Two new groov how-to videos show you all about:

Events & notifications. Configuring events you want to log, checking event status, and using the event log with or without custom message text.

Topics: Videos, groov, optonews, Training, OptoNews 2015-07-29

Of course you can include a trend in your PAC Display HMI or groov mobile operator interface and watch a value in your SNAP PAC System rise and fall over time. Or you can inspect a quick "plot" of it in PAC Control Pro's Debug mode.

But what if you just want to take a quick look at how high or how low an analog value has been, say, today?

This tip shows you how to do that using PAC Manager. 

Topics: Tips, optonews, PAC Project, OptoNews 2015-07-29

Do you have devices on a Controller Area Network? Now you can communicate with them using the SNAP-SCM-CAN2B serial communication module and a new CAN RX/TX Integration Kit. 

New R2.0b firmware on the SNAP-SCM-CAN2B makes it possible to both transmit and receive data. 

When you enable transmit functionality, all data communications between the module and the SNAP PAC brain or controller are ASCII encoded and frame delimited for robust communications.

Topics: Updates, optonews, New products, Integrators, OptoNews 2015-07-15, I/O

We rely on our smartphones so much now. It's hard to remember when I couldn't instantly:

• find out the traffic between here and where I'm headed
• message my friend to say I'll be late
• take a photo of anything and send it or upload it
• see how many steps I've taken today
• check stocks and the news and the weather
• listen to music/make music/watch a video/play a game
• summon a car or order lunch or...

So seriously, why would I want that convenience to stop with my personal life? 

What I'd like is to also see status and data from equipment and systems I'm responsible for, and especially to be notified if something's out of line. 

Topics: Energy management, Process control, Discrete control, groov, Internet of Things, Remote monitoring, optonews, OptoNews 2015-07-15

Plan ahead to enjoy the fall color and learn about Opto 22's versatile SNAP PAC System at the same time this September.

Whether you're monitoring remote pumps and valves, tracking energy data, controlling processes in a large factory, or doing a wide variety of other automation tasks, you'll find the SNAP PAC System reliable and scalable. 

Topics: Case studies, groov, optonews, PACs, Training, OptoNews 2015-07-15, I/O

Suppose you need to monitor temperatures from several thermocouples wired to a SNAP-AITM-8 analog input module.

Or maybe you have a bunch of switches that are all wired to a high-density digital output module like the SNAP-ODC-32-SNK.

Here's a tip for anyone who needs to add several similar I/O points to a PAC Control strategy: you can save a lot of time by adding them automatically. 

Topics: Tips, Machine builder, optonews, OptoNews 2015-07-15, I/O

What's on your MicroLogix™ PLC that you'd like to monitor or control from a mobile device?

Machine status? Temperatures and pressures? Valves and pumps?

Whatever it is, you can see it and do it now with a groov mobile operator interface. 

In our latest groov Workshop video you'll watch Opto 22's Director of Training, Mary St. John, build and use a simple interface for a MicroLogix PLC that's communicating as a Modbus/TCP slave. You'll learn how to:

Topics: Videos, Process control, Discrete control, groov, PLCs, Remote monitoring, optonews, Integrators, OptoNews 2015-07-01

Ever thought about working at Opto 22? Here's a chance to do just that—three chances, in fact.

Right now we're looking for people to fill 3 positions:

• Senior Technical Writer
• Software Developer
• Corporate Sales Engineer

Topics: optonews, OptoNews 2015-07-01, Careers

Here in Temecula we celebrate the 4th of July by grilling hot dogs and hamburgers, eating ice cream, and then heading over to the sports park to watch fireworks set to music from our local radio station.

Topics: Videos, optonews, OptoNews 2015-07-01

Accuracy and resolution both appear in specifications for our SNAP analog modules. But what do they mean, exactly? 

Accuracy

Let's start with accuracy, which is pretty easy to understand. Accuracy is how close a measured value is to reality, to the true quantity of what is being measured. 

Topics: Process control, Tips, optonews, OptoNews 2015-07-01