Revere Electric

The U.S. Cloud Computing Market: An In-Depth Exploration of its Explosive Growth and Future

Rever Electric Supply — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 05:41:55 +0000

The U.S. Cloud Computing Market: An In-Depth Exploration of its Explosive Growth and Future

The landscape of technology is constantly evolving, and at its forefront, the U.S. cloud computing market stands as a testament to innovation and rapid expansion. What began as a niche solution for data storage and processing has blossomed into a foundational pillar of modern business and digital infrastructure. Valued at approximately USD 216.91 billion in 2023, the market is on a steep upward trajectory. Projections from various industry analyses paint a compelling picture of future growth, with some forecasting a market size of USD 540.02 billion by 2030, and even more ambitious estimates reaching USD 3,501.32 billion by 2032, exhibiting a staggering Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 36.25% from 2025-2032. This in-depth article will explore the multifaceted drivers behind this robust growth, focusing on digital transformation, the relentless rise of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), and the critical imperative for secure cloud solutions.

Digital Transformation: The Unifying Force

Digital transformation is not merely a buzzword; it is a fundamental paradigm shift that is reshaping industries across the globe, and the U.S. is at its epicenter. Cloud computing serves as the indispensable engine powering this transformation. Organizations are increasingly migrating away from traditional, on-premise IT infrastructures to embrace the agility, scalability, and cost-efficiency offered by cloud-based solutions. This transition enables businesses to deploy new services faster, automate software updates seamlessly, and leverage advanced data analytics to gain deeper insights. The cloud facilitates the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), 5G, and the Internet of Things (IoT), which are crucial for delivering real-time user experiences and fostering innovation. By converting large capital expenditures on IT into a more flexible, pay-as-you-go service model, cloud computing significantly reduces the financial risk associated with experimenting with new digital business approaches. The U.S. digital transformation market itself is expected to reach US$1.4 trillion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 21.6%, a testament to the symbiotic relationship between digital evolution and cloud adoption.

The Pervasive Influence of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)

Within the expansive realm of cloud computing, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) has emerged as a dominant and continually expanding segment. In 2023, SaaS commanded the largest revenue share, estimated at a remarkable 55.08% of the U.S. cloud computing market. The widespread appeal of SaaS can be attributed to several key factors. Firstly, the sheer diversity of feature-rich solutions available caters to virtually every business need, from customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) to collaboration tools and marketing automation. Secondly, the inherent remote accessibility of SaaS platforms has been a game-changer, particularly with the global shift towards remote and hybrid work models. This flexibility allows teams to collaborate seamlessly from anywhere, fostering productivity and efficiency. Finally, the flexible "pay-as-you-go" pricing model of SaaS eliminates the need for hefty upfront investments in software licenses and infrastructure, making advanced tools accessible to businesses of all sizes. Globally, the SaaS market is projected to expand by approximately 20% annually, potentially reaching nearly $1.1 trillion by 2032, with Goldman Sachs forecasting SaaS to constitute 41% of the overall cloud market by 2030, representing a staggering $780 billion.

The Imperative of Robust and Intelligent Secure Cloud Solutions

As the adoption of cloud computing intensifies, so too does the criticality of robust security measures. The increasing sophistication and frequency of cyber threats, including data breaches, ransomware attacks, and phishing schemes, have made cloud security a paramount concern for businesses. This heightened awareness, coupled with stringent regulatory requirements such as GDPR and CCPA, compels organizations to implement advanced security protocols to safeguard sensitive data and ensure compliance. The U.S. cloud security market is projected for substantial growth, with estimates indicating an expansion from USD 10.0 billion in 2025 to USD 31.2 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 14.2%. Other reports suggest the U.S. cloud security software market could reach USD 72.5 billion by 2032, with an 18.1% CAGR from 2025. The global cloud security market is also expected to reach around USD 100.07 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of approximately 14.20%.

Several factors contribute to this escalating demand for secure cloud solutions:

Rising Cyber Threats: The ever-evolving threat landscape necessitates continuous innovation in security measures to protect against increasingly sophisticated attacks.
Regulatory Compliance: Adherence to data privacy regulations is not optional; it's a legal and ethical imperative that drives investment in advanced security and compliance tools.
Remote and Hybrid Work Models: The distributed nature of modern workforces amplifies the need for secure access to cloud resources and comprehensive data protection strategies across diverse endpoints.
Multi-Cloud Environments: As businesses adopt hybrid and multi-cloud strategies, the complexity of managing security across disparate platforms increases, driving demand for unified security solutions.
Technological Advancements in Security: The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) into cloud security is revolutionizing threat detection, enabling predictive analytics, and accelerating incident response times, making security more proactive and efficient.

The Future is Cloud-Native

In conclusion, the U.S. cloud computing market is not just experiencing growth; it is undergoing a profound transformation that will redefine the future of business and technology. The relentless march of digital transformation, the pervasive adoption of SaaS, and the unwavering commitment to robust and intelligent secure cloud solutions are the primary engines driving this expansion. As businesses continue to embrace cloud-native strategies and new technological innovations emerge, the cloud will remain the foundational pillar of the digital economy, fostering unprecedented innovation, efficiency, and resilience for years to come. The journey towards a multi-trillion dollar cloud market is well underway, promising a future where cloud computing is not just an option, but an absolute necessity for success.

Trustworthy AI: Federal Executive Orders

Rever Electric Supply — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 09:01:53 +0000

Executive Orders: Paving the Way for Trustworthy AI in the Federal Government

The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents both immense opportunities and significant challenges. Recognizing its transformative potential, the United States federal government has proactively issued a series of Executive Orders aimed at ensuring the responsible, secure, and trustworthy development and deployment of AI within its agencies and across the nation.

Key Executive Orders and Their Impact

Executive Order 13960: Promoting Trustworthy AI in the Federal Government (2020)

Issued on December 3, 2020, Executive Order 13960 provided crucial guidance for federal agencies on adopting AI to enhance service delivery and build public confidence. This order established core principles for AI use in government, mandated agencies to catalog their AI use cases, and directed the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to bolster AI implementation expertise within federal entities. Its focus was on creating a common policy framework for ethical and effective AI integration.

Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence (2023)

A more comprehensive directive, this Executive Order from October 30, 2023, underscores the importance of balancing AI's benefits with potential risks such as bias, discrimination, and security vulnerabilities. It laid out policies to advance AI safety, encourage innovation, safeguard civil rights, and strengthen national security. A particular emphasis was placed on mitigating risks to critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, and preventing the misuse of AI in harmful applications.

Executive Order 14179: Removing Barriers to American Leadership in AI (2025)

Looking ahead, Executive Order 14179, dated January 23, 2025, aims to dismantle obstacles hindering U.S. leadership in AI. This order seeks to encourage the widespread adoption of AI applications across various sectors, fostering an environment conducive to American innovation and competitiveness in the global AI landscape.

Executive Order: Ensuring a National Policy Framework for AI (2025)

Building upon the foundation of EO 14179, this Executive Order from December 11, 2025, strives to establish a uniform federal policy framework for AI. It explicitly aims to remove barriers to U.S. AI leadership, emphasizing that a strong American presence in AI will bolster both national and economic security. This order also includes a legislative recommendation for a consistent federal AI policy that would preempt conflicting state AI laws, with certain exceptions.

Laying the Groundwork: Earlier Initiatives

Executive Order 13859: Maintaining American Leadership in AI (2019)

The journey towards trustworthy AI began earlier with Executive Order 13859, issued on February 11, 2019. This order established the American AI Initiative, outlining key areas of focus including increasing AI research investment, leveraging federal AI computing and data resources, setting AI technical standards, developing the AI workforce, and fostering international collaboration.

Executive Order 14320: Promoting the Export of American AI Technology Stack

Further reinforcing the U.S.'s commitment to global AI leadership, Executive Order 14320 focuses on ensuring that U.S. AI technologies, standards, and governance models are adopted internationally. This initiative aims to strengthen alliances and maintain technological dominance in the rapidly evolving field of AI.

The Path Forward

These Executive Orders collectively demonstrate the federal government's commitment to harnessing the power of AI responsibly. By establishing clear principles, promoting innovation, and addressing potential risks, these directives are crucial in building public trust and ensuring that AI serves the best interests of the nation.

The Rise of AI-First Cloud Platforms

Rever Electric Supply — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 12:37:56 +0000

The Rise of AI-First Cloud Platforms

Artificial intelligence (AI) has transcended its role as a mere workload in the cloud, evolving into a foundational element embedded within core cloud services. This profound shift is redefining how organizations leverage cloud computing, ushering in an era of AI-First Cloud Platforms where intelligence is woven into the very fabric of infrastructure management, security monitoring, application development, and analytics.

AI as an Integral Cloud Component

The integration of AI into cloud services is enabling unprecedented levels of automated decision-making and predictive system behavior. Imagine cloud environments that can anticipate resource needs, proactively identify security threats, and optimize application performance without human intervention. This is the promise of AI-First Cloud Platforms, where AI capabilities are not just add-ons but fundamental drivers of efficiency and innovation.

Key Trends Shaping the AI-First Cloud Landscape

Several key trends are accelerating the adoption and evolution of AI-First Cloud Platforms:

AI-as-a-Service (AIaaS) and Generative AI: The growth of AIaaS allows businesses to access pre-built AI models and tools, democratizing AI implementation. Generative AI (GenAI) is a significant catalyst, with cloud providers heavily investing in and delivering GenAI solutions. Platforms like Amazon Bedrock exemplify this trend, offering user-friendly interfaces for customized generative AI models.
Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Strategies: Organizations are increasingly adopting hybrid and multi-cloud approaches to manage AI workloads, ensuring flexibility, redundancy, and vendor-agnostic solutions. This allows for seamless movement of AI processes between edge, on-premise, and multiple cloud environments.
Data Modernization and AI-Powered Architectures: Data is the lifeblood of AI. Companies are focusing on AI-ready data platforms and robust data governance to effectively leverage AI, especially generative AI, and unlock new value from their data.
Edge AI Computing: Deploying AI at the edge reduces latency and enables real-time analysis and decision-making. Advancements in 5G networks and energy-efficient processors are making edge AI increasingly viable for diverse applications.
Security, Ethics, and Data Sovereignty: As AI adoption grows, robust security measures, including AI-powered threat detection and zero-trust security, are paramount. Ethical AI considerations and data sovereignty requirements are also driving the development of responsible AI practices.
Automation and Serverless Computing: Automation and serverless computing are gaining traction due to their cost efficiency, scalability, and ability to abstract away server infrastructure management, allowing developers to focus on application logic.
Sustainable AI: There's a growing emphasis on developing and deploying AI systems with minimal environmental impact, prioritizing energy efficiency in design and operations.

Optimizing AI-Centric Cloud Investments

Organizations are keenly focused on optimizing their AI-centric cloud investments. This includes:

Efficient GPU and AI Accelerator Hardware Utilization: Maximizing the performance and cost-effectiveness of specialized hardware designed for AI workloads.
Redesigning AI Models for Efficiency: Developing AI models that are not only powerful but also resource-efficient, reducing computational overhead.
Moving AI Inference to the Edge: Shifting AI processing closer to data sources to reduce latency and enable real-time insights.

