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E-Notes from Captain's Log aboard AutomationDirect.com
Volume 3 Issue 6

Welcome to our semi-regular e-mail update of what's new and happening at AutomationDirect.com. You are receiving this e-news because you subscribed to the AutomationDirect.com newsletter. Just go to http://notify.automationdirect.com/newsletter if you wish to unsubscribe.

Misplaced your catalog, or was it borrowed and never returned? Jump to our online request form and get our NEWEST 1,000-page free catalog or catalog on CD, click here or call 1-800-633-0405.

2001 is coming to an end and we at AutomationDirect are busy getting started on our next catalog. The 2002 edition of the catalog will offer many new products, extensions to product lines and enhancements to existing products. Look for the new catalog late first quarter of 2002.

As we announced in a recent issue of this e-mail newsletter, B-stock items are available on our Web site for discounted prices. The select re-manufactured parts are available to U.S. and Canadian customers. You will receive a 20% discount off the catalog price of any available items, and we will give you a full 1-year warranty from the date of purchase against defects and workmanship. (No 30-day money back returns apply for this offer.)

The products are offered on a "first come first serve" basis while supplies last! You will need Web access to view product availability and to order. Just click the link below, and then fill in your company information and the products you wish to purchase. Once the system verifies the products and quantities, simply print the form and fax it to the number provided on the Web site. Your order will be sent to a company sales representative who will then fill your order.

Counter module now shipping

The four-channel high-speed counter module for use with DL205 CPUs, H2-EBC Ethernet Base Controllers or the WinPLCs is now shipping. Priced at $269, the module offers two input channels that support two quadrature inputs up to 100 kHz, or four single channel inputs up to 100 kHz. Two output channels support up to 50 kHz pulse output stepper drive control or four independently configurable 5-36 VDC high-speed discrete outputs.

• More information on the DL205 product line and the new counter module

New slim bezel EZTouch panels

In addition to the current line of EZTouch panels, slim bezel versions of the 6" models will soon be available. Part numbers for new slim models are EZ-S6M-RS (mono reduced feature) and EZ-S6C-F (color full feature). The mono panel is expected for release in late November and the color panel in late December. The panels will be priced at $429 for the mono version and $829 for the color version.

• More on EZTouch panels
  

Analog modules for DL05 line

Now available for the DL05 line of products is a 2-channel in/2-channel out combination analog input module (F0-2AD2DA-2) and a 4-channel in/2-channel out combination analog input module (F0-4AD2DA-2). Both modules have an input range of 0-5 VDC 0-10 VDC (jumper selectable) and 12-bit resolution. The F0-2AD2DA-2 is priced at $149 and the F0-4AD2DA-2 is priced at $209.

For more information on the new analog modules, as well as the rest of the DL05 line, click here

New discrete modules for DL205 and Terminator I/O lines

Three new DL205 discrete modules are now available, including an 8-point DC output sourcing module for $48, a 32-point DC 5-15 VDC input module, and a 32-point DC output sourcing module. Both 32-point modules are priced at $102. For the Terminator I/O line, an 8-point DC output sourcing module is available for $60.

• More on the DL205 line of PLC systems
• More on Terminator Field I/O

LookoutDirect Version 4.5

New features in the version 4.5 software include distributed alarming for viewing and acknowledgement of alarms from anywhere on the network, distributed data logging to save and retrieve data anywhere on the network, and browse-and-select networking for connecting multiple LookoutDirect stations within a production facility or remote locations. The development package is priced at $1,295 and includes the software on CD-ROM, user manuals, a development/run-time license, and I/O drivers.

For more information on LookoutDirect software, click here.

WinPLCs to come preloaded with Think and Do Live! and Studio

Starting in mid-November, the WinPLC will be available preloaded with either Think and Do Live! or Think and Do Studio PC-based control software. In order to introduce these products, current WinPLC part numbers H2-WPLC1-TD and H2-WPLC2-TD will be discontinued and the new part numbers will be as follows:

• WinPLC loaded with Think and Do Live: H2-WPLC1-LV and H2-WPLC2-LV
• WinPLC loaded with Think and Do Studio: H2-WPLC1-SD and H2-WPLC2-SD

Current customers will be receiving a mailing in November that contains a price list addendum with these new part numbers.

More information about Think and Do Live or Think and Do Studio software

Proximity and photoelectric sensors get a new look

All photoelectric and proximity sensors that are currently yellow in color are changing to gray. For those customers who still would like to purchase yellow sensors, the yellow models will be available until supplies are gone.

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MODBUS and DirectLOGIC Remote I/O modules for Terminator I/O

Now available for the Terminator I/O line of field bus termination products are MODBUS and DirectLOGIC Remote I/O modules. Priced at $136, the MODBUS module (T1K-MODBUS) allows you to connect to I/O as a slave station on a MODBUS RTU network. The T1K-MODBUS can communicate with any MODBUS RTU network master using high-level MODBUS commands.

