|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome to our semi-regular e-mail update of what's new and happening at AutomationDirect. You are receiving this e-news because you subscribed to the AutomationDirect newsletter. Just go to http://notify.automationdirect.com/newsletter if you wish to unsubscribe.
Misplaced your catalog, or was it borrowed and never returned? To jump to our online request form and get our 1,300-page free catalog or catalog on CD, click here or call 1-800-633-0405.
EDITOR'S NOTES |
Number one, again!
For
the second year in a row, AutomationDirect has been named number one in customer service
for PLC programming software by Control Design magazine. But this year, we've also
been named number one in service for PLCs as well. The independent survey performed
each year by Control Design, ranks Automation service providers on a scale of 1-5,
with 5 being the best. AutomationDirect scored a 4.5 for PLC service and a 4.4 for
software service, the highest of any company in those categories. Thanks to our customers
for spreading the word about our service!
For more on the Control Design Reader's Choice awards, click here.
Tell us what you think
What would you think about participating in an AutomationDirect Webinar? We are considering holding Web-based seminars that would provide an overview of our company, some technical details of the major product lines we offer, as well as some industry trends. They would be geared towards customers or potential customers who would like to learn more about our company and our products. If you have any feedback to offer concerning your interest in Webinars, or any experiences you may have had with them, we'd love to hear what you have to say. Also, if you have any subjects or products you would like to see covered in a Web seminar, let us know. Just drop us a line at newsletter@automationdirect.com.
Seeking application stories
Interested in sharing your application story to get credit on your account?
We are looking for customers who can provide either a short application story
for our Web site, or anyone who'd be interested in helping us develop a full-length
story that can be used in industry magazines. Any customers whose submitted
application story is published on our Web site will receive a $50 credit to
their account. If you would like to assist with the development of a full-length
application story for publication in a trade magazine, you will receive a
$500 credit if your story is accepted. To submit an application story to our
Web site, visit
and fill out the submission form with an application story that is approximately
100-150 words in length. To contact us about developing a full-length application
story, e-mail us at: newsletter@automationdirect.com.
IN THIS ISSUE |
| NEW PRODUCTS |
TECH
TALK |
| ONLINE SPOTLIGHT |
NEW PRODUCTS |
Order the DL06 today and get a free programming cable
Now,
for a limited time only, we are offering a free programming cable with the purchase
of a DL06 PLC. A D2-DSCBL, valued at $29, will be included in every order of one or
more DL06 PLCs. To take advantage of this offer, visit this page to get the code you
will need to mention when ordering. Please note, this offer is available for phone
orders only. The offer expires on December 31, 2002. (Limit one cable per customer.)
Additions to EZTouch line
Data
Highway Plus (DH+) and Ethernet capability have been added to the EZTouch
line of operator interface panels. New panels with the DH+ option card pre-installed
offer connectivity to an Allen-Bradley Data Highway Plus network and Allen-Bradley
Remote I/O. Available models include 6-inch color or monochrome models and
8 and 10-inch models in regular or slim bezels. Prices for the panels with
DH+ pre-installed start at $1,159.
Also available is an Ethernet option card with 10Mbit Ethernet communications for high speed and flexibility. The card is priced at $189 and enables an EZTouch panel to connect to an AutomationDirect Ethernet network. Up to six EZTouch panels can be connected to one or multiple PLCs containing an ECOM module using off-the-shelf Ethernet hubs.
D2-260 CPU now shipping
The D2-260 CPU is our most powerful DL205 CPU and provides all the capabilities of our other DL205 CPUs, plus several features not typically found in PLCs of its size. It offers over 230+ RLL instructions, powerful and easy-to-use ASCII in/out and MODBUS networking instructions, and 16 PID loops with auto-tune. The D2-260 has total memory of 30.4 K, with support for a maximum of 16,384 I/O points.
Additional features include local expansion for up to five total bases (one CPU base and four expansion bases) and two communication ports that provide a vast array of communication possibilities. The top port can be used for programming, connection to an EZText/EZTouch or DV-1000 operator interface panel, or as a K-sequence or DirectNET slave. The bottom port supports RS232C or RS422/RS485. Protocol options for the bottom port include K-sequence, DirectNET master/slave, MODBUS RTU Master/Slave, and ASCII In/Out communications. The D2-260 CPU is priced at $299.
PRODUCT SHORT TAKES |
DL205 expansion products now available
Expansion products for the DL205, including an Expansion Base Controller, a Base Expansion Module, and an expansion cable, are now available.
