Automation product brands under one roof!

Red Lion and N-Tron are officially product brands “by HMS Networks.” For thousands of automation engineers and system integrators all over the world, this means that scalable industrial solutions for cloud connectivity, edge intelligence, asset management, industrial Ethernet switches, panel meters and operator panels are now available from one trusted source . Indeed the entire HMS product offering now includes the product brands Anybus, Ewon, Intesis, Ixxat, N-Tron and Red Lion.

Following the 2024 acquisition of Red Lion Controls Inc., HMS and Red Lion teams have worked together to seamlessly integrate their offerings. The result: two trusted brands — Red Lion and N-Tron — now under the HMS umbrella, offering enhanced value and streamlined access to industrial connectivity solutions.

Red Lion® by HMS Networks will offer scalable industrial solutions for cloud connectivity, edge intelligence, asset management, as well as rugged operator panels and panel meters—designed to deliver real-time data visibility, especially in demanding environments.

N-Tron® by HMS Networks will focus on rugged industrial Ethernet switches, providing secure, reliable connectivity for industrial networking.

What does this mean for HMS Networks and legacy Red Lion customers? Existing HMS and Red Lion customers will continue to enjoy their trusted purchasing channels and integration partners. Now, they will benefit from a wider, more integrated product offering.

For example:

• Red Lion control panels can be paired with remote access solutions from Ewon®.
• N-Tron switches will complement HMS’s robust offerings in network connectivity and diagnostics.

• 

  Alexander Hess

  The complete portfolio supports secure edge and cloud communication—built on HMS’s 30-year track record in industrial networking.

“With the Red Lion and N-Tron product brands, we can offer our customers more choices and a seamless experience,” says Alexander Hess, Senior Vice President of HMS division for Industrial Data Solutions. “By aligning these brands under the HMS umbrella, we’re making it easier for automation engineers and system integrators to build smarter, more connected industrial systems. This means faster deployment, better support, and solutions that simply work better together.”

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@hmsnetworks  @redlioncontrols @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Communications

Rugged RTUs.

Red Lion has launched two new programmable Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), VT-MIPM-138-D and VT-MIPM-248-D. Equipped with onboard I/O and designed for uncompromising performance in extreme environments, these industrial controllers are ideal for a wide range of rugged, process-oriented applications in water and wastewater processing, oil and gas production and other advanced automation settings.

The new RTUs deliver maximum standalone control over today’s toughest industrial processes. Automatic datalogging and timestamping, as well as logging of trends, alarms and sequences of events, give operators full visibility on their applications. A robust IEC 61131 programming and configuration environment in Red Lion Workbench provides extensive programming and troubleshooting capability. The unit also supports ISaGRAF for backward compatibility and has a true open system design, with Ethernet TCP, Modbus, Linux® and more.

An ideal platform for water, wastewater and oil and gas processing facilities, the VT RTUs come pre-certified, letting operators add applications as desired, program and configure as needed and scale up easily, from 1 to 1000+ stations. Multi-user connectivity is enabled via 10/100 Ethernet ports, RS232 and RS485 and up to 4 communications ports. Onboard I/O is a mixture of DI, DO, AI and AO. Advanced communication capabilities include report on exception, store and forward and peer-to-peer networking.

“The VT-MIPM-138-D and VT-MIPM-248-D units represent the ultimate RTU upgrade for extreme industrial settings,” said Jacob Colegrove, Product Manager. “For operators moving from an existing Sixnet series, it’s the obvious choice. They share the same footprint, has equivalent I/O count, offer comprehensive data logging and networking functionality, plus programmable features for full flexibility.”

Suitable for hazardous areas and extreme temperatures, the controllers are rated for operating temperatures of -40°C to 70°C and have UL Class I, Division 2, CE, and ABS Type certifications.

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• Red Lion products are marketed in Ireland through Instrument Technology.  

@redlioncontrols @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Communications

Rugged industrial Ethernet switch.

The switch provides unmatched performance, and reliability in harsh industrial environments.

The N-Tron® NT116 unmanaged industrial Ethernet switch has been launched by Red Lion. It is designed for industrial applications needing dependable performance for mission-critical applications under harsh conditions.

“When industrial equipment operators and business leaders can access their data seamlessly and quickly, they derive more value from it. The N-Tron® NT116 unmanaged industrial ethernet switch minimizes downtime and maximizes throughput to improve efficiency and drive operational performance,” said Diane Davis Product Manager.

This switch offers exceptional reliability and performance for data acquisition, Ethernet I/O and process control. Compact in size and including 16 high performance copper ports (10/100BaseTX RJ45), the unit is housed in a rugged industrial metal enclosure. The NT116 offers high shock and vibration tolerance, and all ports have built in ESD and surge protection. Users benefit from an exceptional 1.2M hour MTBF rating, in a slim, space-saving design that operates in temperatures from -40°C to 85°C.

