Managing Industrial Networks with Cisco Networking Technologies

Managing Industrial Networks with Cisco® Networking Technologies (IMINS) Version 1.0 is a hands-on lab-based training course, which helps students with the foundational skills needed for the management and administration of networked industrial control systems. The IMINS course, developed in conjunction with

Rockwell Automation, helps plant administrators, control system engineers and traditional network engineers understand networking technologies that are needed in today’s connected plants and enterprises.

This course also helps you prepare for the Cisco Industrial Networking Specialist Certification exam

(exam ID 600-601) and qualify for the Cisco Industrial Networking Specialist certification.

The goal of this course is to enable you to achieve competency and skills to install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot industrial network systems while helping to ensure network availability, reliability, and Internet security throughout your company.

For full course details and course prerequisites please download the training profile here and to check available training dates and prices or to book your place please contact us by email at info@routeco.com

Maximise your panel space with DIN Rail mounted Wiring Duct from Panduit

PanelMax™ DIN Rail Wiring Duct is an innovative wire management solution from Panduit that maximizes space utilisation within industrial enclosures for flexibility in panel layout and reduced material and installation costs.

The unique design raises components from the panel surface for easier access and faster terminations. DIN rail wiring duct is compatible with common DIN rail and DIN mount components1 to satisfy a wide range of applications.

The Industrial Automation Solution from Panduit meets the most demanding requirements and applications with a broad range of product systems that aid in reducing design and assembly time, creating valuable panel space savings, providing easier installation and maintenance, and improving reliability.

For further technical information on this new innovative product please click here and for pricing information and to buy online from Routeco please click here 

Process Weighing Technology & Trends Technical Workshop

Routeco and Hardy Process Solutions would like to invite you to our free of charge workshop

Do you use weight to monitor, measure or control your manufacturing processes? Do you want to learn new ways to integrate weight readings into your PLC, PAC, or DCS? Do you have questions about fine tuning weighing systems?

See first hand the latest weighing technology, learn best practices,and ask the experts about all aspects of process weighing.The workshop will give you the opportunity to review the latest technology and Load cells, instrumentation, PLC integrated solutions and modular weighing systems will all be covered during the workshop.

Key topics to include:
> Automated calibration
> Vibration elimination filters
> Remote access to instruments over Ethernet TCP/IP from a web browser
The workshop will be led by Carlos Moya of Hardy Process Solutions and supported by Routeco's Automation Specialists who will also be available after the workshop to discuss your individual projects and applications, should you require any further assistance. 

Venue: Routeco, Davy Avenue, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes, MK5 8HJ
When: Thursday 12th February, 10:00 - 14:00, with lunch provided
To reserve your place or for any enquiries, email info@routeco.com

Make It Easier to Configure, Program and Visualize

Connected Components Workbench design and configuration software offers controller programming, device configuration and integration with HMI editor. Based on proven Rockwell Automation and Microsoft Visual Studio technology, Connected Components Workbench software can help minimize your initial machine development with free IEC 61131-3 standard software download. 

Features include:

• Available as free web download or free DVD

• Includes free support and software updates

• Provides common, easy-to-use configuration and programming tool for Micro800 PLC products

• Lets you create and deploy user-defined function blocks

• Provides offline and online capability

• Offers a variety of serial and network connectivity options

• Offers choice of programming languages with user-defined function block support (ladder diagram, function block diagram, structured text)

• Uses the same wizards that are used in DriveTools™ SP and drives add-on profiles

• Includes the DeviceLogix™ Editor

For more information, training videos and to download the software click here

Plantwide Benefits of Ethernet/IP Seminar

We would like to invite you to a free Ethernet/IP seminar at The Manufacturing Technology Centre, Coventry on February 24th 2015.

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 and Cisco, 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

HMS adds EtherNet/IP to Netbiter Remote Management Solution

By connecting a Netbiter EasyConnect 300-series gateway, users of EtherNet/IP-based equipment can carry out maintenance from any location. 

The Netbiter Remote Management solution has previously offered connectivity to Modbus devices, but now HMS can also offer direct, on board compatibility with EtherNet/IP. Via the LAN port on the Netbiter Gateway, users can connect via UCMM (UnConnected Message Manager) which is an acyclic messaging channel separate from the control loop messaging.

