OptoNews: New face for SNAP I/O modules Blog - Published: When you buy a new SNAP I/O module today, you may find that the printing on it looks a little different from ones you already have. Don't be concerned; there's no difference in how the module functions.When you buy a new SNAP I/O module today, you may find that the printing on it looks a little different from ones you already have. Don't be concerned; there's no difference in how the module functions. <less OptoNews Tip: Choosing the right SNAP I/O module Blog - Published: Maybe you're monitoring temperature, or controlling a production line, or getting data from a load cell. Whatever your goal, you want to get the I/O that works best for your application. Or maybe you...moreMaybe you're monitoring temperature, or controlling a production line, or getting data from a load cell. Whatever your goal, you want to get the I/O that works best for your application. Or maybe you happen to notice we have more than one SNAP-AIV voltage input module and wonder how they're different. Here are a couple of ways to find a SNAP module with the features you need and compare similar modules. <less OptoNews: New board adds G4 power to SNAP HDD modules Blog - Published: 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.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. <less SNAP PAC to groov EPIC - Serial modules and I/O configurations Blog - Published: Honest answers to your questions about making the move from SNAP PAC controllers to groov EPIC. I’d like to try and feed two birds with one handful of grain in this blog… We often get these two questions...moreHonest answers to your questions about making the move from SNAP PAC controllers to groov EPIC. I’d like to try and feed two birds with one handful of grain in this blog… We often get these two questions from existing Opto 22 customers who are moving or migrating from SNAP PAC controllers to groov EPIC (or sometimes keeping SNAP I/O to work with an EPIC system). Are they the same? Which should I configure first, groov Manage or PAC Control? <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - SNAP-AIRTD-8U multifunction input Blog - Published: Actually you can buy this flexible analog input module right now. You'll just need a SNAP PAC brain or R-series controller with firmware R9.5a in order to use it—coming soon! Designed for 3-wire RTD...moreActually you can buy this flexible analog input module right now. You'll just need a SNAP PAC brain or R-series controller with firmware R9.5a in order to use it—coming soon! Designed for 3-wire RTD temperature inputs or high-resolution resistance measurement, the new SNAP-AIRTD-8U analog input module has, yes, 8 points, each individually software configurable. <less OptoNews: More features and I/O for legacy systems Blog - Published: 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...moreMove 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? <less OptoNews Tip: More capabilities, more I/O for legacy systems Blog - Published: 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...moreMove 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? <less OptoNews: New compact breakout board saves cabinet space Blog - Published: 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...moreIf 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. <less OptoNews: HART & mechanical relay modules, and more Blog - Published: 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...moreHave 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. <less OptoNews: Integrate CAN devices with your SNAP PAC System Blog - Published: 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...moreDo 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. <less OptoNews: Tech tip - Just 2 wires to your dry contact switch Blog - Published: Say you've got a dry contact switch you want to monitor so you know when it's closed. Could be a level sensor or pressure indicator, a magnetic reed switch or snap-action micro switch, or maybe a relay...moreSay you've got a dry contact switch you want to monitor so you know when it's closed. Could be a level sensor or pressure indicator, a magnetic reed switch or snap-action micro switch, or maybe a relay contact. There are lots of ways you could do that, but often the best way is to use a SNAP-IDC5-SW digital input module. Why? It supplies 15 volts of power to an external dry contact switch. You only need 2 wires to connect the switch to the module. You can monitor 4 switches from 1 module. Ben Orchard raves about this module in his recent blog post on monitoring water usage, and with good reason: it makes life easier by saving wiring time and complexity. <less OptoNews tech tip: Save time by auto-configuring I/O Blog - Published: 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...moreSuppose 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. <less OptoNews Tip: More power, more I/O for legacy systems Blog - Published: 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...moreMove 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. <less OptoNews: New SNAP mechanical relay output has integrated transient suppression Blog - Published: The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. <less OptoNews: Tech tip - Build your I/O in the Configurator Blog - Published: Today's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor...moreToday's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor, and SNAP I/O modules. Pick a rack-mounted controller or brain for I/O processing. There it is, on the rack. Need a Factory Mutual approved, channel-to-channel isolated, digital input for DC voltage? Piece of cake. Check the boxes and choose the one you want. Add all the analog, digital, and serial modules you need. If the rack is too large or too small, just click to change it. <less Long-term support for SNAP PAC systems Blog - Published: You can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has...moreYou can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has been built on our SNAP PAC systems, and you’ve grown accustomed to the reliability these systems provide your automation projects. We understand the importance of SNAP PAC in your operations, and we're here to reassure you: your trust in Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and I/O modules is well placed, now and into the future. At Opto 22, we know that designs and projects that incorporate SNAP PAC are more than just configurations of hardware and software; they are the lifeblood of your operations, which is why we are committed to ensuring that you can feel secure in your designs for the long haul. <less OptoNews Tip: Video shows how to wire new spring clamps Blog - Published: 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...moreSome 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. <less OptoNews tech tip: Accuracy and resolution Blog - Published: 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...moreAccuracy 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. <less OptoNews Tip: Find warranty and agency approval info for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: Suppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be...moreSuppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be UL approved, or meet certain European Union (CE) standards. What if you just want to know what the warranty period is for a specific Opto 22 part? <less Firmware updates for I/O modules Blog - Published: New features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs...moreNew features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs with over-the-air updates to millions of cars. Of course, they are not the only ones with this feature. Many companies have been updating their hardware with firmware updates for decades, but it really captures the imagination when the hardware is something you drive. Closer to our hearts and minds, Opto 22 has been adding features and squishing bugs on our controllers for more years than most of us can recall (it's our 50th year in 2024!). There are a few SNAP I/O modules that can have their firmware updated via our PAC Manager program—the serial data ones for example—but now with groov EPIC and RIO, ALL our modules can have new features and refined performance added at the click of a button. <less OptoNews: New PAC-R upgrades Ultimate I/O Blog - Published: Do you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is...moreDo you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is exactly like a regular SNAP-PAC-R1 except that it has a blue connector on the bottom that fits on a B-series rack. That means you can: <less OptoNews: New ATEX approval for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. <less OptoNews: New UL approval for power supplies, brains, I/O Blog - Published: 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. 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. <less SNAP PAC Firmware 10.4c available now Blog - Published: The latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now...moreThe latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now! SNAP PAC firmware 10.4c is ready for download. This latest maintenance release has some noteworthy updates you'll want to review. You can check out the README for a complete list of enhancements and bug fixes. It lists revision changes made to the firmware used in SNAP PAC S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC controllers; SNAP PAC EB-series and SB-series brains; and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Now sense & switch industrial loads with your Raspberry Pi Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews: Updated PAC firmware R9.4c released Blog - Published: We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews Tip: Choosing the right SNAP I/O module Blog - Published: Maybe you're monitoring temperature, or controlling a production line, or getting data from a load cell. Whatever your goal, you want to get the I/O that works best for your application. Or maybe you...moreMaybe you're monitoring temperature, or controlling a production line, or getting data from a load cell. Whatever your goal, you want to get the I/O that works best for your application. Or maybe you happen to notice we have more than one SNAP-AIV voltage input module and wonder how they're different. Here are a couple of ways to find a SNAP module with the features you need and compare similar modules. <less OptoNews: New board adds G4 power to SNAP HDD modules Blog - Published: 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.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. <less SNAP PAC to groov EPIC - Serial modules and I/O configurations Blog - Published: Honest answers to your questions about making the move from SNAP PAC controllers to groov EPIC. I’d like to try and feed two birds with one handful of grain in this blog… We often get these two questions...moreHonest answers to your questions about making the move from SNAP PAC controllers to groov EPIC. I’d like to try and feed two birds with one handful of grain in this blog… We often get these two questions from existing Opto 22 customers who are moving or migrating from SNAP PAC controllers to groov EPIC (or sometimes keeping SNAP I/O to work with an EPIC system). Are they the same? Which should I configure first, groov Manage or PAC Control? <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - SNAP-AIRTD-8U multifunction input Blog - Published: Actually you can buy this flexible analog input module right now. You'll just need a SNAP PAC brain or R-series controller with firmware R9.5a in order to use it—coming soon! Designed for 3-wire RTD...moreActually you can buy this flexible analog input module right now. You'll just need a SNAP PAC brain or R-series controller with firmware R9.5a in order to use it—coming soon! Designed for 3-wire RTD temperature inputs or high-resolution resistance measurement, the new SNAP-AIRTD-8U analog input module has, yes, 8 points, each individually software configurable. <less OptoNews: More features and I/O for legacy systems Blog - Published: 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...moreMove 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? <less OptoNews Tip: More capabilities, more I/O for legacy systems Blog - Published: 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...moreMove 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? <less OptoNews: New compact breakout board saves cabinet space Blog - Published: 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...moreIf 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. <less OptoNews: HART & mechanical relay modules, and more Blog - Published: 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...moreHave 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. <less OptoNews: Integrate CAN devices with your SNAP PAC System Blog - Published: 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...moreDo 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. <less OptoNews: Tech tip - Just 2 wires to your dry contact switch Blog - Published: Say you've got a dry contact switch you want to monitor so you know when it's closed. Could be a level sensor or pressure indicator, a magnetic reed switch or snap-action micro switch, or maybe a relay...moreSay you've got a dry contact switch you want to monitor so you know when it's closed. Could be a level sensor or pressure indicator, a magnetic reed switch or snap-action micro switch, or maybe a relay contact. There are lots of ways you could do that, but often the best way is to use a SNAP-IDC5-SW digital input module. Why? It supplies 15 volts of power to an external dry contact switch. You only need 2 wires to connect the switch to the module. You can monitor 4 switches from 1 module. Ben Orchard raves about this module in his recent blog post on monitoring water usage, and with good reason: it makes life easier by saving wiring time and complexity. <less OptoNews tech tip: Save time by auto-configuring I/O Blog - Published: 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...moreSuppose 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. <less OptoNews Tip: More power, more I/O for legacy systems Blog - Published: 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...moreMove 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. <less OptoNews: New SNAP mechanical relay output has integrated transient suppression Blog - Published: The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. <less OptoNews: Tech tip - Build your I/O in the Configurator Blog - Published: Today's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor...moreToday's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor, and SNAP I/O modules. Pick a rack-mounted controller or brain for I/O processing. There it is, on the rack. Need a Factory Mutual approved, channel-to-channel isolated, digital input for DC voltage? Piece of cake. Check the boxes and choose the one you want. Add all the analog, digital, and serial modules you need. If the rack is too large or too small, just click to change it. <less Long-term support for SNAP PAC systems Blog - Published: You can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has...moreYou can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has been built on our SNAP PAC systems, and you’ve grown accustomed to the reliability these systems provide your automation projects. We understand the importance of SNAP PAC in your operations, and we're here to reassure you: your trust in Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and I/O modules is well placed, now and into the future. At Opto 22, we know that designs and projects that incorporate SNAP PAC are more than just configurations of hardware and software; they are the lifeblood of your operations, which is why we are committed to ensuring that you can feel secure in your designs for the long haul. <less OptoNews Tip: Video shows how to wire new spring clamps Blog - Published: 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...moreSome 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. <less OptoNews tech tip: Accuracy and resolution Blog - Published: 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...moreAccuracy 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. <less OptoNews Tip: Find warranty and agency approval info for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: Suppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be...moreSuppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be UL approved, or meet certain European Union (CE) standards. What if you just want to know what the warranty period is for a specific Opto 22 part? <less Firmware updates for I/O modules Blog - Published: New features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs...moreNew features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs with over-the-air updates to millions of cars. Of course, they are not the only ones with this feature. Many companies have been updating their hardware with firmware updates for decades, but it really captures the imagination when the hardware is something you drive. Closer to our hearts and minds, Opto 22 has been adding features and squishing bugs on our controllers for more years than most of us can recall (it's our 50th year in 2024!). There are a few SNAP I/O modules that can have their firmware updated via our PAC Manager program—the serial data ones for example—but now with groov EPIC and RIO, ALL our modules can have new features and refined performance added at the click of a button. <less OptoNews: New PAC-R upgrades Ultimate I/O Blog - Published: Do you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is...moreDo you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is exactly like a regular SNAP-PAC-R1 except that it has a blue connector on the bottom that fits on a B-series rack. That means you can: <less OptoNews: New ATEX approval for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. <less OptoNews: New UL approval for power supplies, brains, I/O Blog - Published: 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. 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. <less SNAP PAC Firmware 10.4c available now Blog - Published: The latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now...moreThe latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now! SNAP PAC firmware 10.4c is ready for download. This latest maintenance release has some noteworthy updates you'll want to review. You can check out the README for a complete list of enhancements and bug fixes. It lists revision changes made to the firmware used in SNAP PAC S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC controllers; SNAP PAC EB-series and SB-series brains; and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Now sense & switch industrial loads with your Raspberry Pi Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews: Updated PAC firmware R9.4c released Blog - Published: We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: New board adds G4 power to SNAP HDD modules Blog - Published: 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.