The Future is AI-First

Cloud providers like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud are expanding their offerings to deeply integrate AI capabilities, providing scalable infrastructure, MLOps services, and specialized tools. This deep integration and the broadening adoption of AI across various industries are transforming cloud computing into an AI-first paradigm, where AI is not just a feature but a fundamental component driving innovation, efficiency, and competitiveness. The future of cloud computing is undeniably intelligent, with AI at its core, enabling businesses to unlock new possibilities and deliver personalized digital experiences.

NSF Launches IDSS Program to Bolster National AI Infrastructure

Rever Electric Supply — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 11:09:52 +0000

NSF Launches IDSS Program to Bolster National AI Infrastructure

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has taken a monumental leap forward in advancing artificial intelligence research and development with the introduction of the Integrated Data Systems and Services (IDSS) program. This ambitious initiative is designed to establish a national-scale AI infrastructure, providing the foundational cyberinfrastructure necessary for open, data-intensive, and AI-driven science and engineering.

Goals and Scope of the IDSS Program

The primary objective of the IDSS program is to support national-scale foundational data cyberinfrastructure that empowers data and AI-driven research across a multitude of scientific and engineering communities. Beyond this, the program seeks to connect diverse data sources with advanced computing resources, effectively addressing the complex data-intensive workflows inherent in modern AI research. A key focus is on enabling critical points within the data lifecycle at a national level, ensuring seamless access and utilization of vast datasets.

The scope of IDSS is broad, encompassing national-scale operational systems and services that facilitate open, data-intensive, and AI-driven science and engineering. It actively encourages transdisciplinary projects that promise a wide-ranging impact on the science and engineering research and education community.

Integration and Project Categories

A cornerstone of the IDSS program is its emphasis on integration. It aims to seamlessly blend with existing cyberinfrastructure systems and services, fostering an integrated, federated, and easily accessible advanced research cyberinfrastructure ecosystem. Crucially, systems and services awarded under IDSS will be integrated into the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) and other NSF-managed programs, creating a cohesive national AI landscape.

The program invites proposals across three distinct categories:

Category I: Focuses on the development, deployment, and operation of novel national-scale integrated data systems and services.
Category II: Supports the transition of established smaller-scale, regional, pilot, or prototype data-focused systems and services to national-scale production and operational quality. This also includes enhancements and expansions of existing national-scale data-focused operational systems and services.
Category III: Provides planning grants for future potential development, deployment, transition, or enhancement of IDSS projects.

NAIRR Pilot Integration and Future Impact

The IDSS program is a vital component of the White House's AI Action Plan, working towards the overarching goal of establishing a robust national AI research resource. As part of this commitment, the NSF has already selected 10 datasets for integration into the NAIRR Pilot. This pilot serves as a shared national infrastructure, providing critical support to the AI research community and promoting the responsible use of AI technologies.

Through the IDSS program, the NSF is not just expanding infrastructure; it's cultivating an environment where AI innovation can flourish, driving scientific discovery, technological advancement, and educational enrichment for the benefit of the entire nation.

You Bought Rockwell Software, Now What?

Revere Electric — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 20:35:03 +0000

Learn how to Download, Install and Activate Rockwell Software

How do you install Rockwell software? It is a question we get asked all the time and so we decided to share it in this blog post. If you have further questions, please reach out to··us at customersupport@revereelectric.com.

Download the installation files:

• Go to this link: https://download.rockwellautomation.com/webupdates/enter.aspx

• Enter the serial number and the company name to authorize the download

· If you do not know your serial number, contact us at the email above

• Choose the version of the software you want to download

· If you do not see the version you want to download, then you need to purchase a tech support contract.

• Clicking on the Cart and the download button creates a ‘Download Manager’ in your downloads folder

• Run the download manager

• Once the files are downloaded, they will show up in your C:\RA folder

To install the software:

• Go to the C:\RA folder

• Find the folder for the software that you downloaded. For this example, we will use Studio 5000

• In that folder, find the one named something like this: ‘xx.xx-Studio5000-Web.part1’ and double-click to run it (this will extract all the files)

• Now look for the new folder that was created, it will be named something like ‘xx.xx-Studio5000-Web’, open the folder

• Double-click to Run Setup, follow the prompts

If you have already installed the software and you just need to ACTIVATE it, then proceed as follows:

• Follow this video on how to activate Rockwell software: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAAVLFONNxA

• If you try to follow the video, but you do not know your product key, then you have two options to get this information:

· Option 1, call Rockwell Automation to obtain it: Rockwell’s phone number: 440-646-5800

· Dial Direct Dial Code 010 for the activations group

· Tell them your serial number and company name and ask for the product key

· Option 2, Go to this website to get your activation certificate: https://download.rockwellautomation.com/webupdates/enter.aspx

· Enter the serial number and the company name - If you do not know your serial number, contact us at the email above

• On the next page you should see a tiny PDF icon. Click this to download your activation certificate. If you do not see the PDF icon, click the plus sign on the left to expand and you should see it under there

Side note:

• If you try to follow the video and it says no activations are available, then that means the activation is being used already and you have 2 options:

· Option 1, Find the computer (or dongle) to which the activation is hooked to and “rehost the activation”

· Video on rehosting an activation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAFqho1q3Us

· Option 2, If the computer is dead, destroyed, or wiped, then you can call Rockwell to tell them what happened, and they can rehost the license on their end.

· To ask Rockwell to rehost a license for you, call them at 440-646-5800

· Enter 010 for the Direct Dial Code to get to the Activation Group

· Once Rockwell rehosts the license for you, you can follow the video on how to activate the software (above).

Choose Zebra for Maximum Adaptability in Fixed Scanning

Revere Electric — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 15:45:50 +0000

A hallmark of Zebra’s new fixed industrial scanning and machine vision portfolio is adaptability. Spend even a few minutes digging into the details of their comprehensive hardware lineup and Zebra Aurora, the unified software that drives the entire platform, and you’ll be impressed by the broad range of capabilities, easy scalability, and built-in upgrade path that Zebra has delivered.

As you drill into the details of Zebra’s solution, one area where adaptability and flexibility become readily apparent is in the range of lighting options and optical accessories that are available across their entire lineup of Fixed Industrial Scanners and Machine Vison Smart Cameras. There’s little doubt that this is driven by Zebra’s long history of global leadership in the data and image capture space. In fact, when you consider that high-performance scanning is one of Zebra’s core capabilities, it’s no surprise to see how well they understand the ways that lighting and optics can make or break a barcode or image capture solution.

So, let’s take a look at some of the lighting and optics options that Zebra is offering with their lineup of Fixed Industrial Scanners and Machine Vision Smart Cameras.

Lighting Options

Zebra offers a range of external LED light bars and ring lights that can adapt any of their Fixed Industrial Scanners or Machine Vision Smart Cameras for use with different substrates and under different lighting conditions. The workhorse FS40/VS40 models also offer a full range of red, white, blue, and infrared internal LED ring light options.

This gives you the flexibility to adapt your lighting for a wide variety of situations. For example, red (625nm wavelength) lights are typically used to capture images on paper, blue (465nm wavelength) lights can improve image capture with metallic substrates, white lights help capture colored barcodes printed on paper, and infrared (IR) lights can be used with clear liquids or when users don’t want to see any visible lighting.

The FS40/VS40 model also includes an optional multicolor internal ring light that combines 8 white, 4 red, 4 blue, and 8 IR LEDs on a single ring light for maximum flexibility from a single camera.

Depending on the fixed scanner/smart camera model, internal and external polarizers are also available to reduce glare from reflective surfaces.

Filters and Optics

The flexibility of Zebra’s fixed scanning and machine vision solutions continues with a range of filters and lenses available for certain models.

FS40/VS40 and FS70/VS70 Fixed Industrial Scanners and Machine Vision Smart Cameras offer a range of red, blue, and IR bandpass filters, plus IR/UV blocking filters to limit interference from sunlight and other IR light sources. Optional high-contrast polarizing filters are also available.

And, for the ultimate in imaging adaptability, Zebra’s FS7/VS70 models can utilize a range of external C-Mount lenses in 8mm, 12mm, 16mm, 25mm, and 35mm focal length. This range of lenses gives you all the control you need to adapt the FS70 or VS70 for virtually any focal distance or depth of field.

Contact Revere Electric to Learn More

Zebra’s portfolio of fixed industrial scanning and machine vision solutions can be adapted to cover virtually any data and image capture challenge with a full range of accessories, including lighting, filters, and optics. To learn how this level of flexibility will benefit your business, contact Revere Electric Supply.

PanelView Plus 7 Performance Change to Series B

Revere Electric — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 15:51:49 +0000

What You Need to Know about the New PanelView Plus 7 Performance, Series B

For many decades the Rockwell Automation PanelView family has been an excellent solution for a Human Machine Interface (HMI) control system. Those experienced in the industry have seen PanelView terminals go through multiple changes and upgrades, each time improving the performance and features. In a continuing effort to increase the usability and support the longevity of the PanelView Plus platform, Rockwell has completed a hardware/software refresh of the PanelView Plus 7 Performance. This refresh is being denoted as a change from Series A to Series B.

The longevity of many automation devices comes down to the ability to source the hardware components and support the software running on them.The Series A PanelView Plus 7 performance runs Windows CE 6.0 which is no longer fully supported by Microsoft. The terminals also use aging hardware with a shrinking supply chain. The new Series B has updated hardware with improved availability and long-term supply chain support. Running on the new hardware is a new operating system, as the Series B runs Windows 10 IoT Core. These changes will increase the feature set and usability of the PanelView terminals while also improving delivery time. This revision also shows a commitment that the tried-and-true PanelView HMI will continue to improve and be around for many years to come.

From a development standpoint there are no changes as the terminals still utilize FactoryTalk View Studio ME.The Series B units will continue to run applications developed on a Series A without modifications. Here is a list of items that also stay consistent with Series A terminals.

• Certifications
• Panel cutouts
• Accessories
• Catalog numbers
• List Prices

As for improvements, there are a few that stand out to us. First, is that user storage has been increased significantly from 80MB to 2GB. Anyone who has tried to load multiple copies of a large application onto one PanelView has felt the pain of running out of storage. Second, is the addition of a hardware maintenance mode button. In the past to enter this mode you had to cycle power to the terminal, press the corner of the screen, and hope you could find a USB keyboard as it was the only way to navigate those settings. Now features such as factory reset and device cloning can be reached with the simple press of a button and use of the touch screen. Third, is that the new Series B uses ControlFlash Plus for firmware updates. Now the same feature packed, User-friendly software that you use to update your other control products can be used to update the PanelView Plus. Below is a complete list of Series B improvements:

• Enhanced product security
• Support for modern peripherals
• Intel x86, 1.46 GHz, dual core processor
• Significantly increased user storage (from 80meg to ~2GB)
• Firmware update process is consistent with other Rockwell products (ControlFlash Plus)
• Microsoft Edge Web browser , HTML5 compatible (when available)
• Hardware button to restore terminal to factory default condition

Another thing to note, with cybersecurity quickly becoming an increased point of focus for manufacturing networks, the transition to Series B has a focus on security. The new operating system has allowed many new security features to be built into the core of the PanelView and new features will continue to be added as updates roll out for the operating system. Here are a few of the security features of the Series B terminals.