For robust network support, the NT116 supports full wire speed communications of up to 3.2 Gb/s throughput. The unit uses store-and-forward technology and supports full and half duplex operation. Two 10-49 VDC power inputs are provided for redundancy.

The N-Tron® NT116 is the next evolution of Red Lion’s 116TX unmanaged industrial ethernet switch. In addition to IEEE 802.3 compliance and marine, railway and rolling stock certifications, the new switch carries UL Ordinary and Hazardous locations as well as ATEX and IECEx certification.

The switch makes critical performance data easier to gather. Its rugged and hardened design provides the durability and reliability needed to withstand the extreme conditions found on factory floor control networks and in oil and gas, utilities, wastewater treatment, alternative energy, rail, intelligent traffic control and transportation applications.

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Red Lion products are marketed in Ireland through Instrument Technology.

@redlioncontrols @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Communications

Information and communication acquisition completed.

HMS Networks has finalized the acquisition of Red Lion Controls from Spectris Group Holdings Limited. The two companies are now one entity and can start working together on common go-to-market strategies and product offerings.*

Staffan Dahlström

The acquisition, which was first announced December 11, 2023, has now been approved. This means that HMS Networks now has 1200 employees in 18 countries. Most staff are stationed in the U.S., Sweden and Germany.

What to expect.
For HMS and Red Lion customers, there will be no initial changes. The HMS and Red Lion company names remain unchanged and product brands will be marketed and sold as before through the same channels. Production and shipping are handled from the HMS and Red Lion entities respectively. Contact details and email addresses remain, with the exception of India where Red Lion staff will get an hms-networks.com address.

Synergies ahead.
Going forward, the merger of the two companies will provide many synergies, especially as it widens the American market for HMS and the European market for Red Lion. The greatest proportion of Red Lion’s sales comes from North America, through a well-developed distributor network that HMS will be able to utilize to drive sales of HMS’ gateway and remote access offering. With about 60 percent of its sales in the large automation markets in Europe and well-developed and targeted market channels, HMS will be able to cross-sell selected parts of the Red Lion offering in Europe.

“We are thrilled to welcome all new employees and valued customers of Red Lion to the HMS Networks family, marking an exciting new chapter in our journey. As we now jointly initiate the integration process, we look forward to leveraging our combined strengths, shared values, and commitment to delivering exceptional customer value. Over the next few quarters, our focus will be on ensuring a seamless integration and actively pursuing synergies between our companies. Together, we look forward to accelerating our position in the North American market.”, says Staffan Dahlström, President and CEO of HMS.

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* Information and communication technology leader expands presence in North America. (15/12.2023)

Red Lion products are marketed in Ireland through Instrument Technology.

@hmsnetworks @redlioncontrols @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Communications

Strain Gauge Modules and J1939 and CAN Protocol Sleds.

New strain gauge modules and J1939 and CAN protocol sleds designed to enhance and scale its FlexEdge® Intelligent Edge Automation Platform have been announced by Red Lion®.

The new strain gauge modules are easily installable and configurable and come in both SSR output and relay output options. Both offer single loop PID capabilities to monitor, measure, and control equipment. Designed to thrive in harsh environments, the modules accept signals from load cell, pressure, and torque bridge transducers. With a software-selectable 5 VDC or 10 VDC stable bridge excitation voltage, each strain gauge module can drive up to four 350W bridges. The inputs are also software selectable for low level inputs at ±20 mV, ±33 mV, and ±200 mV full scale.

Alongside the new strain gauge capabilities, Red Lion launched two field-installable sleds, serving either the J1939 or CAN protocol. Providing a seamless interface between industrial equipment and the controller environment, the protocol sleds can be powered and configured directly from the FlexEdge® DA50 or DA70 controller using Red Lion’s Crimson software.

The new modules make critical performance data easier to gather, more accurate, and actionable in real time. This lets equipment operators and business leaders drive more value out of industrial data. Easy-to-use installation and configuration save time, boost operational performance, improve plant efficiency, and minimize downtime.

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Red Lion products are marketed in Ireland through Instrument Technology Ltd.

 

@redlioncontrols @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Communcations

Information and communication technology leader expands presence in North America.

HMS Networks AB has entered into a binding agreement with Spectris Group Holdings Limited to acquire the Red Lion Controls business, a well-established US-based provider of industrial automation solutions, through the acquisition of 100 percent of the shares in Red Lion Controls Inc. and Red Lion Europe GmbH as well as certain assets in other jurisdictions (“Red Lion”), significantly expanding HMS’ presence in the North American market and complementing HMS’ offering.