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. <less SNAP PAC to groov EPIC - Serial modules and I/O configurations Blog - Published: Honest answers to your questions about making the move from SNAP PAC controllers to groov EPIC. I’d like to try and feed two birds with one handful of grain in this blog… We often get these two questions...moreHonest answers to your questions about making the move from SNAP PAC controllers to groov EPIC. I’d like to try and feed two birds with one handful of grain in this blog… We often get these two questions from existing Opto 22 customers who are moving or migrating from SNAP PAC controllers to groov EPIC (or sometimes keeping SNAP I/O to work with an EPIC system). Are they the same? Which should I configure first, groov Manage or PAC Control? <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - SNAP-AIRTD-8U multifunction input Blog - Published: Actually you can buy this flexible analog input module right now. You'll just need a SNAP PAC brain or R-series controller with firmware R9.5a in order to use it—coming soon! Designed for 3-wire RTD...moreActually you can buy this flexible analog input module right now. You'll just need a SNAP PAC brain or R-series controller with firmware R9.5a in order to use it—coming soon! Designed for 3-wire RTD temperature inputs or high-resolution resistance measurement, the new SNAP-AIRTD-8U analog input module has, yes, 8 points, each individually software configurable. <less OptoNews: More features and I/O for legacy systems Blog - Published: 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...moreMove 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? <less OptoNews Tip: More capabilities, more I/O for legacy systems Blog - Published: 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...moreMove 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? <less OptoNews: New compact breakout board saves cabinet space Blog - Published: 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...moreIf 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. <less OptoNews: HART & mechanical relay modules, and more Blog - Published: 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...moreHave 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. <less OptoNews: Integrate CAN devices with your SNAP PAC System Blog - Published: 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...moreDo 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. <less OptoNews: Tech tip - Just 2 wires to your dry contact switch Blog - Published: Say you've got a dry contact switch you want to monitor so you know when it's closed. Could be a level sensor or pressure indicator, a magnetic reed switch or snap-action micro switch, or maybe a relay...moreSay you've got a dry contact switch you want to monitor so you know when it's closed. Could be a level sensor or pressure indicator, a magnetic reed switch or snap-action micro switch, or maybe a relay contact. There are lots of ways you could do that, but often the best way is to use a SNAP-IDC5-SW digital input module. Why? It supplies 15 volts of power to an external dry contact switch. You only need 2 wires to connect the switch to the module. You can monitor 4 switches from 1 module. Ben Orchard raves about this module in his recent blog post on monitoring water usage, and with good reason: it makes life easier by saving wiring time and complexity. <less OptoNews tech tip: Save time by auto-configuring I/O Blog - Published: 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...moreSuppose 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. <less OptoNews Tip: More power, more I/O for legacy systems Blog - Published: 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...moreMove 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. <less OptoNews: New SNAP mechanical relay output has integrated transient suppression Blog - Published: The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. <less OptoNews: Tech tip - Build your I/O in the Configurator Blog - Published: Today's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor...moreToday's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor, and SNAP I/O modules. Pick a rack-mounted controller or brain for I/O processing. There it is, on the rack. Need a Factory Mutual approved, channel-to-channel isolated, digital input for DC voltage? Piece of cake. Check the boxes and choose the one you want. Add all the analog, digital, and serial modules you need. If the rack is too large or too small, just click to change it. <less Long-term support for SNAP PAC systems Blog - Published: You can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has...moreYou can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has been built on our SNAP PAC systems, and you’ve grown accustomed to the reliability these systems provide your automation projects. We understand the importance of SNAP PAC in your operations, and we're here to reassure you: your trust in Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and I/O modules is well placed, now and into the future. At Opto 22, we know that designs and projects that incorporate SNAP PAC are more than just configurations of hardware and software; they are the lifeblood of your operations, which is why we are committed to ensuring that you can feel secure in your designs for the long haul. <less OptoNews Tip: Video shows how to wire new spring clamps Blog - Published: 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...moreSome 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. <less OptoNews tech tip: Accuracy and resolution Blog - Published: 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...moreAccuracy 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. <less OptoNews Tip: Find warranty and agency approval info for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: Suppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be...moreSuppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be UL approved, or meet certain European Union (CE) standards. What if you just want to know what the warranty period is for a specific Opto 22 part? <less Firmware updates for I/O modules Blog - Published: New features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs...moreNew features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs with over-the-air updates to millions of cars. Of course, they are not the only ones with this feature. Many companies have been updating their hardware with firmware updates for decades, but it really captures the imagination when the hardware is something you drive. Closer to our hearts and minds, Opto 22 has been adding features and squishing bugs on our controllers for more years than most of us can recall (it's our 50th year in 2024!). There are a few SNAP I/O modules that can have their firmware updated via our PAC Manager program—the serial data ones for example—but now with groov EPIC and RIO, ALL our modules can have new features and refined performance added at the click of a button. <less OptoNews: New PAC-R upgrades Ultimate I/O Blog - Published: Do you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is...moreDo you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is exactly like a regular SNAP-PAC-R1 except that it has a blue connector on the bottom that fits on a B-series rack. That means you can: <less OptoNews: New ATEX approval for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. <less OptoNews: New UL approval for power supplies, brains, I/O Blog - Published: 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. 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. <less SNAP PAC Firmware 10.4c available now Blog - Published: The latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now...moreThe latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now! SNAP PAC firmware 10.4c is ready for download. This latest maintenance release has some noteworthy updates you'll want to review. You can check out the README for a complete list of enhancements and bug fixes. It lists revision changes made to the firmware used in SNAP PAC S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC controllers; SNAP PAC EB-series and SB-series brains; and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Now sense & switch industrial loads with your Raspberry Pi Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews: Updated PAC firmware R9.4c released Blog - Published: We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
SNAP PAC to groov EPIC - Serial modules and I/O configurations Blog - Published: Honest answers to your questions about making the move from SNAP PAC controllers to groov EPIC. I’d like to try and feed two birds with one handful of grain in this blog… We often get these two questions...moreHonest answers to your questions about making the move from SNAP PAC controllers to groov EPIC. I’d like to try and feed two birds with one handful of grain in this blog… We often get these two questions from existing Opto 22 customers who are moving or migrating from SNAP PAC controllers to groov EPIC (or sometimes keeping SNAP I/O to work with an EPIC system). Are they the same? Which should I configure first, groov Manage or PAC Control? <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - SNAP-AIRTD-8U multifunction input Blog - Published: Actually you can buy this flexible analog input module right now. You'll just need a SNAP PAC brain or R-series controller with firmware R9.5a in order to use it—coming soon! Designed for 3-wire RTD...moreActually you can buy this flexible analog input module right now. You'll just need a SNAP PAC brain or R-series controller with firmware R9.5a in order to use it—coming soon! Designed for 3-wire RTD temperature inputs or high-resolution resistance measurement, the new SNAP-AIRTD-8U analog input module has, yes, 8 points, each individually software configurable. <less OptoNews: More features and I/O for legacy systems Blog - Published: 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...moreMove 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? <less OptoNews Tip: More capabilities, more I/O for legacy systems Blog - Published: 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...moreMove 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? <less OptoNews: New compact breakout board saves cabinet space Blog - Published: 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...moreIf 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. <less OptoNews: HART & mechanical relay modules, and more Blog - Published: 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...moreHave 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. <less OptoNews: Integrate CAN devices with your SNAP PAC System Blog - Published: 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...moreDo 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. <less OptoNews: Tech tip - Just 2 wires to your dry contact switch Blog - Published: Say you've got a dry contact switch you want to monitor so you know when it's closed. Could be a level sensor or pressure indicator, a magnetic reed switch or snap-action micro switch, or maybe a relay...moreSay you've got a dry contact switch you want to monitor so you know when it's closed. Could be a level sensor or pressure indicator, a magnetic reed switch or snap-action micro switch, or maybe a relay contact. There are lots of ways you could do that, but often the best way is to use a SNAP-IDC5-SW digital input module. Why? It supplies 15 volts of power to an external dry contact switch. You only need 2 wires to connect the switch to the module. You can monitor 4 switches from 1 module. Ben Orchard raves about this module in his recent blog post on monitoring water usage, and with good reason: it makes life easier by saving wiring time and complexity. <less OptoNews tech tip: Save time by auto-configuring I/O Blog - Published: 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...moreSuppose 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. <less OptoNews Tip: More power, more I/O for legacy systems Blog - Published: 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...moreMove 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. <less OptoNews: New SNAP mechanical relay output has integrated transient suppression Blog - Published: The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. <less OptoNews: Tech tip - Build your I/O in the Configurator Blog - Published: Today's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor...moreToday's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor, and SNAP I/O modules. Pick a rack-mounted controller or brain for I/O processing. There it is, on the rack. Need a Factory Mutual approved, channel-to-channel isolated, digital input for DC voltage? Piece of cake. Check the boxes and choose the one you want. Add all the analog, digital, and serial modules you need. If the rack is too large or too small, just click to change it. <less Long-term support for SNAP PAC systems Blog - Published: You can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has...moreYou can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has been built on our SNAP PAC systems, and you’ve grown accustomed to the reliability these systems provide your automation projects. We understand the importance of SNAP PAC in your operations, and we're here to reassure you: your trust in Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and I/O modules is well placed, now and into the future. At Opto 22, we know that designs and projects that incorporate SNAP PAC are more than just configurations of hardware and software; they are the lifeblood of your operations, which is why we are committed to ensuring that you can feel secure in your designs for the long haul. <less OptoNews Tip: Video shows how to wire new spring clamps Blog - Published: 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...moreSome 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. <less OptoNews tech tip: Accuracy and resolution Blog - Published: 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...moreAccuracy 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. <less OptoNews Tip: Find warranty and agency approval info for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: Suppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be...moreSuppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be UL approved, or meet certain European Union (CE) standards. What if you just want to know what the warranty period is for a specific Opto 22 part? <less Firmware updates for I/O modules Blog - Published: New features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs...moreNew features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs with over-the-air updates to millions of cars. Of course, they are not the only ones with this feature. Many companies have been updating their hardware with firmware updates for decades, but it really captures the imagination when the hardware is something you drive. Closer to our hearts and minds, Opto 22 has been adding features and squishing bugs on our controllers for more years than most of us can recall (it's our 50th year in 2024!). There are a few SNAP I/O modules that can have their firmware updated via our PAC Manager program—the serial data ones for example—but now with groov EPIC and RIO, ALL our modules can have new features and refined performance added at the click of a button. <less OptoNews: New PAC-R upgrades Ultimate I/O Blog - Published: Do you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is...moreDo you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is exactly like a regular SNAP-PAC-R1 except that it has a blue connector on the bottom that fits on a B-series rack. That means you can: <less OptoNews: New ATEX approval for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. <less OptoNews: New UL approval for power supplies, brains, I/O Blog - Published: 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. 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. <less SNAP PAC Firmware 10.4c available now Blog - Published: The latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now...moreThe latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now! SNAP PAC firmware 10.4c is ready for download. This latest maintenance release has some noteworthy updates you'll want to review. You can check out the README for a complete list of enhancements and bug fixes. It lists revision changes made to the firmware used in SNAP PAC S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC controllers; SNAP PAC EB-series and SB-series brains; and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Now sense & switch industrial loads with your Raspberry Pi Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews: Updated PAC firmware R9.4c released Blog - Published: We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: Sneak peek - SNAP-AIRTD-8U multifunction input Blog - Published: Actually you can buy this flexible analog input module right now. You'll just need a SNAP PAC brain or R-series controller with firmware R9.5a in order to use it—coming soon! Designed for 3-wire RTD...moreActually you can buy this flexible analog input module right now. You'll just need a SNAP PAC brain or R-series controller with firmware R9.5a in order to use it—coming soon! Designed for 3-wire RTD temperature inputs or high-resolution resistance measurement, the new SNAP-AIRTD-8U analog input module has, yes, 8 points, each individually software configurable. <less OptoNews: More features and I/O for legacy systems Blog - Published: 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...moreMove 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? <less OptoNews Tip: More capabilities, more I/O for legacy systems Blog - Published: 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...moreMove 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? <less OptoNews: New compact breakout board saves cabinet space Blog - Published: 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...moreIf 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. <less OptoNews: HART & mechanical relay modules, and more Blog - Published: 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...moreHave 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. <less OptoNews: Integrate CAN devices with your SNAP PAC System Blog - Published: 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...moreDo 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. <less OptoNews: Tech tip - Just 2 wires to your dry contact switch Blog - Published: Say you've got a dry contact switch you want to monitor so you know when it's closed. Could be a level sensor or pressure indicator, a magnetic reed switch or snap-action micro switch, or maybe a relay...moreSay you've got a dry contact switch you want to monitor so you know when it's closed. Could be a level sensor or pressure indicator, a magnetic reed switch or snap-action micro switch, or maybe a relay contact. There are lots of ways you could do that, but often the best way is to use a SNAP-IDC5-SW digital input module. Why? It supplies 15 volts of power to an external dry contact switch. You only need 2 wires to connect the switch to the module. You can monitor 4 switches from 1 module. Ben Orchard raves about this module in his recent blog post on monitoring water usage, and with good reason: it makes life easier by saving wiring time and complexity. <less OptoNews tech tip: Save time by auto-configuring I/O Blog - Published: 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...moreSuppose 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. <less OptoNews Tip: More power, more I/O for legacy systems Blog - Published: 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...moreMove 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. <less OptoNews: New SNAP mechanical relay output has integrated transient suppression Blog - Published: The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. <less OptoNews: Tech tip - Build your I/O in the Configurator Blog - Published: Today's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor...moreToday's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor, and SNAP I/O modules. Pick a rack-mounted controller or brain for I/O processing. There it is, on the rack. Need a Factory Mutual approved, channel-to-channel isolated, digital input for DC voltage? Piece of cake. Check the boxes and choose the one you