As the PanelView Plus 7 Series B has been brought to market to help alleviate the production restrictions on the Series A, there are some features that will not be present upon initial release. Please note the features below that are not present in initial Series B release. These features will be added with incremental firmware updates over the next 3-12 months.

While Rockwell Automation series information is noted on packaging labels, it is not always easy to quickly spot and identify. Because of this, Rockwell is placing a large sticker on the Series B packaging - right where the box would be opened - to make sure the user knows they are receiving a Series B unit. That sticker will have a QR code linking to a website to explain the feature differences between Series A and Series B. Since this is a link to an active page, that page will be updated as the originally omitted features become available.

The Series B units are shipping now. If you have existing orders for PanelView Plus 7 Performance models, chances are they will be fulfilled with Series B terminals. If your application still requires any of the missing features, Series A units can still be obtained, but only for a limited time. Do not open the Series B package unless you are sure if will work for your application.

Please reach out to your Revere Account Manager for more information or contact us at customersupport@revereelectric.com.

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Why Buying a New Electric Motor is Better for Your Bottom Line

Revere Electric — Thu, 2 Dec 2021 16:41:19 +0000

With over 20 years’ experience in the electric motor industry, I have come to realize; there are no set rules when it comes to replacing a motor.

There are many factors to consider. The general rule is to replace the electric motor if the cost of repair is around 60%-70% of the cost of new. However, there are also exceptions to this rule and many other factors to consider.

Motor Age:

Older electric motors, typically those that are 15 years or older, are not very efficient. The energy costs associated with running the electric motor far outweigh the cost of purchasing new.

And if you decide to recondition the electric motor, but do not rewind it; than you will not have a warranty on the winding. That's important to keep in mind. In my career, I have seen many electric motors “blow” after being reconditioned; and at that point, the only thing you can do is replace the motor. In this scenario, you spent money on the recondition and then needed to replace it, so you simply wasted money with the recondition.

Motors may also fail prematurely; it is wise to evaluate your application and environment. Instead of repairing, you may consider a new motor that may cost a little more but will last a lot longer.

Motor Efficiency:

Another factor to consider is efficiency. As previously mentioned, older electric motors are not very efficient. When you purchase a new electric motor, you get the opportunity to significantly decrease your energy bills and increase productivity and profitability at the same time.

Motor Availability:

Finally, down time costs you money. You can have an electric motor repaired in 2-3 weeks and a new electric motor purchase can be found in stock and delivered within a few days. In many cases, time is of the essence and knowing that you can purchase a new electric motor quickly; along with the efficiency advantages, makes purchasing a new electric motor highly desirable.

As the Motor Specialist at Revere Electric Supply, I can help you find the best motor for your application. My relationships with the manufacturers in the industry are second to none. I understand the intricacies of the motor industry and would be happy to use my knowledge and skill set to ensure you purchase a new motor that will decrease downtime, increase productivity, increase efficiencies, and ultimately; increase your bottom line. I can’t wait to help you with your next motor application.

Bill Senica: bsenica@revereelectric.com

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Rockwell Automation Introduces the Kinetix 5300

Revere Electric — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 18:44:37 +0000

Kinetix 5300 Motion Control Solution for Smart Machines

Have you ever needed a single axis of motion that also needed to seamlessly integrate with your PLC? If so, Rockwell Automation’s Kinetix 5300 is the perfect solution. The Kinetix 5300 is an entry level CIP motion, single axis motion solution. This servo drive utilizes add on profiles (AOP’s) with a motion ready automation controller to integrate into your Studio 5000 project.

One thing to note, the Kinetix 5300 serves as a replacement for the Ultra3000 sercos drives, the Kinetix 2000 and the Kinetix 350; allowing customers a simplified migration path. The new Kinetix 5300 product line, combined with the rest of the Kinetix family, provides a complete range of servo drive offerings from small, standalone machines to large, complex systems.

The Kinetix 5300 is available in 120V/230V single phase up to 2KW and 230V/480V three phase up to 7.5KW. The Kinetix 5300 supports the TLP as well as the MPL series of motors (depending on feedback type, resolver not directly supported). Paring the Kinetix 5300 with a TLP motor is a cost-effective way to add motion to any application. The Kinetix 5300 has dual ethernet ports (with DLR) and hardwired safe torque off (STO).

The Kinetix TLP motor offers a wide-range system power ratings solution for a variety of motion control applications. Combining the TLP, The Kinetix 5300 and matching 2090-CT servo cables creates a validated system. Also, the TLP and cable combination provides flexibility with many built-in options. TLP is the next generation of TL and TLY motor - with a similar flange size and wider power range. You could easily swap the existing TL and TLY without dramatically changing the machine construction.

Did you know that Revere offers a complete mechatronic solution which includes actuators, gearboxes, couplings, motors, cables and robotics? Interested in learning how the Revere motion team can properly equip your next machine application? Whatever your motion needs, you can count on Revere’s Motion team to provide the right equipment for your machine. Reach out to your Revere account manager for more information.

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Automation Fair At Home Daily Debrief

Revere Electric — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 20:26:08 +0000

Revere Electric Supply | Automation Fair At Home | Daily Debrief

2020 has certainly been an interesting year. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we have all changed the way in which we work, interact, and connect. With that mindset, Rockwell Automation decided to take this opportunity to bring us their largest trade show event, Automation Fair, in a dynamic virtual platform. This week Automation Fair at Home is happening live. We encourage you to register for the event and take part in the experience. If you can’t attend this week, don’t worry, the sessions and experiences will be available until the end of June, but you will need to register to gain access. Register now. Still wondering if Automation Fair at Home is worth attending? To help you decide, below is a daily recap of what our sales and automation team took out of the event. Hopefully it will inspire you to participate in this momentous event.

Day One Debrief | November 16, 2020

The DX series on Digital Transformationis about bringing the right people from Rockwell Automation, Microsoft, ANSYS and PTC together to offer their unique perspectives.

PT71 Reduce Costly Downtime Using Hubbell’s Intelligent Electrical Monitoring Devices: Key Takeaway, It’s more than just wiring devices. Great solution for a critical area that needs remote monitoring that can be tied into your automation system, wirelessly. Excellent application for critical cold storage & climate control (Food & Beverage and Pharma).

PT74 - Strike Back Against Electrical Shock with Prevention through Design:Key takeaway, per the statistics, 70% of users experience some sort of electrical shock on industrial equipment 220Vac and above.

PT18 - North America Standards Update: Applying Standards Changes to Allen-Bradley® Products:Key Takeaways: Update to NFPA79 available in November. Requirements for Fault Current documentation NEC2017 Article 110.24. NEC2020 article 409 Industrial Control Panels need to be marked for AFC (Available Fault Current)
- NEC2017 Article 670 AFC (Available Fault Current) documentation requirement AFC not to exceed SCCR of panel
- NEC2017 Article 430 VFD sizing of branch circuit protection devices
- NEC2017 Article 240 Arc Energy Reduction >1200 amps
- NEC2017 Article 670.6 Surge Protection & Safety Interlocks / Updated in NEC2020
- NFPA79 Section 7.8 TVSS protection Safety Circuits
- UL508A Supplement B Changes: SCCR BusBar, Table for 3 Phase transformers updated, SCCR requirements for new components & SCCR component exceptions

PT17 - Short-Circuit Current Ratings and Your Panel:Key Takeaway, SCCR value must be documented. Highly suggested for any customer building control panels.

PT73 – Reduce Unplanned Downtime and Endorse Predictive Maintenance:Key Takeaway, this seminar didn’t discuss a solution or platform for predictive maintenance but rather shows the costs of downtime to end users, types or maintenance used by end users, and the impact of Covid and the need for remote support to continue keeping a plant running.

Benefit:This session is relatively short (about 30 minutes) and really helps give viewers greater insight into the huge risk they face with downtime. Average costs for downtime are $260,000 per hour, with certain industries such as auto and gas/oil running in the hundreds of thousands per minute! Even more important than economical cost is the lives that are at risk while performing maintenance. The speaker goes into types of maintenance and ultimately provides pros/cons for each type. Biggest take away is the push for smart machines and use of IoT and smart sensors to change our mindset on how we go about setting a maintenance plan at a facility.

DX0 – Digital Co-innovation Brings the Connected Enterprise to Life:Key Takeaway: Rockwell Automation is co-innovating with our partner ecosystem of digital leaders to help bring the connected enterprise to life with best-of-breed solutions that connect critical business functions. Some topics of discussion were about best practices on implementing a digital thread strategy enabled by advanced digital capabilities; such as browser-based CAD, 3D emulation, physics-based digital twins, and cloud to deliver exciting new capabilities for collaborative design, preventive maintenance, and real-time visibility.

It’s interesting to acknowledge that we can’t make this digital transformation alone, nor are we alone in this journey. Rockwell Automation is establishing partnerships with leading edge companies. Revere Electric plays a critical role in this process, to understand our Customer’s needs “today” while sharing critical information with customers that will make them stronger in the marketplace. It’s exciting to see the partnerships that Rockwell has developed with companies like Microsoft, Emulate 3D and others, all of which collaborated during this seminar.

The Smart Motor Control session in the Rockwell Product and Technology Showcaseprovided a great simulated hands-on explanation for the three newest functions in drive technology: Automatic Device Configuration for truly plug and play drive mechanical replacement with NO configuration required, Functional Safety for all the various safety functions available including network coordinated safety, and Coordinated Machine for fractional HP servo motors to multi-hundred HP induction motors coordinated and synchronized motion control to optimized production. There are the new technologies that support the higher production rates required today with less downtime.

Day Two Debrief | November 17, 2020

Leadership During the Time of the Pandemic: Key Takeaway, this session was a panel discussion covering changes and challenges they have faced as leaders over the past few months with shutdowns and more employees working from home. It was interesting to hear the acknowledgement that many of the former stigmas of working from home have been proven wrong and that a “new normal” of remote working and interactions will remain for the foreseeable future. With that, it’s important to learn how to operate and take advantage of the new conditions, because will be very important moving forward.

PT61 – Leveraging Technology to Monitor Power Quality and Motor Protection: Key Takeaway, this technology session gave some vendor-specific (in this case, TCI) solutions to solve power quality issues between the variable frequency drive and the motor. The session gave good guidance about if and when to use three levels of technology that they offer. It started with an overview of VFD technology (how VFDs work), then it moved on and gave reasons why there may be power quality/noise issues and reasons why mitigating those issues is a good idea for our customers. The session wrapped up with a software/add-on technology that they offer to monitor power quality events in real time for use with preventive maintenance and to avoid downtime.

