The iTec News from MSI Tec is a monthly publication focused on the latest trends and product offerings in machine automation, motion control, device networking and machine to machine (M2M) communications. MSI Tec also issues a monthly Industrial Computing and Networking newsletter. Sign up to receive it here.

Product Spotlight:
Beijer Electronics' EXTER Series
of Premium HMI Terminals

With EXTER from Beijer Electronics, you get an operator terminal with a high-performance Intel Xscale processor, robust construction and multiple communication ports.  There are 19 models of its award-winning design to choose from – with either touchscreen display or with keypad control. 

More than just a simple operator terminal, EXTER supports web server, email, remote access and FTP functionality.  EXTER panels also support dual drivers, so communication to two different PLCs is possible.

The entire EXTER line meets UL1604 (Class 1 Div 2) specs, so the terminals can be used in hazardous locations like those found in the oil and gas industry.

Sunlight readable. The Exter T70SR-BL (7", 640x480), T100SR-BL (10", 800x600) and T150SR-BL (15", 1024x768) are robustly elegant black sun-readable operator panels that afford aesthetic character while reducing reflected glare. Compact functionality, excellent viewing in direct sunlight and a 100% dimmable backlight for optimal night vision makes the EXTER sun-readable models the perfect all-weather, 24-hour-a-day HMI solutions. Facilitating outdoor applications such as the Marine & Offshore and Oil & Gas environments, the panels are fully interoperable with all major automation brands and approved by major classification societies. The front enclosure is IP66 classified, water resistant even when exposed to high pressure washing. The operator panel is configured with the user-friendly software tool Information Designer.. 

Other EXTER models are available with stainless-steel bezels for use in food grade applications.

Drivers. The engineers at Beijer have developed an extensive list of drivers, including support for Omron, Galil, Allen-Bradley, Siemens, and many others, and the list is getting longer every day.

Features on the EXTER panels from Beijer are not limited to the above; all panels come standard with alarm management, data logger. dual drivers with data exchange, internal variables, I/O poll interval groups, macros, message libraries, multiple languages, network functionality, passthrough, transparent and no-protocol modes, password security, real-time clock and time channels, recipe management, reports, trends, historic or real-time, web functionality, animated graphics, support for ladder or macro functionality, multi-language support, real-time clock, slide-out menu, *screen management, cross references, ladder or macro functionality, off-line and on-line simulation; and file protection.  Download the Beijer EXTER product brochure here.

Request a quote or speak to a sales engineer at MSI Tec today for more information on the EXTER terminals or any Beijer product.

Motion Tech Tip:
Accuracy vs. Repeatability

Accuracy and repeatability are two specifications often confused when analyzing machine specs, which can result in serious disagreements between customers and manufacturers.

It is important to understand that observations, or measurements, may be repeatable but not accurate if they are closely grouped together around a value that is different from the expectation (or "true" value).   Also, observations may be accurate (but not repeatable) if they are well distributed about the expected value but are significantly dispersed from one another.  Finally, observations can be both accurate and repeatable if they are closely grouped around the expected value.

To get help in making your accurate observations more repeatable, contact any of MSI Tec's sales engineers today.

Unitronics' NEW Vision 350: Their Smallest Integrated PLC/HMI

This palm-size PLC offers exceptional capabilities and diverse I/O options. Its 3.5” TFT touchscreen can show over 1000 displays, with 3.5MB for images and fonts. The Vision350™ supports up to 166 I/Os via on-board and I/O expansion modules. It offers Ethernet and CAN-bus communucations options, as well as GSM/SMS/GPRS and SD-card datalogging.

The Vision PLC/Graphic HMI series introduces an unbeatable price-performance ratio, enabling users to enjoy the advanced features of both the operator panel and the PLC, while maintaining low budget, reduced programming time and minimum wiring. Request a quote

Need a Short Proximity Sensor for a Tight Fit?

Omron's E2E Proximity Sensors are the ideal solution for applications with space limitations. Available in M5, M8, M12, M18 and M30 sizes, they are 33% shorter than standard long-barrel models. Sheilded and unshielded, DC 2-wire, 3-wire and AC 2-wire versions are available. IP67 washdown rated. Pre-wired or connector type. Request a quote

Moxa's NEW Entry-Level EDS-200A
Industrial Ethernet Unmanaged Switch

We are pleased to announce that the EDS-200A has begun shipping. The EDS-200A series of entry-level, industrial, 5- and 8-port unmanaged Ethernet switches have a slim form factor with aluminum housing for ultra space savings and efficient heat dissipation.