want. Add all the analog, digital, and serial modules you need. If the rack is too large or too small, just click to change it. <less Long-term support for SNAP PAC systems Blog - Published: You can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has...moreYou can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has been built on our SNAP PAC systems, and you’ve grown accustomed to the reliability these systems provide your automation projects. We understand the importance of SNAP PAC in your operations, and we're here to reassure you: your trust in Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and I/O modules is well placed, now and into the future. At Opto 22, we know that designs and projects that incorporate SNAP PAC are more than just configurations of hardware and software; they are the lifeblood of your operations, which is why we are committed to ensuring that you can feel secure in your designs for the long haul. <less OptoNews Tip: Video shows how to wire new spring clamps Blog - Published: 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...moreSome 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. <less OptoNews tech tip: Accuracy and resolution Blog - Published: 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...moreAccuracy 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. <less OptoNews Tip: Find warranty and agency approval info for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: Suppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be...moreSuppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be UL approved, or meet certain European Union (CE) standards. What if you just want to know what the warranty period is for a specific Opto 22 part? <less Firmware updates for I/O modules Blog - Published: New features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs...moreNew features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs with over-the-air updates to millions of cars. Of course, they are not the only ones with this feature. Many companies have been updating their hardware with firmware updates for decades, but it really captures the imagination when the hardware is something you drive. Closer to our hearts and minds, Opto 22 has been adding features and squishing bugs on our controllers for more years than most of us can recall (it's our 50th year in 2024!). There are a few SNAP I/O modules that can have their firmware updated via our PAC Manager program—the serial data ones for example—but now with groov EPIC and RIO, ALL our modules can have new features and refined performance added at the click of a button. <less OptoNews: New PAC-R upgrades Ultimate I/O Blog - Published: Do you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is...moreDo you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is exactly like a regular SNAP-PAC-R1 except that it has a blue connector on the bottom that fits on a B-series rack. That means you can: <less OptoNews: New ATEX approval for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. <less OptoNews: New UL approval for power supplies, brains, I/O Blog - Published: 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. 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. <less SNAP PAC Firmware 10.4c available now Blog - Published: The latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now...moreThe latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now! SNAP PAC firmware 10.4c is ready for download. This latest maintenance release has some noteworthy updates you'll want to review. You can check out the README for a complete list of enhancements and bug fixes. It lists revision changes made to the firmware used in SNAP PAC S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC controllers; SNAP PAC EB-series and SB-series brains; and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Now sense & switch industrial loads with your Raspberry Pi Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews: Updated PAC firmware R9.4c released Blog - Published: We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: More features and I/O for legacy systems Blog - Published: 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...moreMove 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? <less OptoNews Tip: More capabilities, more I/O for legacy systems Blog - Published: 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...moreMove 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? <less OptoNews: New compact breakout board saves cabinet space Blog - Published: 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...moreIf 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. <less OptoNews: HART & mechanical relay modules, and more Blog - Published: 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...moreHave 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. <less OptoNews: Integrate CAN devices with your SNAP PAC System Blog - Published: 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...moreDo 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. <less OptoNews: Tech tip - Just 2 wires to your dry contact switch Blog - Published: Say you've got a dry contact switch you want to monitor so you know when it's closed. Could be a level sensor or pressure indicator, a magnetic reed switch or snap-action micro switch, or maybe a relay...moreSay you've got a dry contact switch you want to monitor so you know when it's closed. Could be a level sensor or pressure indicator, a magnetic reed switch or snap-action micro switch, or maybe a relay contact. There are lots of ways you could do that, but often the best way is to use a SNAP-IDC5-SW digital input module. Why? It supplies 15 volts of power to an external dry contact switch. You only need 2 wires to connect the switch to the module. You can monitor 4 switches from 1 module. Ben Orchard raves about this module in his recent blog post on monitoring water usage, and with good reason: it makes life easier by saving wiring time and complexity. <less OptoNews tech tip: Save time by auto-configuring I/O Blog - Published: 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...moreSuppose 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. <less OptoNews Tip: More power, more I/O for legacy systems Blog - Published: 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...moreMove 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. <less OptoNews: New SNAP mechanical relay output has integrated transient suppression Blog - Published: The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. <less OptoNews: Tech tip - Build your I/O in the Configurator Blog - Published: Today's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor...moreToday's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor, and SNAP I/O modules. Pick a rack-mounted controller or brain for I/O processing. There it is, on the rack. Need a Factory Mutual approved, channel-to-channel isolated, digital input for DC voltage? Piece of cake. Check the boxes and choose the one you want. Add all the analog, digital, and serial modules you need. If the rack is too large or too small, just click to change it. <less Long-term support for SNAP PAC systems Blog - Published: You can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has...moreYou can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has been built on our SNAP PAC systems, and you’ve grown accustomed to the reliability these systems provide your automation projects. We understand the importance of SNAP PAC in your operations, and we're here to reassure you: your trust in Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and I/O modules is well placed, now and into the future. At Opto 22, we know that designs and projects that incorporate SNAP PAC are more than just configurations of hardware and software; they are the lifeblood of your operations, which is why we are committed to ensuring that you can feel secure in your designs for the long haul. <less OptoNews Tip: Video shows how to wire new spring clamps Blog - Published: 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...moreSome 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. <less OptoNews tech tip: Accuracy and resolution Blog - Published: 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...moreAccuracy 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. <less OptoNews Tip: Find warranty and agency approval info for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: Suppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be...moreSuppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be UL approved, or meet certain European Union (CE) standards. What if you just want to know what the warranty period is for a specific Opto 22 part? <less Firmware updates for I/O modules Blog - Published: New features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs...moreNew features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs with over-the-air updates to millions of cars. Of course, they are not the only ones with this feature. Many companies have been updating their hardware with firmware updates for decades, but it really captures the imagination when the hardware is something you drive. Closer to our hearts and minds, Opto 22 has been adding features and squishing bugs on our controllers for more years than most of us can recall (it's our 50th year in 2024!). There are a few SNAP I/O modules that can have their firmware updated via our PAC Manager program—the serial data ones for example—but now with groov EPIC and RIO, ALL our modules can have new features and refined performance added at the click of a button. <less OptoNews: New PAC-R upgrades Ultimate I/O Blog - Published: Do you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is...moreDo you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is exactly like a regular SNAP-PAC-R1 except that it has a blue connector on the bottom that fits on a B-series rack. That means you can: <less OptoNews: New ATEX approval for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. <less OptoNews: New UL approval for power supplies, brains, I/O Blog - Published: 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. 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. <less SNAP PAC Firmware 10.4c available now Blog - Published: The latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now...moreThe latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now! SNAP PAC firmware 10.4c is ready for download. This latest maintenance release has some noteworthy updates you'll want to review. You can check out the README for a complete list of enhancements and bug fixes. It lists revision changes made to the firmware used in SNAP PAC S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC controllers; SNAP PAC EB-series and SB-series brains; and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Now sense & switch industrial loads with your Raspberry Pi Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews: Updated PAC firmware R9.4c released Blog - Published: We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews Tip: More capabilities, more I/O for legacy systems Blog - Published: 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...moreMove 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? <less OptoNews: New compact breakout board saves cabinet space Blog - Published: 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...moreIf 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. <less OptoNews: HART & mechanical relay modules, and more Blog - Published: 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...moreHave 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. <less OptoNews: Integrate CAN devices with your SNAP PAC System Blog - Published: 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...moreDo 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. <less OptoNews: Tech tip - Just 2 wires to your dry contact switch Blog - Published: Say you've got a dry contact switch you want to monitor so you know when it's closed. Could be a level sensor or pressure indicator, a magnetic reed switch or snap-action micro switch, or maybe a relay...moreSay you've got a dry contact switch you want to monitor so you know when it's closed. Could be a level sensor or pressure indicator, a magnetic reed switch or snap-action micro switch, or maybe a relay contact. There are lots of ways you could do that, but often the best way is to use a SNAP-IDC5-SW digital input module. Why? It supplies 15 volts of power to an external dry contact switch. You only need 2 wires to connect the switch to the module. You can monitor 4 switches from 1 module. Ben Orchard raves about this module in his recent blog post on monitoring water usage, and with good reason: it makes life easier by saving wiring time and complexity. <less OptoNews tech tip: Save time by auto-configuring I/O Blog - Published: 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...moreSuppose 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. <less OptoNews Tip: More power, more I/O for legacy systems Blog - Published: 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...moreMove 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. <less OptoNews: New SNAP mechanical relay output has integrated transient suppression Blog - Published: The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. <less OptoNews: Tech tip - Build your I/O in the Configurator Blog - Published: Today's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor...moreToday's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor, and SNAP I/O modules. Pick a rack-mounted controller or brain for I/O processing. There it is, on the rack. Need a Factory Mutual approved, channel-to-channel isolated, digital input for DC voltage? Piece of cake. Check the boxes and choose the one you want. Add all the analog, digital, and serial modules you need. If the rack is too large or too small, just click to change it. <less Long-term support for SNAP PAC systems Blog - Published: You can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has...moreYou can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has been built on our SNAP PAC systems, and you’ve grown accustomed to the reliability these systems provide your automation projects. We understand the importance of SNAP PAC in your operations, and we're here to reassure you: your trust in Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and I/O modules is well placed, now and into the future. At Opto 22, we know that designs and projects that incorporate SNAP PAC are more than just configurations of hardware and software; they are the lifeblood of your operations, which is why we are committed to ensuring that you can feel secure in your designs for the long haul. <less OptoNews Tip: Video shows how to wire new spring clamps Blog - Published: 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...moreSome 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. <less OptoNews tech tip: Accuracy and resolution Blog - Published: 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...moreAccuracy 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. <less OptoNews Tip: Find warranty and agency approval info for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: Suppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be...moreSuppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be UL approved, or meet certain European Union (CE) standards. What if you just want to know what the warranty period is for a specific Opto 22 part? <less Firmware updates for I/O modules Blog - Published: New features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs...moreNew features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs with over-the-air updates to millions of cars. Of course, they are not the only ones with this feature. Many companies have been updating their hardware with firmware updates for decades, but it really captures the imagination when the hardware is something you drive. Closer to our hearts and minds, Opto 22 has been adding features and squishing bugs on our controllers for more years than most of us can recall (it's our 50th year in 2024!). There are a few SNAP I/O modules that can have their firmware updated via our PAC Manager program—the serial data ones for example—but now with groov EPIC and RIO, ALL our modules can have new features and refined performance added at the click of a button. <less OptoNews: New PAC-R upgrades Ultimate I/O Blog - Published: Do you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is...moreDo you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is exactly like a regular SNAP-PAC-R1 except that it has a blue connector on the bottom that fits on a B-series rack. That means you can: <less OptoNews: New ATEX approval for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. <less OptoNews: New UL approval for power supplies, brains, I/O Blog - Published: 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. 