DX07 - Understand the Value of PLM in Your Digital Transformation: Key takeaway, This session was a customer (Fresenius Medical Devices) talking through their PLM/PDM transformation. I learned that there isn’t really a plug & play PLM solution. In this particular case, it’s an ongoing multi-year effort seemingly touching every part of the organization. It’s crucial to have agreed upon ROI and KPI measures over the span of the effort.

Our Motion, Drives and Motors Business Lead went through all the different Engineering Halls and really enjoyed seeing the digital twin technology in Engineering Hall 1. He stated, “It really showed off all of Rockwell’s design tools using 3D emulate and digital twin technology. Showing how quickly a customer can rapidly deploy automation”.

PT09 – Mechantronics: Help Reduce Design Time and Commissioning Risk: Key takeaway, This session went through all the different mechatronic design tools that are available; one in particular, motion analyzer, allows secure and scalable control aspects of logix and studio 5000 platform. Robotics was also discussed and detailed how Rockwell Automation controls can integrate easily with several robotic manufacturers. Finally, they discussed the transport piece with the icart technology.

PT16 - Understanding Arc Flash Hazards, Solutions and Standards: Still confused by Arc Flash? IL Industrial Control Product Specialists, Dan Pierce, personally suggests taking the time to sit in on this session. Statistics are “shocking”! Key takeaways: 1) Understand the 4 primary standards that drive arc flash protection & compliance in the United States. 2) Quick overview of what is coming in 2021 in regard to NFPA70E.3) Uncover the "how-to" of implementing arc-resistant equipment within typical industrial or commercial facilities. This workshop offers insight into several practical aspects of procuring and applying arc-resistant equipment including NFPA 70E highlights, arc flash basics and a review of arc-resistant equipment including the PowerFlex®7000 AC drive.

REALLY … a single session that provides the complete picture of how the products and technology presented in this Rockwell Automation Fair tie together to benefit us. For a look at how to simplify your next engineering project visit the Rockwell Product and Technology Showcase > Digital Engineering Hall > “End to End Demo of a Digital Engineering Project”. This session shows you step by step how you drastically reduce engineering time by using reusable machine components with their “associated” and already tested modular PLC/HMI code, together with simultaneous collaborative engineering to build the complete machine. And the final step is virtual commissioning thru the most complete simulation capability available today.

Jim Armstrong, Automation Manager in WI, spent some time today at the EPLAN booth, located in the Expo Showcase -> Partner Showcase -> Software Technology. EPLAN offers software and services in fields of electrical, automation and mechatronic engineering, also known as CAE - Computer Aided Engineering, for machine, plant and control cabinet engineering. The EPLAN Platform includes products that are tailored to provide efficiencies in design and engineering of electrical and automation projects. EPLAN is a Digital Partner with Rockwell-Automation, and there was a nice video that explains that partnership. This software leverages Rockwell-Automation components through the Data Portal, while also providing efficiencies in Schematic Design and Logix Programming through the integration if IAB and Studio 5000 w/ the EPLAN software. There are many other videos and resources available at this Partner site. Check it out.

Day Three Debrief | November 18, 2020

Session: PT42 - Identify, Solve and Help Prevent Industrial Ethernet Cable Problems in Harsh Industrial Environments: Key takeaway, With Ethernet everywhere, it’s great to have access to an A-B solution partner like Fluke. This session really did a deep dive on troubleshooting Ethernet communication problems. The speaker’s command of the subject matter, practical troubleshooting sense and delivery style made this a good watch for anyone needing to get a better handle on plant Ethernet installations and maintenance.

PT19 - Never Miss an Update: Manage Your Enterprise Software/Firmware with Ease: Key takeaways, 1) Product Compatibility and Download Center (PCDC) Subscriptions & Notification - Subscribe to product information & be Notified when changes have occurred about the products that you specify. Also get notifications on new version or series releases, advisories, and lifecycle changes. 2) ControlFLASH Plus v4 - Rapidly deploy changes and manage firmware inventory. 3) FactoryTalk Updater v2 - No more wondering what software you have on various PCs. You can see a list of installed software on each workstation on your network. Information displayed includes software that is installed, version(s) installed, as well as activations. Also, you can collect multiple machine inventories without all individual machines being connected to the internet.

PT23 - Work Smarter, Faster and More Efficient by Employing a Digital Environment: Key takeaways, this session spent some time talking about 3D Emulate and announced the newest line of RS5000 emulation, called FT Logix Echo due in 2021. This was a great session to give a customer an understanding of the basics of Digital Engineering; it covered the “Technologies Enabling Digital Thread” including 3D Emulate, ANSYS and the brand new Factory Talk Logix Echo.

Have you had a chance to visit the Spectrum Controls product booth? Just because we are virtual doesn’t mean that traditions are not going to be honored. Spectrum found a virtual way to take a picture with your friends from the Matrix. All you need to do is upload a selfie to their virtual platform. They also created an escape the Matrix game – basically Pac Man - So fun! And while you are having fun, remember, the Universal Industrial Gateway can speak up to 12 protocols simultaneously, talk to multi-devices at once, move thousands of tags into 1 box, and bridges communication gaps between devices, Ethernet and/or serial. Includes: Modbus, PPI, DirectNET, CCM, HostLink, Ethernet/IP, S7comm, & DF1 protocols. Check out the fun! (https://www.spectrumcontrols.com/matrix/af2020/)

Over the last three days, Rockwell has opened the event with a session called Perspectives. Unfortunately, tomorrow and Friday do not have a Perspective session, but I would highly recommend watching the first three on demand. This morning’s perspective had a special guest, Jason Silva a Venezuelan American filmmaker, philosopher, television personality, and public speaker whose stated goal is to use technology to excite people about science and philosophy. Described as "a Timothy Leary of the viral video age," Silva lectures internationally on such topics as creativity, disruptive technologies, and humanity, writes and produces short films, and co-hosts National Geographic's #1 rated series "Brain Games." He can most recently be seen as the host of the eight-part National Geographic series "Origins: The Journey of Humankind." He spoke to us about expanding human possibilities and expanding human imagination on the back of digital transformation. He speaks very passionately about how our creative minds can become possible through technology. Technology is how we turn the mind inside out – if you imagine it, it will come. Great session – highly recommended.

Day Four Debrief | November 19, 2020

PT32 – Modernization: Improve Your Performance in Established Equipment: Key takeaways, They did a great job laying out how you would go about modernizing equipment to take advantage of the Industry 4.0. From assessing your current situation to planning on how to improve or meet goals and then finally executing based a planned timeline. They also dive into some case studies with a panel of experts discussing safety solutions and performance improvement options to meet goals.

PT32 Modernization: Improve Your Performance in Established Equipment: One of the key takeaways is that people often only associate controls upgrades as a mitigation to risk. Sometimes they view the entire control system as a necessary evil and hope to simply set it and forget it. In reality, moving to a modern control system brings many advantages when the features are properly utilized. These advantages include improved performance, easier supportability, proper cyber security, and advanced safety. On top of that, modern control systems are data capable and allow you to start your Digital Transformation with IoT technologies such as remote access, real time diagnostics, data collecting, and reporting.

DX09 - Get the Most Out of Machine Learning to Boost Industrial Performance; Key takeaways, this was a good overview of the machine learning currently available from RA and its partners; it covers Factory Talk Data Explorer, Factory Talk Analytics Logix AI, Factory Talk Augmenter Modeler and finally PTC’s Analytics Builder.

DX10 - FactoryTalk® InnovationSuite Powered by PTC: Your Key to Industrial Digital Transformation: Key takeaway, This was also a good class that added on to the DX09, but from the PTC point of view.

DX12 - MES: The Heart of Your Digital Transformation: Key Takeaway, a great overview of manufacturing in America and where it is headed, as well as what Smart Manufacturing really means. The seminar then went into the specifics of what is MES (Manufacturing Execution System) software and why it is important in your Digital Transformation.

PT08 - Independent Cart Technology: Key takeaways, this session was phenomenal. It shared market trends, such as the change in consumer demands that manufacture struggle with and the need to keep up with those demands and increase the speed to market. They also showed improved programming through the application code manager (ACM). System layouts for the tracks can be easily imported into emulate 3D along with 3rd party robots integrated with the independent cart technology. Emulate 3D can also output and generate the PLC code and connection.Lastly, they also showed tying into the capabilities with descriptive and prescriptive analytics can be used for preventative maintenance, reduce unscheduled downtimes.

Automation Fair at Home Sessions Are Available to Watch On Demand Until June 2021.

Contact us if you would like more information on attending sessions or if you would like to learn more about a product and/or service that you saw in a session.

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Mersen Can Help You Comply with the 2017 National Electrical Code®

Revere Electric — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 21:10:05 +0000

The National Electrical Code® (NEC) is the most widely adopted Code in the world. Approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the NEC is the most complete set of electrical Code requirements that govern electrical installations in the interest of safety for persons and property.

The 2017 edition of the code introduced a requirement for Surge Protective Devices (SPDs) in Industrial Machinery with safety interlock circuits. The requirement is in Article 670.6 and reads “Industrial machinery with safety interlock circuits shall have surge protection installed.”

Revere, together with our premiere partner Mersen, can provide education and solutions that will keep your facility in compliance. Below are some of the areas in which Mersen can be of assistance:

Mersen has a large variety of type 1 surge protective devices to cover most rating requirements for field additions. Mersen also has several type 1 component assemblies for installation in control panels (645.18: Surge Protection for Critical Data Systems | 670. 6: Surge Protection for Industrial Machinery | 695.15: Surge Protection for Fire Pump Controllers).
Mersen has a full line of Type 1-listed SPDs for all applications. The Mersen models are designed to protect service entrances, panels, and point-of-use equipment (620.51 (E): Surge Protection for emergency elevator, dumbwaiter, escalator, moving walk, platform lift, or stairway chairlift).

In addition to Surge Solutions, Mersen provides other Solutions for your Equipment & Facility:

Properly applied Amp-Trap 2000® current limiting fuses can help to increase SCCR of a panel (409.22, 430.99, 440.10, 620.51, AND 670. 5: Field Marking of Available Fault Current).
Surge-Trap® surge protective devices protect against voltage spikes and have a built-in rating of up to 200kA SCCR.
The finger-safe power distribution blocks (FSPDBs) can also have a 200kA rating with feeder fuses (620.16: Short-Circuit Current Rating for Elevator Control Panels).
The Amp-Trap 2000® family also delivers current-limiting fuses that may increase the SCCR of transfer switches per the manufacturer’s instructions. (700. 5 , 701 . 5 , 702.5, 708.24: Short-Circuit Current Rating Documentation and Field Marking).
Products such as the UltraSafeTM USFM fuse holder directly replace circuit breakers having the same width as type IEC motor starters.
Mersen is one of the largest suppliers of semiconductor fuses in the world and offers a wide variety of voltage and amperage ratings in many different shapes, sizes, and mounting configurations (430.130: Branch Circuit and Ground Fault Protection for Single Motor Power Conversion Equipment).