Staffan Dahlström, HMS and

Marcel van Helten, Red Lion

“We are very happy to welcome Red Lion into the HMS Networks family, the companies are a great match both when it comes to products, geographic presence, and cultural aspects." said Staffan Dahlström, CEO of HMS. "The combination of Red Lion’s product portfolio, which is complementary to HMS’ offering and has limited overlap, and the geographic match with Red Lion having a strong position in the attractive North American market, and HMS with its core markets in Europe, will generate good cross-selling opportunities."

"Red Lion’s “Access” products fit well with HMS’ Anybus and Ewon product lines, while Red Lion’s “Connect” offering adds what HMS has been searching for several years; a strong Ethernet Switch offer with a strong market position. Finally, Red Lion’s “Visualize” offering brings new opportunities for HMS to explore the Data Visualization offering that is becoming more and more interesting with its central role in the Industrial Automation environment and its ability to provide additional value on top of HMS’ connectivity and network offering.

"We are eager to start working together and to realize the synergies between the companies and to enable each other to take the next steps on our common future journey once the transaction closes.”.

Summary of the acquisition.

• HMS has entered into a binding agreement to acquire Red Lion for a cash consideration of USD 345 million (approximately €315) , on a cash and debt free basis (Enterprise Value).
• Red Lion is a well-established US-based provider of industrial automation solutions with an innovative product portfolio with premium brands. The acquisition will significantly strengthen HMS’ presence in North America and enable cross-selling of both.
• HMS’ and Red Lion’s products through their respective market channels. The combination of HMS and Red Lion had annual sales exceeding SEK 4.4 billion (€0.39 billion) , during the twelve-month period ending on September 30, 2023, with an adjusted EBIT margin of approximately 24 percent.

The acquisition is expected to close during the first half of 2024, subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions of the USA and the EU.

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@hmsnetworks @redlioncontrols @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Communications

Gigabit industrial switches.

The Red Lion NT5000 switches and their gigabit speed are designed to improve network security and reliability for industrial organizations of all sizes and environments. They maximize operating performance and system uptime through seamless integration, offer advanced management and diagnostic capabilities as well as network redundancy and layered security, and help organizations to meet with information technology and operational technology needs for dependable communication.

The N-Tron® Series NT5000 switches are available in 6, 8, 10, 16 and 18 port configurations in all copper or a mix of copper and fiber options that can meet specific installation requirements. With a durable, metal enclosure and wide temperature range, the NT5000 is a compact solution for reliable operation in harsh, industrial environments, including factory automation, robotics, food and beverage, oil and gas, marine and rail.

Streamlined Setup.
Configuring switches can be a confusing and time-consuming process. The NT5000 is engineered for fast and easy deployment right out of the box. Its modern, graphical user interface includes a configuration wizard that walks users through initial setup.

Layered Security.
Today’s cybersecurity threats can result in severe consequences. Not all switches have the layered network security to help prevent unauthorized access. The NT5000 features password encryption, multilevel user access and MAC security, IEEE 802.1X with RADIUS remote authentication and more. Administrators can view the event and syslog to clearly see the state of the network in real time and receive notifications about access attempts or configuration changes. The switch can be set to automatically disable user or port credentials after failed access attempts.

Sophisticated Diagnostics and Management.

The NT5000 also features: • Graphical dashboards • N-RingTM auto-member • Port mirroring • Cable diagnostics • STP/RSTP/MSTP • IGMP v1/v2/v3 • SNMP v1/v2/v3 • NTP, LLDP and LACP • Fast boot allowing traffic to pass in less than 20 sec  • Wide shock and vibration tolerance

Extensive compliance certifications, include Product Safety: (UL/CUL) Ordinary and Hazardous locations, Emissions/Immunity: FCC/ICES/CE, ATEX/IECEx, Marine: ABS, Rail: EN 50155, EN 50121, EN 61373, UKCA.

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Red Lion products are marketed by Instrument Technology in Ireland.

@redlioncontrols #PAuto #Cybersecurity

Switches improve network security and reliability.

The Red Lion NT5000 switches and their gigabit speed are designed to improve network security and reliability for industrial organizations of all sizes and environments. They maximize operating performance and system uptime through seamless integration, offer advanced management and diagnostic capabilities as well as network redundancy and layered security, and help organizations to meet with information technology and operational technology needs for dependable communication.

The N-Tron® Series NT5000 switches are available in 6, 8, 10, 16 and 18 port configurations in all copper or a mix of copper and fiber options that can meet specific installation requirements. With a durable, metal enclosure and wide temperature range, the NT5000 is a compact solution for reliable operation in harsh, industrial environments, including factory automation, robotics, food and beverage, oil and gas, marine and rail.

