The MC4N ECAT Mini EtherCAT master controls 12 drives from different manufacturers on one network. The dedicated controller for 2, 4, 8, 16 or 32 drive axes and 1024 machine I/O points features a built-in and expandable library of market leading EtherCAT-slave digital servo and stepper drives, as well as EtherCAT I/O modules with automatic…
Kontron expands tried-and-test control cabinet IPC product family
Kontron, a provider of embedded computing technology, announced the expansion of the KBox IPC series. The new Kontron KBox IPCs have been developed especially for industrial control applications and are highly scalable. The new systems of the KBox family will be available on a long-term basis and can be upgraded with industrial I/Os, Fieldbusses and/or…
PLCs control massive hangar doors at San Francisco International Airport
The door controls, motors and gear drives of the Superbay Maintenance Hangar at the San Francisco International Airport needed a retrofit. The previous control system was built in 1969 and consisted of multiple relays, contactors, timers, antiquated power track systems and miles of wiring requiring continuous maintenance. The massive hangar boasts two 130 x 90…
Multi-touch control panel
QuickPanel+ operator interface (OI) for the Industrial Internet features multi-touch technology for pinch-to-zoom functions found in popular consumer touchscreen devices. Multi1-touch and swipe viewing are a worldwide standard in consumer digital interfaces, so viewing system-wide details even on a 7 in. display is simple with the new QuickPanel+ multi-touch functionality. Double-tapping or pinching enables the…
Unitronics introduces a new model with a 4.3″ HMI panel
Samba, an all-in-one, palm-size controller, fills a growing niche—OEMs on a tight budget who need compact controllers for simple machine control, but still want the competitive advantage of a modern, color-touch HMI panel. The first model of Samba was released this spring; now, only few months after that launch, Unitronics is expanding the series with…
WAGO’s PFC200 steps up performance of Ethernet 2.0 series
The PFC200 offers advanced compact, computing power in an easy to use environment for PLC programming and process visualization. The PFC200 features: • Multiple fieldbus ports • A high speed processor: 600 MHz ARM Cortex A8 • Extensive memory: 256 MB on-board, 32 GB removable • Integrated web server supporting WAGO’s Web Visu mobile application…
Opto 22 Releases PAC Project 9.4 Industrial Automation Software
Opto 22 has announced PAC Project 9.4, an upgrade to its PAC Project suite of software applications and utilities that provide control programming, HMI development, OPC connectivity, and database integration. This latest PAC Project upgrade supports Opto 22’s new HART protocol SNAP I/O modules, adds the option of logging HMI data to SQL and other…
Updates to Opto 22’s groov Improve Interface Development and Expand Mobile Device Support
Opto 22 has announced groov version 2.2, a significant update to the company’s groov web-based mobile operator interface software. groov makes it simple to build and use effective, scalable operator interfaces on smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices so that authorized users can monitor or control almost any automation system. groov 2.2 adds and improves…
SSI Interface for Networked PLCs
Advanced Micro Controls Inc. (AMCI), announces the addition of their ANE2 SSI Interface Module to the AnyNET I/O family of PLC-based specialty I/O products. AMCI’s AnyNET SSI Interface integrates a network connection and expansion capabilities to provide a modern, versatile SSI feedback solution for any PLC-based system. The ANE2 expands up to six 2-channel modules,…
Versatile Scanner Ensures Safety in Robotic Cells
The number of opportunities in industrial applications that risk a person’s safety are numerous and varied. One solution to improve safety is the OS32C-4M safety laser scanner, which offers the versatility needed to solve diverse presence detection and collision avoidance application needs. The OS32C-4M safety laser scanner is a Type 3 laser scanner with a…
eWON Flexy
The eWON Flexy is an industrial M2M router that allows OEMs and system integrators to link remote devices in an environment where communication technologies are constantly changing (2G, 3G, 4G, WiFi,…) and to communicate universally with the most varied field equipment. With its concept of base modules that can contain up to four expansion boards,…
GE Expands Control Platform with PACSystems®
GE Intelligent Platforms (NYSE: GE) has added one more solution to the company’s high performance connected automation architecture with the expansion of its high availability control platform. PACSystems® High Availability with PROFINET System enables companies with mission critical applications across a broad range of industries including Power, Transportation, Water & Wastewater, Mining, and Oil &…
EtherNet/IP™-enabled OS32C-4M Safety Laser Scanners
OMRON Automation and Safety’s new OS32C-4M is the latest addition to the company’s award winning family of safety laser scanners. These Type 3 safety laser scanners provide a 4 meter safety range, 15 meter warning zones and an impressive 270 degree detection angle that is perfect for safeguarding large robotic cells and body entry detection.…
