AutomaNews 2024 |
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April 2024
Number 14 April 2024 - MB5201, the ModBus TCP <=> RTU smart gateway, also for collecting electricity consumption
MB5201 is a compact and intelligent ModBus TCP <=> ModBus RTU gateway that can also network your energy meters
equipped with the ModBus RTU protocol over a serial line. Energy meters often still have a serial line and support ModBus RTU, but the need is always to put them on an Ethernet network and possibly connect them to more modern SCADA or data collection systems that generally support the ModBus TCP protocol. MB5201 is easily configured via a browser and transparently handles conversion between ModBus TCP and ModBus RTU over RS232/422/485. Metal housing, EMC protection and support of a wide temperature range make it easy to use even in industrial environments. On these converters Automa offers its full technical support to facilitate the customer in their first use. The product datasheet can be downloaded at this link. For more information on Ethernet to serial converters or to request a quote you can contact our sales staff directly at +39.035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at sales@automa.it.
We would like to inform you that during the upcoming holidays, the telephone support service will be suspended on April 26, 2024.
The activity will resume regularly on April 29. However, for any urgent service requests, we invite you to send an email. For more information on the various technical support services provided by Automa , you can contact our sales staff directly at +39.035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at sales@automa.it.
Super-Flash, Automa's SCADA development system, is the ideal choice for companies looking for reliable, flexible software with high-level technical support.
Why Super-Flash is the best choice for you, too:
Super-Flash and Automa: not only a valuable software tool, but also a reliable partner for your business.
Super-Flash Runtime: the free version of the development system, downloadable at this link. Contact us for a free demo! For more information on Super-Flash Runtime and to request a Price List, quotation or technical sales demonstration, you can contact our staff directly at +39.035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at sales@automa.it.
March 2024
SE5201 is an ethernet serial server that allows you to connect devices with only an RS232/RS422/RS485 serial interface
to the Ethernet. This allows old peripherals to be interconnected to the information system even in case of machine and plant revamping. Energy meters are often still equipped with a serial line, but the need is always to put them on an Ethernet network. SE5201 is configurable via a browser, and through the use of VirtualCom, the insertion of these devices is possible without the need to modify existing software, except in special cases. On these converters Automa offers its full technical support to facilitate the customer in their first use. On our website in the hardware section, you can view the list of ATOP products distributed by Automa and download the relevant technical documentation. For more information on Ethernet/serial converters or to request a quotation, you can contact our sales staff directly at +39.035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at sales@automa.it.
X-GatekW is a Super-Flash application that can collect electricity consumption data from energy meters and publish it to a database. Also supplied with sources, it can be easily installed on SCADA stations or anywhere on the network. An Edge software that interacts with meters and publishes to a DB, local or remote, the precise consumption data.
More information about X-GatekW can be obtained by contacting our sales staff directly at +39.035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at sales@automa.it.
A few days ago, DECREE-LAW No. 19 of March 2, 2024, on "Ulteriori disposizioni urgenti per l'attuazione del Piano nazionale di ripresa e resilienza (PNRR) was finally published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale. (24G00035) (GU n.52 del 2-3-2024)", Vigente al: 2-3-2024.
Inside there is also the article titled "Transizione 5.0", which organically outlines the eligible interventions. Now there are still two important steps:
In any case, it seems clear that the provisions focus everything on one of the possible aspects of production sustainability: energy consumption. In addition to the I 4.0 requirements, the eligibility for the benefits is linked to the reduction of electrical consumption, requiring an initial and a final energy audit. Only after detecting the actual reduction in consumption will it be possible to claim the tax benefit. Therefore, it becomes essential to have an electrical consumption monitoring system in place to facilitate audits and document the maintenance of energy savings. Furthermore, it is part of the news that monitoring systems, including software, can also be included in the calculation of the benefit. Another absolute news, yet to be interpreted, is the possibility of bringing under "b) software related to business management if purchased together with the software, systems or platforms referred to in (a)." Where (a) mentions electricity consumption monitoring systems. For this news, which could have a very significant impact for many companies, we will have to wait for the publication of the implementing decrees. Only then will it be possible to understand the actual force of impact of the measure. Automa is available both for advice on this matter and for setting up efficient electricity consumption monitoring systems, which are essentially necessary to access the various benefits. For more information about Transition 5.0 you can contact our sales staff directly at +39.035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at sales@automa.it.
