RTA’s A-B PLC Historian is the easiest way to log data from A-B PLCs. It is uniquely designed to store data in closed OT networks. The Historian allows control engineers and operators to gather time series logs of data from their A-B PLCs. These data sets allow you to increase efficiency and avoid unnecessary downtime.

The Historian operates locally and has no monthly servic... (read more)

In an automation system, data is as valuable as gold. The Historian plays a crucial role in storing and managing historical data related to your manufacturing processes. It has the unique ability to store and access data, enhance system integration, and support compliance and data-driven decision making. The Historian is here to fuel your success. Unlock the true value of data being gene... (read more)

I don’t have a problem with system architects, consultants, integrators and others who are making their living from Smart Manufacturing. It’s a hot trend and if I was a consultant, I’d paste the words “Industry 4.0, IIoT, Smart Manufacturing and Digitalization” on my shingle too. Nothing wrong with following the market and being there to help customers with... (read more)

When I was a little boy, I wished for a magic wand. Oh, the things I could do with that magic wand. Turn my bike into a motorcycle. Turn every vegetable into cherry pie. And, of course, have my own computer. I grew up in an age when computers were in data centers and you needed a raised floor to run all the cables.

When I read about some of the Smart Manufacturing solutions out th... (read more)

In 2011, I discovered OPC UA. It was love at first sight. I was totally enamored nearly forgetting my first love, EtherNet/IP. I thought the theory behind it was brilliant. I thought it was going to be consequential for manufacturing. I thought it would revolutionize the shop floor. I was so enamored that I wrote two books on it (OPC UA – Unified Architecture: The Everyman’s... (read more)

The version 2.9 upgrade is a big one! Most importantly we dramatically increased the end-to-end speed at which data moves through all gateways. Existing gateway configurations will see a 200-700% increase in performance! Beyond speed we also expanded the features supported on many hardware platforms and within the protocols. Here's a peek at the latest upgrades our product line got:

Not ready or able to part with your A-B Legacy PLCs that utilize DH+. Our legacy solutions are here to help ensure you can keep data flowing. This gateway solution is fully configurable and has the ability to connect up to 32 DH+ devices, allowing you to continue to access and move your data, eliminating the need to make costly equipment and integration updates. (read more)

Congratulations! You’ve found the easiest way to add handheld barcode scanning to MicroLogix, ControlLogix, CompactLogix, FlexLogix, PLC-5, and SLC5/05 Allen-Bradley PLCs. The ScanDr. Is an all in one solution that provides everything you need to easily get barcode data into your A-B PLC application. If you don’t agree that the ScanDr. solution is the easiest and quickest way... (read more)

Real Time Automation understands the long hours on the factory floor, including the pressure to get and keep a line running and product flowing. That’s how RTA came to be. We offer easy-to-use solutions (the hardest part is opening the box), customer support that is second to none and a fun customer experience. It’s been 30 years now but our mission remains the same: to get y... (read more)

There is even more to love about the RTConnect™ module. Device manufacturers can easily add Ethernet based-communications protocols (EtherNet/IP, BACnet/IP, Modbus TCP and MQTT) with a single unit, no bigger than your thumb. It doesn’t require a complicated or extensive redesign and offers ethernet or Wi-Fi connection options. Any device with a serial por... (read more)

Keep your Legacy (DH+) Alive

We know this isn't a "new" technology. So why is RTA making a big deal about having a connectivity solution?

Simple! (Like our solutions)

We know you still have legacy PLCs on your factory floor that utilize DH+ to keep data flowing and production moving. We also know that there are companies out there discontinuing solutions and s... (read more)

Connect Serial Barcode Scanners, Printers and Scales to DH+-Based Allen-Bradley PLCs

Connect any ASCII-based serial device to your legacy PLCs like the PLC5 or SLC. It’s the perfect tool to keep those old legacy PLCs and ASCII serial devices from the scrap pile by extending their useful life.

How Do I Use the 460ADHM-D2E in My Application?

Incoming and outgoing... (read more)

Do you remember the term data highway? That’s what they called the internet way back when. It’s also what Allen-Bradley decided to call one of its early proprietary networking protocols: Data Highway, shortened to DH. And believe me when I tell you, when it was introduced, it was stunning and revolutionary. Now, not so much. It’s kind of ho-hum, obsolete and nostalgic.

COMMUNICATION SOLUTIONS

Legacy – sounds old, that’s because it is! That doesn’t mean that you still don’t need connectivity solutions to keep your legacy DF1 or DH+ protocols running on your factory floor.

For example, your DF1 protocol, used by Allen-Bradley for so many years, is no longer supported by A-B. So, how are you going to connect an RS-232... (read more)

RTA OFFERS A VARIETY OFALLEN-BRADLEY LEGACYCOMMUNICATION SOLUTIONS

Legacy – sounds old, that’s because it is! That doesn’t mean that you still don’t need connectivity solutions to keep your legacy DF1 or DH+ protocols running on your factory floor.

For example, your DF1 protocol, used by Allen-Bradley for so many years, is no longer supported by A-B.... (read more)

We will make it simple to get the "right" one. We worship tools that make our customers lives easy, are simple to use and available to ship same day. Our gateways do just that. They are the tool to worship if you have to keep your factory floor data moving. They are super simple to use, really the hardest part might be opening the box!