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. <less SNAP PAC Firmware 10.4c available now Blog - Published: The latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now...moreThe latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now! SNAP PAC firmware 10.4c is ready for download. This latest maintenance release has some noteworthy updates you'll want to review. You can check out the README for a complete list of enhancements and bug fixes. It lists revision changes made to the firmware used in SNAP PAC S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC controllers; SNAP PAC EB-series and SB-series brains; and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Now sense & switch industrial loads with your Raspberry Pi Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews: Updated PAC firmware R9.4c released Blog - Published: We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: New compact breakout board saves cabinet space Blog - Published: 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...moreIf 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. <less OptoNews: HART & mechanical relay modules, and more Blog - Published: 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...moreHave 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. <less OptoNews: Integrate CAN devices with your SNAP PAC System Blog - Published: 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...moreDo 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. <less OptoNews: Tech tip - Just 2 wires to your dry contact switch Blog - Published: Say you've got a dry contact switch you want to monitor so you know when it's closed. Could be a level sensor or pressure indicator, a magnetic reed switch or snap-action micro switch, or maybe a relay...moreSay you've got a dry contact switch you want to monitor so you know when it's closed. Could be a level sensor or pressure indicator, a magnetic reed switch or snap-action micro switch, or maybe a relay contact. There are lots of ways you could do that, but often the best way is to use a SNAP-IDC5-SW digital input module. Why? It supplies 15 volts of power to an external dry contact switch. You only need 2 wires to connect the switch to the module. You can monitor 4 switches from 1 module. Ben Orchard raves about this module in his recent blog post on monitoring water usage, and with good reason: it makes life easier by saving wiring time and complexity. <less OptoNews tech tip: Save time by auto-configuring I/O Blog - Published: 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...moreSuppose 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. <less OptoNews Tip: More power, more I/O for legacy systems Blog - Published: 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...moreMove 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. <less OptoNews: New SNAP mechanical relay output has integrated transient suppression Blog - Published: The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. <less OptoNews: Tech tip - Build your I/O in the Configurator Blog - Published: Today's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor...moreToday's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor, and SNAP I/O modules. Pick a rack-mounted controller or brain for I/O processing. There it is, on the rack. Need a Factory Mutual approved, channel-to-channel isolated, digital input for DC voltage? Piece of cake. Check the boxes and choose the one you want. Add all the analog, digital, and serial modules you need. If the rack is too large or too small, just click to change it. <less Long-term support for SNAP PAC systems Blog - Published: You can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has...moreYou can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has been built on our SNAP PAC systems, and you’ve grown accustomed to the reliability these systems provide your automation projects. We understand the importance of SNAP PAC in your operations, and we're here to reassure you: your trust in Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and I/O modules is well placed, now and into the future. At Opto 22, we know that designs and projects that incorporate SNAP PAC are more than just configurations of hardware and software; they are the lifeblood of your operations, which is why we are committed to ensuring that you can feel secure in your designs for the long haul. <less OptoNews Tip: Video shows how to wire new spring clamps Blog - Published: 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...moreSome 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. <less OptoNews tech tip: Accuracy and resolution Blog - Published: 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...moreAccuracy 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. <less OptoNews Tip: Find warranty and agency approval info for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: Suppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be...moreSuppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be UL approved, or meet certain European Union (CE) standards. What if you just want to know what the warranty period is for a specific Opto 22 part? <less Firmware updates for I/O modules Blog - Published: New features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs...moreNew features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs with over-the-air updates to millions of cars. Of course, they are not the only ones with this feature. Many companies have been updating their hardware with firmware updates for decades, but it really captures the imagination when the hardware is something you drive. Closer to our hearts and minds, Opto 22 has been adding features and squishing bugs on our controllers for more years than most of us can recall (it's our 50th year in 2024!). There are a few SNAP I/O modules that can have their firmware updated via our PAC Manager program—the serial data ones for example—but now with groov EPIC and RIO, ALL our modules can have new features and refined performance added at the click of a button. <less OptoNews: New PAC-R upgrades Ultimate I/O Blog - Published: Do you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is...moreDo you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is exactly like a regular SNAP-PAC-R1 except that it has a blue connector on the bottom that fits on a B-series rack. That means you can: <less OptoNews: New ATEX approval for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. <less OptoNews: New UL approval for power supplies, brains, I/O Blog - Published: 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. 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. <less SNAP PAC Firmware 10.4c available now Blog - Published: The latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now...moreThe latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now! SNAP PAC firmware 10.4c is ready for download. This latest maintenance release has some noteworthy updates you'll want to review. You can check out the README for a complete list of enhancements and bug fixes. It lists revision changes made to the firmware used in SNAP PAC S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC controllers; SNAP PAC EB-series and SB-series brains; and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Now sense & switch industrial loads with your Raspberry Pi Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews: Updated PAC firmware R9.4c released Blog - Published: We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: HART & mechanical relay modules, and more Blog - Published: 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...moreHave 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. <less OptoNews: Integrate CAN devices with your SNAP PAC System Blog - Published: 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...moreDo 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. <less OptoNews: Tech tip - Just 2 wires to your dry contact switch Blog - Published: Say you've got a dry contact switch you want to monitor so you know when it's closed. Could be a level sensor or pressure indicator, a magnetic reed switch or snap-action micro switch, or maybe a relay...moreSay you've got a dry contact switch you want to monitor so you know when it's closed. Could be a level sensor or pressure indicator, a magnetic reed switch or snap-action micro switch, or maybe a relay contact. There are lots of ways you could do that, but often the best way is to use a SNAP-IDC5-SW digital input module. Why? It supplies 15 volts of power to an external dry contact switch. You only need 2 wires to connect the switch to the module. You can monitor 4 switches from 1 module. Ben Orchard raves about this module in his recent blog post on monitoring water usage, and with good reason: it makes life easier by saving wiring time and complexity. <less OptoNews tech tip: Save time by auto-configuring I/O Blog - Published: 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...moreSuppose 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. <less OptoNews Tip: More power, more I/O for legacy systems Blog - Published: 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...moreMove 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. <less OptoNews: New SNAP mechanical relay output has integrated transient suppression Blog - Published: The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. <less OptoNews: Tech tip - Build your I/O in the Configurator Blog - Published: Today's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor...moreToday's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor, and SNAP I/O modules. Pick a rack-mounted controller or brain for I/O processing. There it is, on the rack. Need a Factory Mutual approved, channel-to-channel isolated, digital input for DC voltage? Piece of cake. Check the boxes and choose the one you want. Add all the analog, digital, and serial modules you need. If the rack is too large or too small, just click to change it. <less Long-term support for SNAP PAC systems Blog - Published: You can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has...moreYou can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has been built on our SNAP PAC systems, and you’ve grown accustomed to the reliability these systems provide your automation projects. We understand the importance of SNAP PAC in your operations, and we're here to reassure you: your trust in Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and I/O modules is well placed, now and into the future. At Opto 22, we know that designs and projects that incorporate SNAP PAC are more than just configurations of hardware and software; they are the lifeblood of your operations, which is why we are committed to ensuring that you can feel secure in your designs for the long haul. <less OptoNews Tip: Video shows how to wire new spring clamps Blog - Published: 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...moreSome 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. <less OptoNews tech tip: Accuracy and resolution Blog - Published: 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...moreAccuracy 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. <less OptoNews Tip: Find warranty and agency approval info for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: Suppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be...moreSuppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be UL approved, or meet certain European Union (CE) standards. What if you just want to know what the warranty period is for a specific Opto 22 part? <less Firmware updates for I/O modules Blog - Published: New features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs...moreNew features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs with over-the-air updates to millions of cars. Of course, they are not the only ones with this feature. Many companies have been updating their hardware with firmware updates for decades, but it really captures the imagination when the hardware is something you drive. Closer to our hearts and minds, Opto 22 has been adding features and squishing bugs on our controllers for more years than most of us can recall (it's our 50th year in 2024!). There are a few SNAP I/O modules that can have their firmware updated via our PAC Manager program—the serial data ones for example—but now with groov EPIC and RIO, ALL our modules can have new features and refined performance added at the click of a button. <less OptoNews: New PAC-R upgrades Ultimate I/O Blog - Published: Do you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is...moreDo you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is exactly like a regular SNAP-PAC-R1 except that it has a blue connector on the bottom that fits on a B-series rack. That means you can: <less OptoNews: New ATEX approval for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. <less OptoNews: New UL approval for power supplies, brains, I/O Blog - Published: 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. 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. <less SNAP PAC Firmware 10.4c available now Blog - Published: The latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now...moreThe latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now! SNAP PAC firmware 10.4c is ready for download. This latest maintenance release has some noteworthy updates you'll want to review. You can check out the README for a complete list of enhancements and bug fixes. It lists revision changes made to the firmware used in SNAP PAC S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC controllers; SNAP PAC EB-series and SB-series brains; and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Now sense & switch industrial loads with your Raspberry Pi Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews: Updated PAC firmware R9.4c released Blog - Published: We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: Integrate CAN devices with your SNAP PAC System Blog - Published: 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...moreDo 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. <less OptoNews: Tech tip - Just 2 wires to your dry contact switch Blog - Published: Say you've got a dry contact switch you want to monitor so you know when it's closed. Could be a level sensor or pressure indicator, a magnetic reed switch or snap-action micro switch, or maybe a relay...moreSay you've got a dry contact switch you want to monitor so you know when it's closed. Could be a level sensor or pressure indicator, a magnetic reed switch or snap-action micro switch, or maybe a relay contact. There are lots of ways you could do that, but often the best way is to use a SNAP-IDC5-SW digital input module. Why? It supplies 15 volts of power to an external dry contact switch. You only need 2 wires to connect the switch to the module. You can monitor 4 switches from 1 module. Ben Orchard raves about this module in his recent blog post on monitoring water usage, and with good reason: it makes life easier by saving wiring time and complexity. <less OptoNews tech tip: Save time by auto-configuring I/O Blog - Published: 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...moreSuppose 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. <less OptoNews Tip: More power, more I/O for legacy systems Blog - Published: 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...moreMove 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. <less OptoNews: New SNAP mechanical relay output has integrated transient suppression Blog - Published: The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. <less OptoNews: Tech tip - Build your I/O in the Configurator Blog - Published: Today's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor...moreToday's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor, and SNAP I/O modules. Pick a rack-mounted controller or brain for I/O processing. There it is, on the rack. Need a Factory Mutual approved, channel-to-channel isolated, digital input for DC voltage? Piece of cake. Check the boxes and choose the one you want. Add all the analog, digital, and serial modules you need. If the rack is too large or too small, just click to change it. <less Long-term support for SNAP PAC systems Blog - Published: You can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has...moreYou can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has been built on our SNAP PAC systems, and you’ve grown accustomed to the reliability these systems provide your automation projects. We understand the importance of SNAP PAC in your operations, and we're here to reassure you: your trust in Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and I/O modules is well placed, now and into the future. At Opto 22, we know that designs and projects that incorporate SNAP PAC are more than just configurations of hardware and software; they are the lifeblood of your operations, which is why we are committed to ensuring that you can feel secure in your designs for the long haul. <less OptoNews Tip: Video shows how to wire new spring clamps Blog - Published: 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...moreSome 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. <less OptoNews tech tip: Accuracy and resolution Blog - Published: 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...moreAccuracy 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. <less OptoNews Tip: Find warranty and agency approval info for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: Suppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be...moreSuppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be UL approved, or meet certain European Union (CE) standards. What if you just want to know what the warranty period is for a specific Opto 22 part? <less Firmware updates for I/O modules Blog - Published: New features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs...moreNew features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs with over-the-air updates to millions of cars. Of course, they are not the only ones with this feature. Many companies have been updating their hardware with firmware updates for decades, but it really captures the imagination when the hardware is something you drive. Closer to our hearts and minds, Opto 22 has been adding features and squishing bugs on our controllers for more years than most of us can recall (it's our 50th year in 2024!). There are a few SNAP I/O modules that can have their firmware updated via our PAC Manager program—the serial data ones for example—but now with groov EPIC and RIO, ALL our modules can have new features and refined performance added at the click of a button. <less OptoNews: New PAC-R upgrades Ultimate I/O Blog - Published: Do you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is...moreDo you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is exactly like a regular SNAP-PAC-R1 except that it has a blue connector on the bottom that fits on a B-series rack. That means you can: <less OptoNews: New ATEX approval for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. <less OptoNews: New UL approval for power supplies, brains, I/O Blog - Published: 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. 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. <less SNAP PAC Firmware 10.4c available now Blog - Published: The latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now...moreThe latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now! SNAP PAC firmware 10.4c is ready for download. This latest maintenance release has some noteworthy updates you'll want to review. You can check out the README for a complete list of enhancements and bug fixes. It lists revision changes made to the firmware used in SNAP PAC S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC controllers; SNAP PAC EB-series and SB-series brains; and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Now sense & switch industrial loads with your Raspberry Pi Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews: Updated PAC firmware R9.4c released Blog - Published: We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: Tech tip - Just 2 wires to your dry contact switch Blog - Published: Say you've got a dry contact switch you want to monitor so you know when it's closed. Could be a level sensor or pressure indicator, a magnetic reed switch or snap-action micro switch, or maybe a relay...moreSay you've got a dry contact switch you want to monitor so you know when it's closed. Could be a level sensor or pressure indicator, a magnetic reed switch or snap-action micro switch, or maybe a relay contact. There are lots of ways you could do that, but often the best way is to use a SNAP-IDC5-SW digital input module. Why? It supplies 15 volts of power to an external dry contact switch. You only need 2 wires to connect the switch to the module. You can monitor 4 switches from 1 module. Ben Orchard raves about this module in his recent blog post on monitoring water usage, and with good reason: it makes life easier by saving wiring time and complexity. <less OptoNews tech tip: Save time by auto-configuring I/O Blog - Published: 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...moreSuppose 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. <less OptoNews Tip: More power, more I/O for legacy systems Blog - Published: 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...moreMove 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. <less OptoNews: New SNAP mechanical relay output has integrated transient suppression Blog - Published: The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. <less OptoNews: Tech tip - Build your I/O in the Configurator Blog - Published: Today's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor...moreToday's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor, and SNAP I/O modules. Pick a rack-mounted controller or brain for I/O processing. There it is, on the rack. Need a Factory Mutual approved, channel-to-channel isolated, digital input for DC voltage? Piece of cake. Check the boxes and choose the one you want. Add all the analog, digital, and serial modules you need. If the rack is too large or too small, just click to change it. <less Long-term support for SNAP PAC systems Blog - Published: You can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has...moreYou can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has been built on our SNAP PAC systems, and you’ve grown accustomed to the reliability these systems provide your automation projects. We understand the importance of SNAP PAC in your operations, and we're here to reassure you: your trust in Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and I/O modules is well placed, now and into the future. At Opto 22, we know that designs and projects that incorporate SNAP PAC are more than just configurations of hardware and software; they are the lifeblood of your operations, which is why we are committed to ensuring that you can feel secure in your designs for the long haul. <less OptoNews Tip: Video shows how to wire new spring clamps Blog - Published: 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...moreSome 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. <less OptoNews tech tip: Accuracy and resolution Blog - Published: 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...moreAccuracy 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. <less OptoNews Tip: Find warranty and agency approval info for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: Suppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be...moreSuppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be UL approved, or meet certain European Union (CE) standards. What if you just want to know what the warranty period is for a specific Opto 22 part? <less Firmware updates for I/O modules Blog - Published: New features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs...moreNew features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs with over-the-air updates to millions of cars. Of course, they are not the only ones with this feature. Many companies have been updating their hardware with firmware updates for decades, but it really captures the imagination when the hardware is something you drive. Closer to our hearts and minds, Opto 22 has been adding features and squishing bugs on our controllers for more years than most of us can recall (it's our 50th year in 2024!). There are a few SNAP I/O modules that can have their firmware updated via our PAC Manager program—the serial data ones for example—but now with groov EPIC and RIO, ALL our modules can have new features and refined performance added at the click of a button. <less OptoNews: New PAC-R upgrades Ultimate I/O Blog - Published: Do you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is...moreDo you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is exactly like a regular SNAP-PAC-R1 except that it has a blue connector on the bottom that fits on a B-series rack. That means you can: <less OptoNews: New ATEX approval for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. <less OptoNews: New UL approval for power supplies, brains, I/O Blog - Published: 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. 