Reach out to your Revere Account Manager for more information.

Downloads

Industrial Machinery and Surge Protection Devices

2017 NEC Changes in Overcurrent and Surge Protection

Electrical Protection Solutions for Industrial Control Panels

Enter Content Here

The New Rockwell Automation Kinetix 5100 and TLP Motor

Revere Electric — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 20:18:53 +0000

Rockwell Launches the Kinetix 5100 and TLP Motor

Have you ever wanted to add a single servo to your system without having to change your control hardware or program? Well, now you can. Rockwell Automation recently launched two new products; the Kinetix 5100 and the TLP Motor. Both products offer a cost-effective solution for your current system(s); whether it’s new or mature.

The Kinetix 5100 is a single axis motion solution. This standalone servo controller does not require a controller to operate, but you can use one if you prefer. It has index capabilities and includes 99 pre-set indexes. The Kinetix 5100 supports 1.5 axis applications for electronic gearing or camming, for standalone rotary knife or flying shear applications. It can follow an Analog input or use Pulse Train Output (PTO). If you need to communicate with the Micro 800 or the Logix series of controllers it can do that by using specially designed AOI’s that will let the device operate the drive over Ethernet. The Kinetix 5100 utilizes free software for setup and initial configuration, which can be found in Rockwell Automation Product Compatibility and Download Center (PCDC).

Additional features of the Kinetix 5100 include:

Safe Torque off (STO)
10 freely assignable inputs
5 freely assignable outputs, which can be switched back and forth as needed (i.e. speed to torque)
Aux Feedback port, allowing ½ axis support or dual loop control functionality
Electronic Camming (720 Points max)
Gearing (Master and Slave)

Right now, the Kinetix 5100 is available in 120V and 230V single phase up to 2KW and 230V three phase products up to 15KW. The 480V three phase versions are scheduled to come out in the fall of 2020. As far as motors are concerned, the Kinetix 5100 supports the new TLP, as well as the MPL series of motors (depending on feedback type, resolver not directly supported).

Now here is some information about the new TLP motor. The TLP motor is the first motor to use the JIS Standard for motors. Having this standard means that if you need to retrofit similar products from Asia or other countries, it will be seamless, and you won’t have to worry about previous challenges like different shaft sizes and pilots. The TLP Motor also allows you to customize your machine with eight (8) available frame sizes, with power ranges from 50W to 15KW. They all have 24-bit Absolute feedback (required external battery to maintain position), and an available 24Vdc holding brake. The TLP Motor also has a wide selection of cable lengths (up to 50 Meters) in both flexible and non-flexible options to meet your needs.

Interested in learning more about the new Kinetix 5100 or the TLP motor, or do you have other motion and drive application questions? Look no further than Revere’s Motion Solutions team. We can provide the right solution for any application. Revere specializes in Mechatronics – we can provide everything - Actuators, Gearboxes, Couplings, Motors and Cables. Contact your account manager or email us at customersupport@revereelectric.com to get started.

Blog written by Tom Roth, Revere Motion Product Manager

Stage 4: Installation and Validation Requirements

Revere Electric — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 19:54:40 +0000

The Functional Safety Lifecycle and YOU!

Stage 4: Installation and Validation Requirements

By Tyler Knutson, Automation Specialist, Safety

Machine safety has become more recognized than ever before. Employers and equipment manufacturers are tasked with providing equipment that is free from recognized hazards yet remain efficient, productive, & competitively priced. Revere Electric Supply, in partnership with Rockwell Automation, provides the tools needed to improve compliance, simplify development, reduce design time, and reduce costs.

In Stages 1 -3: You learned the importance of having a proven method of providing documentation showing a machine is safe to operate, mitigation techniques required, developing the functional safety requirements for your newly assessed machine, and using the tools needed to properly design & verify your safety system.

For Stage 4, we will focus on ensuring that your system was installed properly and to your specifications.

Some Questions to ask While Installing & Validating Your Safety System

Installation

Do the safety components meet the functional specifications?
Have the wiring methods been verified and proper grounding procedures met?
Has the correct signage and labeling been used?
Has wiring been installed per the electrical schematics?

Validation

Are the instructions on proper validation developed for each safety function?
Normal operation test: Safety input » Logic » Output
Abnormal operation test: Induce faults, short wires, break connections, remove wires, etc.

Have ISO 13849-2 Standards been followed during this process?

It’s important to make sure the system you’ve installed follows the documentation laid out in Stages 1-3. Validation of those systems ensures you or your customers that you are still current and meet the correct safety standards.

Note that Revere Electric is here to help you move forward with the validation process to meet the requirements set by your risk assessment and design process

What Items Should be Included in a Validation Checklist?

General Machine Information (Machine name/ Model, Serial, Customer Information, Tester Information, BOM)
Step by Step Verification Process

List out step number with description of verification action
Pass / fail
Indicate any changes / modifications made during the process

3. Focus on specific operations

Normal Operation: The Safety System responds properly to all normal Start, Stop, and Reset commands
Abnormal Operation: The Safety System responds properly to all forseeable faults with corresponding diagnostics
Safety input tests, safety output tests
Communication between relay tests, Configured settings tests

Rockwell Automation has assembled numerous Machinery Safety Functions that provide detailed validation documentation relating to your application.Along with a similar bill of material, you can mix / match different validation documentation to build a common process for your documentation.If you are working on current project, please use these as reference to help you move from your Risk Assessment (Stage 1) to Installation and Validation (Stage 4).

For more information into providing the appropriate products to meet your risk assessment and functional safety specifications, please review the following:

Rockwell Automation Machinery Safebook 5
Rockwell Automation Pre-Engineered Safety Functions

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Vantage Specialties, Inc. Helping to Fight COVID-19

Revere Electric — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 05:00:00 +0000

Revere Customers Doing Their Part to Fight COVID-19

Revere is proud to be a supplier to customers making a difference in the fight against COVID 19.

One such customer, Vantage Specialties, Inc., a Gurnee-based chemicals company that produces key ingredients in personal care products, frozen and refrigerated food products, cleaning supplies and more, has shifted its manufacturing from a steady output of its usual supply-chain ingredients to include an intensive production of sanitizer, doled out in drum-sized barrels for clients such as the U.S. military and major airlines.

"All of this is new," said Drew Richardson, vice president of manufacturing. "We haven't actually made consumed products before."

While Vantage is still producing ingredients for other products, Richardson said the company was convinced by the U.S. Armed Forces to join a growing list of companies shifting production to make coronavirus-related supplies.

At first, Richardson said, Vantage was going to create small amounts of sanitizer for itself, which the company saw as an efficient way to follow government guidelines and safety protocols for its essential workers.

That changed when the military asked if Vantage could do "drums or tanker-truck quantities for them," Richardson said.

After long hours put in by employees to streamline the regulatory approval process in just a matter of weeks, the company was producing enough sanitizer to fulfill its orders and even donate to local entities, such as the Lake County Health Department, Richardson said.

"It's very difficult to just donate drum-sized barrels though," Richardson said. Currently, management is figuring out a way to bottle the sanitizer into three- and four-ounce containers, which may have to be done by hand by employees.

Richardson said employees' morale has been bolstered through the tough times by a sense of purpose through the pandemic. "It's been somewhat of a personal mission for a lot of our employees," he said, adding that sanitizer production hasn't been, and probably won't be, part of the company's "core business."

Two other Vantage facilities, a plant in Dayton, Ohio that also produces sanitizers and a glycerine factory in Chicago, have also ramped up production of their material.

Posted in Chicago Tribune

How Revere and R&D Custom Automation are Helping Fight COVID-19

Revere Electric — Thu, 2 Apr 2020 05:00:00 +0000

How Revere and R&D Custom Automation are Helping Fight COVID-19

Revere Electric Supply is collaborating with our customers daily to help fight the pandemic that we are experiencing today. An Illinois based customer, R&D Custom Automation, located in Lake Villa, IL, builds high speed custom Automation Machinery for the Pharmaceutical industry. They are currently developing Automation Machinery for the COVID-19 vaccine.

The machine they are producing will coat and package the vials for the COVID-19 vaccine, which is expected to hit clinical trials in August. R&D’s equipment typically uses advanced Robotics, Mechatronics, and vision systems. This project will include over a dozen Rockwell Automation Kinetix 5500 Servos and utilize AMCI integrated steppers. This solution, customized by Revere Electric, will provide a fully integrated solution for smooth rotation of product while inspecting the line scan vision systems; as well as auto adjusting camera positions based on the application’s needs.

For more information on how Revere Electric can help you automate your next application, contact us at https://www.revereelectric.com/contact-us. To learn more about R&D’s automation machinery capabilities contact Eric Holmes or Javier Gumucio at 847-395-3330 or visit their website at https://rdcustomautomation.com.

Automation Fair Mechatronics Highlights

Revere Electric — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 17:33:53 +0000

Big Things Come in Small Packages and That is Especially True When It Comes to adding Mechatronics and Your Rockwell Automation Solution

By Mike Stock, Mechatronics Product Manager

As I walked the Rockwell Automation Fair in Chicago last November, I was impressed by the number of Encompass Partners that recently launched Ethernet motion to their product line. What does that mean? It means that motion manufacturers are creating add on instructions for the Allen Bradley Logix family of controllers, simplifying integration into your Allen Bradley solution. Here are some of the products that I am excited about and you should be too:

LinMot was showing both large linear motors directly driven by Kinetix 5700 drives and smaller linear motors driven by their C1250-CM. The C1250-CM now includes CIPSync which allows coordinated motion with Rockwell motion instructions. Check out this Automation Fair highlight reel:

Wittenstein launched Simco drives with CIP Sync drives with both in cabinet and on machine options. These drives control cyber dynamic motors and linear actuators. Learn more Here

AMCI introduced the SV160E2 Integrated DC Servo drive + motor + controller. A great addition to their integrated stepper lineup. More information here

Mechatronics is an integral part of the Allen Bradley solution. Revere has a mechatronics solutions team with over 100 years of combined experience in designing, maintaining and troubleshooting motion solutions.

Interested in learning how mechatronics fits into your next application? Contact us anytime

IO-Link Hubs

Revere Electric — Fri, 6 Sep 2019 13:40:17 +0000

Why use an IO-Link Hub from Rockwell Automation

IO-Link Technology is a worldwide open-standard protocol that integrates sensors into Rockwell Automation’s Connected Enterprise by connecting the IO-Link enabled device into an IO-Link master module. You can deliver data from sensors directly into a control system in a very efficient manner. The flexibility of IO-Link capable sensors allows machines to operate more effectively by providing the controller with diagnostics.