The switches support dual AC/DC power inputs that can operate at the wide power range of 12/24/48 VDC to maximize application flexibility.  Additional features such as DIP switches for controlling broadcast storm protection, a -10 to 60°C operating temperature range, and IP30-rated housing will add value to your applications with no additional cost. Request a quote

Galil's NEW Pocket PLC

Smart, Compact, Low-Cost and Packed with I/O.  The RIO-471x0 is a compact PLC with Ethernet that is smart, easy-to-use and cost-effective. The RIO contains a fast RISC processor for handling I/O logic and is programmed using Galil's intuitive command language or using Galil's Ladder Interface software.

Each RIO unit is self-contained with numerous analog and digital I/O including: 8 analog inputs, 8 analog outputs, 16 optically isolated inputs, 8 high-power isolated outputs and 8 low-power isolated outputs. The RIO-47100 provides 0-5V analog I/O and the RIO-47120 provides configurable +/-10V, +/-5V, 0-5V, or 0-10V analog I/O. Multiple RIO units can be distributed on an Ethernet network allowing I/O expansion. It can also easily communicate with other devices including Galil's DMC-40x0 Ethernet motion controllers.
Request a quote

Animatics' NEW Harmonic Linear Drive

The Harmonic Linear Drive™ (HLD) is an innovative linear belt drive solution providing high accuracy and low cost without the need for a gearhead or brake! Instead of using a fixed belt to move the load, the HLD uses a recirculating belt, folded back upon itself and routed over subtly different diameter pulleys yielding gear reduction by way of the Harmonic Drive Principle, without the cost or backlash of a separate gearhead. This technique is so revolutionary that it has patents applied for in more than 30 countries.

The system also has a low price-to-performance ratio. It is priced to attract large-quantity OEM buyers as well as the smaller cost conscious System Integrators and stands to be the most cost-effective alternative to mid- to long-stroke ball screw actuators available. Request a quote

From WAGO:
Compact and Cost-Effective Power Measurement in the PLC or Distributed I/O Node

Implementing power measurement initiatives as part of your machine, process, or building has always been expensive and time consuming. Typical implementations include a stand-alone system costing thousands of dollars, as well as additional networking to the existing control system (PLC or PC), separate power feeds and mounting requirements.

Understanding this dilemma, as well as the need to implement power measurement to help reduce business costs, WAGO developed the 750-493 Series 3-Phase Power Measurement Module for the WAGO-I/O-SYSTEM. Being 100% compatible with all WAGO bus-couplers (except ECO), controllers, and I/O modules, the 750-493 offers the ability to implement power measurement directly in the PLC or distributed I/O node. The resulting system is a cost effective power measurement system that can be networked to more than 16 industrial protocols, including Ethernet, Profibus, Modbus, and DeviceNet. Request a quote

Nippon Pulse America's SCR100 High-Precision Cross Roller Linear Stage

Nippon Pulse America introduces their new SCR100 stage. The SCR100 stage is an ultra high precision, compact single axis stage that integrates a slide guide, encoder, and Linear Shaft Motor. The SCR100 stage offers a wide range of advantages for ultra high performance and accuracy applications. The Linear Shaft Motor is a coreless direct drive linear motor, which has zero cogging. This allows for higher resolution, speed, and continuous force than standard stepper motors and piezo servomotors.

The Nippon Pulse Linear Shaft Motor has gained a reputation of servicing the very demanding, ultra high precision motion control applications in a number of markets. Those markets include meteorology, disk drive, semiconductor fabrication, biomedical, pharmaceutical, life sciences, medical device, stent fabrication, National Laboratories, photonics/telecom, aerospace and defense. Request a quote

Generators for Renewable Energy Production

Sicme Motori have developed specific multi-polar synchronous generators for renewable energy production using state-of-the-art technology of Permanent Magnets. These generators can be profitably utilized on wind generators, sea plants (energy from waves, stream, tidal), and hydroelectric plants.

Sicme Motori's electric generators for renewable energy plants have been designed with the support of the Institute of Electrical Engineers of the Turin, Italy Polytechnic with the utilization of the most modern calculation software (FEM), to guarantee high efficiency at all rotation speeds, thus increasing the production of energy and reducing ROI. Request a quote

For more information on these new products, or any of the products we carry, visit our website or call a sales engineer today at (866) 397-7388. Or request a quote on any product here.

MSI Tec is a provider of intelligent machine control components and systems, industrial networking and the value-adding engineering resources necessary for the successful identification and implementation of their use.

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