February 2024
Super-Flash is the Development System created by Automa for building applications for industrial supervision (SCADA) and human-machine interface (HMI).
For product evaluation are available:
Benefits of Super-Flash
Super-Flash's business proposal Automa offers two complementary offers for its SCADA HMI package: RUNTIME and ROYALTY-FREE.
With Super-Flash Runtime , the development system is free. It is downloaded from the site's FreeDownload. A built-in Runtime license allows you to launch the developed application, each time for up to 15 minutes, for the purpose of testing its operation. After development, in order to install the application at the end customer, a Runtime license of the desired size (number of variables and alarms) is purchased. With Super-Flash Royalty-Free you purchase a development system and there are no Royalties on individual applications. The investment is thus spread over the applications made to zero cost. Those who choose the Royalty-Free mode purchase a specific version of the development system. It is possible to subscribe to an annual upgrade service that allows them to secure new versions issued by Automa. Automa provides various customized online training services. Training modules of 2-4 hours each that can be structured, even "realtime," based on the specific needs of participants. Automa offers various application support and consulting services. It can share expertise in implementing Industry 4.0 and Transition 5.0 interconnections with its customers. Book a call for an online demonstration of Super-Flash's functionality here For more information or for an offer for Super-Flash you can call our sales staff at +39.035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at sales@automa.it.
In recent days, the February 2024 Price List was released by Automa, which collects products from the lines:
You can make a request for the new Price List by calling our sales staff at +39.035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at sales@automa.it.
January 2024
ATOP's SE5202 series serial servers are reliable and compact industrial products that easily enable Ethernet networking
of devices that use serial line (RS232/RS422/RS485) as a communication medium. For outdoor or heavy-duty industrial applications or in areas with noise and surge problems, Automa recommends the use of the SE5202-Sis model, which adds serial port isolation up to 3kV to all the functionality and technical features of ATOP serial servers. Product generally available for prompt delivery. For more information on SE5202-Sis or for orders you can contact our sales staff directly at +39.035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at sales@automa.it.
Number 5 January 2024 - OPC-UA Client driver for software developers of Interconnections Transition 4.0
Anyone offering enterprise Digital Transformation solutions cannot ignore the direct connection with machines and plants. The exchange of information between production management systems (MES-ERP) and the SCADA/HMI-PLC layer has become indispensable.
To facilitate interconnection, most machines have been equipped with OPC-UA servers, and OPC-UA is the most widely used protocol for these integrations. To benefit developers of production MES or management systems, Automa has made available the OPC-UAC (DLL) driver, an OPC-UA Client for the Windows environment. A ready-to-use driver that allows you to be quickly able to communicate with machines. Using the built-in configuration tool, you can browse the various OPC-UA servers and items found on networked machines and make them available to your software. The OPC-UAC driver is available in the freedownload of our site. The download is free of charge. Without activating the license, the driver will run for 15 minutes each time, so you can check functionality before purchasing. For developers who prefer, for the MES-ERP side, to use SQL Databases, Automa is able to develop specific software gateways that act as a pure interface between MES and SCADA/HMI or that also implement typical application logic to meet the peculiar requirements of I4.0 interconnections The driver is also available on th Component Source platform is the world's largest superstore of developer software, of which Automa is a Professional Partner. For more information on OPC-UAC drivers and I4.0 interconnections, you can contact our sales staff directly at +39.035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at sales@automa.it.
Number 4 January 2024 - SUPER-FLASH station revamping facilitated by record-breaking backward compatibility!
The request for revamping old Super-Flash applications is a phenomenon that has been occurring with increasing intensity for 10-15 years already. In recent years there has been a further push due to the ever-increasing demand for interconnection of all machines and plants with the information systems of end customers. Italian Industry 4.0 has equivalent phenomena in almost every country in the world, with few exceptions now.