The DirectLOGIC Remote I/O module (T1K-RSSS) serves as a slave to any of the DirectLOGIC PLCs that can act as a remote master, using the RM-NET protocol, or as a slice master, using the SM-NET protocol. The T1K-RSSS modules are also priced at $136.

For more information on the new MODBUS and DirectLOGIC Remote I/O module, as well as the rest of the Terminator I/O line of products, visit our Field I/O Overview

Additions to enclosures line of products

Over the next few months, many more Hubbell/Wiegmann enclosures will be available through AutomationDirect. The lines of enclosures and associated parts will be designated as "non-stock" when they are added to the store, meaning their availability can range from immediate to 3 weeks. Non-stock enclosures are designated with a "clock" icon in the online store, and as "non-stock" in the printed price list. Please note: when you place an order, a complete enclosure shipment will ship at one time from the manufacturer when all enclosure parts in the order are available. If you order in-stock enclosures that you want to ensure are shipped immediately, put them on a separate order from the non-stock enclosures.

Think and Do Live! returns

Think and Do Live! version 5.4 is now available with updated hardware support. For legacy applications, Think and Do provides a familiar software environment with the addition of productivity enhancements. No reprogramming or updating of existing hardware will be required for legacy users. If you have an application that does not require communication to a SQL Database, or if an elaborate HMI is not important, Think and Do Live! could be for you.

Class I Div II for DL205 series of products

AutomationDirect has obtained Class I Div II certification for the DL205 series of products, certifying them for hazardous environments. The classification covers UL/cUL Class I, Division II Groups A, B, C and D, as well as Class I, Zone 2, A-D.

More information about the DL205 series of products

Check out all recent product news...

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New Shopping Cart features

It is no longer necessary to click a "stock check" button in order to check stock on the Shopping Cart page. Availability of items will be checked automatically when parts are placed in the Shopping Cart. We've also made it easier to delete items and update quantities. A delete box is now available next to each item in the Shopping Cart. If you want to delete multiple items, check the boxes next to each item you want to delete. When the update button at the bottom of the page is clicked, all checked items are deleted. You can also now change the quantities of items in the Shopping Cart and the changes will be reflected after the update button is clicked.

Increased size of Quick Form

Our online store now features a larger Quick Form for fast ordering. The Quick Form allows you to quickly order parts by entering part numbers and quantities of items you want to order. To access the Quick Form, go to the AutomationDirect home page and click "Quick Form" on the top left-hand corner of the page. The new larger Quick Form has been expanded to accommodate the input of 20 different items on one page.

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Application of the month: Company's automated machines control steps of shutter production with DL205 PLC

Description: G&L Technologies in Alpharetta, GA builds automated machines that complete all of the processes of shutter building, from cutting to final assembly. The company chose AutomationDirect's DL205 as an integral part of their machines. One machine, the LPS-36T, controls louver production. Louvers are the pieces that go across each shutter frame that can be manipulated with a tilt rod to open and close the shutter. The machine uses the DL205 PLC to manage the operation of all electro-mechanical components and communication, including index speed and distance, system stapling, drill and pin sequencing, and parts infeed coordination. An operator interface provides the operator with information such as louver width and machine status. The PLC is programmed so that a range of production parameters is supported on the louver production machine. Therefore, many different manufacturers can take advantage of the automated systems, regardless of the shutter size and style they are manufacturing. The raw louver stock comes in many different lengths and can be produced in various wood types, as well as plastics and composites. The LPS-36T system accommodates raw louver stock lengths between 18 inches and 16 feet and allows the operator to enter louver length, width and thickness using the operator interface panel.

For more information about G&L Technologies, visit their web site at www.gandltech.com

To view our entire collection of Application Stories, click here

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After a great season, Johnny finished in third place in the Trans-Am series points total. Teammate Paul Gentilozzi took the championship with 287 points, while Johnny finished with 255 points, behind second place finisher Brian Simo. Congratulations to Johnny on a great season. During the off-season, you can still enjoy racing news on Johnny's Web site at www.milleracing.com.

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Real-life Instructions

Here are some actual label instructions on consumer goods:
On a hair dryer: Do not use while sleeping.
On a bag of Fritos: You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside.
On a bar of Dial soap: Directions: Use like regular soap.
Some Swann frozen dinners: Serving suggestion: Defrost.
On a hotel-provided shower cap in a box: Fits one head.
On Tesco's Tiramisu desert: Do not turn upside down. (Printed on the bottom of the box.)
On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding: Product will be hot after heating.
On packaging for a Rowenta Iron: Do not iron clothes on body.
On Boot's Children's Cough Medicine: Do not drive car or operate machinery.
On Nytol: Warning: May cause drowsiness.

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