GATEWAYSTHAT MOVE YOUR DATA

Do you wan... (read more)

Whether you need the mother of industrial protocols (Modbus) or want to have your head..I mean data...in the clouds (MQTT).
This module, that is no bigger than your thumb allows you to get connectivity into your devices via four different protocols solutions
- EtherNet/IP
- Modbus TCP
- BACnet IP
- MQTT
- ...and more to come!
RTA is ready to be your pr... (read more)

Allen-Bradley’s decision to make their 1761-NET-ENI and 1761-NET-AIC obsolete has put a lot of network engineers in a tight spot. The decision to upgrade your communications network or replace your equipment comes with a long list of headaches and costs, especially if this one inconvenience forces you to upgrade or replace your entire system.

There is another solution&hellip... (read more)

Do you struggle with information overload? Do you need "information overload" from your equipment and factory floor and can't seem to get the data you want? You won’t have that problem with RTA industrial protocol gateways!
Our want easy-to-use solutions get your data where you need it, when you need it.
Email us at solutions@rtautomation.com or visit us at... (read more)

Every factory floor is lined with various devices, from sensors and actuators to motor drives and PLCs. When these devices are connected to the network, they can communicate with other devices and systems using a standardized language, which helps to ensure interoperability and ease of integration.

Enabling a factory floor device means equipping it with the capability to communica... (read more)

BACKGROUND - RTA^® had a client that specialized in commercial, industrial and mission critical power systems services, including stand-by generators, automatic transfer switches, paralleling switchgear and replacement parts.

CHALLENGE - Our client’s customers typically want their generators’ data made available to their building automation systems.

S (read more)

BACKGROUND - Our client needed an easy method to interface their PLCs to the system managers in their hazard monitoring systems.

CHALLENGE - An incredibly large amount of data (from 6,000 Modbus registers) and quick update rates required a custom solution.

SOLUTION - The 460ETCMC and custom firmware from Real Time Automation^® delivered fast updates between th... (read more)

When it comes to industrial communications protocols, one of the inevitable questions is: How does it compare to Ethernet? It’s a fair question and, because it requires an answer, here’s my take on it.

CABLING – CAT5 and CAT6 cabling are typical cables for Ethernet systems. CAT5 consists of four twisted pairs of copper wire. It’s probably the cabling... (read more)

ENGINERD^® INSIGHT

• GSD stands for General Station Description
• A GSD is a human readable ASCII text file that describes the device in specified metadata designated by PROFIBUS and PROFINET International (PI)
• A GSD is the PROFIBUS version of an EtherNet/IP EDS file
• Every I/O device installed on a PROFIBUS network must includ

In the world of industrial networking, there are a variety of devices that can be used to connect different types of networks, manage traffic and facilitate communication between devices. Some common examples include bridges, switches and gateways. While these devices are described here as Ethernet-based utilities, they can also apply to other, non-ethernet applications as well, such as... (read more)

Whether you’re looking to increase productivity on your factory floor by implementing track and trace solutions or looking to improve processes through rich data capture and analysis, Real Time Automation’s ScanDr. is the barcode scanning solution you’ve been looking for. (read more)

Connect ASCII data via a TCP socket to an Allen-Bradley PLC

Get your Ethernet TCP/IP-enabled ASCII devices connected directly to the data table of your Allen-Bradley PLCs! Introducing the 460ETCTCP gateway from Real Time Automation, a simple solution that allows you to pass TCP socket connection data easily to an A-B PLC. Best of all, all of our gateways are made in the USA. (read more)

Moving Ethernet TCP/IP to a PLC Made Easy

You’ve just found the fastest way to move ASCII Ethernet TCP/IP barcodes, weigh scales and RFID data to Allen-Bradley PLCs. Introducing the 490NBX gateway from Real Time Automation. The 490NBX moves your raw TCP data to a PLC with little or no delay. (read more)

Using serial ASCII devices and Allen-Bradley PLCs?

If you've been looking for an easy way to connect your serial ASCII devices to your Allen-Bradley PLC, look no further! With the 460ETCA gateway from RTA, you now have a solution to get ASCII weather stations, UPS systems, and any other ASCII devices that output a compound ASCII string connected to your Allen-Bradley PLCs. (read more)

USB is gaining traction as a viable communications protocol on the factory floor

RTA responded with some exciting features and functionality that improve your USB communications, including two functional USB ports. (read more)

Do you have a connectivity issue that no one can resolve? Give us a call.

For more than 30 years we’ve been helping the little guy down the street and the huge conglomerate across the globe get at their factory floor data, making it accessible so they can collect, analyze and interpret the real-time information needed to improve productivity and maximize efficiencies. (read more)

1. CIP Is Object Modeling/Messaging without a Transport Mechanism
CIP, the Common Industrial Protocol, is a well-defined data representation, connection management and messaging protocol that can operate over many transport and physical layers. (read more)

Real Time Automation, a foremost authority in industrial automation connectivity, has the information you need to become more knowledgeable, more proficient and more successful at what you do. (read more)

RTA Introduces the RTC Connect Module

Adding ethernet-based communication protocols to your devices has never been simpler! RTConnect Module has proven PHY, easy device interface, a small footprint and protocol certification support assistance. Learn more (read more)