Automation Direct's System Integrator Profile

About KAPP Engineering

KAPP Engineering specialises in providing tailor-made Automation and Process Control solutions.  Our combined technical expertise gives us the competitive edge as our diverse engineering team is able to design, supply, commission and support solutions that cater for the varying requirements of our customers.

With over 13 years of combined experience in using Automation Direct's Koyo PLCs, the team at KAPP Engineering specialises in supplying and supporting Koyo PLC solutions.

KAPP Engineering has a strong focus on servicing the needs of its customers, offering 24 hour technical assistance and support to all of its customers.  Just another way that KAPP Engineering makes your job easier!

Case History:  Taiwan High Speed Rail Project – Train Lifting System

KAPP Engineering is currently in the final stages of commissioning the PLC control system for a train lifting system for the new High Speed Rail system in Taiwan.  This system allows the operators to lift a train in order to perform under-carriage work or to repair/replace the bogies.

The control solution for this project comprises of 13 x Koyo DL405 PLCs communicating over a high-speed Ethernet network and interfacing to more than 2,000 I/O points.  The system is capable of performing 1, 3, 4, 8, and 12 car train lifting operations, selectable via a UniOp touch screen installed at the Main Control Centre. When lifting a multi-car train, the control system synchronises the lifting process by ensuring that all lifting platforms involved in the operation are raised and lowered at the same rate. This requires high speed communications between each of the lifting platforms, which the Ethernet communications network is able to provide, updating all PLCs on the network in less than 200 milliseconds.   Graphical Operator Interface Panels installed at the Main Control Centre and each Lifting Station allow the operator to monitor and control the system at any time.  The operators can even select whether the information is displayed in English or Chinese.

A graphical software package built around the KEPDirect I/O Server has also been developed to allow the system designers to dial into the control system from their office in Perth WA to monitor and trouble-shoot the system.  This value-adding feature allows our client to offer continued support and maintenance without the need to travel to Taiwan.

We always welcome your comments or suggestions concerning this newsletter.
_____________________________________ Return to top

. Automation Direct adds 100Mb Fibre optic Modules AutomationDirect now provides Fault Tolerant, Redundant, Self-Healing, Fibre Optic Modules for 10/100 Mbps FAST Ethernet (ALL Protocols... TCP/IP, IP, CP, etc). Optical Communication Modules are available in modular standalone, industrial enclosures for DIN-Rail or Panelmount installation... with Integral 120/220 VAC, 24 VDC, and 125 VDC power supply options.

The modules have introduced special features such as Phoenix Digital Proprietary Priority Queuing System (PQS). . .real time management of overall communication bandwidth and network latency to ensure priority access and ultra-high throughput for critical control nodes on the network along with ultra-high speed recovery. UL Class I, Division 2 Rating, with up to 96 Kilometres apart single mode operation.

Supports Auto-Negotiation and Auto-MDI/MDIX Crossover, they are also compatible with both single mode and multimode fibre. The fibre optic modules provide optical communication media, transparent to the communication protocol and configurable for distribution by the user in ring, bus, star, tree, or point-to-point network installations. The company offers its customers high-quality automation products, which are often priced at half the industry average, 24-hour order entry and overnight delivery, the best documentation in the industry, outstanding sales and technical support.

_____________________________________ Return to top

We are expanding our business!

Queensland, West Australia and Victoria

Due to the the rapid growth of our products we have relocated to larger premisis in Queensland to 63 Railway St Mudgeeraba , we also have opened an office in West Australia and we have just opened a new warehouse and sales office in Victoria. This will add much needed capacity to our Australian offices and warehouses, of course the telephone numbers have not changed, just call toll free 1800- 6330405 Australia wide and you will be able to talk to all our people where ever they are. (some phone systems accept only 1800-633040).

For New Zealand sales call toll free 0-800-6330405

ADC- USA Make Initial Move as Facilities Growth Commences
Among the recent signs of the times here at headquarters was a group of employees moving approximately 100 yards from our main building to a newly converted warehouse that's now an office suite. It's all about growth. Our total product listings have soared from 100 to 5500 in only 10 years and with more products, come more employees; we've simply outgrown the building we first occupied in 1996. We're pleased with the prospect of continued economic health and appreciate the commitment of our loyal customers. Thank you for allowing us to continue serving you without compromise.

_____________________________________ Return to top



Rhino™ series of DC switching power supplies available
The RHINO line of power supplies includes several new metal and plastic-housed switching supply models. RHINO PSM series switching DC power supplies are available in 12 or 24 VDC adjustable output models. Innovative features of the RHINO PSM line include a redundancy module for configuring a redundant power system without additional components; a battery control module suitable for creating anitoring an external battery; and a buffer module for maintaining output voltages of a 24 VDC power supply after brownouts or voltage dips of up to 200 ms for 25 amps. Prices for PSM models start at $86. Two new models of the Rhino PSP series now offer 5V and 12V adjustable output voltages.