Machine and plant manufacturers often see these upgrade requests as a small grit to deal with, rather than a big opportunity. For customers, on the other hand, if machines and plants are running without problems, upgrading the HMI-SCADA workstation only is a real necessity. Let's say up front that, unlike other SCADA systems, the cost of revamping a Super-Flash station is quite low and can range from a few hundred to a few thousand. Revamping features with Super-Flash:
Revamping are opportunities for:
Requests for revamping old Super-Flash stations are a great opportunity-Automa is there to support you as fully as possible. Even doing the porting work and application changes directly for you. Thus these requests can be handled without creating an excessive commitment for your Technical Department, which is certainly more productively engaged in new implementations. For more information on Automa's services for revamping old applications, you can contact our sales staff directly at +39.035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at sales@automa.it.
Ethernet is increasingly being used for automation, and the 100 Mbit of simple Fast Ethernet is no longer enough. Often however, the Gigabit switches are too expensive and too big.
ATOP, the specialist in industrial networking, has clearly identified this need and has made available an excellent solution at low cost, with limited dimensions. These are EHG3305 and EHG3005 5-port Ethernet Gigabit switches, respectively with metal or plastic casing and different temperature range.
These switches are certified CE, FCC and UL/IEC. For further information or a quote on ATOP Ethernet industrial gigabit switches, you can contact our sales staff directly at +39.035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at sales@automa.it.
To facilitate the development of HMI and SCADA applications, with a view to Transition 4.0, Automa offers the Super-Flash development system free of charge, in RUNTIME mode.
Just download it from the freedownload section of our site and start using it for development and testing, without having to anticipate costs. At the end of development, the necessary size is detected and the purchase of the Runtime license is made. This mode is also valid for optional communication drivers: you can download them, try them out and purchase the license only at the end of the work. Main benefits:
Automa provides various customized training services. Training modules of 2-4 hours each that can be structured, even "realtime," based on the specific needs of the participants. To optimize technicians' time Automa offers customized training modules online, with Skype, Google Meet or other platforms. So the technician can stay onsite or connect directly from home and there are no costs for time and travel expenses. As a reminder, training on issues related to Transition 4.0 comes with an important tax credit. Often the training can be fully financed by interprofessional training funds to which all companies have, for some time, been compulsorily enrolled. For more information on Super-Flash Runtime and the training modules, you can contact our sales staff directly at +39.035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at sales@automa.it.
It has been talked about for a while now and specific decrees defining more concretely both the facilities and the requirements for accessing them are still missing. But, what does Industry 5.0 consist of and how does it differ from Industry 4.0?
Industry 4.0 aimed to interconnect production machines to achieve optimization of production processes, even for small orders. So maximum efficiency and flexible production systems. Industry 5.0, while using the same enabling technologies, adds the themes of sustainability and better quality of work for operators. Sustainability is a rather broad concept that would require, starting with Agenda 2030 and its 17 goals, a specific in-depth study. We try to summarize by saying that sustainability implies "a state of well-being, environmental, social, and economic, that can be maintained and possibly increased, with the prospect of leaving future generations with a quality of life that is at least not inferior to the present one". Some concrete points that can classify a company as "sustainable":
The shift from replacement automation to human-machine collaboration represents a fundamental change in the industrial landscape. It shifts from the goal of increasing efficiency and reducing costs by replacing physical human labor with machines to redefining the role of "machine" as a collaborative partner that can support and amplify human capabilities rather than replace them. For more information on Industry 5.0 you can contact our sales staff directly at +39.035.32.33.911 or via e-mail at sales@automa.it. |
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Automa srl - sole partnership limited company - Via Don A. Mazzucotelli, 6 - 24020 Gorle (BG) - ITALY - Telephone: +39 035.32.33.911 - E-mail: sales@automa.it PEC: automa@arubapec.it - Share capital € 31,200.00 fully paid - VAT No. 01775590167 - Register of Companies No. BG01775590167 - REA No. 236172 |
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