OptoBlog

Jean Femia

Jean Femia writes about technical subjects and has focused on automation and control systems for more than 15 years. She likes learning about technology and taking corners in her Honda S2000.
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Recent Posts

OptoNews: Invitation to The Automation Conference

Posted by Jean Femia on May 11, 2016 5:25:11 PM

Here's your invitation to a comprehensive automation conference you won't want to miss, May 24-25 in Chicago, Illinois: The Automation Conference.

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Topics: Process control, Discrete control, Internet of Things, IoT, optonews, Events & conferences, Security, OptoNews 2016-05-11

OptoNews: groov R3.1b now available

Posted by Jean Femia on May 11, 2016 5:19:06 PM

In response to your requests for more frequent groov releases, here you are: groov R3.1b is released!

This new version fixes issues and adds a new enhancement: if communication fails between groov and an I/O device, errors will be written to the groov message logs. This information can help you debug the cause of communication errors. 

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Topics: groov, Updates, optonews, OptoNews 2016-05-11

OptoNews: CalCA delivers fresh produce to you

Posted by Jean Femia on May 11, 2016 5:18:05 PM

If you live just about anywhere in the U.S.A., you can probably thank California Controlled Atmosphere (CalCA) for some of the fresh fruits and vegetables you buy. 

In fact, CalCA's industrial refrigeration systems for storing produce can be found throughout the world, reaching to India and China. 

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Topics: Energy management, Case studies, Process control, Food & beverage, Remote monitoring, optonews, OptoNews 2016-05-11

OptoNews Tip: New Sinking/Sourcing Tech Note

Posted by Jean Femia on May 11, 2016 5:17:18 PM

Confused about sinking and sourcing when using digital I/O in DC circuits? 

Judging by the response to our past blog posts on this issue, many people are. So we've pulled together a lot of practical information and put it into a short new technical note.

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Topics: Discrete control, Tips, optonews, I/O, OptoNews 2016-05-11

OptoNews Case Study: Vista Irrigation District upgrades technology

Posted by Jean Femia on Apr 27, 2016 5:01:13 PM

From 1923 to the present, Vista Irrigation District has successfully battled THE two big Southern California issues: increasing population and drought. 

Transporting over 5 billion gallons of water each year, the district has hundreds of miles of pipeline and more than 30 remote sites. 

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Topics: Case studies, Remote monitoring, Water & wastewater, optonews, PACs, Migration, Integrators, OptoNews 2016-04-27

OptoNews: Customize your groov mobile operator interface

Posted by Jean Femia on Apr 27, 2016 5:00:05 PM

Want to make your groov operator interface look just the way you want, with your own company logo and colors?

The groov R3.1 release includes new tools to customize pages and gadgets, so you can do that and more. 

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Topics: groov, Updates, Remote monitoring, Machine builder, optonews, OEM, OptoNews 2016-04-27

OptoNews: Introducing OptoPartner Marion A. White, P.E.

Posted by Jean Femia on Apr 27, 2016 4:59:04 PM

With 27 years of experience in automation, Marion A. White, P.E., Inc. brings a wealth of knowledge to help you with your application. 

Whether you need systems integration, conversion or migration, upgrades, documentation, or customized training, our new OptoPartner can help.

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Topics: optonews, Migration, OptoNews 2016-04-27

OptoNews Tip: 4 subroutines for sorting tables

Posted by Jean Femia on Apr 27, 2016 4:58:10 PM

Sorting numbersThe OptoForum community scores again!

If you've ever needed to sort tables in PAC Control—string, float, or integer tables—here are 4 new helpful subroutines contributed by forum member Philip in Code Samples and Tips.

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Topics: Tips, optonews, PACs, PAC Project, OptoNews 2016-04-27

OptoNews: New Image Library in groov R3.1a

Posted by Jean Femia on Apr 13, 2016 4:00:09 PM

groov image library new in groov R3.1aHere's one of the great new features in the latest version of groov: the Image Library.

The image library holds all the images you use to build your groov mobile operator interface:

  • Your logo
  • Drawings of pumps, tanks, conveyors, sensors, chillers...
  • Photos of buildings, equipment, products
  • Buttons for navigation or operation
  • Even animated GIFs, if you need them
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Topics: groov, Updates, optonews, OptoNews 2016-04-13

OptoNews: Video - Create your own HMI graphics

Posted by Jean Femia on Apr 13, 2016 3:59:11 PM

Wouldn't it be handy if you could easily create your own images to use in your HMI?

Especially if those images were smart enough to scale to fit your phone or tablet or computer or HDTV?

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Topics: Videos, groov, optonews, OptoNews 2016-04-13

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