalable solution for collecting real-time data retrievable over variable time spans. Powerful reporting and trending tools provide critical insight into performance parameters, and are available at high speed and full resolution for any control system or human-machine interface (HMI) software.

FactoryTalk® Historian Machine Edition (ME), is built on a solid state chassis with no moving parts and a limited software footprint for easy-to-use, plug-and-play access to real-time process and production data. FactoryTalk® Historian Site Edition (SE) enables plant supervisors to view production lines in real-time, build comparisons, and assess how batches are running at their site. Meanwhile, with the upcoming release of the FactoryTalk® Historian Enterprise Edition (EE), enterprise managers can look at KPIs across the enterprise, enabling manufacturers to meet and exceed their competitive performance goals.

Benefits

FactoryTalk® Historian collects time-series data which can be used as a basis for various calculations, estimations, statistical processes and quality controls throughout the processes and applications in the enterprise. Benefits include: 

• Improve processes through the ability to analyse complex process data easily;
• Reduce variability by verifying production parameters versus targets/norms;
• Respond to information requests from customers or regulators more easily through the maintenance of an accessible online record;
• Decrease overhead costs by saving time in collecting data and preparing reports. 

Rockwell Automation has improved the FactoryTalk Historian SE configuration and performance by adding a direct interface to FactoryTalk Live Data which provides premier integration with Rockwell Automation controllers, as well as adding online full tag browsing and configuration, and Auto Discovery/Configuration of tags and tag structures in our controllers. These features significantly improve and shorten the deployment time of a historian server in a predominantly Integrated Architecture environment.

For the FactoryTalk Historian SE product profile click here.

For the FactoryTalk Historian ME product profile click here.

Martyn Clark
Product Manager

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

Support for Windows XP Pro and Office 2003 expiring in April

On April 8^th support will end for Office 2003 and Windows XP.

Windows have made the decision to continue running virus warnings until 2015. Security patches, regular updates and bug fixes will stop as scheduled. 

Running these systems past the end of support date could leave you exposed to potential risks, security threats and downtime.

Routeco can help with the transition to the latest Windows  operating systems and office suites. By working with your business we can understand the individual requirements and identify a solution most beneficial to you.

In the past, Rockwell Automation software was only available on Windows XP. By liaising with Rockwell Automation directly, we can ensure your operating system is fully compliant with the programming software you are using. 

For more information email carl.wallace@routeco.com or call 01908 359293.

Thank Routeco It's Friday! (TRIF)

We are ten days into the New Year now which means that some of us have put our diets on hold, and the people who joined the Gym at the beginning of the year are now considering cancelling their membership.  

 

We haven’t given up just yet in the Marketing Department, but the need for tasty snacks is getting stronger by the day. As a result we’ve cleared all of the chocolate out of the Department and it’s been nine days since I touched my last biscuit (a particularly tricky challenge for me). We have tried to swap our sugary items for healthier snacks (although a grape doesn’t have quite the same appeal that a Quality Street does). 

 

It’s always a tough start to the year, and I’m sure we all keep thinking about the food we really want. Consequently, I’ve listed all of the items below that people love, but have sworn to give up as a New Year’s resolution. If you can last until February you definitely deserve one of these…

• Chocolate
• Crisps
• Biscuits
• Pizzas/ Chips
• Fizzy Drinks
• Ice Cream
• Cake
• Sausage Rolls
• Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

What unhealthy snack have you banned for the month of January? Feel free to share!

Have a great weekend! (Remember, you can do it!)

Rachael

The Stratix 8000 Range; a Rockwell and Cisco Joint Collaboration

The Rockwell Automation Stratix 8000 is a layer 2 industrial Ethernet switch with Cisco technology, the first of its kind. The result of a joint collaboration between Cisco and Rockwell Automation, this industrial Ethernet switch line uses the current Cisco Catalyst operating system, feature set, and user interface, making IT professionals feel at home. At the same time, it provides easy set-up and comprehensive diagnostic information from within the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture.

The Allen-Bradley Stratix 8300™ managed switch extends the Allen-Bradley Stratix 8000 industrial switch family to provide Layer 3 routing capability. As a full-featured Layer 3 switch, the new Stratix 8300 offers static, dynamic, multicast, redundant, IPv6 and policy-based routing and VFR-Lite virtualization. This allows for maximum flexibility in providing secure segmented architectures for industrial Ethernet applications.

