Opto 22 has debuted its second major firmware release for 2020 (the third since initial release in 2018) of the groov EPIC edge programmable industrial control platform. Version 3.0 focuses on enhancing the scalability of industrial internet of things (IIoT) and automation projects. It introduces centralized user management via LDAP (lightweight directory access protocol), the…
This video series gives you tips for using Modbus TCP devices with groov EPIC
Watch these new groov EPIC videos for tips on using your Modbus TCP devices with groov View, PAC Control, Node-RED, and Inductive Automation’s Ignition software. Opto 22 engineer Ben Orchard is back in the Opto 22 studio with several new video lessons on communicating to Modbus TCP devices with a groov EPIC processor. For each lesson, Ben is using a groov EPIC Learning…
groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here’s why you’ll want to update
groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here’s a sweeping look at the new features I’m most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) New external HDMI monitor support groov EPIC has always worked…
Opto 22’s groov EPIC Firmware 1.5.0 Adds New Visualization Features and External Mass Storage Support
As the groov EPIC® platform ages, Opto 22 releases version 1.5.0 of its firmware. This release broadens the palette of visualization and storage options for groov EPIC to suit an even wider variety of applications and hardware. The embedded groov View server is updated to version 4.2, with functions to create even more dynamic web and mobile HMIs, dashboards, and…
groov EPIC Learning – You Have Options!
Pick from three options to fit your time and budget. “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” — Benjamin Franklin To help you learn about the powerful technologies you can add to your automation arsenal with groov EPIC, Opto 22 gives you three options. Let’s take a look. Option 1:…
A local database server on your groov EPIC processor?
In a recent blog post, Terry Orchard covered one of the programming options available on the groov EPIC: secure shell (SSH) access. If you’re familiar with Linux shell commands, you can use secure shell access to install application packages and add functionality to your groov EPIC Edge Programmable Industrial Controller. For example, you could add a local database server. In this blog post, we’ll…
Opto 22’s groov EPIC Firmware Update Enhances Secure Remote Access with VPN, adds Inductive Automation Ignition Options
Opto 22 announces the release of firmware update 1.4.1 for the groov EPIC® Edge Programmable Industrial Controller, expanding the capabilities of this next-generation industrial control system. Engineers and developers will find helpful new networking options and tools, plus new software choices for their automation and industrial internet of things (IIoT) applications. For secure remote access to…
Edge Computing in Industrial Automation
Successful industrial internet of things (IIoT) applications send data from systems that monitor and control the physical world to information technology (IT) data processing systems. There the data can be analyzed and the results used to improve business capabilities: better inventory management, better predictive maintenance, reduced asset downtime, and much more. But to achieve these…
Video: get a 2-minute overview of the groov EPIC system
New video highlights all the key features of the groov EPIC system—in just 120 seconds Have a spare 2 minutes? Spend them watching the new groov EPIC video, You’ll get a quick tour of the system and answers to your questions about product specifications and features. Learn what EPIC means: Edge: Collect, process, view, and…
Coming soon: IEC 61131-3 on groov EPIC
As the “P” in EPIC implies, we are adding more Programming options to groov EPIC in the near future. Our goal is for this Controller to be truly EPIC, and give developers and engineers multiple programming options on an Edge device, in addition to PAC Control, C/C++, Python, and more that’s already available. So, it’s…
Four-port serial module available for the groov EPIC system
Opto 22 has announced the release of the groov serial I/O module, GRV-CSERI-4. This module plugs into a groov EPIC chassis alongside groov EPIC analog and discrete I/O modules, allowing you the mix of signals you need at any location. Many industrial automation applications require communication between the controller and multiple serial devices. This new…
What gets measured, gets managed … gets improved
The adage “what gets measured, gets managed” is an old one [1], and I had heard it many times — but a director of mine in a previous job put a new spin on it: “What gets measured, gets managed, gets improved.” That last bit is of utmost importance in today’s environment. So many times…
Introducing OptoU – free online training
Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure…
Outbound! Monitor OEM machinery with little to no IT involvement
Day in and day out, I work alongside machine builders who share a common problem: Once equipment has been shipped to a customer site, it is quite difficult to ensure that it is running properly and being adequately maintained. I once heard the phrase, “even a Cadillac will fail prematurely if you drive it into…
Request-response vs. publish-subscribe, part 2: Which to use?
