We are happy to now offer free shipping on all PLC Tools products!

 You can purchase these products at the link below

http://www.twcontrols.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=12&id=40&Itemid=82

YORK, PA - January 17, 2008 - Red Lion Controls, Inc. announces DeviceNet network support for the G3 series of operator interfaces. This HMI series already offers advanced communication and data management solutions. With the release of the G3DN DeviceNet option card, users can quickly add DeviceNet slave connectivity to any of the G3 units. The card is simply added to the expansion slot during installation and configured using Red Lion’s free Crimson 2 software.

The complete series of G3 HMIs features a powerful multi-protocol converter combined with three serial ports and an Ethernet port as standard. The G3DN option card enables any connected devices to communicate with DeviceNet products to realize complete system integration and data transfer. In addition, the G3DN option card is isolated, protecting user equipment from potentially harmful ground loops.

“Red Lion G3 units contain a proprietary expansion port, allowing these products to evolve concurrently with the latest advances in communications—without sacrificing performance,” said Jesse Benefiel, Red Lion product manager. “The G3DN DeviceNet option card easily plugs into these units and provides the ability to communicate on any high speed DeviceNet network.”

The G3 series provides extended functionalities such as a Web server to remotely access or control your process, web enabling any DeviceNet devices connected to the G3DN option card. In addition, all the data can be logged in “IT-ready” format, for system traceability or preventive maintenance applications, using the embedded data logger.

Red Lion Controls, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of industrial control solutions worldwide. Products include digital/analog control, monitoring and panel meters, PID control, human-machine interface panels, and signal conditioning.

Analytical Technology launched a new, easy-to-use website at www.analyticaltechnology.com. Containing information on the full portfolio of ATi’s water and gas monitors as well as support information, the new website has been created to provide ATi’s customers with the knowledge they need to ensure a safe and healthy environment.

With US headquarters in Collegeville, Pennsylvania and European offices in Mossley, UK, ATi has a network of over 50 representatives across the US, Canada and Europe. From its operations in Mossley, UK, ATi offers prompt delivery of its unique analytical sensing systems and support for all its European customers. Independent distributors provide application and installation support across the globe. ATi relies on the continuous improvement of existing instruments to develop and produce the highest quality instruments available. ATi’s monitoring abilities are constantly expanding and new products are always being delivered.

This recently re-launched website helps to connect all ATi’s customers and provides a focal point where anyone can access the resources, information and expertise that ATi has accumulated from its wealth of experience in the area of analytical sensing systems. The new website showcases and launches new products as well as providing reliable information on advances in this growing sector.

With full product details on all of its available gas and water monitors, ATi’s new website provides new and existing customers with essential technical information. Product descriptions and literature, support drawings and specifications are available for each monitor, set out in a clear and straightforward way. With full contact details, the website allows customers to keep informed and up to date.

Dr. Mike Strahand, general manager of ATi UK, comments “ATi focuses on simplicity of design and ease of use, ensuring that our monitors can be used across a wide range of applications. This newly redesigned website has been created to reflect this and to encourage open access to the technological advances and product developments that ATi is always involved in. In launching the web portal ATi aims to provide reliable information about our products and global service details for all of our customers.”

Staples Small-Business Survey Reveals People are Constantly Working, Even While They Sleep

'Sleepworking' Affects More Than Half of Small Businesses

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 3, 2008--More small-business owners and managers are working harder than ever to make their business dreams come true... even while they sleep. According to the 2nd Annual Staples National Small-Business Survey (NASDAQ: SPLS), more than half of small-business professionals said that work has actually become part of their dreams. Fifty-one percent of those surveyed said that they "sleepwork" (i.e. dream about work), and nearly 70 percent of those "sleepworkers" report they wake up and put their "work dreams" to action.

The survey also revealed that 98 percent of U.S. small-business owners and managers are working during their time off - including nights, weekends and vacations - and nearly 54 percent expect to work even harder in 2008.

"Our customers often tell us there just aren't enough hours in the day, so it's understandable that business activity is invading sleep time," said John Giusti, vice president of small business marketing at Staples. "At Staples, we work hard to make sure it is easy for small businesses to buy office products, helping them focus their time and energy on running their businesses - and hopefully to get a good night's sleep."

Other interesting results include:

-- The car remains a favorite place to work, with 72 percent
saying they make business calls while driving and nearly 40
percent saying they get their best ideas behind the wheel.

