If you're near Cambridge, Ontario, on June 7, be sure to join Opto 22's Lloyd Romeo at the SORT Technology Showcase, sponsored by SORT Production Products Ltd.

Topics: Process control, groov, optonews, PACs, Events & conferences, I/O, PAC Project, OptoNews 2016-05-25

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.

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

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. 

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

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.

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

Move up to SNAP PAC—and keep racks and field wiring intact

Have you seen some of our newer high-density, high-speed, or multifunction I/O modules and wished you could use them in your legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O system? 

Have you wanted to build an easy-to-use groov mobile interface for your legacy system?

Or wanted to log a lot more data locally? 

Topics: optonews, PACs, Integrators, I/O, OptoNews 2016-03-02

If you use high-density 32-point SNAP digital I/O modules, you'll be interested in our latest breakout board: the SNAP-UDC-HDB.

The small footprint of this new board makes it ideal for use in cramped areas. Just 3.32 x 3.95 x 2.27 inches high (8.43 x 10.03 x 5.77 cm), the SNAP-UDC-UDB fits in tight places but still gives you room to wire all 32 points to field devices.

Topics: Discrete control, Machine builder, optonews, New products, Integrators, I/O, OptoNews 2016-01-20

The Automation World Leadership in Automation First Team Honorees are chosen solely by write-ins from readers, rather than prompted answers from a list of companies.

That's why we feel especially honored that Opto 22 received First Team awards in two categories for 2015: Data Acquisition Hardware and Mobility.

Topics: groov, optonews, I/O, Awards and recognition, OptoNews 2016-01-20

How do you sense or switch loads up to 3 amps with each of the 32 points on a SNAP high-density digital (HDD) I/O module?

Here's how: the new SNAP-UDC-HDB-G4 breakout board.

Topics: Discrete control, optonews, New products, I/O, OptoNews 2016-01-06

Move up without changing racks or field wiring

Have you seen some of our newer high-density, high-speed, or multifunction I/O modules and wished you could use them in your legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O system? 

Have you wanted to build an easy-to-use groov mobile interface for your legacy system?

Or wanted to log a lot more data locally? 

If so, we have a tip for you: check out the SNAP-PAC-R1-B programmable automation controller. 

Topics: Updates, Tips, optonews, PACs, New products, Migration, I/O, OptoNews 2015-12-16

In an earlier OptoNews we defined the terms accuracy and resolution as they apply to analog I/O modules. 

These specs help you choose the right module for the job, so you get the results you need.

Some applications require highly accurate values or very fine resolution, while others do not. Choosing the right module for your application will save you time and money.

Topics: Process control, optonews, I/O, OptoNews 2015-12-02