Company's New Products and Corporate Strategy Simplify Understanding, Selecting, Buying, and Applying Industrial Automation Solutions
Temecula, CA – March 1, 2007 – Opto 22 announced the launch of the SNAP PAC System. The new SNAP PAC System includes the release of several new hardware and software offerings, all developed under the philosophy that automation products and technologies should be easier to understand and use. These offerings include:
The PAC Project Software Suite, a new automation software suite designed specifically for use with Opto 22’s SNAP PAC programmable automation controllers, SNAP PAC brains, and SNAP I/O. PAC Project’s tight integration as part of the SNAP PAC System makes developing industrial control, monitoring, and data acquisition applications simple and trouble-free. The Basic version provides all the functionality required for most applications and is offered free of charge; the $999 USD Professional version adds advanced networking, enterprise connectivity, and legacy hardware support.
The new SNAP PAC brains, higher performance, Ethernet I/O processors that include distributed control functions, multiple protocol support, and two switched Ethernet network interfaces. Because the SNAP-PAC-EB1 and -EB2 brains share the same feature set—except that the SNAP-PAC-EB1 offers distributed high-speed digital I/O functions—choosing an I/O processor is significantly simpler. Additionally, the ability to “daisy-chain” SNAP PAC brains on an Ethernet network dramatically reduces the cost and complexity of multiple Ethernet switches and long-distance, star-configuration cable runs.
Five new SNAP I/O modules: the 32-channel SNAP-AIMA-32 current input module; the 32-channel SNAP-AIV-32 voltage input module; and the 16-channel SNAP-IAC-16, SNAP-IAC-A-16, and SNAP-IDC-16 digital input modules, which all include channel-to-channel isolation. The increased density of each of these new modules can effectively reduce per-point costs by up to 400 percent, while also significantly decreasing required panel space.
Four new SNAP PAC racks, which consolidate the number of SNAP rack choices from fifteen to four. SNAP PAC racks can mix analog, digital, serial, and special-purpose modules all on the same rack in any position. This flexibility, combined with the rack’s universal applicability to all SNAP I/O, SNAP PAC rack-based controllers, and the new SNAP PAC brains, makes it much simpler to configure an I/O system and reduces the number of on-hand spares that might otherwise be required.
OptoDataLink, an enterprise connectivity software application and part of the PAC Project Professional software suite, which allows SNAP PAC System users to create multiple transparent connections for data exchange between their PACs and enterprise databases. OptoDataLink gives SNAP PAC System users a cost-effective and flexible option for exchanging data between the SNAP PAC System and some of the most widely used enterprise databases, without brokering the data through a third-party HMI.
SNAP PAC Sim, a new software application that simulates a fully functioning SNAP PAC controller on a PC without the need for an external hardware controller. SNAP PAC Sim lets users run strategies they’ve created in an environment that simulates an actual SNAP PAC programmable automation controller. Doing so allows control engineers, programmers, prospective customers, and others to learn more about SNAP PAC controllers, experience the tight integration between the Opto 22 hardware and software, and even begin their application development prior to making a capital expense.
The SNAP Motion Control Subsystem, which combines a SNAP motion control host communication module in a SNAP I/O form factor, a SNAP motion control breakout board, and an OptoMotion command library for use with PAC Control. By combining motion control with process control, sequential logic, string and data handling, math, and networking in a single PAC system, the SNAP Motion Control Subsystem completes the multi-domain functionality of the SNAP PAC System.
The SNAP PAC System also includes the release of all-new Opto 22 training and educational tools (including Flash tutorials and online training videos), along with the continuation of the company’s long-offered free-of-charge presales engineering consultations, hands-on training classes, and product support.
About Opto 22
Opto 22 develops and manufactures hardware and software for applications involving industrial automation and control, remote monitoring, and data acquisition. Opto 22 products use standard, commercially available networking and computer technologies, and have an established reputation worldwide for simplicity, innovation, quality, and reliability. Opto 22 products are used by automation end-users, OEMs, and information technology and operations personnel. The company was founded in 1974 and is privately held in Temecula, California, USA. Opto 22 products are available through a worldwide network of distributors and system integrators.
About the SNAP PAC System™
Opto 22’s flagship SNAP PAC System combines PAC Project™ software, SNAP PAC controllers, SNAP PAC brains, and SNAP I/O™ into a completely integrated, easy-to-use system designed to simplify the typically complex process of solving automation, monitoring, and data acquisition problems. By combining hardware, software, training, and support, the SNAP PAC System dramatically reduces the time, effort, and cost required to understand, design, buy, apply, and maintain automation and control systems. Pre-sales consultation, product training, support, and documentation are all FREE of charge with the SNAP PAC System.
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