The D2-CM Expansion Base Controller Module is placed in the CPU slot of each expansion base and is rotary switch selectable. The D2-EM Base Expansion Module is attached to the side of each I/O base, CPU base and expansion base in the local expansion system. Please note that the prices for these modules are incorrect in the printed 2002 catalog (Volume 8). The correct price for the D2-EM module is $55 and the D2-CM module is priced at $39.
The D2-EXCBL-1 category 5 straight-through cable is used to connect expansion modules together. The cable is one meter in length and is priced at $5.00
Entivity Studio version 7.1 software released
AutomationDirect
now offers Studio version 7.1 PC control software from Entivity. Studio 7.0,
based on Microsoft Visio( 2002, adds support for Windows( XP and offers features
such as advanced Visio graphics, flowchart logic, remote HMI screen development,
libraries for managing frequently used flowcharts, Project Sync for multi-developer
use, and built-in SQL database interface. Version 7.1 also offers support
for Microsoft.NET and Microsoft DNA. The new version 7.1 software is priced
at $3,495 for the development license and $1,895 for the runtime only license.
For an additional $995, PC-ENT-SRN software can be purchased to display remote
HMI screens.
ONLINE SPOTLIGHT |
New look for AutomationDirect's Web Site
Have you checked out our new Web site yet? If not, you'll be surprised by all
the great changes. The new format offers product information all in one place,
simpler layouts and drop-down lists, the removal of browser frames, "quick
links" to save favorite pages, and many other great features. We've worked
hard to incorporate many of the features our customers have asked for, so
if you get the chance, we'd love to hear your feedback at store@automationdirect.com.
TECH TALK |
Application of the month: Hitachi Drive keeps up with speedy stamping press
Products Used: Hitachi SJ100 460V Drive, CH Stack Light
Description: A Hitachi variable frequency drive was used in conjunction with a Coiltek Ultrasonic loop Control Sensor to provide precision loop control to older Perfecto and Littell decoilers. The sensor sends a 0-10 VDC signal to the drive based on the height of the material loop it sees. The drive then uses this variable signal to control the speed of the decoiler drive motor. This gives the decoiler the capability of following the stamping presses' speed. The use of a couple of limit switches facilitates a high loop (no feed) top stop for the press and an end of stock top stop switch. The stack light is used on the decoiler to indicate to the operator that the press is out of steel (end of stock).
Submitted by: Thomas Dickerson (tdickerson@mii.com)
Mitek Industries Inc.
To view our entire collection of Application Stories or to submit one of your own, click here
Question of the month: How will I know if my driveapplication will require resistive braking?
Answer: For new applications, it may be difficult to tell before you actually test a motor/drive solution. In general, some applications can rely on system losses such as friction to serve as the decelerating force, or otherwise can tolerate a long decel time. These applications will not need dynamic braking. However, applications with a combination of a high-inertia load and required short decel time will need dynamic braking.
To view all of our FAQs, visit http://support.automationdirect.com/faq/index.html
RACING NEWS |
Johnny
moved his way up to a fifth place finish in the last race of the season at
Virginia International Raceway on October 27 after starting in 18th position.
Four damaged tires during qualifying caused Johnny to have to start in the
back of the pack, but he powered ahead early in the race to gain the fifth
place position.
The fifth place finish put Johnny in fourth place in the points standing to round out the 2002 season.
Visit Johnny's Web site at www.milleracing.com for all the of racing news and photos from the track from the 2002 campaign.
THE LIGHTER SIDE |
Kids' views on life
How do you decide who to marry?
You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports,
she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and
dip coming.
- Alan, age 10
What is the right age to get married?
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
- Camille, age 10
No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married.
- Freddie, age 6
How can a stranger tell if two people are married?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same
kids.
- Derrick, age 8
What do most people do on a date?
Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other.
Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
- Lynnette, age 8
On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them
interested enough to go for a second date.
- Martin, age 10
What would you do if a first date was not going well?
I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and
make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.
- Craig, age 9
|
International customers (outside the U.S. and Canada), check our list of affiliates in over 23 countries to find the one nearest you. Terms and Conditions, Free Shipping and Handling Offer for Online Orders: DIN rail and enclosures are excluded from the offer and will be billed at their normal rates. This offer applies only to orders over $300 in value with regular UPS delivery selected within the continental US This offer cannot be combined with any discounts or other special promotions. Thanks for your time! Comments or suggestions for topics in future newsletters can be directed to newsletter@automationdirect.com AutomationDirect.com
|