Usually our case studies feature Opto 22 customers solving an automation problem.

But this time we're the customer. 

Some of you probably remember when we switched the groov Box from the larger GROOV-AT1 to the more compact, fanless GROOV-AR1. 

Topics: Case studies, Videos, groov, optonews, OptoNews 2015-09-09

Just a couple of reminders about upcoming events in your area: 

• Hands-on SNAP PAC System training September 22-24 in Amherst, New Hampshire
• SORT Technology Showcase September 22 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Topics: groov, optonews, PACs, Events & conferences, Training, PAC Project, OptoNews 2015-09-09

In the last OptoNews we talked about using date and time in PAC Control. (If you haven't seen the post, be sure to check out its links to useful resources.)

Meanwhile, Opto 22 customer Philip Spigelmire was busy writing a scheduling subroutine for his HVAC system. His subroutine handles:

Topics: Energy management, Tips, optonews, PACs, PAC Project, Building management, OptoNews 2015-09-09

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The Case for Intelligent I/O Systems.

The automation PC is located in the control room, and the dump valve is on the other side of the tank farm wired to a remote I/O cabinet, all connected over an Ethernet network.

The IT guys are working on the network, and they say it may take a few days to track down the intermittent cable. But hey, in the meantime, they say that it mostly works…

That answer might be sufficient for watching YouTube, but it is just not going to cut it for controlling that valve.

What do you do?

Topics: Discrete control, PLCs, Remote monitoring, Tips, IoT, PACs, OEM, I/O

Are you concerned about security?

Is Firefox your favorite browser?

If you answered yes to either question and are using a groov Box appliance, you'll want to get the latest groov Admin update.

Topics: groov, Updates, optonews, OptoNews 2015-08-26

Have a HART

Communicate with your smart HART® (Highway Addressable Remote Transducer) devices with these two HART SNAP I/O modules—an input and an output. 

HART is the most widely used digital communications protocol in process automation, so you'll find plenty of devices you can monitor and talk to using these modules.

Both I/O modules have channel-to-channel isolation and carry a lifetime warranty. 

Topics: Energy management, Process control, optonews, I/O, HART, OptoNews 2015-08-26

Take a look at what Pioneer Energy is doing with waste flare gas from drilling sites. 

With Pioneer's Mobile Alkane Gas Separator (MAGS) installed on site, oil producers can add up to 30% to their revenue stream—from waste that would otherwise be burned off and lost.

Topics: Energy management, Case studies, Videos, Process control, Remote monitoring, optonews, Oil & gas, OptoNews 2015-08-26

Lately we've received some questions about one of the key concerns in control: controlling something at a specific point in time. 

• Maybe you want to turn on a pump at 6:00 a.m. every day
• Or start a process on Tuesday
• Or restart a count at midnight on the last day of each month

This tip pulls together some resources for control based on time, day, and date. 

Topics: Process control, Discrete control, Tips, optonews, PACs, PAC Project, OptoNews 2015-08-26

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Do what when:

In last week’s blog we covered how to set the real time clock (RTC) in a PAC Controller with an accurate time server over the Internet using SNTP.

Now that our controller knows exactly what time it is, how do we turn on that pump at 6:00 a.m. on the dot?

Like most aspects of programming, there are a few different ways to achieve the same result, so join me in this week’s blog while we look at one way to manage real-time scheduling.

Topics: Energy management, Process control, groov, Internet of Things, Tips, IoT, PACs, PAC Project

Next time you buy a SNAP brain or SNAP PAC R-series controller, you may notice something new: an aluminum base plate instead of the older black or blue plastic one.

We're constantly looking for ways to improve our existing products (as well as designing new ones), and this change is one result.

While our SNAP brains and rack-mounted controllers were already very noise immune, the new addition of an aluminum base makes them even more immune to electrical noise. 

Topics: Updates, optonews, PACs, OptoNews 2015-08-12