Features of Netbiter include:

• Users can configure EtherNet/IP devices remotely using their regular configuration software (RSLogix for example), log trends, monitor performance over time, and get alarm or event notifications whenever critical thresholds are reached.

• Users can connect an EtherNet/IP-based automation device to a Netbiter gateway via the LAN port. The Netbiter gateway sends data via Ethernet or the cellular network to the cloud-based data centre called Netbiter Argos. 

• Users access Netbiter Argos at www.netbiter.net using a regular web browser. They can also set up a secure tunnel to the remote machine or equipment which enables commissioning and debugging just as if they were on site.

• The new Netbiter release includes the ability to group and filter alarms, as well as free access to map functionality showing the exact location of each Netbiter gateway. 

Click on the video below to how Netbiter is used to remotely monitor water treatment systems.

For more information please click here or to buy online visit our website here. 

If you require more information please email info@routeco.com or call 0370 607 1000.

Simple and Low Maintenance Air to Air Heat Exchangers

Air to Air Heat Exchangers provide a simple, stand-alone, low maintenance and energy efficient means of cooling electrical enclosures. The effectiveness of Air to Air Heat Exchangers is fundamentally dependent upon the ambient air temperature and the required internal air temperature; not only must the former be lower than the latter but the available cooling output varies with the difference between them.

Air to Air Heat Exchangers have only two moving parts, an internal fan and an external fan, which draw air through separate circuits of a heat exchanger, ensuring that the ambient air, which may be aggressive, or any debris or contaminants present in it, are not permitted ingress into the enclosure.

The fans fitted in the Rittal Air to Air Heat Exchanger are maintenance-free and therefore maintenance is limited to cleaning between the lamellae of the aluminium heat exchanger, which may be removed both quickly and easily. Debris and coarse dust particles or oil vapour may be removed from the ambient air prior to the heat exchanger using either a polyurethane (PU) foam filter mat or a metallic filter mat respectively.

Since the Air to Air Heat Exchanger requires only an electrical supply and its energy consumption is limited to that of two fans, the energy efficiency of this cooling solution is greater than that of alternatives that utilise refrigerant.

Rittal Air to Air Heat Exchangers are available as either roof-mounted or wall-mounted variants and for either internal or external use and so there is a product suitable for most applications should the ambient air temperature and the required internal air temperature permit.

At Routeco we have a great, easy to use thermal label to help you determine the temperature of your products. By adhering the small label to an internal surface of your enclosure, you will be able to see how hot or cold it is from the temperature gauge. The thermal label is quick to stick with results appearing straight away and is suitable for all types of equipment.

To request your free thermal label please email info@routeco.com and one of our sales engineers will come and help select the best product for you.

To view stock availability and pricing of the Air to Air Heat Exchangers online click here.* 

*Please note not all products may be available to purchase online, please email info@routeco.com or call 0370 607 1000 for product enquiries.

Our time at the Automation Fair...

We had a great time attending the Automation Fair in Anaheim, California, with some of our customers.

During our time at the event we visited all the stands to make sure we got the most out of the two days. We felt the Connected Enterprise was fully explained and well delivered by Rockwell Automation.

Ourselves and our customers were impressed with Rockwell Automation's technical sessions, demonstrations and forums throughout our time at the fair. 

We also organised some activities outside the event for our customers to attend such as a vineyard tour for wine tasting and lunch, a trip to see the Anaheim Ducks vs Florida Panthers Ice Hockey Game, along with evenings spent in some great nearby restaurants.

Mike Stephenson, Glasgow's Area Sales Manager from Routeco, attended the event:

"I was very proud to represent Routeco, the Glasgow team and the customers at the event. It was a fantastic personal opportunity to visit the Automation Fair. Our organised events, my trip to the USS Midway with two clients, evening meals at Disney and Rockwell Automation’s evening at Mexican restaurant were superbly organised and attended by all my attendees."

The event was a unique opportunity to spend time with our customers to help build long term relationships and to ensure we are their partner of choice. 

For more information on Rockwell's Automation Fair please click here.

Thank you to all who attended and made the event a great success.

We are already looking forward to the next one!