IO-Link enabled sensors offer advanced features and diagnostics that can only be accessed through an IO-Link master module. These sensors act like standard sensors when not interfaced to an IO-Link enabled control system. This enables the stocking of the same sensors for standard I/O (SIO) applications and IO-Link applications, simplifying the selection process and reducing stocking costs.

https://ab.rockwellautomation.com/allenbradley/networks/io-link.page

When using IO-Link sensors, one gains the ability to configure, monitor, and troubleshoot smart sensors with Rockwell′s Studio 5000 programming software over Ethernet/IP. This functionality enables smarter machines by providing additional diagnostic information and more flexibility. Sensor configuration can be modified during product changeovers, and when a smart sensor is damaged, simply replace the sensor. The Logix control system will send the proper configuration to the new sensor. This eliminates the need for manual setup and making it easier to maintain machines. Utilizing IO-Link equates to more uptime and a more productive machine.

Sensors can be connected to an IO-Link system via an IO-Link Master (ArmorBlock® 1732E-8IOLM12R), as stated above, both standard sensors and IO-Link sensors can be connected. Multiple IO-Link Masters can be added as the I/O count increases.

But what if you are using more standard sensors than IO-Link capable sensors? When the I/O count increases, and you don′t need the extra sensor data and diagnostic information, the cost per point increases. And if several non-IO-Link sensors are connected to standard ArmorBlocks, even more cost is added.

What can be done to take advantage of what IO-Link technology has to offer, and at the same time reduce different technical solutions and costs?

The answer is IO-Link hubs from Rockwell Automation.

Rockwell Automation has three on-machine IO-Link hubs to give you the ability to connect more standard (non-IO-Link) I/O to your IO-Link system, without requiring separate ArmorBlocks. Now you can connect sixteen standard sensors to one IO-Link hub (does not provide IO-Link features) and uses only one IO-Link channel on the IO-Link master! If you need more than sixteen standard sensors, simply add another IO-Link hub to the next available IO-Link channel. The 1732E-8IOLM12R can connect to a maximum of eight separate hubs as needed!

There are three different ArmorBlock® IO-Link hubs to choose from:

1732IL-10X6M12 24V DC, 10 digital inputs and 6 digital outputs
1732IL-16CFGM12M12L 24V DC, 16 self-configurable inputs or outputs
1732IL-IB16M12 24V DC, 16 digital inputs

Refer to the Selection Guide, 732-SG001

Each ArmorBlock® IO-Link hub from Rockwell Automation is a fully sealed cast Nickel plated zinc die-cast package for demanding industrial environments. Each hub uses standard M12 connectors for easy cable selection.

Rockwell’s ArmorBlock® IO-Link hubs offer outstanding diagnostics including connection status, low sensor power, low actuator power, short circuits, invalid data, etc. And advantage over standard ArmorBlocks®. These diagnostics provide faster commissioning for the machine builder and quicker troubleshooting for the machine owner.

Lastly, ArmorBlock® IO-Link hubs are more cost effective than a standard ArmorBlocks® on Ethernet/IP. The price for a 16-point input hub is approximately $250 less than a comparable ArmorBlock® with 16 inputs. For machine applications requiring IO-Link and standard sensors, the IO-Link hubs from Rockwell provide outstanding value.

For more information, please contact your Revere Electric account manager or PAC/PLC Specialist.

IO-Link Hub Information: https://literature.rockwellautomation.com/idc/groups/literature/documents/pp/1732-pp001_-en-p.pdf

Additional Information

Find out how smart sensors with IO-Link can enable smart machines for The Connected Enterprise.

The benefits of IO-Link Technology include:

Reduced inventory and operating costs
Increased uptime/productivity
Simplified design, installation, setup and maintenance
Enhanced flexibility and scalability

Sensor Products

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Safety Lifecycle: Stage 5 Maintain & Improve

Revere Electric — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 18:26:19 +0000

The Functional Safety Lifecycle and YOU!

Stage 5: Maintaining and Improving Your Safety System

By Tyler Knutson, Automation Specialist, Safety

In Stages 1 -4: You learned the importance of having a proven method of providing documentation showing a machine is safe to operate, mitigation techniques required, developing the functional safety requirements for your newly assessed machine, using the tools needed to properly design & verify your safety system, and ensuring your safety system was installed properly and to your specifications.

For Stage 5, we will focus on ensuring that your system is periodically tested for compliance and re-evaluated if changes are made to your machine.

How do I Maintain my Safety System?

Periodic testing* should be done to verify proper system functionality
Machine modifications that affect safety require validation of the safety function may require additional assessments:
- Program changes
- Safety system use
- Hardware or software changes
- Machinery changes
- System modifications
- Speed changes

*Periodic Testing Requirements: The standards say that periodic testing should be done to verify proper system functionality. (There is no defined period or timeline that is suggested)

"Should the safety-related software be subsequently modified, it shall be revalidated on an appropriate scale." (ISO 13849-2, 9.5)

Providing safety for your facility doesn’t just stop at the hardware installation and verification. It′s important to make sure that your facility is kept up to code and your employees are following the guidelines laid out in the designated process. Changing the system without following the safety lifecycle could result in additional damages to your organization, should someone get hurt.

In the end, your organization should have a copy of the following pieces of documentation:

- The relevant standards which you’ve designed to (per Stage 1: Risk Assessment)

- The functional Safety Requirements & Functional Safety Description of the SRP/CS (per Stage 2)

- Fault Exclusions & Assumptions

- Bill of Material (Stage 3)

- Typical Wiring Diagram (Stage 3)

- SISTEMA Performance Verification (Stage 3)

- The Verification and Validation Plan (Stage 4)

For more information into providing the appropriate products to meet your risk assessment and functional safety specifications, please review the following:

Rockwell Automation Machinery Safebook 5

Rockwell Automation Pre-Engineered Safety Functions

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Kinetix 5700 Regenerative Bus Supply

Revere Electric — Fri, 9 Aug 2019 17:46:13 +0000

Kinetix 5700 Regenerative Bus Supply ( AFE) and Large Frame Inverters

Automation is everywhere. Think about it. Robotics is becoming more and more prevalent and industrial manufacturers are constantly seeking larger controls and larger systems. Have you ever wondered how all of that is affecting our Nation’s power grid? Rockwell Automation not only thinks about it, they are actually doing something about it by bringing new innovative products to the market that help conserve power. One such new product is the Regenerative Bus Supply Kinetix 5700 and Large Frame Inverters.

What is a Regenerative Buss Supply? Well, to put it simply, it is a power supply that allows the energy from your system (that was wasted in heat before) to be put back into the AC power source. Doing this creates the following advantages:

Mounting Flexibility: These drives can be mounted to the left or the right of the Regenerative Bus Supply.
Hi power density design to reduce the footprint of your servo system.
Wide range of input voltage 324-528VAC with continuous rated amps. When you use a Regenerative Bus Supply you can have up to 90 meters motor length (based on motor type) and up to 1200M total system cable length.
Reduce System Wiring: The drive uses an integrated L-C harmonic filter, which means there is one less module to mount and wire.

Also, when it comes to power there are Power Supplies up to 207A (Rated DC Amps) available with CIP Energy capabilities that include onboard diagnostic for power quality monitoring which provide real time analytics. Having a built-in power quality management tool with unity power factor for efficient power usage and minimized harmonics allows customers to meet IEEE519 requirements.

The Large frame inverters expand the Kinetix 5700 to up to 112KW with Safe Torque Off (STO) and Advanced Safety. They still allow you to Bookshelf zero stack mount and use the single cable Technology form the servo motors. It includes DC Common Bus Capabilities that allow the excess energy back through the common bus, which captures the electrical energy that is normally wasted when stopping or cycling a motor.

For more information on the Regenerative Bus Supply Contact your Revere Motion Specialist.

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Stage 4: Installation and Validation Requirements

Revere Electric — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 19:57:42 +0000

The Functional Safety Lifecycle and YOU!

Stage 4: Installation and Validation Requirements

By Tyler Knutson, Automation Specialist, Safety

For Stage 4, we will focus on ensuring that your system was installed properly and to your specifications.

Some Questions to ask While Installing & Validating Your Safety System

1. Installation

Do the safety components meet the functional specifications?

Have the wiring methods been verified and proper grounding procedures met?

Has the correct signage and labeling been used?

Has wiring been installed per the electrical schematics?

2. Validation

Are the instructions on proper validation developed for each safety function?

Normal operation test: Safety input » Logic » Output
Abnormal operation test: Induce faults, short wires, break connections, remove wires, etc.

3. Have ISO 13849-2 Standards been followed during this process?

Note that Revere Electric is here to help you move forward with the validation process to meet the requirements set by your risk assessment and design process

What Items Should be Included in a Validation Checklist?

General Machine Information (Machine name/ Model, Serial, Customer Information, Tester Information, BOM)
Step by Step Verification Process
- List out step number with description of verification action
- Pass / fail
- Indicate any changes / modifications made during the process
focus on specific operations
- Normal Operation: The Safety System responds properly to all normal Start, Stop, and Reset commands
- Abnormal Operation: The Safety System responds properly to all forseeable faults with corresponding diagnostics
  - Safety input tests, safety output tests
  - Communication between relay tests, Configured settings tests

Rockwell Automation has assembled numerous Machinery Safety Functions that provide detailed validation documentation relating to your application. Along with a similar bill of material, you can mix / match different validation documentation to build a common process for your documentation. If you are working on current project, please use these as reference to help you move from your Risk Assessment (Stage 1) to Installation and Validation (Stage 4).

For more information into providing the appropriate products to meet your risk assessment and functional safety specifications, please review the following:

Rockwell Automation Machinery Safebook 5

Rockwell Automation Pre-Engineered Safety Functions

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Modernization - The New Migration

Revere Electric — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 15:29:11 +0000

Minimizing the "Elephant in the Room"

Modernization, or as we use to say, migration (and I'am not talking about crossing the western frontier in a covered wagon; although that topic might come up a little later), used to be a straight forward concept because controls were simple. We would come across an obsolete piece of equipment and simply replace it with the updated version. Today, automation equipment is more complex, the luxury of just getting the updated version isn't available. Today there will be several pre-conditions that will need to be figured out and resolved prior to implementing a new control system. Here are some of the things to look for:

Network Compatibility
Software Changes
Application Code Conversion

I've found that all these issues can be overcome with a clear direction and a good plan. However, the most common objections to migration revolves around time and cost. How long will production be down? Where will the funding come from? What is the return on investment? For these reasons many automation migration projects are pushed out for future consideration. Obsolescence never seems to be a good enough reason to start the migration process. That's why it's important to understand the difference between migration and Modernization.

Modernization requires removing all legacy equipment and bringing the application to a modern state.The new technology is fully adaptable and equipped to meet future needs. The truth is, modernization provides:

Process improvements
Increased Production
Time Savings
Cost Savings

Additionally, Modernization will streamline the collection of machine data that allows you to conduct advanced business analytics. It's for these reasons we more accurately describe the transition of legacy controls to modern automation systems as Modernization.

Where should you begin when starting a Modernization project? On the surface the overall project looks like a huge undertaking. Especially when considering the pre-conditions I listed above. So here is where we circle back to the covered wagons. I read a book called "The Oregon Trail" and came across the phrase "seeing the elephant". It was a term the pioneers used when they were first heading out. I took this phrase as a modernization context; it's the enormity of how I will get from here (legacy equipment) to there (Modernization).