In part 1 we met two communication models for computers on a network: request-response and publish-subscribe. Now let’s take a look at when you might want to use each, and why. Request-response: proven and reliable In a request-response architecture, each client opens a direct connection to each server, because the client requests data directly from…
Request-response vs. publish-subscribe, part 1: What’s the difference?
We all know that computers and other electronic devices—printers, routers, laptops, smartphones, and more—are networked so they can exchange information. But how does that information get where it’s supposed to go? How does a spreadsheet get to the printer, a YouTube video get to your smartphone, or—most important for automation engineers—a value from a sensor…
Meet groov EPIC – the world’s first Edge Programmable Industrial Controller
Would you like to know more about the new groov EPIC system? Now you can, on your own schedule. Learn how to simplify your automation and IIoT projects. See how to improve security and performance, with minimal reliance on IT personnel. With its unique combination of real-time control, connectivity, data handling, and system visualization, the…
The internet of things: new business models for manufacturers?
The convergence of Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) systems may help manufacturers embrace new service offerings using web-based business models. Many years ago one of my distributor partners took me to do an automation demo for a very large industrial OEM. Afterward we went into a stockroom, where she noted on a clipboard…
Tips on designing for the Internet of Things
Bimba, TI, and Opto22 are heavily involved in developing products with and for the Internet of Things. In this webinar you will hear stories from the trenches on how they have approached the IoT and what they have learned in the process. You will learn: What value the IoT may or may not bring to…
Energy Management is Big Business
by Natasha Townsend, Associate Editor In energy management systems, real-time monitoring and energy efficiency are major factors in performance and cost control. An energy management system (EMS) monitors, controls, and conserves energy in a facility. The importance of EMS is not only for manufacturing facilities, but for engineers as well. These systems have been used…
Network LED Dimmer from Opto 22
Opto 22 has announced the Network LED Dimmer, a compact, solid-state, and networkable LED dimmer that uses pulse width modulation (PWM) to control LED brightness (0-100%) for 9-30 VDC constant voltage LED lighting assemblies such as lamps, bulbs, strips, ropes, and bars. Used alone or teamed with other Dimmers, the Network LED Dimmer is suitable…
SoftPAC Controller from Opto 22 Expands SNAP PAC Choices
Opto 22 has announced SoftPAC(tm), a software-based programmable automation controller (PAC) ideal for use with computationally intensive applications as well as applications that must log, manipulate, and exchange large amounts of data. SoftPAC joins Opto 22’s existing SNAP PAC family of standalone and rack-mounted PAC controllers so automation professionals can choose the best PAC-either hardware-…
I/O Processors from Opto 22 Upgrade Legacy Digital I/O Systems to Ethernet
Temecula, CA – Industrial automation manufacturer Opto 22 has released the G4D32EB2-UPG and G4EB2, two new I/O processors which allow automation professionals to upgrade a legacy mistic(tm) or Pamux(tm) G4 digital I/O system on a serial network to operate as part of a modern, Ethernet/TCP-based control system without needing to replace or modify existing I/O […]
SNAP I/O Module from Opto 22
Industrial automation manufacturer Opto 22 has released the SNAP-SCM-CAN2B, a high-speed serial communication module for acquiring data from generators, motors, sensors, actuators, and other industrial devices connected to a Controller Area Network (CAN). CAN and CAN-ready devices are popular for use in industrial applications such as factory automation and building control due to the simplicity…
Opto 22 Webinar Introduces "Energy Monitoring for Profit"
Opto 22 introduces the lucrative concept of “demand response” in a webinar on June 6. Many electrical energy providers offer demand response incentive programs to their customers in order to reduce electrical demand during peak use periods. Typically a utility customer is offered financial incentives for temporarily shedding electrical loads or shifting loads to a…