Configuring switches can be a confusing and time-consuming process. The NT5000 is engineered for fast and easy deployment right out of the box. Its modern, graphical user interface includes a configuration wizard that walks users through initial setup.

Today’s cybersecurity threats can result in severe consequences. Not all switches have the layered network security to help prevent unauthorized access. The NT5000 features password encryption, multilevel user access and MAC security, IEEE 802.1X with RADIUS remote authentication and more. Administrators can view the event and syslog to clearly see the state of the network in real time and receive notifications about access attempts or configuration changes. The switch can be set to automatically disable user or port credentials after failed access attempts.

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• Red Lion instruments are marketed in Ireland through Instrument Technology.

@redlioncontrols #PAuto #Cybersecurity.

Robust secure Gigabit Ethernet switches.

Red Lion has introduced their N-Tron® Series NT5000 Gigabit Managed Layer 2 Ethernet switches. As industries around the world digitally transform and optimize their operations, reliable and secure network access is absolutely critical. NT5000 switches and their gigabit speed are designed to improve network security and reliability for industrial organizations of all sizes and environments.

The NT5000 also features: • Graphical dashboards • RingTM auto • member • Port mirroring • Cable diagnostics • STP/RSTP/MSTP • IGMP v1/v2/v3 • SNMP v1/v2/v3 • NTP, LLDP and LACP • Fast boot allowing traffic to pass in less than 20 seconds • Wide shock and vibration tolerance • Extensive compliance certifications, including Product Safety: (UL/CUL) Ordinary and Hazardous locations, Emissions/Immunity: FCC/ICES/CE, ATEX/IECEx, Marine: ABS, Rail: EN 50155, EN 50121, EN 61373, UKCA

The NT5000 maximizes operating performance and system uptime through seamless integration, advanced management and diagnostic capabilities, network redundancy and layered security, and helps organizations meet information technology and operational technology needs for dependable communication.

“Clear, comprehensive and fast network management is essential for organizations to achieve maximum uptime,” said Diane Davis, director of product management, networking, at Red Lion. “The NT5000’s simple graphical user interface includes a logical view showing active ports, power supply, temperature and contact relay status of the switch and color-coded gauges for port traffic and events to allow administrators to quickly identify and address possible network disruptions in real-time, helping lower total cost of ownership.”

The NT5000 switches are available in 6, 8, 10, 16 and 18 port configurations in all copper or a mix of copper and fiber options that can meet specific installation requirements. With a durable, metal enclosure and wide temperature range, the NT5000 is a compact solution for reliable operation in harsh, industrial environments, including factory automation, robotics, food and beverage, oil and gas, marine and rail.

Streamlined Setup.
Configuring switches can be a confusing and time-consuming process. The NT5000 is engineered for fast and easy deployment right out of the box. Its modern, graphical user interface includes a configuration wizard that walks users through initial setup.

Layered Security.
Today’s cybersecurity threats can result in severe consequences. Not all switches have the layered network security to help prevent unauthorized access. The NT5000 features password encryption, multilevel user access and MAC security, IEEE 802.1X with RADIUS remote authentication and more. Administrators can view the event and syslog to clearly see the state of the network in real time and receive notifications about access attempts or configuration changes. The switch can be set to automatically disable user or port credentials after failed access attempts.

• Red Lion  products are marketed in Ireland through Instrument Technology.

@redlioncontrols @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Cybersecurity

Secure remote access.

Red Lion Controls has acquired MB connect line GmbH, a leading provider of secure connection of machines and plants for remote access, data collection, and M2M-communication. The addition of MB connect line supports Red Lion’s strategy to deliver secure, easy-to-use edge connectivity solutions - enabling organizations worldwide to gain secure real-time data visibility that drives productivity.

“Red Lion Controls and MB connect line are a powerful combination. With a shared focus on secure connectivity solutions, we will be better positioned to serve our customers seeking to strengthen their operational resiliency with the convergence of Information Technology and Operations Technology. Red Lion is very excited about starting this new chapter, supporting customers with a broader product offering and greater technical resources,” stated Jack Lee, President of Red Lion Controls.

Headquartered in Dinkelsbühl (D), MB connect line is a recognized leader of Secure Remote Access, Industrial IoT, and Industrial Security services. MB connect line’s highly secured hardware and software solutions enhance Red Lion’s modular and rugged industrial automation and networking technology.

The addition of MB connect line builds on the strategic collaboration announced between the two companies in 2019. The acquisition expands Red Lion’s portfolio by adding a full complement of products from an industry recognized leader in industrial cyber-security and offers customers a Remote Service Portal for remote monitoring and remote configuration. Customers will be able to meet the demands of industrial environments and strengthen their operational resiliency with secure remote access solutions.

