November, 2016 - Each month we bring you the latest Industrial Automation news from Doig and our preferred manufacturing partners.

As we near the end of our 60th year in business we can’t help but reflect upon the amazing friends we’ve made on this journey - customers, suppliers, fellow team members, those outside our business that assist us in our efforts and even our competitors who keep us sharp and on the technological cutting edge. In this holiday season of Thanksgiving, my gratitude to each of you is profound.

The cool thing is that we’re not slowing down. The last twelve months have been our most innovative year in business.  We welcomed Automation Solutions Plus into the DOIG family and aligned our company for dynamic future growth. We've overhauled our backroom systems by merging standalone ERP, CRM, marketing, and business analytics tools into a cohesive cloud based system. 

We are now communicating throughout our company in real-time. This provides you more accurate answers via a streamlined process to speed delivery. Our new system provides the platform to eventually offer you the option of buying online.

Earlier this year, we relaunched this monthly DoigTalk newsletter in a new electronic format. We’ve been providing you with information on us – from product updates, to timely tips, upcoming training events and this month our Holiday schedule. Starting with this issue we’ll also be asking you for input to help us shape our next investments. We ask that you take the poll below – and we’ll share the results with you in a future DoigTalk issue.

We take our Fast * Friendly * Flawless Solutions promise seriously. We’ll continue to make our company easier to deal with, staffed with friendly talented people who can quickly help you select products and services to increase your own productivity, improve quality, and protect your team. We’ll help you win by showing you the latest products, presenting interesting application ideas, and helping you stay current on the latest technologies through our training events.

Thank you for your business. We look forward to continuing to earn your business each day in the coming years.

 Numatics 503 Zoned Safety Manifolds

Numatics recently released the first available pneumatic manifold to offer integrated safety functionality and the ability to independently “Zone” that capability. Incorporated into the new 503 Series valve and G3 Electronics platforms, this allows for sections of a machine or process to be pneumatically rendered safe, while the remainder of the machine or process is in operation. 503 Zoned Safety products simplify the design of a Cat 3 or 4 pneumatic safety circuit by integrating the safety function into a pneumatic valve manifold. As manifolds increase in complexity and number of circuits, the ability to combine safety and normal operating circuits on one manifold reduces design footprint and costs while making readily evident the difference between safety and normal circuits.

Numatics accomplished “Zoned Safety” in a manifold by incorporating a 4 Pin M12 connector in the manifold block and a modified circuit board in that station, as shown in the illustration by those stations in yellow with connectors on the boards – which are part of the safety channel. Zoned Safety manifolds can be combined with any standard plug-in 503 manifold block or mid station supply and an impressive range of fieldbus electronics options. The Zoned Safety manifold can satisfy three independent Safety Zones as well standard valves that are not required to be safe.

In light of the “Zoned Safety” capability, Numatics has taken special care to develop and include safety guidelines to assist you in defining and setting up your pneumatic safety circuits and optimize the use of “Zoned Safety”.  For information on the complete 503 Zoned Safety product, click here to review available documentation including catalog, tech manual, white papers and more.

Request a quote and we’d be delighted to connect with you to help you layout and specify your next pneumatic safety solution with a Numatics 503 Zoned Safety Manifold.

Opto22’s groov Box & Server data monitoring toolset advances again

Opto 22 has launched the Node-RED development environment running on groov products which significantly decreases IIoT application development time and complexity.

groov is all you need to build your own mobile operator interface.  It is a zero-programming, web-based way to build, deploy, and view effective, scalable operator interfaces and system dashboards to monitor and control systems and equipment using mobile devices and other computer-based systems.

These operator interfaces can be viewed on almost any mobile device or computer regardless of its manufacturer, operating system, or screen size, including smartphones, tablets, PCs, and even smart high-definition televisions.  Node-RED makes it easier to prototype, develop, and deploy applications for connecting physical assets to cloud applications and IT systems.

Click here for more on Opto22's groov.

Tolomatic’s RSX096 High Force Hydraulic Class Electric Actuators

Tolomatic has launched an electric linear actuator line for extreme forces—up to 30,000 lbf/136 kN.

Roller-screw driven and heavy duty, IP67 level construction for long, consistent life in high force, extreme conditions. Stroke configurable up to 60”/1.5m and built to order in 20 days.  The RSX line is already built into Tolomatic’s online sizing and selection website (http://sizeit.tolomatic.com/) as well as included in their famous “Your Motor Here” program. 