Users have the benefits of the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) interface for predefined Logix tags and configuration screens in RSLogix 5000 programming software, as well as diagnostic faceplates for Rockwell Software FactoryTalk View HMI software, which is the preferred way for controls and automation professionals to integrate networked devices. Modular and industrially rated, the product line scales from 6 to 26 ports with options for copper and fiber to meet a variety of applications.

Features

Best of Cisco:

• Secure integration with enterprise network
• Cisco internet operating system (IOS)
• Cisco Catalyst switch architecture/feature set
• Common configuration tools; command line interface (CLI), CNA, and Device Manager

Best of Rockwell Automation:

• CIP interface to Integrated Architecture
• RSLogix 5000 programming software for configuration (AOP)
• Predefined Logix tags for diagnostics
• FactoryTalk View HMI software faceplates for status monitoring and alarming

Best for the manufacturing environment:

• Removable CompactFlash memory card stores configuration for easy device replacement
• Industrial environmental ratings
• Default configurations for industrial automation and EtherNet/IP devices (Globals and Smartports)

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

Plantwide Benefits of Ethernet/IP Seminar

We would like to invite you to a free Ethernet/ IP seminar at Cisco systems, Didsbury on February 11th. Ethernet/ IP on the plant floor provides a single network architecture using open, industry standard networking technologies that seamlessly deliver real-time control and information data throughout the plantwide network infrastructure. 

Presented by Rockwell Automation, Cisco systems and Panduit, the seminar will cover:

• The Rockwell Automation/ Cisco strategic alliance partnership and its value to customers
• Fundamentals of Ethernet/ IP
• What the convergence is and what benefits it brings
• To understand subnets and how to configure
• Rockwell Stratix Industrial Ethernet switch range overview, incorporating joint Cisco technology devices
• Stratix Managed Industrial Switch set up demo and benefits guide

 

The schedule for the event is as follows:

Please join us to learn more about the benefits of Ethernet/ IP and how to deploy this network infrastructure, converge with your IT network and optimise your plant floor network.

 

For more information or to register please email info@routeco.com

Routeco and Weidmuller bring you the latest information on Heavy Duty Connectors

Routeco and Weidmuller 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.

We are pleased to provide you with the latest leaflet on the extensive Heavy Duty Connectors range. 

To view the leaflet, click the image.

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

Thank Routeco It's Friday! (TRIF)

It’s officially 2014!

A new year means a new start and new opportunities. It’s that time again where we set ourselves goals of something we want to achieve…

Asking around the office it’s clear to see that the majority of New Year resolutions are based around our fitness (we all aim to shift those few extra pounds put on over Christmas somehow), this includes eating well (I’ve banned any biscuity treats) or just exercising more, some of the marketing team have set a minimum of 4 visits to the gym per week!

Other New Year’s resolutions include:

• Becoming more organised, both at work and at home.
• Travelling the world
• Giving up smoking
• Spending less money on things that you don’t need (a massive one for all of us I’m sure)
• Spending less time inside, and being more social
• Or the opposite, spending more time in front of the TV catching up with all those programs we missed!
• To get that promotion you've worked hard for...

What are you New Year’s resolutions?

Have a great weekend everyone!

Rachael

Rockwell Training courses are now available for 2014

As well as the existing range of application orientated training which has proved to be quite popular. This year Rockwell Automation are launching some new exciting courses including:

NEW to Integrated Architecture
Introduction to Mid Range including Maintenance, Motion and Programming

NEW to Visualisation courses
FactoryTalk SE Architecture and SE Maintenance

NEW to Networks for 2014
CISCO Networking Introduction
CISCO CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate in Routing & Switching)
ProSoft Wireless Architecture Design
NetLinx System Maintenance & Troubleshooting
FactoryTalk Security

Assess your requirements with Rockwell Automation's free training advisor
Rockwell Training Advisor helps you determine a tailored training path for your workforce to gain the knowledge required. Identifies skill and knowledge gaps using customised online assessments, and compiles the results to identify areas for training and development.

Training Schedule Update
Places are still available on the following courses – book early to avoid disappointment.

 

For more information visit the Training Advisor demonstration click here.