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. <less SNAP PAC Firmware 10.4c available now Blog - Published: The latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now...moreThe latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now! SNAP PAC firmware 10.4c is ready for download. This latest maintenance release has some noteworthy updates you'll want to review. You can check out the README for a complete list of enhancements and bug fixes. It lists revision changes made to the firmware used in SNAP PAC S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC controllers; SNAP PAC EB-series and SB-series brains; and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Now sense & switch industrial loads with your Raspberry Pi Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews: Updated PAC firmware R9.4c released Blog - Published: We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews tech tip: Save time by auto-configuring I/O Blog - Published: 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...moreSuppose 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. <less OptoNews Tip: More power, more I/O for legacy systems Blog - Published: 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...moreMove 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. <less OptoNews: New SNAP mechanical relay output has integrated transient suppression Blog - Published: The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. <less OptoNews: Tech tip - Build your I/O in the Configurator Blog - Published: Today's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor...moreToday's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor, and SNAP I/O modules. Pick a rack-mounted controller or brain for I/O processing. There it is, on the rack. Need a Factory Mutual approved, channel-to-channel isolated, digital input for DC voltage? Piece of cake. Check the boxes and choose the one you want. Add all the analog, digital, and serial modules you need. If the rack is too large or too small, just click to change it. <less Long-term support for SNAP PAC systems Blog - Published: You can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has...moreYou can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has been built on our SNAP PAC systems, and you’ve grown accustomed to the reliability these systems provide your automation projects. We understand the importance of SNAP PAC in your operations, and we're here to reassure you: your trust in Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and I/O modules is well placed, now and into the future. At Opto 22, we know that designs and projects that incorporate SNAP PAC are more than just configurations of hardware and software; they are the lifeblood of your operations, which is why we are committed to ensuring that you can feel secure in your designs for the long haul. <less OptoNews Tip: Video shows how to wire new spring clamps Blog - Published: 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...moreSome 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. <less OptoNews tech tip: Accuracy and resolution Blog - Published: 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...moreAccuracy 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. <less OptoNews Tip: Find warranty and agency approval info for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: Suppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be...moreSuppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be UL approved, or meet certain European Union (CE) standards. What if you just want to know what the warranty period is for a specific Opto 22 part? <less Firmware updates for I/O modules Blog - Published: New features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs...moreNew features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs with over-the-air updates to millions of cars. Of course, they are not the only ones with this feature. Many companies have been updating their hardware with firmware updates for decades, but it really captures the imagination when the hardware is something you drive. Closer to our hearts and minds, Opto 22 has been adding features and squishing bugs on our controllers for more years than most of us can recall (it's our 50th year in 2024!). There are a few SNAP I/O modules that can have their firmware updated via our PAC Manager program—the serial data ones for example—but now with groov EPIC and RIO, ALL our modules can have new features and refined performance added at the click of a button. <less OptoNews: New PAC-R upgrades Ultimate I/O Blog - Published: Do you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is...moreDo you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is exactly like a regular SNAP-PAC-R1 except that it has a blue connector on the bottom that fits on a B-series rack. That means you can: <less OptoNews: New ATEX approval for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. <less OptoNews: New UL approval for power supplies, brains, I/O Blog - Published: 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. 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. <less SNAP PAC Firmware 10.4c available now Blog - Published: The latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now...moreThe latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now! SNAP PAC firmware 10.4c is ready for download. This latest maintenance release has some noteworthy updates you'll want to review. You can check out the README for a complete list of enhancements and bug fixes. It lists revision changes made to the firmware used in SNAP PAC S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC controllers; SNAP PAC EB-series and SB-series brains; and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Now sense & switch industrial loads with your Raspberry Pi Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews: Updated PAC firmware R9.4c released Blog - Published: We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews Tip: More power, more I/O for legacy systems Blog - Published: 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...moreMove 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. <less OptoNews: New SNAP mechanical relay output has integrated transient suppression Blog - Published: The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. <less OptoNews: Tech tip - Build your I/O in the Configurator Blog - Published: Today's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor...moreToday's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor, and SNAP I/O modules. Pick a rack-mounted controller or brain for I/O processing. There it is, on the rack. Need a Factory Mutual approved, channel-to-channel isolated, digital input for DC voltage? Piece of cake. Check the boxes and choose the one you want. Add all the analog, digital, and serial modules you need. If the rack is too large or too small, just click to change it. <less Long-term support for SNAP PAC systems Blog - Published: You can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has...moreYou can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has been built on our SNAP PAC systems, and you’ve grown accustomed to the reliability these systems provide your automation projects. We understand the importance of SNAP PAC in your operations, and we're here to reassure you: your trust in Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and I/O modules is well placed, now and into the future. At Opto 22, we know that designs and projects that incorporate SNAP PAC are more than just configurations of hardware and software; they are the lifeblood of your operations, which is why we are committed to ensuring that you can feel secure in your designs for the long haul. <less OptoNews Tip: Video shows how to wire new spring clamps Blog - Published: 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...moreSome 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. <less OptoNews tech tip: Accuracy and resolution Blog - Published: 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...moreAccuracy 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. <less OptoNews Tip: Find warranty and agency approval info for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: Suppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be...moreSuppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be UL approved, or meet certain European Union (CE) standards. What if you just want to know what the warranty period is for a specific Opto 22 part? <less Firmware updates for I/O modules Blog - Published: New features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs...moreNew features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs with over-the-air updates to millions of cars. Of course, they are not the only ones with this feature. Many companies have been updating their hardware with firmware updates for decades, but it really captures the imagination when the hardware is something you drive. Closer to our hearts and minds, Opto 22 has been adding features and squishing bugs on our controllers for more years than most of us can recall (it's our 50th year in 2024!). There are a few SNAP I/O modules that can have their firmware updated via our PAC Manager program—the serial data ones for example—but now with groov EPIC and RIO, ALL our modules can have new features and refined performance added at the click of a button. <less OptoNews: New PAC-R upgrades Ultimate I/O Blog - Published: Do you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is...moreDo you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is exactly like a regular SNAP-PAC-R1 except that it has a blue connector on the bottom that fits on a B-series rack. That means you can: <less OptoNews: New ATEX approval for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. <less OptoNews: New UL approval for power supplies, brains, I/O Blog - Published: 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. 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. <less SNAP PAC Firmware 10.4c available now Blog - Published: The latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now...moreThe latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now! SNAP PAC firmware 10.4c is ready for download. This latest maintenance release has some noteworthy updates you'll want to review. You can check out the README for a complete list of enhancements and bug fixes. It lists revision changes made to the firmware used in SNAP PAC S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC controllers; SNAP PAC EB-series and SB-series brains; and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Now sense & switch industrial loads with your Raspberry Pi Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews: Updated PAC firmware R9.4c released Blog - Published: We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: New SNAP mechanical relay output has integrated transient suppression Blog - Published: The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. The new SNAP-OMR6T-C mechanical power relay output module offers four points to switch loads up to 6 amps at 250 VAC or 30 VDC. AND it includes integrated transient suppression, while maintaining minimal leakage current. <less OptoNews: Tech tip - Build your I/O in the Configurator Blog - Published: Today's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor...moreToday's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor, and SNAP I/O modules. Pick a rack-mounted controller or brain for I/O processing. There it is, on the rack. Need a Factory Mutual approved, channel-to-channel isolated, digital input for DC voltage? Piece of cake. Check the boxes and choose the one you want. Add all the analog, digital, and serial modules you need. If the rack is too large or too small, just click to change it. <less Long-term support for SNAP PAC systems Blog - Published: You can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has...moreYou can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has been built on our SNAP PAC systems, and you’ve grown accustomed to the reliability these systems provide your automation projects. We understand the importance of SNAP PAC in your operations, and we're here to reassure you: your trust in Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and I/O modules is well placed, now and into the future. At Opto 22, we know that designs and projects that incorporate SNAP PAC are more than just configurations of hardware and software; they are the lifeblood of your operations, which is why we are committed to ensuring that you can feel secure in your designs for the long haul. <less OptoNews Tip: Video shows how to wire new spring clamps Blog - Published: 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...moreSome 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. <less OptoNews tech tip: Accuracy and resolution Blog - Published: 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...moreAccuracy 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. <less OptoNews Tip: Find warranty and agency approval info for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: Suppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be...moreSuppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be UL approved, or meet certain European Union (CE) standards. What if you just want to know what the warranty period is for a specific Opto 22 part? <less Firmware updates for I/O modules Blog - Published: New features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs...moreNew features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs with over-the-air updates to millions of cars. Of course, they are not the only ones with this feature. Many companies have been updating their hardware with firmware updates for decades, but it really captures the imagination when the hardware is something you drive. Closer to our hearts and minds, Opto 22 has been adding features and squishing bugs on our controllers for more years than most of us can recall (it's our 50th year in 2024!). There are a few SNAP I/O modules that can have their firmware updated via our PAC Manager program—the serial data ones for example—but now with groov EPIC and RIO, ALL our modules can have new features and refined performance added at the click of a button. <less OptoNews: New PAC-R upgrades Ultimate I/O Blog - Published: Do you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is...moreDo you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is exactly like a regular SNAP-PAC-R1 except that it has a blue connector on the bottom that fits on a B-series rack. That means you can: <less OptoNews: New ATEX approval for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. <less OptoNews: New UL approval for power supplies, brains, I/O Blog - Published: 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. 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. <less SNAP PAC Firmware 10.4c available now Blog - Published: The latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now...moreThe latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now! SNAP PAC firmware 10.4c is ready for download. This latest maintenance release has some noteworthy updates you'll want to review. You can check out the README for a complete list of enhancements and bug fixes. It lists revision changes made to the firmware used in SNAP PAC S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC controllers; SNAP PAC EB-series and SB-series brains; and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Now sense & switch industrial loads with your Raspberry Pi Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews: Updated PAC firmware R9.4c released Blog - Published: We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: Tech tip - Build your I/O in the Configurator Blog - Published: Today's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor...moreToday's tech tip is for anyone spec'ing new I/O for your system. It's a "hidden gem" on our website: the SNAP I/O Configurator. This fun tool helps you build an I/O unit—mounting rack, I/O processor, and SNAP I/O modules. Pick a rack-mounted controller or brain for I/O processing. There it is, on the rack. Need a Factory Mutual approved, channel-to-channel isolated, digital input for DC voltage? Piece of cake. Check the boxes and choose the one you want. Add all the analog, digital, and serial modules you need. If the rack is too large or too small, just click to change it. <less Long-term support for SNAP PAC systems Blog - Published: You can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has...moreYou can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has been built on our SNAP PAC systems, and you’ve grown accustomed to the reliability these systems provide your automation projects. We understand the importance of SNAP PAC in your operations, and we're here to reassure you: your trust in Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and I/O modules is well placed, now and into the future. At Opto 22, we know that designs and projects that incorporate SNAP PAC are more than just configurations of hardware and software; they are the lifeblood of your operations, which is why we are committed to ensuring that you can feel secure in your designs for the long haul. <less OptoNews Tip: Video shows how to wire new spring clamps Blog - Published: 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...moreSome 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. <less OptoNews tech tip: Accuracy and resolution Blog - Published: 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...moreAccuracy 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. <less OptoNews Tip: Find warranty and agency approval info for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: Suppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be...moreSuppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be UL approved, or meet certain European Union (CE) standards. What if you just want to know what the warranty period is for a specific Opto 22 part? <less Firmware updates for I/O modules Blog - Published: New features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs...moreNew features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs with over-the-air updates to millions of cars. Of course, they are not the only ones with this feature. Many companies have been updating their hardware with firmware updates for decades, but it really captures the imagination when the hardware is something you drive. Closer to our hearts and minds, Opto 22 has been adding features and squishing bugs on our controllers for more years than most of us can recall (it's our 50th year in 2024!). There are a few SNAP I/O modules that can have their firmware updated via our PAC Manager program—the serial data ones for example—but now with groov EPIC and RIO, ALL our modules can have new features and refined performance added at the click of a button. <less OptoNews: New PAC-R upgrades Ultimate I/O Blog - Published: Do you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is...moreDo you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is exactly like a regular SNAP-PAC-R1 except that it has a blue connector on the bottom that fits on a B-series rack. That means you can: <less OptoNews: New ATEX approval for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. <less OptoNews: New UL approval for power supplies, brains, I/O Blog - Published: 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. 