Opto 22’s New groov Box Offers Mobile Access Anywhere
Industrial automation manufacturer Opto 22 has announced a new groov Box (GROOV-AR1) that hosts groov mobile operator interfaces for virtually any automation system. Users simply connect their automation system to groov, and then connect authorized mobile devices to groov via either a web browser or an app interface. This allows each mobile device to interact…
Simplifying machine automation with Open Core Engineering
Edited by Mary Gannon/Senior Editor Automation systems and motion control systems are constantly becoming more complex. So it can be a breath of fresh air to find a tool to program and control them that is simple and easy to use. That is why Bosch Rexroth created its new Open Core Engineering software portfolio for…
Resolver Interface for Networked PLCs
Advanced Micro Controls Inc. (AMCI), announces the addition of their ANA2 Resolver Interface Module to the AnyNET I/O family of PLC-based specialty I/O products. AMCI’s AnyNET Resolver Interface integrates a network connection and expansion capabilities to provide a modern, versatile resolver feedback solution for any PLC-based system. The ANA2 expands up to six 2-channel modules,…
Advantech Introduces Seven Slot PAC with Intel Atom CPU
Advantech’s Industrial Automation Group has released a new model to their family of ADAM products, the ADAM-5560. The ADAM-5560 has been designed to be the most flexible PAC/PLC for control tasks which require an industrial PCs performance and PLC robustness. The help System Integrators develop applications for their customers; the ADAM-5560 comes with an Intel®…
FACTIVITY Forms Strategic Partnership With Opto 22
FACTIVITY has just become a partner with Opto 22, a worldwide supplier of PAC (Programmable Automation Controllers). Opto 22 manufactures controllers, I/O, solid-state relays, and software products that link electrical, mechanical, and electronic devices to networks and computers. Its products are used to monitor, control, and get data from all the machines and devices that…
Single Unit Certification offered to Industrial Control Panel Manufacturers
UL (Underwriters Laboratories) will offer Single Unit Certification to industrial control panel and factory automation equipment manufacturers. This program is available to customers who need to certify a limited number of panels or machines where a field installation site may be unknown. The program is being offered in response to an industry where product is…
Opto 22 Updates groov Web-based Mobile Operator Interface System
Opto 22 has announced groov version 2.1, an update to its groov web-based mobile operator interface system for building and using effective, scalable operator interfaces on smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices. groov 2.1 improvements include faster tag handling with OPC-UA servers, and improved data exchange with mobile devices for faster response times and lower…
Successful Protection for Industrial Networks
Edited by Michael Jermann, Assistant Editor Ethernet-based production systems are becoming increasingly well-established. Easy integration into Intranet and Internet, the high bandwidth of up to Gigabits per second, and decreasing costs of industrially specified cables, connectors, switches, and routers are the reasons behind this development. The other side of the coin, though, is an increased…
GE’s New High Performance Communications Modules Help OEMs
GE Intelligent Platforms (NYSE: GE) announced three new PACSystems RX3i modules that provide infrastructure OEMs and systems integrators with communication protocols as “in rack” solutions. The PACSystems family of automation controllers, standardized on the market-leading PROFINET industrial network, provides an extremely high performance, reliable, yet simple to configure and install distributed I/O network. The Ethernet…
Function Integration — A Dream Come True
by Sean O’Grady, Product Manager, Valve Terminals and Electronics, Festo Pre-screened referenced products open up a whole new generation of automation solutions. Communication is critical in the daily reality of an engineer. Every minute spent calculating design limits or researching material compatibility seems like it is offset by an hour in project meetings, customer calls…
Mitsubishi Introduces Retrofit Package to Replace MELDASMAGIC®64 Controls
Some machine tool builders (MTBs) are unable to support their control systems due to such factors as obsolete parts, which can leave machine shops looking for alternative solutions to keep the systems running, or else requiring them to scrap the machines altogether. In response, Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. has developed a retrofit package to replace…
Molex Unveils New Harsh-Duty SST™
Molex Incorporated has announced the expansion of its line of SST Communication Modules with the launch of its new CLXT Modules, designed for use with Rockwell ControlLogix XT PLCs in harsh and corrosive industrial environments. Molex, a Rockwell Encompass global partner, will feature the new SST CLXT Modules at Rockwell Automation Fair 2013, November 13-14,…