-- Slightly more than 38 percent cannot remember the last time
they took a vacation.

-- If given a choice, nearly 52 percent said they would accept
comparable business results in 2008 if they could have twice
as much free time, while 48 percent said they would work even
more hours if they could double their company's sales.

-- More than 84 percent said they have not yet incorporated "new
media" (blogs, podcasts, virtual meeting software or services)
into their business activities.

-- Fifty-two percent make New Year's resolutions for their
business. Of those, 58 percent said they resolve to increase
business, while only 21 percent said they want more time off.
Thirty-five percent said they want to increase
profits/eliminate debt.

The Internet poll - which surveyed 300+ small businesses with no more than 20 employees - explored what is causing the insatiable need to work, as well as the obstacles preventing these hard-working Americans from enjoying their free time afforded by previous generations.

The results revealed organization and teamwork are the top factors why owners and managers are working so many hours. Nearly 70 percent admitted they do not have a written business plan. Almost three-quarters consider themselves organized, but only 33 percent said they complete the tasks on their "to-do" list each day. Slightly more than two-thirds said they feel constantly challenged by not having enough time to get work done and nearly 44 percent said customer fulfillment takes up the majority of their time while at work.

When asked to compare their businesses to a track and field event at the Olympics, a mere 14 percent said their business operates like a relay race, with everybody working in tandem toward the same goal, whereas 26 percent think of business operations as a 100-meter dash, always sprinting and trying to do everything quickly.

Looking ahead to 2008, when it comes to key issues and politics, more than half of those surveyed said they have already started looking at the presidential candidates' positions on small business. Almost 32 percent said the price of gasoline is the most important issue for them next year, with nearly 18 percent citing taxes as their hot-button issue.

And, finally, to "wake" and shake things up in their business, nearly a quarter of those surveyed said they would hire Starbucks' CEO Howard Schultz (to help expand); slightly more than 20 percent would hire Donald Trump (to seize opportunities); and nearly 14 percent reported they would bring in Richard Branson (to help think outside the box).

How Staples Makes Things Easy

Recognizing the importance of time for its small-business customers, Staples strives to serve as a central resource, providing a host of products and services to help increase workplace productivity. In January, to help small business customers get organized for the New Year, Staples will be offering 20 percent back in rewards on all products from our best brands, including Avery, Post-It, Sharpie, Scotch, QuickBooks, Swingline, HON, Uni-ball, Quartet, GBC and Command.

About the Survey

The survey was developed by Staples and conducted by Decision Analyst, Inc. in Arlington, TX. Decision Analyst surveyed by Internet a nationally-representative random sample of 302 owners and executives of American businesses having no more than 20 employees. All respondents were members of American Consumer Opinion(R) online, Decision Analyst's proprietary Internet based consumer-opinion panel with over 7,000,000 members globally. Interviews were conducted from December 7 to December 11, 2007. Such a sample has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.0 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. For more information about American Consumer Opinion(R) online please visit www.acop.com.

About Staples

Staples, Inc. invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and today is the world's largest office products company. With 74,000 talented associates, the company is committed to making it easy to buy a wide range of office products, including supplies, technology, furniture, and business services. With 2006 sales of $18.2 billion, Staples serves consumers and businesses ranging from home-based businesses to Fortune 500 companies in 22 countries throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia. Headquartered outside of Boston, Staples operates more than 2,000 office superstores and also serves its customers through mail order catalog, e-commerce and contract businesses. More information is available at www.staples.com.

 

I thought I would share some exciting news with you about the new SERCOS specification allowing Ethernet IP Communication with a SERCOS network.  For more information go to http://www.sercos.com

December 28, 2007 - Santa Rosa Beach, FL - The S/IP (SERCOS/Internet Protocol) specification has been released by SERCOS International. The protocol allows standard Ethernet IP communication with a SERCOS III network both during cyclic real-time network operation and during non-real time operation. During real-time operation, the S/IP telegrams are transmitted via a non-real-time channel, without any negative effect on the real-time network behaviour. Unlike some competitive Ethernet motion networks, a SERCOS master need not be operational for IP communication to function.

With the new S/IP protocol, the vertical integration of devices into a production system is improved. Any Ethernet device, such as a notebook computer, can be plugged into any unused SERCOS III port for upload/download of parameters and status information for set-up, reporting and remote maintenance and diagnostics over an intranet or the Internet.

