 |
|
 |
Volume 1, Issue 5APPLICATION ARTICLE See how one of our customers added capabilities and features to their product, while at the same time saving thousands of dollars per machine. more > If you have an application that you would like to submit for consideration, email us at plcs@entertron.com and in the subject area type in "application article" TECH TIPS David has been extremely busy assisting many of our customers with programming related matters and was unable to contribute to this newsletter. He will return for the next newsletter with valuable nuggets of information. If there are any questions you would like answered, email us at plcs@entertron.com and in the subject area type "tech tips question" THE PROGRAMMERS CORNER David has been extremely busy assisting many of our customers with programming related matters and was unable to contribute to this newsletter. He will return for the next newsletter with valuable nuggets of information. If there are any questions you would like answered, email us at plcs@entertron.com and in the subject area type "programmer's corner question" THE ENTERTRON ADVANTAGE Lately, we have received several inquiries for applications that include use of a load cell with a PLC. This month the Entertron Advantage will deal with how Entertron's controllers can interface to a load cell while saving you money at the same time. For those who are not familiar with a load cell or strain gauge, they are devices that are used for measuring weight. A load cell uses what is called an excitation voltage (usually from 0-20 VDC) and a load cell output voltage (in millivolts) to translate force or weight into an electrical signal. The output voltage provides your measurement information (based on 2 millivolts / volt excitation). Therefore if the excitation voltage is 3 volts, the output voltage is 6 millivolts. The problem most people run into with interfacing a load cell directly to a PLC is, it can't be done unless your PLC can accept a millivolt input. The majority of load cells require what is called an amplifier. This device converts your millivolt analog signal to a signal most PLCs can accept, such as 0-5 VDC, 0-10 VDC or 4-20 mA. These devices are not inexpensive by any means. A load cell typically costs between $130 to $230 in single quantity. The amplifier typically costs between $275 to $325 in single quantity. Now, some load cells have the amplifier built in to the load cell. One such load cell with amplifier costs $425 in single quantity. Entertron offers two controllers that can be configured with millivolt analog inputs. The Smart-PAK PLUS provides two solutions: Solution 1: A Smart-PAK PLUS configured with the combination expansion board (digital and analog capabilities) can be configured for one millivolt input, thus providing you an inexpensive solution whereby you can have upto 16 digital inputs / 12 relay outputs. Solution 2: A Smart-PAK PLUS configured with the analog only expansion board can be configured for up to 8 millivolt inputs (or any combination up to 8) Your maximum digital I/O would be 8 digital inputs / 6 relay outputs. The Elite-2000 can also be ordered to accept millivolt inputs. The Elite-2000 analog board can be configured for up to 16 millivolt inputs (or any combination up to 16). Digital I/O can be ordered up to 64 digital inputs / 64 digital outputs (AC or DC) With other PLCs, you are purchasing the load cell, amplifier and PLC analog card. With Entertron's ePLCs, you only need to purchase the load cell and required analog capabilities, thus saving you on the amplifier. For an OEM, this cost savings adds up quickly...50 amplifiers @ $275 each = $13,750. PRODUCT NEWS We are excited about a service that we are offering through our affiliation with World Wide Machines. You can now access your ePLCs from anywhere in the world through a cell phone you can be contacted about an alarm condition. With their web set up, you can datalog a remote site and view the information over the internet. For more information regarding this exciting technology, please visit their web site. WWMachines The link below will actually take you to a web page hosted by WW Machines whereby a Smart-PAK is being used to run what they call a "dashboard" From the dashboard, you can actually change information and update the web information. The combination of Entertron's robust ePLCs and WWMachines remote technology, allows you to control and monitor just about anything, anywhere. SPECIAL OFFERS With the Introduction of ePalm, we are providing a Free Download. The download will run without a license for up to 30 days. Once the 30 days have expired, you will require a license to operate ePalm. To the many students that are currently learning about the incredible world of PLCs and programming, we are offering you a special student discount - Any controller, any configuration - 20% off (includes computer cable and programming software). Compare this to other offers and you will see the benefits. We continue with great success our OEM introductory offer. Any OEM that has never purchased from Entertron in the past can take advantage of this offer - 50% off any controller, in any configuration. For more information, click for details. CLOSING NOTES The close of 2003 has come and gone and it was a most challenging year. Many seeds were planted and we anticipate 2004 will be the year in which we reap a bountiful harvest. In 2003 our web site attracted more visitors than ever before. Here are some numbers:
Other encouraging information includes:
Entertron will continue to focus its web site on content based material that we consider to be both interesting and informative to those of you who are new to the incredible world of PLCs and those of you who are veterans. It has been our goal to get people to think differently when it comes to PLCs. A PLC doesn't have to come in a box and have a Fortune 500 company name on it to be the best solution available to you. When dealing with Entertron, you will come to notice that our controllers will not be the least expensive you will find, however, what you will receive in addition to our controllers will more than make up for the difference:
Entertron will continue to do business differently from our competitors. So, please feel reassured that when you are dealing with Entertron, you are not an account number, but an individual with a unique situation. All of us at Entertron would like to thank you for your continued support in a very competitive and challenging environment. We look forward to providing many solutions in 2004. If you have missed an issue of Entertron Intelligence, not to fear, you can view past issues on our web site. Any general questions, not related to one of our subjects can be emailed to us at plcs@entertron.com and in the subject area type in "entertron intelligence question" If you decide that you do not want to receive our monthly newsletter, email us at plcs@entertron.com and in the subject area type "please remove from list" and we will honor your request. |
||||||||||||