Siegfried Müller, CEO and founder of MB connect line said, "With the acquisition of MB connect line by Red Lion Controls, we are taking the next step in our successful partnership. MB connect line will continue to expand its comprehensive portfolio of solutions for secure remote maintenance and networking as well as edge and cloud connectivity. MB connect line is very excited to work together with Red Lion Controls to provide the best solutions for the digital transformation in the industry - and to benefit from Red Lion Controls' strong global presence."

• Red Lion products are distributed in Ireland by Instrument Technology

@redlioncontrols @mepaxIntPR #PAuto 

Graphical panel meter upgraded.

The graphical panel meter, PM-50, expands Red Lion's existing award-winning panel meter portfolio. The PM-50 is available as a 3.5-inch or 4.3-inch graphical touchscreen display. Using simple "swipe" technology, users can easily switch between relevant screens and receive comprehensive operational data for monitoring equipment and production. Visual alerts notify the user that immediate action is necessary, either on the unit itself or via PM-50 app, available on Google Play or Apple Store.

The PM-50 offers built-in Wi-Fi connectivity for users to remotely access critical workflow and process data from the confines of the plant floor to create a smarter plant floor. Wired connectivity is also an option via Ethernet and Modbus.

Rod Smith, Senior Director, Product Management for Red Lion offered: “Today’s manufacturing environment is changing quickly and there is a greater need for data visibility, connectivity, and collection. So, when developing this next generation panel meter, the team at Red Lion challenged themselves to create a product that would help solve these challenges and allow manufacturers to take additional steps in creating a smarter factory floor. The PM-50, with its innovative graphical display, does just that - allowing for more efficient processes, improved uptime, and lower operational costs.”

The PM-50 is easy to install, program, and expand. The PM-50 can replace a meter with a 1/8 or 1/16 DIN panel cut out. An on-device programming wizard, mobile app, or web browser provides an easy and intuitive setup. Additional capability is available with field-installable modules to provide outputs, communications, and AC power functionality when needed.

• Red Lion products are marketed in Ireland through Instrument Technology.

@redlioncontrols @mepaxIntPR #PAuto 

Secure industrial remote access platform.

Red Lion’s Secure Remote Access Platform, in partnership with MB connect line GmbH, is now available in Great Britain, Norway, Iceland as well as Ireland*, Sweden, Finland, and France. This next-generation remote access solution meets the most demanding security requirements of modern industrial applications. 

Red Lion’s Secure Remote Access Platform centralizes the management of routers, allowing users to quickly respond to and act on their most crucial assets from anywhere, at any time. The ability to remotely access, monitor and manage diverse equipment helps to lower operational costs and downtime by reducing site visits and dramatically improving response times.

“As the industrial world rapidly shifted to the new normal of remote production operations due to the pandemic, demand for platforms that securely enables these remote production operation capabilities has never been stronger and more critical,” according to Craig Resnick, Vice President, ARC Advisory Group. “Red Lion’s Secure Remote Access Platform was designed to enable secure access in real-time from any location. ARC expects that this new normal of remote production operations will remain even after the pandemic, as the industry has recognized its benefits to maximizing productivity, key performance indicators, profitability, and most importantly, sustainability to overcome any future pandemic-like challenges.”

Red Lion’s Secure Remote Access routers and software provide flexible capability with unyielding security. The RLConnect24, a remote service portal, provides a simple centralized site to monitor and manage deployed assets and users. RLConnect24 also provides data visualization, geographic mapping, data logging, and alarms based on operational or system-generated data. The RLDialUp client software enables operators to securely connect their PC to remote assets for maintenance and configuration, just as if they were plugged into it locally. The routers are industrial-grade gateways that offer optional LAN, WAN, serial, USB, Wi-Fi or 4G LTE connectivity to ensure seamless integration with any industrial application.

Red Lion also launched RA10, a compact industrial firewall, which provides OT-cybersecurity. This intelligent firewall can learn and self-configure to help secure older assets, avoid address conflicts, and/or logically isolate machines or groups of machines.

* Red Lion products are marketed in Ireland through Instrument Technology.

@redlioncontrols @arc_advisory @mepaxIntPR #Pauto #Europe

Industrial Ethernet switch.

The NT4008 is a new new 8-port Gigabit managed Industrial Ethernet switch series from Red Lion. The NT4008 series switches are certified to meet PROFINET PNIO v2.34 Conformance Class-B standards to ensure seamless integration into PROFINET networks using standard PLC configuration and management tools.