In addition to reading and writing the parameters of a device, S/IP supports the possibility of combining several tasks and sending them to the final device for processing. Manufacturer-specific services can also be added to the fixed, preset, standardized protocol services, which makes SERCOS III particularly flexible for users and developers.

About SERCOS
SErial Realtime COmmunications System (SERCOS) is among the leading digital interfaces for communications between controls, intelligent drives and decentralized peripheral devices, such as sensors and I/O. SERCOS has been used in modern production machines for over 20 years, with over 2 million real-time nodes implemented. With its open manufacturer-independent Ethernet-based architecture, SERCOS III is a universal bus for all automation solutions.

From the Press Releases of Rockwell Automation 

Rockwell Automation Introduces First-Ever Safety I/O Node with EtherNet/IP Capability

Allen-Bradley CompactBlock Guard I/O improves information-sharing, configuration and productivity

MILWAUKEE, Dec. 17, 2007 — Rockwell Automation announces the release of Allen‑Bradley CompactBlock Guard I/O on EtherNet/IP, the industry's first safety I/O module to feature EtherNet/IP connectivity.

This significant product release allows companies to use the widely recognized industry standard EtherNet/IP protocol in conjunction with an Allen‑Bradley GuardLogix controller or other Safety PLCs that incorporate the CIP Safety protocol over EtherNet/IP. Safety PLC systems, including Safety I/O, enable manufacturers to deploy safety applications with the flexibility of programmable controllers as opposed to the traditional approach of using hard-wired safety relays. Safety networks allow manufacturers to distribute the safety I/O, reducing wiring and installation costs, while making diagnostic information available to the standard control and HMI system.

CompactBlock Guard I/O on EtherNet/IP detects failures at the I/O and field-device level, while enhancing operator protection in many applications including robotic, point-of-operation, guard-monitoring and remote control applications. It communicates over the EtherNet/IP network using the industry standard CIP Safety protocol, making it compatible with standard Ethernet infrastructure devices, including wired and wireless products.

Manufacturing and process customers can control and monitor the equipment's safety devices with one of the CompactBlock Guard I/O modules, using the same data network for general automation control and factory-floor business systems.

In addition to the new CompactBlock Guard I/O on EtherNet/IP, the Guard I/O family includes a full suite of products that connect to DeviceNet from Allen‑Bradley for in-cabinet and on-machine applications. DeviceNet is an open device-level network that provides connections between simple industrial devices, such as sensors and actuators, and higher-level devices, such as programmable controllers and computers.

“With CompactBlock Guard I/O on EtherNet/IP, we are expanding our range of innovative safety products and supporting the open networks that more customers are demanding,” said Dan Hornbeck, manager, Safety Business Development, Rockwell Automation. “We are committed to continuing to break new ground for safety solutions in the automation industry and offer our customers the products and services they need to best protect their personnel and machinery.”

Rockwell Automation Inc. (NYSE: ROK) is a leading global provider of industrial automation power, control and information solutions that help manufacturers achieve a competitive advantage in their businesses. The company brings together leading global brands in industrial automation that include Allen-Bradley controls and services, and

Rockwell Software factory management software. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., the company employs about 20,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.

For more information on the CompactBlock Guard I/O, please contact the Rockwell Automation Response Center, 10701 Hampshire Avenue South, Bloomington, Minn., 55438, 800.223.5354, ext. 2035 or visit http://ab.com/safety/prod_directory/safety_io/

Media contacts:
Tanja Bartulovic
Rockwell Automation
440.646.4117
tbartulovic@ra.rockwell.com

Andrea Hazard
Padilla Speer Beardsley Inc.
612.455.1733
ahazard@psbpr.com

All reader inquiries should be directed to the Rockwell Automation Response Center, 10701 Hampshire Avenue South, Bloomington, Minn., 55438, 800.223.5354, ext. 2035.

Allen-Bradley, CompactBlock Guard I/O, Guard I/O, GuardLogix, Listen.Think.Solve. and Rockwell Software are trademarks of Rockwell Automation Inc.
EtherNet/IP is a trademark of ControlNet International Ltd.
DeviceNet is a trademark of Open DeviceNet Vendor Association.

Thank everyone for making our first year a success

We may have gotten off to a bit of a rough start, but overall this has been a very successful year

I just wanted to take a moment to than Amber, my lovely wife, for hanging in there with me when times got tough, and Michael, my little helper, who is the reason TW Controls was started.