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. <less SNAP PAC Firmware 10.4c available now Blog - Published: The latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now...moreThe latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now! SNAP PAC firmware 10.4c is ready for download. This latest maintenance release has some noteworthy updates you'll want to review. You can check out the README for a complete list of enhancements and bug fixes. It lists revision changes made to the firmware used in SNAP PAC S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC controllers; SNAP PAC EB-series and SB-series brains; and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Now sense & switch industrial loads with your Raspberry Pi Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews: Updated PAC firmware R9.4c released Blog - Published: We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
Long-term support for SNAP PAC systems Blog - Published: You can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has...moreYou can feel secure in your SNAP PAC product designs. In the ever-evolving industrial automation industry, it's crucial to have a solid foundation you can rely on. For many of you, that foundation has been built on our SNAP PAC systems, and you’ve grown accustomed to the reliability these systems provide your automation projects. We understand the importance of SNAP PAC in your operations, and we're here to reassure you: your trust in Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and I/O modules is well placed, now and into the future. At Opto 22, we know that designs and projects that incorporate SNAP PAC are more than just configurations of hardware and software; they are the lifeblood of your operations, which is why we are committed to ensuring that you can feel secure in your designs for the long haul. <less OptoNews Tip: Video shows how to wire new spring clamps Blog - Published: 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...moreSome 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. <less OptoNews tech tip: Accuracy and resolution Blog - Published: 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...moreAccuracy 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. <less OptoNews Tip: Find warranty and agency approval info for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: Suppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be...moreSuppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be UL approved, or meet certain European Union (CE) standards. What if you just want to know what the warranty period is for a specific Opto 22 part? <less Firmware updates for I/O modules Blog - Published: New features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs...moreNew features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs with over-the-air updates to millions of cars. Of course, they are not the only ones with this feature. Many companies have been updating their hardware with firmware updates for decades, but it really captures the imagination when the hardware is something you drive. Closer to our hearts and minds, Opto 22 has been adding features and squishing bugs on our controllers for more years than most of us can recall (it's our 50th year in 2024!). There are a few SNAP I/O modules that can have their firmware updated via our PAC Manager program—the serial data ones for example—but now with groov EPIC and RIO, ALL our modules can have new features and refined performance added at the click of a button. <less OptoNews: New PAC-R upgrades Ultimate I/O Blog - Published: Do you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is...moreDo you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is exactly like a regular SNAP-PAC-R1 except that it has a blue connector on the bottom that fits on a B-series rack. That means you can: <less OptoNews: New ATEX approval for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. <less OptoNews: New UL approval for power supplies, brains, I/O Blog - Published: 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. 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. <less SNAP PAC Firmware 10.4c available now Blog - Published: The latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now...moreThe latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now! SNAP PAC firmware 10.4c is ready for download. This latest maintenance release has some noteworthy updates you'll want to review. You can check out the README for a complete list of enhancements and bug fixes. It lists revision changes made to the firmware used in SNAP PAC S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC controllers; SNAP PAC EB-series and SB-series brains; and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Now sense & switch industrial loads with your Raspberry Pi Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews: Updated PAC firmware R9.4c released Blog - Published: We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews Tip: Video shows how to wire new spring clamps Blog - Published: 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...moreSome 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. <less OptoNews tech tip: Accuracy and resolution Blog - Published: 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...moreAccuracy 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. <less OptoNews Tip: Find warranty and agency approval info for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: Suppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be...moreSuppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be UL approved, or meet certain European Union (CE) standards. What if you just want to know what the warranty period is for a specific Opto 22 part? <less Firmware updates for I/O modules Blog - Published: New features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs...moreNew features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs with over-the-air updates to millions of cars. Of course, they are not the only ones with this feature. Many companies have been updating their hardware with firmware updates for decades, but it really captures the imagination when the hardware is something you drive. Closer to our hearts and minds, Opto 22 has been adding features and squishing bugs on our controllers for more years than most of us can recall (it's our 50th year in 2024!). There are a few SNAP I/O modules that can have their firmware updated via our PAC Manager program—the serial data ones for example—but now with groov EPIC and RIO, ALL our modules can have new features and refined performance added at the click of a button. <less OptoNews: New PAC-R upgrades Ultimate I/O Blog - Published: Do you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is...moreDo you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is exactly like a regular SNAP-PAC-R1 except that it has a blue connector on the bottom that fits on a B-series rack. That means you can: <less OptoNews: New ATEX approval for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. <less OptoNews: New UL approval for power supplies, brains, I/O Blog - Published: 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. 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. <less SNAP PAC Firmware 10.4c available now Blog - Published: The latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now...moreThe latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now! SNAP PAC firmware 10.4c is ready for download. This latest maintenance release has some noteworthy updates you'll want to review. You can check out the README for a complete list of enhancements and bug fixes. It lists revision changes made to the firmware used in SNAP PAC S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC controllers; SNAP PAC EB-series and SB-series brains; and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Now sense & switch industrial loads with your Raspberry Pi Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews: Updated PAC firmware R9.4c released Blog - Published: We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews tech tip: Accuracy and resolution Blog - Published: 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...moreAccuracy 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. <less OptoNews Tip: Find warranty and agency approval info for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: Suppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be...moreSuppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be UL approved, or meet certain European Union (CE) standards. What if you just want to know what the warranty period is for a specific Opto 22 part? <less Firmware updates for I/O modules Blog - Published: New features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs...moreNew features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs with over-the-air updates to millions of cars. Of course, they are not the only ones with this feature. Many companies have been updating their hardware with firmware updates for decades, but it really captures the imagination when the hardware is something you drive. Closer to our hearts and minds, Opto 22 has been adding features and squishing bugs on our controllers for more years than most of us can recall (it's our 50th year in 2024!). There are a few SNAP I/O modules that can have their firmware updated via our PAC Manager program—the serial data ones for example—but now with groov EPIC and RIO, ALL our modules can have new features and refined performance added at the click of a button. <less OptoNews: New PAC-R upgrades Ultimate I/O Blog - Published: Do you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is...moreDo you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is exactly like a regular SNAP-PAC-R1 except that it has a blue connector on the bottom that fits on a B-series rack. That means you can: <less OptoNews: New ATEX approval for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. <less OptoNews: New UL approval for power supplies, brains, I/O Blog - Published: 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. 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. <less SNAP PAC Firmware 10.4c available now Blog - Published: The latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now...moreThe latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now! SNAP PAC firmware 10.4c is ready for download. This latest maintenance release has some noteworthy updates you'll want to review. You can check out the README for a complete list of enhancements and bug fixes. It lists revision changes made to the firmware used in SNAP PAC S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC controllers; SNAP PAC EB-series and SB-series brains; and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Now sense & switch industrial loads with your Raspberry Pi Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews: Updated PAC firmware R9.4c released Blog - Published: We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews Tip: Find warranty and agency approval info for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: Suppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be...moreSuppose you're spec'ing a system and you know that one location will require Factory Mutual-approved I/O. Which Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules have FM approval? Or suppose the products you purchase must be UL approved, or meet certain European Union (CE) standards. What if you just want to know what the warranty period is for a specific Opto 22 part? <less Firmware updates for I/O modules Blog - Published: New features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs...moreNew features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs with over-the-air updates to millions of cars. Of course, they are not the only ones with this feature. Many companies have been updating their hardware with firmware updates for decades, but it really captures the imagination when the hardware is something you drive. Closer to our hearts and minds, Opto 22 has been adding features and squishing bugs on our controllers for more years than most of us can recall (it's our 50th year in 2024!). There are a few SNAP I/O modules that can have their firmware updated via our PAC Manager program—the serial data ones for example—but now with groov EPIC and RIO, ALL our modules can have new features and refined performance added at the click of a button. <less OptoNews: New PAC-R upgrades Ultimate I/O Blog - Published: Do you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is...moreDo you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is exactly like a regular SNAP-PAC-R1 except that it has a blue connector on the bottom that fits on a B-series rack. That means you can: <less OptoNews: New ATEX approval for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. <less OptoNews: New UL approval for power supplies, brains, I/O Blog - Published: 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. 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. <less SNAP PAC Firmware 10.4c available now Blog - Published: The latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now...moreThe latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now! SNAP PAC firmware 10.4c is ready for download. This latest maintenance release has some noteworthy updates you'll want to review. You can check out the README for a complete list of enhancements and bug fixes. It lists revision changes made to the firmware used in SNAP PAC S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC controllers; SNAP PAC EB-series and SB-series brains; and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Now sense & switch industrial loads with your Raspberry Pi Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews: Updated PAC firmware R9.4c released Blog - Published: We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
Firmware updates for I/O modules Blog - Published: New features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs...moreNew features and improved performance are available on groov I/O modules with the click of a button. A well-known electric car company is somewhat famous for its ability to add features and fix bugs with over-the-air updates to millions of cars. Of course, they are not the only ones with this feature. Many companies have been updating their hardware with firmware updates for decades, but it really captures the imagination when the hardware is something you drive. Closer to our hearts and minds, Opto 22 has been adding features and squishing bugs on our controllers for more years than most of us can recall (it's our 50th year in 2024!). There are a few SNAP I/O modules that can have their firmware updated via our PAC Manager program—the serial data ones for example—but now with groov EPIC and RIO, ALL our modules can have new features and refined performance added at the click of a button. <less OptoNews: New PAC-R upgrades Ultimate I/O Blog - Published: Do you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is...moreDo you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is exactly like a regular SNAP-PAC-R1 except that it has a blue connector on the bottom that fits on a B-series rack. That means you can: <less OptoNews: New ATEX approval for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. <less OptoNews: New UL approval for power supplies, brains, I/O Blog - Published: 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. 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. <less SNAP PAC Firmware 10.4c available now Blog - Published: The latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now...moreThe latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now! SNAP PAC firmware 10.4c is ready for download. This latest maintenance release has some noteworthy updates you'll want to review. You can check out the README for a complete list of enhancements and bug fixes. It lists revision changes made to the firmware used in SNAP PAC S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC controllers; SNAP PAC EB-series and SB-series brains; and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Now sense & switch industrial loads with your Raspberry Pi Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews: Updated PAC firmware R9.4c released Blog - Published: We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: New PAC-R upgrades Ultimate I/O Blog - Published: Do you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is...moreDo you have legacy SNAP Ultimate or SNAP Ethernet I/O units on B-series mounting racks? Now you can upgrade these I/O units to SNAP PAC with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B controller. The SNAP-PAC-R1-B is exactly like a regular SNAP-PAC-R1 except that it has a blue connector on the bottom that fits on a B-series rack. That means you can: <less OptoNews: New ATEX approval for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. <less OptoNews: New UL approval for power supplies, brains, I/O Blog - Published: 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. 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. <less SNAP PAC Firmware 10.4c available now Blog - Published: The latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now...moreThe latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now! SNAP PAC firmware 10.4c is ready for download. This latest maintenance release has some noteworthy updates you'll want to review. You can check out the README for a complete list of enhancements and bug fixes. It lists revision changes made to the firmware used in SNAP PAC S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC controllers; SNAP PAC EB-series and SB-series brains; and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Now sense & switch industrial loads with your Raspberry Pi Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews: Updated PAC firmware R9.4c released Blog - Published: We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: New ATEX approval for Opto 22 products Blog - Published: ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres in workplaces. Several Opto 22 products are now approved for both standards and offer you options for applications in potentially explosive areas. <less OptoNews: New UL approval for power supplies, brains, I/O Blog - Published: 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. 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. <less SNAP PAC Firmware 10.4c available now Blog - Published: The latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now...moreThe latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now! SNAP PAC firmware 10.4c is ready for download. This latest maintenance release has some noteworthy updates you'll want to review. You can check out the README for a complete list of enhancements and bug fixes. It lists revision changes made to the firmware used in SNAP PAC S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC controllers; SNAP PAC EB-series and SB-series brains; and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Now sense & switch industrial loads with your Raspberry Pi Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews: Updated PAC firmware R9.4c released Blog - Published: We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: New UL approval for power supplies, brains, I/O Blog - Published: 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. 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. <less SNAP PAC Firmware 10.4c available now Blog - Published: The latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now...moreThe latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now! SNAP PAC firmware 10.4c is ready for download. This latest maintenance release has some noteworthy updates you'll want to review. You can check out the README for a complete list of enhancements and bug fixes. It lists revision changes made to the firmware used in SNAP PAC S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC controllers; SNAP PAC EB-series and SB-series brains; and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Now sense & switch industrial loads with your Raspberry Pi Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews: Updated PAC firmware R9.4c released Blog - Published: We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