Red Lion’s NT4008 are UL Class 1, Division 2 and ATEX listed for use in hazardous and ordinary locations, ABS certified for shipboard applications and EN50155 certified for rail applications, ensuring reliable operation in nearly any environment. The IP-30 metal DIN-Rail enclosures, redundant 12–58 VDC power inputs, wide -40 to 75°C operating temperature ranges and up to 50G shock resistance handle even the most extreme industrial conditions.

"With copper and fiber options in both Fast Ethernet and Gigabit configurations, as well as advanced security and traffic control, the NT4008 combines the power of PROFINET real-time data exchange with the performance and trusted reliability only Red Lion can deliver." This helps to ensure the success of Industry 4.0 initiatives worldwide. 

• These products are marketed in Ireland is ATC Automation.

#Pauto #Communications 

RTU range expanded.

Red Lion Controls has expanded its SixTRAK line of industrial RTUs with the launch of ST-IPm-8460 powered by the Red Lion Workbench, which uses an IEC61131-3 compliant editor and runtime engine. Designed for applications that need increased processing and communication speed and storage, the new RTU provides the flexibility and reliability that customers require and expect from Red Lion to monitor and control equipment. 

The ability of the ST-IPm-8460 to operate in harsh and hazardous locations is achieved through UL Class I, Div 2 certification, an ABS listing, and an operating temperature range of -40°C to 70°C.

The combination of ST-IPm-8460 and Red Lion Workbench can easily support large, complex projects across multiple devices. The Red Lion Workbench provides customized control, standard language support, powerful debugging/monitoring tools, project automation, and controller redundancy.

Whether your application monitors a few data points or thousands, the ST-IPm-8460 can be easily configured to meet your needs using Red Lion’s EtherTRAK-2 I/O modules. Available for private labeling, the ST-IPm-8460 also offers dual power inputs and support for redundant Ethernet networks for increased uptime, while a multitude of communication ports and supported protocols enable connectivity to a variety of field devices.

• Red Lion products are marketed in Ireland through Instrument Technology.

@redlioncontrols #PAuto 

Advanced networking and powerful automation in one operating system.

Red Lion’s FlexEdge™ Intelligent Edge Automation Platform now combines the scalability of Linux® with the power of Crimson® 3.2 software into one user-friendly operating system. This fusion enables a single FlexEdge controller to provide advanced networking, security, and automation.

By integrating information technology and operational technology, FlexEdge helps customers reduce costs, improve data security, and increase productivity.

Powered by Crimson 3.2 software, the platform provides customers with maximum flexibility to easily modify controller functionality as application needs change. From advanced networking to automation, one controller does it all. Customers can enable additional functionality through field-unlockable software upgrades that eliminate the need to purchase or add more equipment, saving both money and unnecessary downtime.

These new capabilities open doors to new product combinations, further expanding the applications to which the FlexEdge platform can be deployed. With FlexEdge’s modular communications sleds, users can now deploy multi-cellular radio gateways for critical communications applications. And, for environments with demanding requirements, the platform offers multiple isolated serial ports, routable Ethernet ports, optional serial, USB, Wi-Fi, and cellular communications sleds, and field-installable I/O.

• Red Lion products are marketed in Ireland by Instrument Technology.

@redlioncontrols #PAuto

Enabling rugged, optimized connectivity & automation at the edge.

Red Lion Controls has launched the FlexEdge™ Intelligent Edge Automation Platform today. This revolutionary system brings a new degree of versatility to edge computing, while its ease of use makes productivity and efficiency gains from digital transformation initiatives accessible with point-and-click simplicity. FlexEdge’s highly modular design and intuitive software enable quick, straightforward customization and deployment to myriad applications without compromising rugged, reliable operation. The platform carries several certifications that make it ideal for oil and gas, water wastewater, maritime, hazardous location, and factory automation applications.

“In today’s market, we see innovation accelerating at breakneck pace. And that’s terrific. But it makes it hard for customers to cost-effectively plan for the future. Too often they have no choice but to make costly capital investments, scrap existing equipment, or both. The FlexEdge architecture answers their challenges. It adapts as quickly as needs change. No matter where a company is in their digital transformation journey, FlexEdge starts where they are, and helps future proof optimization plans,” said Colin Geis, data acquisition and IIoT product manager.

Engineered for industrial customers with diverse needs who want to effortlessly connect systems and process data at the edge, FlexEdge’s modular architecture boasts a wide variety of wireless and wired communication options. This breadth of options makes it an easily configured communication gateway that connects with any industrial communication requirement, regardless of protocol or manufacturer. And unlike fixed-function devices that require customers to learn many products—or systems with fixed chassis that take up unnecessary space—FlexEdge offers a form factor and platform that adapts as quickly as application needs change. It’s available with advanced networking functionality or advanced automation features including protocol conversion; virtual HMIs; an advanced web server with Bootstrap, JavaScript and CSS; data, security and event logging; and cloud connectivity.