Check out this video for a quick overview of this new line of actuators and ideas on best applications.
http://www.tolomatic.com/products/product-details/rsx-extreme-force-electric-linear-actuators#/

Request a quote and let us show you how easy it is to size, select and configure an RSX096 solution and a custom motor mount for your motor of choice for your application.  

ITT Enidine’s Air Spring Line

Air Springs are a durable and cost-effective alternative for actuation and vibration isolation applications

• Air Springs can be a low cost alternative to air cylinders by providing a favorable stroke-to-compressed-height ratio.
• As isolators, Air Springs are effective in reducing the harmful effects of vibration by simultaneously isolating vibration and regulating load height under varying load levels.

With time-tested designs incorporating fabric-reinforced Wingprene™ (Operating temperatures: - 40°F to 150°F/-40°C to 65°C) or natural rubber flex-member construction and corrosion-protected end retainers, ITT Air Springs provide superior quality and performance and can accept a wide variety of actuation media such as air, water, nitrogen or anti-freeze.  

Air Spring types include single, double and triple convolute bellows, rolling lobe and sleeve types are available in a wide range of sizes, with the end retainer style required to suit your specific installation.

Announcement

We are delighted to announce that ITT has added their Compact Automation business unit to our line card.  ITT Compact Automation supplies a broad line of high powered yet small packaged hydraulic and air cylinders.  Now we can offer a more complete suite of ITT’s products to you including the Turn-Act line, ITT Enidine Air Springs, the Compact Automation line and more.

SICK’s LECTOR® 6xx Series barcode imagers/cameras

Over the past few years, LECTOR barcode imagers/cameras have been installed throughout Wisconsin with rave reviews on detection capabilities, solid durability and quick, easy installs and start-ups. LECTORs are compact image-based code readers with highly reliable identification of 1D, 2D and direct part mark (DPM) codes. Whether in motion or stationary, LECTORs read even the poorest quality codes. Models range from  610 through 650 with upgrades to camera, housing and connectivity as your application requirements dictate. 

LECTOR’s include:

• Decoding of most popular code types: 1D, 2D, direct part marking
• Automatic focus teach-in for quick setup
• Easy integration with industrial networks: serial, Ethernet, PROFINET, PROFIBUS and CAN
• Auto setup with function button and aiming laser -- does not require PC
• Compact design and industrial housing with swivel connector
• Analysis tools include live image capturing, code verification and read rate view

Here’s a link to a short video that walks you through the baseline capabilities of all LECTOR products, featuring the Lector 620:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj_zAC8YbFw

Intro to Robotics Training December 13, 2016

Schedule Lunch with a Robot

ABB PLC Training- February 1, 2017

Q. How do NEC (National Electrical Code) tap rules apply to circuit breakers?

The November 2016 FAQ (Frequently Asked Question) & Answer comes from Dennis Held – our Weston Branch Manager and Ted Wodoslawsky of ABB Low Voltage Electrification Products.

Question:
How do NEC (National Electrical Code) tap rules apply to circuit breakers?

Answer:
NEC article 240.21(B) addresses overcurrent protection of feeder taps. These rules are often referred to as the NEC “tap rules”.  There are five tap rules related to feeder circuit taps:

• Taps Not Over 3 m (10 ft.) Long
• Taps Not Over 7.5 m (25 ft.) Long
• Taps Supplying a Transformer (Primary plus Secondary Not over 7.5 m (25 ft.) Long)
• Taps over 7.5 m (25 ft.) Long
• Outside Taps of Unlimited Length

NEC has very specific requirements for each of the tap rules that apply to every industrial control panel.  This makes it critical that OEM’s, panel builders and integrators understand the requirements laid out in the NEC tap rules.The correct application of these rules ensures proper protection of the equipment controlled by the panel, as well as the safety of those working on or near the attached equipment.

When working with customers on this issue, we refer to or provide a white paper written by Ted Wodoslawsky of ABB’s Low Voltage Group.  The white paper provides several application examples for the use of circuit breaker terminals to tap branch or feeder circuits from molded case circuit breakers (MCCBs) and insulated case circuit breakers (ICCBs). While many other configurations are possible, often times we will settle on one of these examples and assist you in selecting the proper MCCB or ICCB’s for your application.

Click here or on the button below to download a copy of this whitepaper and give us a shout to help you select the right products for your application that will get you up and rolling.

Please Share This Newsletter