See groov and the SNAP PAC System in action at two trade shows in early October:

• Smart Industry 2015, October 5-7 in Chicago, Illinois
• Unlimited Electro, October 6-7 in Tijuana, Mexico

Topics: groov, PLCs, IoT, optonews, PACs, Events & conferences, OptoNews 2015-09-23

When you turn on an output, do you set a flag and then check it to see the output's status before turning the output on again? 

Or do you just turn it on without checking?

Is setting a flag a good way to speed up the program and avoid tying up the network with unnecessary communications to I/O?

Or does it just add a lot of extra variables and decision blocks that make debugging and maintenance harder?

Topics: Discrete control, Tips, optonews, PACs, I/O, PAC Project, OptoNews 2015-09-23

Just released: the free groov R3.0c update.

This update improves security and performance and adds an enhancement to the Momentary Button gadget.

Security and Performance. We're always looking for ways to improve product performance, and providing the best possible security is a top priority.

Topics: Process control, groov, Updates, optonews, OptoNews 2015-09-09

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