With FlexEdge, customers can seamlessly connect new and existing devices, reducing overall downtime and allowing for frictionless, future-proof scalability at levels never before seen in edge computing. This flexibility allows the selection of one platform for any edge requirement, so customers can focus on business efficiency without worrying about choosing the right combination of products for their application.

For automation engineers, Red Lion’s FlexEdge offers a single platform that can solve most challenges while decreasing the number of deployed devices to reduce application complexity. For networking engineers, it’s a robust, industrial-grade networking gateway deployable as a wired or cellular solution to securely connect different networks through powerful networking functionality. With multiple isolated serial ports, Ethernet, optional Wi-Fi and cellular communication sleds, optional field-installable I/O, and a certified, robust enclosure, FlexEdge ensures optimal operation in almost any industrial environment with demanding requirements.

Craig Resnick

As word of FlexEdge begins to penetrate the market, the product’s unique capabilities captured the attention of Craig Resnick, ARC advisory group vice president. “As companies continue with their digital transformation and IT/OT convergence journeys, they seek an intelligent automation solution that will enable them to more seamlessly connect to both new and legacy equipment. Red Lion has introduced a new platform that enables users to collect the required data necessary from both IT and OT to better optimize decision-making and further maximize their investment in digital transformation. This scalable solution is designed to provide off-the-shelf plug-and-play connectivity to a wide range of networks, assets, generations of equipment, and protocols,” he says.

“Red Lion’s FlexEdge platform meets this demanding criterion, providing manufacturers and processors with a solution designed to not only fulfill their current and future edge platform requirements, but also one that can be deployed by a new and changing workforce, helping companies make faster, more informed and intelligent decisions and achieve higher levels of operational effectiveness. Having the local computing power and IT/OT connectivity that the FlexEdge platform provides often results in reduced unscheduled downtime; increases productivity, profitability and KPIs; and delivers the intelligent information necessary so decisions can be made based on a single version of the truth,” Resnick continued.

“Furthermore, with the ability to have end-to-end visibility of the supply chain, users can gain a competitive advantage with increased flexibility and operational agility, productivity, plant efficiency, asset uptime and quality. They can also add profits to the bottom line by reducing operational risks and safety concerns, overhead costs, and changeover times and deploying predictive preventative maintenance programs.” 


• Red Lion products are marketed in Ireland through Instrument Technology.

 #PAuto #IoT  @redlioncontrols @redlioncontrols @CraigDResnick @arc_advisory

3 Gigabit Ethernet Switch.

Red Lion Controls have just released their innovative new NT328G Layer 3 Ethernet switch. Offering 28 high-speed ports (24-Gigabit, 4-10 Gigabit) and reliable wire-speed switching performance, the NT328G offers exceptional performance and reliability to meet the current and future needs of the Oil & Gas, Water & Wastewater, Energy, Transportation, and video and security sectors, as well as other bandwidth-intensive industrial applications.

“Industrial customers are demanding reliable wire-speed Layer 3 switching performance that is scalable to 10Gigabit speed to meet current and future bandwidth-requirements. Customers now have access to a future-proof and durable switch solution that addresses industrial requirements from the network edge to the core.” said Diane Davis, director of product management at Red Lion Controls.

Red Lion’s NT328G Layer 3 industrial Ethernet models feature a flexible mix of copper and fiber ports, allowing for a vast variety of connection options, with Layer 3 routing that provides the ability to route across VLANs or subnets—versatility that ensures scalability. The industrial-grade NT328G’s robust feature set includes network redundancy, advanced, integrated security, policy-based traffic control and easy-to-use configuration and management—reducing operating costs while providing continuous monitoring of network activity. Its sleek but rugged IP30 rackmount metal housing is constructed for long-life use in harsh industrial environments, including wide operating temperature conditions and hazardous locations—durability that ensures reduced downtime. Ideal for large-scale and/or any industrial network, the NT328G has the flexibility to meet both present and long-term speed and media requirements—delivering investment protection for years to come.

• Red Lion Controls products are marketed in Ireland through Instrument Technology.

#PAuto @redlioncontrols @mepaxIntPR

Optimising data intelligence on plant floor.

Red Lion Controls have announced updates to their Crimson® development environment, including dynamic filtering of SQL queries and the release of a German language version of their award-winning software.