Modernization does not have to be done all at once. Like all tasks, it can be broken down into bite size pieces that can easily be put together to provide a complete modern system.

Revere Electric can lead you down the path of Modernization by conducting a walkthrough of your production line. Our trained specialists can identify risks within your control systems and suggest ways to improve your processes. Interested in learning more? Contact your account manager or contact as via email @ modernization@revereelectric.com.

And if you are not sure if you are ready to get us involved, below are some resources, tools, and websites that can jump start your modernization project... and hopefully, reduce the size of the elephant.

Rockwell Automation Literature Library:

This site is a consolidated depository of all of the Application Profiles, White Papers, Selection Guides, and Reference Manuals that are available to help with any modernization project. Just search "migrate" any key word like "SLC" then select a publication type "Application Profile" to locate the resource you need. Be sure to read the "Tips to improve your search results. Link to Literature Library

Rockwell Automation Modernization Website:

This site will provide the answers to Why Modernize?, Where to Begin? and how to develop a successful modernization plan. Link to Rockwell Automation's Modernization Website

Rockwell Automation Migration Tools:

Did you know that within all of the Rockwell Automation programming editors (Studio 5000, FTView ME Studio, RSLogix500, etc.) there is the capability to migrate legacy application code for use in new controllers and HMIs. Additionally, Rockwell's Product Selection and Configuration website will provide the selection tools required for your modernization project.Link to Rockwell Automation's Product Selection and Configuration website

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Troubleshooting and Maintenance: The Easy Way

Revere Electric — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 21:06:29 +0000

Making Troubleshooting and Maintenance Easy with FactoryTalk Analytics for Devices

Troubleshooting and Maintenance is a common challenge in every industry. Believe me, we understand it can be difficult to find the root cause of downtime.

Let’s take the following scenario:

There is a fault condition of a device on a machine? How does the operator/technician handle the fault? In most cases, they simply clear the fault and re-start the machine. Later in the day, another fault occurs, and he repeats the same steps he performed earlier. Eventually, a significant failure occurs, and the machine is down for hours or in some cases, a full day. Be aware the operator did not document the fault, either time it occurred, so nobody knew there could be a potential problem with the machine.

The traditional approach to troubleshooting this problem is to rely on intuition and experience. You must remember though, there is a mixed range of skill sets among the people on the plant floor. Sometimes they may be accurate, but often, they are not actually solving the problem. We have found that analytical decisions and actions are far superior to decisions based on intuition and experience.

What if device and system health could be provided to you automatically? Wouldn’t that make troubleshooting and maintaining your systems easier? Maybe it’s time to think about modernizing your approach? Rockwell Automation’s FactoryTalk Analytic for Devices is a new intuitive approach that provides device health and diagnostic data automatically for up to 2,000 devices. You can easily reduce downtime and mean time to repair with prebuilt dashboards notifying you when maintenance is required, or a device is about to fail.

Want to learn more? Check out the product profile and/or the video below. Your Revere Account Manager is always ready to help you with your troubleshooting and maintenance needs.

FactoryTalk Analytics for Devices Brochure

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Integrated Safety

Revere Electric — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 18:20:21 +0000

Rockwell Automation Integrated Safety with Motion Control

Over the past decade safety has become a high priority on the plant floor, and this is great to hear. Why? It means that employers want you to go home at night healthy and safe. These days it seems like you can't move without tripping a safety circuit on a machine and this has been changing the way we think about safety. With the advent of safety over Ethernet, we can monitor the safety system, make decisions, and notify people of problems faster than ever before. There is even an effort to include Collaborative Safety (where a person and a machine meet) as a focus moving forward to increase up-time.

When it comes to safety and Motion Control products, Rockwell’s Safety Servo Drive products are designed to help minimize downtime and reduce energy and production waste, while helping improve machine operating efficiencies. The Kinetix® 300, 350, 5500 and 5700 all feature built-in safety functionality. With Safe Torque-Off, a drive output is disabled to remove motor torque without removing power from the entire machine. The Kinetix® 5500 and 5700 also allow for the configuration of safety over Ethernet when a safety controller is present. This helps reduce panel wiring and increases the diagnostics into your safety application.

The Kinetix® 5700 advanced safety tools use integrated drive safety functions, or instructions, to help your system meet specific performance criteria. When integrated into control and motion systems, pre-certified safety functions can help companies save on project costs and improve overall system reliability. The list below shows some of the advanced safety features on the Kinetix® 5700.

Safe Stop 1 (SS1) - Initiates and monitors the motor deceleration rate within set limits to stop the motor and initiates the STO function when the motor speed is below a specified limit.
Safe Stop 2 (SS2) - Initiates and monitors the motor deceleration rate within set limits to stop the motor and initiates the Safe Operating Stop function when the motor speed is below a specified limit.
Safe Operating Speed (SOS) - Prevents the motor from deviating more than a defined amount from the stopped position. The drive provides energy to the motor to enable it to resist external forces.
Safely Limited Speed (SLS) - Prevents the motor from exceeding the specified speed limit.
Safely Limited Position (SLP) - Prevents the motor shaft from exceeding the specified position limit(s).
Safe Direction (SDI) - Prevents the motor shaft from moving in the unintended direction.
Safe Brake Control (SBC) - Provides a safe output signals to control an external brake. The SBC function is coordinated with the STO function.

Please keep in mind that a Safety Risk Assessment of the machine should be performed on any machine where people interact.

The most complicated part of safety is understanding all the rules and regulations that may apply to you and your machine. Luckily there are publication that summarize these standards (Rockwell Automations Machinery SafeBook 5) and services to help you along with this process. Just ask your Revere Electric Account manager or our Safety Specialists for more information on any safety related products or services.

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Goodbye Legacy L4X Controllers…Hello Faster, More Flexible Ethernet Controllers

Revere Electric — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 18:24:11 +0000

Written by Greg Weichman, Revere Networking & Controls Product Manager

Believe it or not it has been 18 years since the launch of the CompactLogix; which brought the capabilities of the RSLogix 5000 software to a mid-range platform for the first time. Since it’s launch in 2001, many advances have taken place - two generations of hardware have come and gone, and it is now time to say farewell to the last available controllers of that era.

Rockwell Automation has recently announced the following discontinuations:

July 2020 - The 1768-L43 and 1768-L45 controllers
December 2020 - The 1769-L32E and 1769-L35E controllers

Once they have been discontinued, they will no longer be available for purchase. We know that many of our customers still rely on these controllers, but there are many reasons why moving into one of the new platforms is a blessing in disguise.

Increased Hardware Capacity

To start, none of these processors have the capability to go beyond version 20 of RSLogix 5000. This isn’t a planned obsolescence maneuver, but rather a matter of hardware capability. The newer generations of 1769 and 5069 controllers have more processing cores and more internal memory (separate from the programming storage) which is needed to enable new features; such as, project documentation storage (i.e. tag descriptions and rung comments), extended tag properties, program parameters, integrated motion support, integrated safety, and more.

Faster Scan Times

Another benefit is that scan times are much faster with modern controllers - with programs executing anywhere from two to twenty times faster. This new hardware is utilized to its fullest extent by programming it with the latest releases of Studio 5000. Version 20 of RSLogix 5000 is continuously being updated to remain current with Microsoft Windows, but it has not received any new features since its release in 2012, nor will it in the future.

Release of the 5069-Serial Module

In 2001, when the CompactLogix family first launched, Ethernet was not a prevailing technology in most industrial applications. Many applications required serial communications and the L32E and L35E have a serial port on the front making it a simple solution. Even though serial communications are becoming dated, the lack of a serial port on newer controllers prevented some people from being able to use them and take advantage of the newer technologies. Rockwell listened and we are happy to announce the release of the 5069-Serial module. This two-port device can be used as local or distributed I/O to support applications needing to talk ASCII, Modbus RTU, and Modbus ASCII. Mid 2019 the DF1 Serial protocol will be supported and more protocols will be added with future firmware releases. Sample programs can be downloaded from Rockwell’s Sample Code Library.

Two Ethernet Ports, Setup with the Same IP Address

Continuing with the Ethernet discussion, often a PAC needs to talk to two separate Ethernet networks. The most common example is when there is a need for a private network for IO and a public plant network for typical network devices. Previously, the easiest way for a Controls Engineer to achieve this was to use a 1768 controller, because the chassis could support two Ethernet cards and each one could be setup for a different network. For this reason, many people continued to use the 1768 controller, even though they were giving up all the useful features mentioned above. Now, we have multiple solutions for this situation. The 1769 platform has two Ethernet ports, but they are setup to have the same IP address, and therefore to be used in a linear or device level ring (DLR) topology on one network. To allow these controllers to talk to another network, we use a Network Address Translation (NAT) device such as the 1783-NATR, 9300-ENA, or select Stratix 5700 switches. The newest 5069 platform also has two Ethernet ports on each controller, but they are more configurable than the 1769. They can be setup to act in the same manner as the 1769 ports (for linear or DLR) or they can be configured to have two separate IP addresses, allowing the controller to natively talk to two separate networks the same way a 1768 rack with two Ethernet cards could. (Note, if you are using the 1768 platform for Sercos, the two directions forward are ControlLogix or migrating toEethernet based CIP motion devices.)

Simple Ethernet/IP Node Count

I am sure it will be of no surprise to any of you when I say that the number of smart devices being used in manufacturing increases every day.Our programmable controllers need to be able to communicate with every smart device, so the number of Ethernet connections available on newer controllers increases exponentially. With the older generation of controllers, calculations had to be done with devices on the network to determine TCP and CIP connections to make sure limits weren’t exceeded. Limits in an L32E processor were low with only 32 available of each, causing difficulty scaling with modern applications. Max Ethernet/IP connections would also decrease with increasing RPI creating even more confusion and frustration. Current 1769 and 5069 controllers have gone away from this confusing math by implementing a simple Ethernet/IP node count. All you must do is count the number of devices that will be in the I/O configuration of the project and then make sure to select a controller that will support the count (pro tip: plan some room for growth).

To recap, today’s systems are becoming more connected than ever before. Factory operators want to connect their equipment and contextualize data, so they can make educated business decisions in real time. Older control systems lack the processing and communication power to fit into today’s Connected Enterprise. Modern control systems provide ample connectivity, a new level of capability, greater ease of use, and more security. Luckily, converting applications among the families of CompactLogix is easily achievable with Studio 5000 software.

Revere’s team of automation specialists can help you modernize existing systems, bills of materials, and network architectures so you can take advantage of all the features we discussed today. Please reach out to your Revere Account Manager or Revere Specialist if you are interested in learning more or would like us to come out to evaluate an application.

