Rockwell Automation Technical Workshops

Traditional control systems can require separate control structures for each part of the application but using Rockwell Automation's Integrated Architecture, control systems are connected, scaleable and information enabled, simplifying maintenance, reducing design and implementation times and providing a seamless and secure connection to other business systems.

The Technical Workshop series provides engineers with the opportunity to develop an understanding of Rockwell Automation's Logix control platform through hands-on exercises using PACs, Variable Speed Drives, Remote I/O, Motion Controllers, HMI, Safety and Ethernet/IP products.

This is your opportunity to discuss any aspect of automation face-to-face. Whether you have a simple “How-to” question, or need a detailed discussion around your next project, Rockwell Automation Specialists will be on hand to provide answers and application experience.

Workshops are being held in Cheshire and Milton Keynes during May 2015:
Sandbach: 

• 6th May 2015
• 13th May 2015 (**SOLD OUT**)

Kiln Farm: 

• 20th May 2015
• 27th May 2015 (**SOLD OUT**)

Please click here which will take you to the registration page where you can sign up online.

Each workshop has a maximum of 10 seats so enroll early to avoid disappointment.

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

Extend your Ethernet/IP to hard-to-reach places with the new Stratix 5100

The New Allen-Bradley Stratix 5100 can function as a Wireless Access Point (WAP) or a Work Group Bridge (WGB), in both autonomous and unified networks. By providing connectivity in hard-to-wire and remotely accessible areas, the Stratix 5100 can increase productivity and efficiency on the plant floor. The Stratix 5100 is completely self-directing (autonomous) and does not require a Wireless LAN controller. 

Using the Stratix 5100 as a WGB allows you to connect up to 19 IP addresses, while providing wireless connectivity to wired clients that are connected using TCP/IP like Ethernet/IP. This design flexibility makes accessing critical production data easier in a network with multiple remotely accessible devices, helping reduce design time and operational costs when integrating machines and equipment into the industrial control network.

Key Benefits: 

• Same device can be used as a Wireless Access Point (autonomous) or Work Group Bridge (autonomous or a Cisco Unified network)
• Up to 19 IP addresses can be connected via Stratix 5100 in Work Group Bridge mode
• Device pre-programmed with default configuration for priority handling of EtherNet/IP and kit includes Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output (MIMO) antennas, External power supply and Universal mounting bracket. 
• Cisco IOS for performance with Device Manager and CLI configuration options
• Premier Integration to the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture® system
• FactoryTalk® View & AOI Faceplate for status monitoring and alarming 
• Meets widely adopted IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n standards

The Stratix 5100 1783-WAPEK9 is suitable in the European Union (other regional versions are available) and is available on our website.

Further product specifications can be found here.

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

Down to the wire - building a resilient network infrastructure

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a trending topic in the technology world. The Internet of Things can be defined as the connection and interaction of objects to the Internet or networks. 

With the Internet of Things increasingly broadening the production space to connect Operations Technology (OT) with Information Technology (IT), it's never been more important to build a highly resilient network infrastructure, as this article from Panduit outlines.

The article also includes tips on how to begin implementing the Internet of Things including assessment steps for manufacturers to undertake to understand their bandwidth and cable requirements. 

To read more, please click the link:

http://www.controlsdrivesautomation.com/page_568773.asp? 

How do you think IoT will affect you? Do you think it will create the business opportunities (to the value of $3.8 trillion for the manufacturing industry) Panduit expect? Let us know your thoughts below. 

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

Control Panel Reference Design

Control panels play an important role in today’s manufacturing environment. Integral to automation and process control systems, they need to handle a number of challenges, including advancements in control systems technology and the evolution of the design and fabrication process. A Control Panel reference design should consider Cable Management, Space Savings, Noise Reduction, Grounding/Bonding, Identification, Networking, Power and Safety.

 

Download the Panduit Control Panel Reference Design here: http://www.panduit.com/ccurl/859/402/popular-configuration-drawing-for-control-panel-reference-design.pdf

 

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

                  

Order despatch now available up until 5pm!

In line with our ongoing commitment to improve service levels for our customers we are pleased to announce that orders now placed and processed up until 5pm will be delivered to customers on the next working day.

At Routeco we recognise that in today’s business climate the need to react quickly to customers and suppliers demands is critical to ensure that UK Manufacturers and Machine Builders remain globally competitive. Our Logistics Centre in Milton Keynes is constantly monitored for performance and various process improvements have been made to allow us to achieve this status and consistently meet our customer’s expectations.

 

Routeco’s network of regional branches provide local sales and technical support to our customers and our branch staff have direct communication with our central distribution centre to ensure that any orders placed with our branches before 5pm can be entered into our business systems and processed to provide a next day delivery service to our customers.

For those occasions when it is imperative that goods are received by a particular time of the following day (e.g. before 10am), timed deliveries can be requested at an additional cost.

Darren Lack our Operations Director had the following to say on the recent service level achievement “Customers expect high levels of service so by offering next day delivery service enables them to react to their own business demands. The logistics operation in Milton Keynes offers a late carrier collection time of 7pm, giving greater flexibility to process orders placed late in the normal working day.”

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

                  

ProSoft’s new video demystifies Ethernet Communication Methods

 

Most industrial Ethernet protocols use Client, Server and I/O Messaging methods to communicate. Determining the best communication method to use depends on your application’s requirements, and if you choose the wrong one, you could face future problems, affecting your bottom line.

Sound challenging? It can be. But ProSoft Technology is here to help with a video explaining communication methods over Ethernet. The video includes examples of sample applications, and explores the positives and negatives of the communication methods to help you determine the best choice for your application.

To learn more about communicating over Ethernet in industrial applications, check out the video, where you can also see other tutorial videos, including one about Modbus® Serial and TCP/IP.
 

To discuss your requirements with one of our specialists please contact us on 0370 607 100 or by email at info@routeco.com