SNAP PAC Firmware 10.4c available now Blog - Published: The latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now...moreThe latest firmware release for all SNAP PAC controllers and brains introduces new features as well as addresses important bug fixes. For all you SNAP PAC users, an important update is available now! SNAP PAC firmware 10.4c is ready for download. This latest maintenance release has some noteworthy updates you'll want to review. You can check out the README for a complete list of enhancements and bug fixes. It lists revision changes made to the firmware used in SNAP PAC S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC controllers; SNAP PAC EB-series and SB-series brains; and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Now sense & switch industrial loads with your Raspberry Pi Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews: Updated PAC firmware R9.4c released Blog - Published: We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: Now sense & switch industrial loads with your Raspberry Pi Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews: Updated PAC firmware R9.4c released Blog - Published: We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: Updated PAC firmware R9.4c released Blog - Published: We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. We've just released PAC firmware version R9.4c. This updated firmware is for SNAP PAC controllers (S-series, R-series, and SoftPAC), SNAP PAC brains (Ethernet and serial), and G4EB2 and G4D32EB2 brains. <less OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: Sinking and sourcing explained Blog - Published: Confused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo...moreConfused about sinking and sourcing in DC circuits? Want to find out which digital output module to use in a DC circuit? Manufacturers label their DC outputs in different ways. This new animated demo defines sinking and sourcing and shows you which type of Opto 22 output module to use, depending on your application. <less OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: New PAC Project release - controller hostnames, legacy support Blog - Published: You'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you...moreYou'll get three great new features (and more) in our latest PAC Project release: Use either a hostname or an IP address to identify your control engine (you'll really appreciate this feature if you have multiple controllers) Upgrade legacy systems by replacing the SNAP processor on a B-series mounting rack with the new SNAP-PAC-R1-B. Change the unit type on an I/O unit, for example if you replace a SNAP PAC brain with a rack-mounted controller, or an Ultimate I/O brain with a SNAP-PAC-R1-B. <less OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: Sneak peek - Great new features in PAC Project R9.5 Blog - Published: Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights...Coming soon: PAC Project R9.5000, with many new features you've requested plus support for new I/O modules. Here's a sneak preview of what's inside. Just a few of the highlights... <less OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews Tip: Taking a quick look at min/max values Blog - Published: 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...moreOf 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. <less OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: Send temperature data to AT&T M2X in the cloud Blog - Published: Have you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a...moreHave you tried AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) platform, M2X? If you're looking at IoT platforms, you'll want to see this new technical note. It shows you how to get real-world data, in this example a temperature in degrees F, to an AT&T M2X device in the cloud. <less OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: PAC Project R10.1 just released Blog - Published: We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. We've recently released PAC Project version R10.1 with enhancements and a few bug fixes for each PAC Project application: PAC Control, PAC Display, OptoOPCServer, and PAC Manager. <less OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: G4 I/O - Going strong since 1989 Blog - Published: If you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably...moreIf you've used Opto 22 products for a long time, you may very well have some colorful G4 digital I/O modules in a panel somewhere. They were probably installed back in the 1990s. Still reliably monitoring sensors and activating outputs, these G4s are likely the workhorses of your automation system. Why would you ever want to replace them? <less OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: SNAP brains get new aluminum base Blog - Published: 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...moreNext 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. <less OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: Choosing I/O modules for temperature monitoring Blog - Published: Do you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There...moreDo you monitor temperatures? A lot of control engineers do, especially in fields like water treatment, refrigeration, thermoforming, refining, food processing, and energy or building management. There are a variety of temperature sensors on the market—ICTDs, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, infrared sensors. Accuracy, cost, wiring complexity, and environmental conditions are some of the factors that determine which one is best for your application. <less OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews Special: Get major new features now in PAC Project 9.5! Blog - Published: Available now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to...moreAvailable now. Announcing the new PAC Project and firmware R9.5a releases. Included: Many new features you've asked for Support for two new I/O modules A brand-new HTTP/HTTPS server and REST API to make integration, data exchange, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications <less OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews tip: Totalizer helps you choose which pump to run Blog - Published: Let's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing...moreLet's say you have four pumps available, and you don't run them all at once. When it's time to start one, you want to choose the one with the least wear. You can decide which one to start by comparing the total amount of time each pump has run. That's a job for a totalizer. <less OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews Tip: Analog totalizing—without the calculus Blog - Published: Suppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that...moreSuppose you have an analog input—maybe it's a flow meter, for example—and you want to know not only the current flow rate, but also the cumulative flow over time. How many gallons went through that pipe over the last 24 hours, or over the last month? If you're using an Opto 22 analog input module and PAC Control, you're in luck. <less Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
Measuring the main power grid frequency Blog - Published: 50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of...more50 or 60 Hertz - Roughly. Measure the main power grid frequency, he said. It will be fun, he said…. Actually, pretty sure I said something like, “it will be easy”... and I was mostly right, and best of all, it did turn out to be fun! It seemed like both a reasonable and easy request. The requirements were to measure the mains power grid frequency to a resolution of 0.01 Hertz, and to do it every 125 milliseconds (roughly; it could be a max of 200 milliseconds, but not much longer). Why? In this case, the chase is better than the catch. It's enough to say the customer had his reasons, and this blog is about the chase. <less OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews Tip: Compare SNAP PAC controllers and brains Blog - Published: It's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some...moreIt's easy to get confused between Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and SNAP PAC brains. They're both intelligent processors for automation, some of them look alike, and there's even overlap in what some of them do. Let's take a look at how SNAP PAC controllers and brains are similar and how they're different. <less OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews Tip: Two Ethernet interfaces - different on PACs & brains Blog - Published: Opto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on...moreOpto 22 SNAP PAC controllers and brains both have two Ethernet network interfaces—pretty handy. But do you use them the same way? That's the question we'll answer in this tech tip. Most devices used on an Ethernet network have one network interface with an RJ-45 connector. But SNAP PAC controllers and EB brains each have two interfaces—two RJ-45 connectors. However, the two interfaces on controllers and brains are designed for different uses. <less You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
You're the first to know...about our EPIC announcement! Blog - Published: When we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge...moreWhen we announce a new product, we want you—our loyal customers and OptoBlog readers—to be the first to hear about it. And this isn't just one product. This is EPIC: the world's first Edge Programmable Industrial Control system—a brand-new I/O and control system built for the future of automation and designed for the way you work. <less Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
Sinking or Sourcing Blog - Published: Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to...more Sinking or Sourcing? Let’s take a quick look at the topic of sinking and sourcing outputs. Where did the difference come from, and where does it matter in automation? Quick answer: you often have to choose the correct module because the device you are wiring requires either a sink or source. For example, if you have a prebuilt electrical cabinet, it may be wired using a common positive or a common negative method. Thus you HAVE to choose the correct digital output module for the way the panel is wired. <less OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: New Node-RED examples for developers Blog - Published: If you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open...moreIf you're using Node-RED and the nodes for SNAP PACs and groov—or if you're thinking about it but haven't started—check out our new Node-RED examples on developer.opto22.com. Node-RED is the open-source tool for digitally wiring together hardware devices, cloud services, databases, and more in simple logical flows. <less Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
Tips from Tech Support Blog - Published: Try these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical...moreTry these documents and resources when you need help with product questions and troubleshooting. One of the best things about Opto 22 product support is: it's free! Our dedicated team of technical support engineers is here to help during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). But what if you need assistance after hours? Several resources available on our website 24/7 can answer your questions, explain details of product features, or provide troubleshooting advice. Here's a list of our most popular and often referenced documents that our own support team uses on a regular basis. And now a Marketing Tip: Save this post for future reference! <less OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews tip: PAC Control Communication Handles Blog - Published: Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of...more Do you use communication handles in your PAC Control strategy? Or are you thinking, "What's a communication handle?" In either case, this tip is for you. A communication handle is a powerful type of variable in PAC Control. You'll use it for three main reasons: <less OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: New security updates for groov Box, E1/E2 brain boards Blog - Published: Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box Just released: two new updates that improve security and performance: E1/E2 brain board firmware groov Admin update for the groov Box <less OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: Opto 22 now a Dell IoT Solutions Partner Blog - Published: 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.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. <less OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews Tip: Direct I/O & PAMUX SDKs now support Windows 10, 8.1, 7 Blog - Published: Two of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT...moreTwo of our software development kits (SDKs) have just been updated to provide support for Microsoft® Windows® 10 Professional, 8.1 Professional, and 7 Professional, both 32-bit and 64-bit. PC-DIRECT-SDK The PC-Based Direct I/O SDK for PCI Adapter Cards is for direct, high-speed control of digital I/O points. <less OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: Industrial I/O for Raspberry Pi - new code examples Blog - Published: Are you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used...moreAre you using G4 or SNAP digital I/O with your Raspberry Pi®? A lot of engineers are finding a Pi surprisingly useful in real industrial applications, as well as for prototyping and experimenting. Used with Opto 22's reliable industrial I/O, your Pi can safely switch 5-60 VDC, 120 VAC, and 240 VAC loads. <less OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: New OptoPartner focuses on energy Blog - Published: A warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency...moreA warm (!) welcome to Albireo Energy, a new OptoPartner focused on intelligent buildings and energy efficiency. Albireo Energy helps building owners and managers all over the U.S. to improve efficiency, optimize safety and up time, and reduce operational costs—while improving comfort for building tenants. <less OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: Pioneer Energy turns flare gas into resources Blog - Published: Seen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a...moreSeen from space, light from waste flare gas in the Bakken oil fields of North Dakota is nearly as bright as all the lights from the city of Chicago. That's a lot of energy going up in smoke. That's a waste of resources, says Pioneer Energy President Dr. Robert Zubrin. <less OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews Tech Tip: Get sunrise/sunset times Blog - Published: Our tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP...moreOur tech tip this week comes from Philip in the OptoForum, who shared his PAC Control subroutine code for determining the time the sun rises and sets at a specific latitude. You could use HTTP requests over the Internet to get this data (discussed earlier in the same thread). But with this OptoScript code you don't need an Internet connection. <less Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
Thermocouple ensures a hot shower Blog - Published: Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The...more Nothing like a cold shower to get you moving: Most of us never give any thought to our hot water service pilot flame. But when it goes out...cold shower first thing in the morning, anyone?Bleh.The first time it happened, I simply re-lit the pilot and showered with cold water. After the third cold shower, I knew it was time to be a little more proactive! <less Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
Product Update News - First of 2021 Blog - Published: Firmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team...moreFirmware and software updates were released this month to help you get the most from your groov systems. January 2021 started off with some important new releases from the Opto 22 engineering team. There are significant groov View updates that affect the groov family of products: groov EPIC, groov Box and groov Server for Windows. We've even updated the PAC Project software suite to version 10.3003. Here's a quick recap of what you need to know. <less Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
Predictive Maintenance on a Compressor Blog - Published: You may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of...moreYou may have been thinking about doing an IoT application that could help your company, but embarking on your first industrial IoT application may seem daunting. I’ve heard Opto 22 Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy Benson Hougland tell people to "start small," or "just get started." <less How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