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VFD Installation and Troubleshooting

Revere Electric — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 23:48:27 +0000

Recommended Installation Techniques and Troubleshooting VFD's

Ask yourself the following questions:

Are your variable frequency drives tripping frequently causing unnecessary downtime?
Are other devices in your panel tripping with no explanation?
Do your motors need to be replaced or repaired more often than you would expect?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, then our recommendation would be to review the industry standards and recommendations for installing drives with really long motor leads. Following the installation techniques and recommendations will help any variable frequency drive application avoid those unneeded headaches and unnecessary downtime that costs precious time and money.

Rockwell Automation has both the industry standards and recommendations for drive installations available for all your VFD applications. Below are those documents and they are not only for the Powerflex Drives; but also include the industry standards for all VFD’s ranging from the incoming power filtering, to enclosure, enclosure layout, and all the way to the proper motor connection.

If you would like to learn more or have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Revere account manager or drives specialist for the expertise to help you properly design any of your new or existing VFD applications.

Documentation

Wiring and Grounding for Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) AC Drives

Industry Installation Guidelines for Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) AC Drives

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PowerFlex755T Drive Enhancements

Revere Electric — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 23:46:05 +0000

Rockwell Automation Expands TotalForce Capabilities andPower Range for PowerFlex 755T Drives

Aiming to offer the best-in-class power and process control solutions, Rockwell Automation has introduced the latest and upgraded suite of drive solutions - AllenBradley® PowerFlex® 755T drives. The new additions to the PowerFlex family help users reduce energy costs and increase machine uptime for assets running in high-demand applications. All compliant to the IEEE 519 specification, and built with the patented TotalFORCE™ technology, the expanded drive portfolio includes the PowerFlex 755TL low-harmonic drive, PowerFlex 755TR regenerative drive, and PowerFlex 755TM common DC bus drive system.

Learn more about TotalFORCE technology in this video:

Rockwell recently expanded the power ranges and capabilities of TotalFORCE technology for its Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 755T AC Drives from 10 to 6,000 HP. The expanded power range makes PowerFlex drives ideally suited for large power applications, such as pumps and fans requiring harmonic mitigation, and regenerative applications such as cranes, hoists, downhill conveyors, & dynes. This expansion brings harmonic mitigation, regeneration and common bus-system configurations to a wider range of high-demand applications.

The complete PF775T offering includes:

PowerFlex 755TL drive: the PF755TL uses active front-end technology and an internal harmonic filter to reduce harmonic distortion. It is now available from 10 to 1,800 HP (7.5 to 1,400 kW)

PowerFlex 755TR drive: the PF755TR uses active front-end technology and includes both regenerative & harmonic mitigation solutions. The drive helps reduce energy consumption and costs by delivering energy back to the incoming supply, resulting in a more energy-efficient solution. It is now available from 10 to 6,000 HP (7.5 to 4,500 kW).

PowerFlex 755TM drive system: the PF755TM uses active front-end technology to allow the user to build the system that best fits their needs for regeneration and coordination of multiple motors in common bus configurations. To optimize system requirements and meet power-consumption needs, you can select from a series of predesigned modules with a power range from 250 to 6,000 HP for motor side inverters and a range of 70 to 4,800 kW for regenerative bus supplies.

The new power range, enhancements to the patented TotalFORCE technology & other new capabilities include:

10 to 6,000 HP (7.5 to 4,500 kW)
More powerful adaptive control capabilities that will allow the drive to monitor machine characteristics that can change over time and automatically compensate for the changes that occur.
New Adaptive tuning feature to block resonance and vibration
New Predictive maintenance features that will provide real-time information about the health of the PF755T
Integrated Safety functions option module on EtherNet/IP offers advanced safety features
Anti-Sway feature helps lifting applications (cranes & hoists) achieve greater stability
Permanent magnet motor control for increased energy savings

Combined, these new TotalForce technology capabilities help reduce time to commission, optimize performance and enable simplified maintenance & serviceability throughout the full lifecycle of PowerFlex 755T drives for a broad range of applications.

Please click on the links below to learn more about the PF755T drives and new enhancements or contact your local Revere drives specialist to discuss your application.

https://ab.rockwellautomation.com/Drives/Low-Voltage-AC-Drives/PowerFlex-755T-Overview

https://ab.rockwellautomation.com/Drives/PowerFlex-755T-Overview

https://ab.rockwellautomation.com/Drives/PowerFlex-755T-Overview#whatsnew

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Rockwell Automation's New PanelView 5000 Will Not Disappoint

Revere Electric — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 16:20:31 +0000

Rockwell Automation's PanelView 5000 HMI Will Not Disappoint

by Robert Janociak, PLC/HMI Product Manager

Every customer has a unique perspective on the PanelView5000 family. Some think it’s old news. Others are not familiar with it at all. Rockwell Automation continually offers new products with new features and benefits – but the tech savvy person (me included) is always wary of the latest and greatest product offering. Does it do everything it is supposed to? Are there any bugs or as I like to call them “Undocumented Software Features”? These things are inevitable with new products, but I have decided that now is the time to seriously start thinking about the PanelView 5000 and here’s why.

First, let me share some history. If you attended the 2015 Automation Fair in Chicago there was a sneak preview of the PanelView 5000 prominently on display. It was exciting to think that
Rockwell was going to offer the next generation of PanelView’s to replace the PanelView Plus Family. After the show, Rockwell Automation quietly took the product away, redesigned it, and recently relaunched it. Of course, when a manufacture first releases a product, it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that you would expect. It was a work in progress. Most people steered clear of the new HMI’s and were waiting until more features were released.

So fast forward to today. Rockwell currently offers two models; the 5310 and the 5510. As with past PanelViews, there is a “Lite”version that typically has less hardware/software capabilities, but is an optimal, affordable option for many applications. Then there is a “Full” feature version for more demanding applications. However,the biggest change in the new PanelView 5000 line is the operating system. No more Windows CE!!! The new platform runs a proprietary Linux Operating System that ensures a long product life.

Today’s PanelView 5000 uses a new software called ViewDesigner and it’s included with Studio 5000 V27 and above. View Designer is very intuitive. Simply put, it takes a fraction of the time and less clicks to make a basic screen when compared to Factory Talk View ME. Scalable vectorgraphics with built-in animation make for visually appealing displays. There are also features like pre-made system error pop-ups that give you greater troubleshooting capability and a home button that pops-up all your navigation buttons to save screen real-estate.

The key benefit of having View Designer included with LogixDesigner is that you can automatically share tags between the two.This includes access to Logix Designer’s new extended tag properties which include Min/Max Values and Logix-Based Alarms.

Logix-Based Alarms are unique because you create the alarm in Logix under the extended tag properties; including how it’s triggered and how the message needs to be displayed. No longer do you have to regenerate the entire alarm tag list in your HMI software. This saves not only time in developing, but also eliminates the excess polling communication that happens in the background. Now, the controller will just push the alarm to the HMI with the exact time and date stamp as it occurred.
One question that we get asked all the time is, “Is there a conversion utility from my existing Factory Talk View ME software to View Designer?” The answer is not at this moment. There are just too many unique things that View Designer does differently that would make a conversion utility challenging to produce.

I know that not everyone is ready to make the switch to the new PanelView 5000, and if you are one of them, don’t worry. The PanelView Plus family along with Factory Talk View ME are not being discontinued and will continue to be supported and enhanced. However, if you are working on a new application, I would seriously consider the PanelView 5000. By the way, If you have Studio 5000 installed, go ahead and give View Designer a try. You will not be disappointed.

Rockwell Automation PanelView 5000 Webpage

Studio 5000 View Designer Webpage

Helpful View Designer Videos

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Look Around, Gear is Everywhere!

Revere Electric — Tue, 4 Dec 2018 20:43:27 +0000

Gear is Everywhere!

Hi there. Angie Rypel, your friendly neighborhood Motor Control Center Specialist here. I’ve been looking around lately, and do you know what I’m coming to realize? Gear. Is. Everywhere. Literally everyone I meet needs power. To bring it into their facility, to distribute it, to condition it, to transfer it or prop it up in case of a failure, to use it to start motors or to turn on lights.

Revere has an entire team of resources devoted to Power Distribution Products [“Gear”] - consisting of dedicated Inside and Outside specialists (AKA Product Managers) that can help you spec and size the right product for any application. And with manufacturers such as Eaton, Allen Bradley, Liebert, Bussman, and Asco, you know you’ll always be getting the right “Gear” for your application.

Specialties Include:

Low Voltage and Medium Voltage Switchboards
Low Voltage and Medium Voltage Transformers
UPS Equipment
Unit Substations [Metal Enclosed – Metal Clad]
Automatic/Manual Transfer Switches
Power Factor Correction Solutions
Arc Flash Mitigation
Panelboards [Distribution & Lighting]
Motor Control Centers
Circuit Breakers [Miniature, Molded Case, Draw Out]
Coordination Panelboards
Voltage Sag Correctors
Power System Studies

So, if you need help with a power distribution application, don’t fear. Get your gear here at Revere!

Switchgear Project Management Overview

https://www.revereelectric.com/switch_gear_design

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Efficient Repair Process Though CHAMP

Revere Electric — Tue, 4 Dec 2018 20:17:07 +0000

Revere "CHAMP"; Making Your Repair Process More Efficient

Excess spares and inefficient processes make it difficult to establish a proper parts repair pool to keep your production environment functional with minimal downtime. Revere has a new resource called “CHAMP” that can help you manage your repair process through the Rockwell Automation remanufacturing methodology.

Think of Revere’s CHAMP as your local resource to help simplify the remanufacturing transactions surrounding your inventory and act as a single point of contact for everything needing repairs, warranty, or even replacement. Revere’s CHAMP could be an integral resource as an extension of your maintenance department. The CHAMP will make regular visits and be readily available to help expedite the repair process, maximize your uptime, and escalate any repeat product family repairs.

Keep in mind that Rockwell also repairs over 200,000 non-Rockwell Automation products from 7,000+ manufacturers.

Contact a CHAMP today for your initial consultation.

Wisconsin (CKohn@revereelectric.com) - Illinois (ssantamaria@revereelectric.com)

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Allen Bradley 100-D Contactors Reach End of Life

Revere Electric — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 21:15:00 +0000

New 100-E Large Frame Contactors Replace the 100-D Series as of March 31, 2019 - Creating Efficiencies and Cost Savings

Allen Bradley’s popular 100-D line of contactors is nearing end of life status. Beginning on March 31, 2019, the 100-D will no longer be available. The replacement 100-E contactors provide a narrower panel footprint, reduced weight, lower coil power consumption and simplified selection.

The 100-E , ranging from 116 to 2650 amps, offers a wider range of sizes to choose from than the 100-D and many other benefits. The 100-E offers AC/DC control voltages with their standard electronic coil. The new coils reduce the inrush requirements by half or more, allowing you to save money on your power supply or transformer. Additionally, the physical size reduction of the frames and quick connect bussing solutions for connecting to circuit breakers reduce panel space requirements and make installation easier as well.

For more information, check out the documentation below or contact your Revere Account Manager for more information.

Bulletin 100 Contactors

100-D to 100-E Migration Path Bulletin

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