Site assembles Opto 22 Snap PAC system, bill of materials

New features on Opto22.com simplify product review, selection, and configuration of automation control systems. Interactive website tools provide visual interface for selecting Snap PAC System components and provides wiring diagrams and product details.

November 3, 2010

Control engineers and other automation professionals can virtually assemble an Opto 22 Snap PAC System, organize product selections into bill-of-materials lists (BOMs), request price quotes from Opto 22 distributors, and submit configurations for an engineering review and consultation, with site enhancements.

The new Snap PAC Configurator is a visual, interactive, web-based application that allows users to design and build a complete Snap PAC System-I/O processor, mounting rack, and modules. As they assemble their system, users can view part descriptions and wiring diagrams, link to individual product pages, and then select components by purpose and specifications. For the control and I/O processor, they can choose by programmability, communication interface (Ethernet, wireless, or serial), support for high-speed digital functions, and Factory Mutual (FM) approval. I/O module selection can be by signal type (current, voltage, temperature, rate, resistance, power, TPO, etc.), voltage or current range, number of channels, FM approval, and channel-to-channel isolation. After configuration, users can save it and forward it to an Opto 22 application engineer for review. The engineer receives an email list of the parts selected, confirms component compatibility, suggests optional or other needed components, and responds with the results within one business day, the company said. Completed configurations can also be used to create a bill of materials, forwarded to an Opto 22 distributor for a price quote, or added to the shopping cart for online purchase.

"The Snap PAC Configurator’s graphical interface not only makes choosing system components quicker and easier, it also documents the product selection process, and eliminates the possibility of incompatible component selections," said Ben Orchard, Opto 22 application engineer. The configuration software also waves users time when choosing or specifying systems, by allowing them to "use existing configurations as the basis for new ones," Orchard noted.

Enhancements to my.Opto22.com, a personalization area for the site, delivers email notification of new software upgrades, firmware releases, OptoKnowledgeBase articles, and documentation, such as Opto 22 case studies, white papers, and product data sheets. The site also stores a shopping cart, favorite products, documents, downloads, and configurations. Favorite products can be added to the cart, to a subscription list (to receive product updates), or to a bill of materials that can then be printed or sent to an Opto 22 distributor for a price quote, the company said.

Opto 22 also offers a video library of more than 100 case studies, tutorials, product overviews, and screencasts, social media, and a secure area for Opto 22 partners, distributors, and certified trainers to view exclusive content, download marketing materials, and review channel updates.

Opto 22, based in Temecula, CA, develops and manufactures hardware and software for applications involving industrial automation and control, remote monitoring, and data acquisition. Products are available through a global network of distributors and system integrators.

www.opto22.com

Also see:

Opto 22 introduces Snap PAC redundancy option kit – Hardware and software let users build redundant PAC systems easily.

Opto 22 adds new RTD temperature sensing I/O module – Opto 22 Snap-AIRTD-10 is a two-channel analog input module used to monitor temperature with RTDs.

Opto 22 introduces PAC Project 9 control programming software suite – Opto 22 PAC Project 9 includes applications for control programming and database integration, an HMI development package, support for controller redundancy, improved trending and alerts, and other high-end features.

Also see from Control Engineering:

How to Choose a Controller, and the

PAC and PLC new product area.

– Edited by Mark T. Hoske, CFE Media, www.cfemedia.com