How to select the right HMI solution for your groov device Blog - Published: Sharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important...moreSharpen your drawing tools. It's time to go to work. Visualization for industrial automation is bigger than it’s ever been, and it’s not just about control anymore. As it becomes increasingly important to turn data into information efficiently and ubiquitously, visualization platforms deal with more data types, presentation formats, and a broader range of users and use cases. As always, Opto 22 gives you many tools so you can choose what fits your project best. Let’s take a look at some of those options. <less New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
New OptoVideo: How to activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC Blog - Published: We've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several...moreWe've just added a new video to our website video library: Activate Ignition Edge on groov EPIC. This video introduces you to Ignition Edge software from Inductive Automation, one of several programming choices available to you on the groov EPIC system, and it provides many options for connecting to popular PLCs. <less Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
Introducing OptoU - free online training Blog - Published: Looking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training...moreLooking to learn more about IIoT technologies, control systems, and how they work together? It’s time to check out OptoU! This free online training program provides convenient, on-demand training courses to fit in with your busy schedule. With its “watch and learn” premise, course topics are made up of video and written lessons. The secure sign-in feature lets you return to unfinished lessons and learn at your own pace. <less OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: E1 & E2 brain board firmware release Blog - Published: A firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you...moreA firmware update is now available for E1 and E2 brain boards. If your current firmware is R1.1d or R1.1e, you'll want to install the new firmware. See the firmware readme for details. For those of you not familiar with E1s and E2s, they are serial- and Ethernet-based brain boards typically used with G1 or G4 I/O systems. The E1 is for digital I/O and the E2 for analog I/O. We designed the E1 and E2 as drop-in replacements for older serial-based B1 and B2 brain boards. <less Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
Automation 101: Adding Control to AC Motors Blog - Published: In one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts...moreIn one of our previous blog posts we talked about AC motors, the workhorse of modern industrial automation. We learned how they use magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields to generate huge amounts of torque to run our industrial processes. To understand how modern motor control works, let’s take a closer look at how a 3-phase AC induction motor works. <less Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
Open-loop vs. Closed-loop Process Control Blog - Published: Process Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own...moreProcess Control Process control systems are used in everything from advanced manufacturing to run-of-the-mill activities at home, like heating your house and brewing your beer. (You do brew your own beer, don't you?) A control system that manufactures a product requires monitoring and control of many different process variables, while some at home require little more than a timer. For example, in manufacturing we may use flow meters to make sure fluids flow through pipes at a certain rate, or float meters to ensure ingredients fill a vat to a specified level. When I brew beer at home, I may use a temperature sensor in my mash tun, wired to a controller that’s controlling my heating element to keep the mash tun at just the right temperature for optimum starch-to-sugar conversion. This is an example of a closed-loop control system. (To see how small closed-loop control principles are scaled up to build industrial process control applications, check out the New Belgium Brewery case study and see how they use Opto 22 gear to brew their world-famous Fat Tire and other beers.) <less Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
Go further with groov EPIC 2.0 Blog - Published: With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. With the latest firmware update, groov EPIC gets I/O for the IIoT and more Out this week, groov EPIC firmware version 2.0 is a milestone for the platform, and there are more than a few reasons to consider updating. Here’s an overview of what’s included. <less Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
Adventures of an Applications Engineer - Part 1 Blog - Published: As an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy...moreAs an applications engineer, sometimes known as OptoMary on our OptoForums, perhaps I shouldn’t have favorite customers. They’re all my favorites! Sure, our products and people have helped build flashy Vegas shows, huge amusement parks, and various NASA endeavors that we may or may not be allowed to discuss in detail. We also have the less flashy water/wastewater installations and beloved "dam customers" that can be pretty Coulee, too. In these Adventures of an Applications Engineer posts I'll share some of my favorite favorites. <less Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
Easy OEE: Enginuity Blog - Published: IoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is...moreIoT Certified OptoPartner shows us how to quickly retrofit a CNC mill with groov RIO In a time when automation is driven by increasing connectivity, there is still plenty of everyday equipment that is simply not designed to talk to much of anything. This equipment might be full of juicy data—how well it’s working, how much energy it’s using, how often it’s put to work—and leveraging that data to build an OEE or predictive maintenance program is often an untapped source of potential savings. But what are your options for integrating this kind of equipment? Well, until recently they probably didn’t look very good. <less Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
Visualizing water usage with groov - Part 1 Blog - Published: Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California...more Visualizing water usage with groov: As an Australian living in southern California I have been conflicted lots of times driving around seeing green lawns in baking hot sun. When we moved to California from Australia in 2008, one of the worst droughts in history was still very much a huge issue for Victoria, the state we lived in. So when we arrived, the seemingly endless sea of green really, really surprised us all. Australians have had little choice but to let their lawns brown off (often totally die) in the summer for many, many years...... It's just a fact of life of living in a sunburnt country.As soon as we were able to buy our own home, I knew that monitoring our water usage was up near the top of my to-do list.The challenge was how to share the data with the family, my wife and two teenage kids. <less How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
How to Build a Raspberry Pi with Node-RED and Industrial GPIO Blog - Published: UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit...moreUPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect changes in the most recent Raspbian Jessie Lite image (no longer includes Node-RED or node.js) and to use the new Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit for I/O hardware (new code, photos, and video). The Raspberry Pi® is an unquestionably powerful computer for just $35. And it really is just that: a computer. That means the Pi is capable of many tasks and perfect for many automation applications. Couple the Pi to industrial, solid-state digital inputs and outputs, and you can build compelling and cost-effective solutions for commercial and industrial applications, too. One of the easiest and fun ways to quickly build software applications is with Node-RED, the free, open-source software tool designed by IBM Emerging Technologies and used for wiring together hardware devices, APIs, and online services in new and interesting ways. However, Node-RED is only included in the full PIXEL GUI version of the Raspbian Jessie Operating System, available from raspberrypi.org. Their latest 2017-07-05-raspbian-jessie-lite.img build for headless operation (no monitor, keyboard, or mouse required) is no longer bundled with either Node-RED or the required software tools node.js and npm. The purpose of this post is to guide you through creating a headless Raspberry Pi computer with the latest versions of Node-RED, node.js, and npm, building a Node-RED application, and controlling and sensing GPIO connected to industrial digital I/O, quickly and simply. (For a sneak peek at the result of this build, see the video near the end of this post.) Image: New Opto 22 Digital I/O for Raspberry Pi Starter Kit with Raspberry Pi 3 Computer <less groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
groov EPIC 1.5.0 is ready, and here's why you'll want to update Blog - Published: groov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the...moregroov EPIC firmware version 1.5.0 is available now and has several great new features and a few bug fixes. While our groov EPIC Readme file has all the technical details, here's a sweeping look at the new features I'm most excited about. (Existing groov EPIC users can log into your MyOpto22 groov Manage account now to get your free update!) <less 50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
50 years of Opto 22 - a personal perspective Blog - Published: In 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated...moreIn 1974, Robert Engman III stared down at 22 optically isolated, highly reliable, liquid epoxy-filled, solid state relays (SSRs) with no moving parts—quite an innovation back then—and he contemplated what to name the new company.The result? "Opto" signifies optical isolation, and the "22" represents the original lineup of 22 relays. But this year, there’s another important number that we need to discuss—50! Yes, Opto 22 is 50. Years. Young. This week, as we celebrate Opto’s Golden Anniversary of existence, I’d be remiss not to reflect on the legacy of a company I have loved being a part of for the last decade. And while my 11 years may seem like a long time, many of the folks I work with each day have tenures twice or thrice as long—they’ve been carrying the torch, maintaining the legacy that we are still building today. <less Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
Visualizing electricity usage with groov Blog - Published: Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not...more Get a mop, I spilt some electricity: The past few blogs we have talked about visualizing water usage in groov and how it not only helped me save water, but also highlighted the fact that I was not seeing all the water use I thought I was. Electricity is a bit different from most other things. Spill water on the floor and it's pretty obvious; spill electricity and often no one is the wiser.Was I seeing all the power use in my house? Are there any so-called phantom loads (sometimes called vampire loads) sucking or sipping power that I did not know about? <less OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OptoNews: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance update Blog - Published: Does it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that...moreDoes it comply? For some time now we've been working to make sure our products comply with the latest requirements for RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and CE marking (a mark indicating that the product meets all legal requirements to be sold in the European Economic Area, or EEA). <less groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
groov EPIC firmware 3.5 is here Blog - Published: Get Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even...moreGet Sparkplug 3.0 compliance, updated Node-RED, and new options for your groov EPIC controller. The engineers at Opto 22 have been busy working around chip shortages and supply chain delays, yet even with those additional efforts, we're announcing the release of a new groov EPIC firmware update, version 3.5. If I had to sum things up, I’d say a lot of really nice quality-of-life improvements and solid bug fixes were the key takeaways here. Let's take a high-level look at some of the new features in this release. <less What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
What is OptoMMP? Blog - Published: Learn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over...moreLearn more about the Opto Memory Map Protocol—a powerful method of interacting with Opto 22 controllers OptoMMP works with everything from SNAP PAC brains to the latest groov products. Let's go over some of the basics about what OptoMMP is and how it works. In my last blog post I showed how easy it can be to work with OptoMMP using tools built right into groov Manage. To add to that resource, this follow up provides an overview about what OptoMMP is, how it works, and why you might want to make use of it. <less OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
OEM Integrates Open SDKs to Stay Competitive Blog - Published: Laundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and...moreLaundry OEM Gurtler Industries reinvents their dispensing systems with groov EPIC and Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs). What do you do when competitors in the chemical storage and dispensing industry are surpassing you, and a shift in technology is needed to put you back at the forefront of laundry operations? Learn how Gurtler Industries, a third-generation family business based in the United States Midwest, regained its position as a leading provider of laundry chemical products, services, and support for many industries including healthcare, hospitality, and textile rentals. When their competitors began leveraging data collection, remote monitoring, and enhanced visualizations, Gurtler knew they also needed to expand the capabilities of their dispensing systems to maintain their competitive market position.In this case study, find out how Gurtler Industries was able to stay ahead of the competition by transitioning to an open-source platform with Opto 22's free Software Development Kits (SDKs) and advanced hardware solutions. <less Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
Opto 22 celebrates 50 years! Blog - Published: You can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My...moreYou can count on high-quality Opto products and continued support for all your automation and IIoT applications. I have a hard time believing it’s been 50 years since my dad and mom started Opto 22. My dad, Bob Engman, was an engineer who helped develop a better way to manufacture solid state relays. SSRs had just been invented in the early 1970s, and the improvement was to pot SSRs with epoxy to protect the electronics from shock, vibration, and environmental contaminants. When Opto 22 began in 1974, our first products were, you guessed it, twenty-two SSR models manufactured by the new method. <less Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
Stacking groov gadgets Blog - Published: More information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency....moreMore information in less space. It is amazing how sometimes similar applications can come back to back….Last week's blog came from a customer asking how to measure the main power grid frequency. And later the same week I had a totally different customer ask me about how he could display upper, lower and current value of the main electrical grid frequency in groov. What are the chances of that!!?? This customer wanted one gadget to display all three values. Why so dense? Because they only use groov on smart phones, no PCs or Tablets. He was polling the data from a bank of UPSes and so needed to display a lot of data. Screen real estate is prime on those devices. What can we do to help? In this week's blog, we are going to have some adventures in Z-Order. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 2 Blog - Published: Step inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula,...moreStep inside Opto 22 HQ again for day 2 of groov EPIC training. The Outside-In series brings you an outsider’s perspective into the way Opto 22 operates behind the scenes. Today, we’re back in Temecula, CA (not Australia… I know! I was surprised too) for the next day of groov EPIC® system factory training. If you missed the first day, the class was introduced to groov Manage and PAC Control™. Plus, we got to see Terry Orchard demo Linux® secure shell access on the EPIC. Day 2 wraps up PAC Control and covers PAC Display™, groov View™, Ignition Edge® and CODESYS®. If you’re interested in the hands-on training available for HMI/SCADA development or IEC 61131-3 languages on the EPIC platform, keep reading. <less MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
MQTT: Faster, better with Sparkplug B Blog - Published: In part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity...moreIn part 2 of our series, we look at how to set up groov Manage and Ignition Edge for publishing with Sparkplug B payloads. MQTT is the darling of enterprise IoT because of its efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility, which makes it ideal for use in applications that communicate with resource-constrained edge-of-network devices. After being nurtured for years within IBM, and incorporated into their smart energy, health, and utilities solutions, MQTT has become the chosen messaging protocol across all the major cloud IoT platforms as well as highly scalable applications, like Facebook Messenger. <less Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
Outside-In Journal: Training Day Part 1 Blog - Published: Documenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks...moreDocumenting the journey from the outside world into the world of Opto: First in a series. After more than a decade as an automation engineer, I recently joined Opto 22’s marketing group. A few weeks ago, my workday was focused on maintaining the cell culture process automation of a world-class pharmaceutical manufacturer. This system had dozens of distributed controllers and hundreds of devices that worked together to deliver thousands of kilograms of the finest monoclonal antibodies you’ve ever seen. It was big. What I enjoyed most about my job, though, was helping other engineers succeed. In the early years, I learned pretty quickly that you could take a group of smart people, give them bad tools, callous management, and a ridiculous schedule, and they would fail every time. I did the best I could to fix the managerial and scheduling issues, but the tools were always a limitation. Now it’s my job to help connect other engineers with the kinds of tools and technologies I wish I’d had. I’m kicking it off with a deep-dive into the first place I visited as a new Opto employee: the training room. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth your time and money to get some Opto training yourself, I’ll be walking through everything you can expect to experience. <less Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items
Warehouse to Enterprise: Emerald 66/NACI Blog - Published: New plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in...moreNew plant uses unique edge architecture to run at the pace of modern business With demand for hand sanitizer more than doubling across the US, and continuing annual growth of more than 20% expected in coming years, 2020 presented the cleaning industry with a big financial opportunity. Emerald 66 Enterprises (E66) mobilized resources to meet this need, setting up shop in an empty denim processing plant in Seminole, Oklahoma, U.S.A. <less Show All Items Show All Items Show 10 Items Show 25 Items Show 50 Items Show 100 Items