Written by Duncan Nicol, Market Segment Manager- Device Connections
The other week I went to visit the Abraham Darby Academy Raspberry Pi Robot Club which is not far from our UK headquarters in Telford. The club has been set up by their ICT Fellow Kevin Brace to build projects using the Raspberry Pi single board computer, and Phoenix Contact is proud to sponsor the club by donating some RPI-BC enclosure kits and provide an insight into our world of engineering.
Written by Gareth Chamberlain, Network and Cyber Security Specialist
…when it’s a Phoenix Contact ILC.
Today, the need for visibility into process data by senior management is not a desired feature, it is a requirement.
By having this functionality, any deviation from set objectives for business performance can be addressed in a timely manner. This way, performance can be kept at optimum levels at all times and continuous improvements can be made to the manufacturing process.
The key to becoming more efficient is to obtain real time data from the manufacturing process as it occurs and, as quickly as possible, enter this information into a relational database.
Written by Andy Neat, Product Manager- Marking & Installation
Since Phoenix Contact’s overhaul on the marking world a few years ago, the product range has grown and grown. In some part is a bit of a headache to manage at times, especially when I’m informed that next year over 100 pages will be added to our marking catalogue! I’m not complaining though, it’s good to work for a company with ambition and the foresight to never stop innovating new ideas for marking – plus it keeps me in a job!
This year, the marking range was boosted dramatically with the introduction of RFID technology, (you may recall my ramblings from my last blog). This took Phoenix Contact, in my opinion, to a new level. It set us a part from our competitors. Bold talk, I know, but Phoenix Contact didn’t stop at marking terminals and cables, the possibilities are almost endless. Plus we have the largest marking range in the world now.
Written by Scott Mulholland, Product Manager- Industrial Components
When the work environment needs to be smarter, so do the facilities that underpin them.
State-of-the-art building installations place high demands on terminal block systems. All of the components must be able to be installed quickly to keep costs to a minimum, and the wiring must be transparent and reliable.
As a consequence, terminal blocks that are specifically used in installation systems have special features. For instance, the mounting dimensions for installation distribution systems must be maintained. The neutral conductor busbars used in installation systems must be routed next to terminal blocks so that touch protection is assured. Neutral conductor disconnect terminals must be used to measure the insulation resistance of the neutral conductors with respect to ground without having to disconnect any conductors. It is imperative that the terminal points are clearly labelled to obtain transparent wiring. The labelling also simplifies subsequent documentation. Ideally, existing installation distributors should be able to be expanded without any restrictions.
Written by Fraser Cowie, Product Marketing Manager- Interface
As I head inexorably towards my 1st half century on this planet I am beginning to reflect on life and how things have changed – particularly in the last 10 years.
Last night, as I sat at home watching my kids ignore me while they looked at their various mobile devices, I started to think about my own phone and how it has evolved.
Do I long for the days of the Nokia 6210 and its simple features, robustness and almost endless battery life? – the answer is yes and no.
Written by Andy Maskell, Product Manager – Safety – I/O & Networks
MUX has many different meanings depending on who you are and where you are from. Look it up, it is quite amusing.
For the purposes of this blog, I will use MUX as being short for MULTIPLEX.
In its simplest form, a MULTIPLEXER transfers an input signal form one controller to an output signal on another and in both directions.
Written by Nigel Dawbarn, Market Segment Manager- Industry Management and Automation
Let’s face it, everyone wants a straight-forward way to engineer a system which keeps costs down and can be achieved with minimum effort.
After discussing the range of products Phoenix Contact has to offer with many customers, one of the big factors which I believe makes us stand out is the variation of communication options we can offer for many different applications. With the need to acquire more data to be able to monitor your equipment or system, you need to choose the best way to establish that line of communication. Continue reading
Written my Andy Neat, Product Manager- Marking and Installation.
The world is getting smarter and that’s a fact these days. Only this morning I stepped out the house to see my Smartphone tell me that I was only 11mins away from my local retail park with normal traffic conditions. What’s happened here is that my phone has learnt that some mornings I often stop by Mcdonalds’ drive-thru for my morning coffee, hence this notification being triggered at a certain time of day and GPS position- clever but a little bit spooky. Why did it tell me this though? most likely so I can get there quicker by avoiding traffic and doing the research for me so I don’t have to. But that seems to be the point with current technology, everything needs to be faster! With such technologies as RFID (Radiofrequency Identification) and NFC (Near Field Communication) our world is getting quicker and smarter and subsequently gently nudging us into becoming more time efficient whether we notice it or not.
Written by Scott Mulholland, Product Manager – Industrial Components.
Reduced footprint of components in the cabinet is often a ‘nice to have’ but increasingly it is imperative. That’s why Phoenix Contact’s product development in the Clipline Complete terminal range adopts these basic tenets:
Written by Fraser Cowie, Product Marketing Manager, Interface
Following on from my blog in August, here are some more innovations from Phoenix Contact that will save you time, space, wiring effort or all three!
Take a look at the following products and prepare to be pleasantly surprised.