The increase in global use of Crimson-based products is a testament Crimson’s ability to play a key part in delivering on the promise of the IIoT. “We’re pleased to now offer a localized user experience for our German-speaking customers who are leveraging Crimson as part of their own Industrie 4.0 initiatives,” said Kevin Good, VP of Sales for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

In an effort to further optimize data intelligence, the latest version of Crimson has the ability to use expressions in filters for SQL queries. This allows operators to pull a subset of data from a SQL database based on dynamic search criteria. This new feature can deliver greater efficiencies and process control, shortening response time by accessing the right data faster – which is critical when troubleshooting production or operations workflow.

“This can dramatically improve an operator’s ability to make process improvement decisions in real-time.” said Jeff Thornton, product manager for automation products at Red Lion Controls.

• Red Lion products are marketed in Ireland by Instrument Technology.

#PAuto #IIoT #Industrie4 @redlioncontrols

Bigger and brighter HMI.

New 12.1” Outdoor Graphite HMI to meet the most demanding sunlight readable applications

Red Lion Controls have released an addition to their Graphite® series of Human Machine Interfaces (HMI). The new 12.1” Outdoor Graphite HMI meets the most demanding sunlight readable applications. With all cast-aluminum construction, the Graphite series provides the industry’s first rugged HMI solution to combine a wide range of versatile plug-in modules with protocol conversion, data logging and web-based monitoring and control.

“More and more customers everyday rely upon Red Lion Graphite HMIs to get the job done in harsh environments around the globe and as their applications have become more complex, they have asked for bigger displays,” said Jeff Thornton, Product Manager for Automation Products at Red Lion. “Now we are able to give them the new larger 12.1” wide screen outdoor Graphite with all the same ruggedness they come to expect from a Red Lion HMI.”

The Graphite series allows customers to easily connect, monitor and control processes in industries that include manufacturing, oil and gas and water/wastewater. The Graphite series offers a range of plug-in modules that enable customers to easily integrate digital and analog I/O, as well as advanced communications modules to create powerful HMI solutions today, with an option to expand to meet changing business requirements.

Red Lion Graphite 12.1” HMI offers a UV-protected brilliant display with widescreen format 1280 x 800 resolution, making it easily viewable even in direct sunlight. Unlike other HMIs available in the market with 1000 nits or lower brightness, the new 12.1” outdoor Graphite model features a bright 1600 nits display, enabling customers to more easily monitor and control production equipment in any lighting condition.

“We have used just about everyone’s HMIs, and Graphite is by far the best in terms of appearance and functionality,” said Pierre de Giorgio, president at BlueBay Automation. “It is the most feature-rich HMI that we have ever used, the graphics and resolution are amazing, and with Red Lion’s Crimson software, the move to Graphite is seamless.”

Graphite HMIs are available in eight different models, in sizes ranging from 7” to 15”, with sleek bezels that provide a relatively large display given their overall dimension. The 12.1” joins the 7” and 10.4” HMIs as sunlight readable models. Combined with Graphite’s rugged packaging, these models are ideal for harsh outdoor environments.

This new HMI is supported by Red Lion’s award-winning Crimson 3.1 software making it fast and easy to configure protocols, define data tags, set up sophisticated applications and create an attractive user interface. Crimson 3.1 also supports OPC UA Server and Client, MQTT connectors for Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure and Ignition Sparkplug and many other advanced features making it the preferred choice of many customers.

• Red Lion products are marketed in Ireland by Instrument Technology.

#HMI @redlioncontrols  #PAuto @Instrum_Tech

Empowering long-distance signal strength in demanding processes and environments.

Red Lion Controls have released  their new Signal Conditioner product lineup. Their full range of signal conditioners boost signal strength while allowing for longer cable runs through industrial environments. When used as a converter, these devices can translate and incorporate signals into existing PLC architectures, eliminating the need for high-priced PLC input cards just to accommodate a unique signal input from a newly-added sensor.

Offering a slim 6 mm footprint, each of Red Lion’s signal converters can accept or convert current, voltage, thermocouples, RTDs, resistance and pulsed input signals.

These new signal conditioners are ideal for customers desiring superior signal integrity, and for industrial applications either requiring data from existing deployed equipment to be incorporated into IIoT strategies through the addition of sensors, or measurement processes involving precise sensor data requiring signals to be accurately transmitted over distance and without interference from external sources of noise such as VFDs and switching spikes. Rather than adding costly specialized I/O cards to an existing PLC system, Red Lion’s signal conditioning and conversion solutions allow plant engineers to add sensor data to current processes in existing formats, simplifying implementation and lowering costs.

These new signal conditioner products offer amplification, isolation, and conversion capabilities, ensuring signal integrity in harsh environments and across long distances, with the option to change the signal to the desired input needed dependent upon the application. A slim 6mm housing translates to added capabilities without sacrificing panel space.

• Red Lion products are marketed through Instrument Technology in Ireland.

@redlioncontrols  #PAuto @Instrum_Tech