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: Technology Showcase in Ontario, Canada

Posted by Jean Femia on Apr 13, 2016 3:58:09 PM

Are you wondering what the Internet of Things (IoT) or Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is all about?

Or maybe you're already thinking about how connecting to sensors and devices could save time, increase efficiency, or drive profit in your application. 

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Topics: Internet of Things, Remote monitoring, IoT, optonews, Events & conferences, OptoNews 2016-04-13

OptoNews: IoT Defined - OT and IT

Posted by Jean Femia on Apr 13, 2016 3:57:19 PM

If you've heard much about the Internet of Things (IoT) or Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), you may have heard the terms OT and IT.

What do those terms mean? And why do we hear that OT and IT are "converging"?

Let's take a look.

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Topics: Internet of Things, IoT, optonews, OptoNews 2016-04-13

OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards

Posted by Jean Femia on Mar 30, 2016 3:36:35 PM

Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance:

  • E1/E2 brain board firmware
  • groov Admin update for the groov Box 
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Topics: groov, Updates, optonews, Migration, Firmware, OptoNews 2016-03-30

OptoNews: New UL approval for power supplies, brains, I/O

Posted by Jean Femia on Mar 30, 2016 3:35:06 PM

Several products you use or may need have just completed UL testing and are now UL recognized. You'll see them sporting the official UL logo.

The following have all been recently UL approved. 

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Topics: optonews, PACs, Integrators, I/O, OptoNews 2016-03-30

OptoNews: Frick integrates refrigeration equipment efficiently

Posted by Jean Femia on Mar 30, 2016 3:34:06 PM

Way back in 1883, the Frick Company started manufacturing refrigeration compressors. During the next 100 years they became well known for a variety of reliable refrigeration system components.

By the 1980s Frick began automating their systems with Opto 22 products, and they began to notice a new need in the industry: custom system design and integration.

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Topics: Case studies, Process control, Food & beverage, Machine builder, optonews, OEM, Migration, Integrators, Building management, OptoNews 2016-03-30

OptoNews Tip: Video shows how to wire new spring clamps

Posted by Jean Femia on Mar 30, 2016 3:33:10 PM

Some recent Opto 22 products, like the SNAP-UDC-HDB breakout board and the 8-channel SNAP-AIRTD-8U analog input module, use new spring clamps for wiring field devices.

These spring clamps are faster for wiring and take up less space than the screw type, so they're a real advantage.

They may be a little tricky till you get used to them, though.

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Topics: Videos, Tips, optonews, I/O, OptoNews 2016-03-30

OptoNews: Customize your mobile interface with new groov R3.1 graphics

Posted by Jean Femia on Mar 16, 2016 3:54:09 PM

Just released: groov R3.1a!

You'll want this new release. It's a big one, with security updates, bug fixes, and lots of new features.

Especially if you like images or want to customize the look of your groov mobile operator interface, this update is for you. You can see many of the new features in action in the new groov graphics video.

Here's a summary of major new features in groov R3.1a. For more information, see the groov App Readme. And stay tuned to OptoNews, as we'll explore some of the new features in depth in later posts.

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Topics: groov, Updates, Remote monitoring, Machine builder, optonews, OptoNews 2016-03-16

OptoNews: Take PAC Project for a test drive

Posted by Jean Femia on Mar 16, 2016 3:53:06 PM

Interested in Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers, but not sure how they're programmed or what our automation software is like?

You can find out now with the PAC Project Demo.

This free download includes everything you need to experiment with Opto 22's PAC Project automation software suite:

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Topics: Process control, Remote monitoring, optonews, PACs, PAC Project, OptoNews 2016-03-16

OptoNews: Save $100 on The Automation Conference

Posted by Jean Femia on Mar 16, 2016 3:52:25 PM

Plan now to attend The Automation Conference & Expo this May in Chicago, Illinois—and save $100 on the cost of admission with your Opto 22 VIP code (see below).

The Conference focuses on the process industries, discrete manufacturing, and packaging, and this year it includes over two dozen educational sessions on:

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Topics: Internet of Things, IoT, Machine builder, optonews, PACs, OEM, Events & conferences, Integrators, OptoNews 2016-03-16

OptoNews tip: Log events to file in PAC Display

Posted by Jean Femia on Mar 16, 2016 3:51:53 PM

"I always recommend that customers configure the PAC Display Event Log to be logged to file," says Bill Steffens, our Product Support Lead.

"If you have an issue, it can be very helpful to track the events in the Event Log over time."

By default, PAC Display shows events only in the Event Log window. But when you reload PAC Display or choose Save and Load Runtime, for example, the Event Log window starts over again; it doesn't retain any previous information. 

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Topics: Tips, optonews, PAC Project, OptoNews 2016-03-16

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