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: Happy New Starter Kit for your Raspberry Pi

Posted by Jean Femia on Jan 4, 2017 3:42:12 PM

Celebrate the New Year with a blast!

And then keep on using your Raspberry Pi for industrial I/O prototyping and projects. All you need is your Pi and power supply, plus our Digital Industrial I/O Starter Kit for Raspberry Pi. Just $99 (shipping included in the U.S.A.)—a $215 value. 

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Topics: optonews, New products, I/O, OptoNews 2017-01-04, Raspberry Pi

OptoNews: Data from databases, online services in your groov mobile interface

Posted by Jean Femia on Jan 4, 2017 3:41:07 PM


New release adds Data Store device

With the new Data Store device in groov R3.3, you can put data into groov from anywhere—like a database, another device or systemand monitor or change it in your mobile operator interface. 

  • For example, your company’s SQL database could place production or maintenance data into a groov Data Store for managers or technicians to see in their interface. 
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Topics: groov, Internet of Things, Updates, IoT, optonews, API, REST API, REST, mobile, IIoT, Industrial Internet of Things, OptoNews 2017-01-04

OptoNews: Custom desalination system for Bahamas resort

Posted by Jean Femia on Jan 4, 2017 3:40:07 PM

Once a haven for pirates, today Nassau and nearby islands host thousands of tourists.

One essential to keep tourists happy and healthy is fresh water, and most resorts rely on desalination to provide it.

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Topics: Case studies, Process control, Water & wastewater, optonews, PACs, Integrators, OptoNews 2017-01-04

OptoNews Tip: Top 4 tech tips from 2016

Posted by Jean Femia on Jan 4, 2017 3:39:10 PM

Did you miss any of these technical tips?

Now's a good time to review some automation basics—and look ahead to new technologies in our field.

Accuracy and resolution. Specifications for both of these are included for our analog modules. What's the difference?

Sinking and sourcing. What do these terms mean when you're wiring digital DC outputs, and which is the better way to wire? Lots of questions and answers on this one.

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Topics: Discrete control, Tips, optonews, I/O, SSRs, Node-RED, OptoNews 2017-01-04, Raspberry Pi, Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi

OptoNews: Holiday Schedule 2016 and Thank You!

Posted by Jean Femia on Dec 14, 2016 3:59:14 PM

All of us here at Opto 22 want to THANK YOU for the valuable work you do every day in our industry, for your contributions to the OptoForum, and for your interest in Opto 22 products.

We wish you and yours a happy holiday season and a joyous New Year!

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Topics: optonews, OptoNews 2016-12-14

OptoNews: Data center retrofit after 30 years

Posted by Jean Femia on Dec 14, 2016 3:58:11 PM
  • Think about how much computers have changed in the last 30 years.
  • Think about the quantity of data that enterprise data centers (EDCs) process today.
  • And think about how facility management priorities have changed to meet rising energy costs.

Now imagine what needs to be done to update a 30-year-old EDC.

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Topics: Energy management, Case studies, Videos, optonews, PACs, Building management, Security, REST API, RESTful server, REST, OptoNews 2016-12-14

OptoNews: New PAC REST API video - exchange data with Access database

Posted by Jean Femia on Dec 14, 2016 3:57:22 PM

In the last OptoNews, we showed you how an Excel® spreadsheet can exchange data with an Opto 22 SNAP PAC using the SNAP PAC controllers' RESTful API (application programming interface).

This time we'll show you how you can use the REST API with a Microsoft® Access® database. 

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Topics: Videos, Internet of Things, IoT, optonews, PACs, Integrators, PAC Control, API, REST API, RESTful server, REST, IIoT, Industrial Internet of Things, OptoNews 2016-12-14

OptoNews Tip: Using Node-RED with Raspberry Pi

Posted by Jean Femia on Dec 14, 2016 3:56:38 PM

It's true: you can use your Raspberry Pi to monitor and control real-world industrial devices.

Reliable Opto 22 G4 digital I/O and SNAP digital I/O now work with your Pi. 

One of the simplest ways to program your Pi may be Node-RED, designed by IBM Emerging Technologies.

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Topics: Discrete control, optonews, I/O, Node-RED, G4 I/O, OptoNews 2016-12-14, Raspberry Pi, Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi

OptoNews: Now sense & switch industrial loads with your Raspberry Pi

Posted by Jean Femia on Nov 30, 2016 4:08:05 PM

Did you ever think a Raspberry Pi® could monitor or control real-world electrical loads like industrial motors, sensors, and pumps?

Well, now it can!

The new Digital I/O Carrier Board for Raspberry Pi (part number OPTO-P1-40P) makes it possible.

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Topics: Discrete control, optonews, New products, I/O, IIoT, OptoNews 2016-11-30

OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner

Posted by Jean Femia on Nov 30, 2016 4:07:04 PM

If you're looking to connect real-world signals and industrial "things" to Information Technology (IT) systems, cloud software, and mobile devices, you already know Opto 22 products will serve you well.

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Topics: groov, Internet of Things, IoT, optonews, PACs, Networking, I/O, IIoT, Industrial Internet of Things, OptoNews 2016-11-30

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