More information on RHINO power supplies

____________________________________ Return to top

AutomationDirect Launches DirectSOFT5

AutomationDirect announces the launch of Direct SOFT5 PLC programming software. Direct SOFT5, the 32-bit Windows certified programming software for the entire Direct LOGIC line of PLCs, contains many new features that make ladder logic programming faster and easier.

The most important programming improvement is the addition of “IBoxes”, modularized instructions that perform simple to complex ladder logic. Common tasks such as configuring analog cards, programming equations, configuring CTRIO high-speed counters, or programming an ON/OFF delay timer can require multiple lines of ladder code. Using the IBox reduces these processes to a simple programming block with fill-in-the-blank parameters. Over 60 IBox instructions are available in categories such as memory, discrete and analog helpers, math, communications, and CTRIO high speed counters. The IBox instruction feature is compatible with Direct LOGIC DL05, DL06, D2-250-1, D2-260, and D4-450 CPUs with supporting firmware.

With Direct SOFT5, documentation can be exported to C-more touch panels to use as tag names in the panel project. User Interface Themes allow operators to create a unique look and feel for specific projects. The dockable window feature allows relocation of Cross Reference and Data views. The ability to auto-hide or even tear away views and place them outside the Direct SOFT5 work space optimizes full ladder viewing     ____________________________________ Return to top

Ethernet Module H0-ECOM100 offers networking flexibility
The H0-ECOM Ethernet Communication Modules represent a price breakthrough for high-speed, peer-to-peer networking of PLCs. The H0-ECOM100 supports the industry standard MODBUS TCP/IP Client/Server protocol in addition to the standard IP and IPX protocols, allowing a DL05 or DL06 PLC to serve as a client (master) or as a server (slave) on a MODBUS TCP/IP Ethernet network. Link your PLCs with PCs using industry-standard cables, hubs, and repeaters. Or, use our KEPDirect I/O Server to link to your favorite HMI/SCADA, data historian, MES or ERP software to DirectLOGIC PLCs. Our LookoutDirect HMI and our DataWorx data collection software include ECOM drivers. DirectSOFT32 Programming software can be used to monitor or update the program in any DirectLOGIC PLC on the network. Free NetEdit3 software ships with the ECOM Module User Manual for setting up the ECOM modules for your network. Also available are H2-ECOM100 and H4-ECOM100 modules for DL205, DL405 PLCs

More information on H0-ECOM Ethernet Communication Modules

_____________________________________ Return to top


LOWER PRICES ON VS DRIVES

AutomationDirect announces lower prices on its GS1, GS2, and DURApulse drives and Marathon motors. Now save an average of 18% on the complete line of GS1, GS2, and DURApulse variable frequency drives. . Prices now start at $189 and $164 for a SmartPAKs for GS1 drives.

The new drives 0.18Kw, 0.37Kw and 0.75Kw GS2 AC drives have a 230V single-phase input and three-phase output. These 230 V drives can easily be used in environments, such as applications as fans, pumps, and general motor control.

More information on GS AC drives

Datanet OPC™ Web-based software is here
DataNet OPC displays data from industrial devices on a Web page. The data is then available for viewing and printing reports from any computer, anywhere the Web is accessible, without the need for third-party software. The data is displayed in a table format and information can be refreshed at any interval. There is absolutely no HTML programming required to take advantage of DataNet OPC's many useful features.

More information on this software

_____________________________________ Return to top

Nearby Documentation Key
When asked to respond to a recent survey on variable-speed drives and optimizing productivity, Tom Matyas, ADC Motion Control Product Manager, offered this advice for end-users:

 Failing to post a schematic in the panel or near the drive can be a real drawback. When problems occur, the personnel who respond may not have the system documentation. Most drive inputs are now programmable, and their purpose is not easily deduced without proper documentation. That's why the control mode and other control-specific information should be prominently displayed, along with I/O connections. Time lost while troubleshooting due to poor or non-existent documentation is non-productive and unnecessary. End users should maintain an offline backup of all drive parameters and settings. This can be helpful when a damaged drive must be replaced, or when checking to see if any parameters have been changed. The ability to quickly revert to a known, good set of drive parameters can be critical in reducing downtime and increasing productivity.

View our entire collection of Application Stories or submit one of your own

_____________________________________ Return to top

Constantly Complaining About the Temperature
A customer was bothering the waiter in a restaurant. First, he asked that the air conditioning be turned up because he was too hot, then he asked it be turned down because he was too cold, and so on for about half an hour.

Surprisingly, the waiter was very patient, He walked back and forth and never once got angry. So finally, a second customer asked him why he didn't throw out the pest.

"Oh, I really don't care or mind," said the waiter with a smile. "We don't even have an air conditioner."

_____________________________________ Return to top