Who doesn’t like free stuff? We gladly offer free samples of selected products. All you have to do is ask for them. Due to popularity, the free samples offered change often. Currently, you can choose from the following products, with no obligation:

The Gladiator compact disconnect switch is a single-pole, class CC fusible and DIN rail mountable switch. This disconnect provides for open fuse indication for faster troubleshooting and reduced downtime.

Interested in a pressure gauge? This ProSense mechanical pressure gauge features a steel case and brass wetted parts for use with air, oil, water and non-corrosive liquids. This two-inch gauge works well in a variety of applications, such as: vacuum, hydraulics, air pressure, PSI, water pressure, gas pressure, and more.

Maybe you’re considering a Type J thermocouple probe. This six-inch probe features a single element, ungrounded junction with a 316 stainless steel sheath. Fitted with six-foot lead wires with stainless steel overbraid, this thermocouple is rated for a temperature sensing range of 32 to 970 degrees F.

And, here’s the best part. You can request one, two, or all three samples! To request yours, simply go to: Request yours today..

NITRA stainless steel pneumatic push-to-connect fittings are made with 316 stainless steel bodies and 303 stainless steel gripping collets with internal Viton o-ring. Threaded components are 316 stainless steel. These stainless steel fittings are designed to stand up to harsh chemicals and washdown applications. The fittings are available in NPT inch and BSPT (metric) sizes and can withstand pressures up to 290 PSI and temperatures up to 390° F. The fittings can be used with polyurethane, nylon and PTFE tubing among others. The bodies of elbow and tee fittings with threaded connections can be rotated after installation. Available fittings include: straight unions, straight reducers, male straight and bulkhead fittings starting at $9.50; union elbows and male elbows start at $18; union tees, male branch tees, and male run tees start at $24.

Get more information.

More models of NITRA air prep components

With the addition of dozens of new models, NITRA pneumatic air filters, regulators, lubricators (FRLs), soft start/dump valves and air relief valves are available in 1/8 to 1-inch NPT female port sizes to meet a broad range of pneumatic air preparation applications. Modular design permits stand-alone or combined NITRA pneumatic FRL operations. ASD Series soft-start/dump valves allow pneumatic components to be pressurized slowly for safety and control. Soft-start valves are equipped with manual override, LED indication, and an integral gauge monitors system pressure. ASD valve prices start at $49. AGP series gauge port adapter plates ($5.50) allow mounting of larger pressure gauges and transmitters on regulators, filter/regulators, and soft-start valves. ADB series distribution blocks are used to divide the air stream between FRL components.

Learn more here.

Do-more software update adds more features

The Do-more PLC now supports Ethernet I/O directly from the Ethernet port on the Do-more CPU (H2-DM1E). Connect up to sixteen I/O racks and/or GS drives (using the GS-EDRV100 module) and expand your Do-more system. Use additional DL205 racks (each with an H2-EBC100 in the CPU slot), or use Terminator® rackless field I/O if you prefer. Whether you just need a few extra I/O modules or want to expand your system to thousands of I/O points, Do-more Ethernet I/O has some great features. Connected racks and drives are auto-discovered, saving you time and eliminating mistakes. All the connected Ethernet I/O points use native addressing (X/Y, WX/WY), and you can independently adjust the poll rate for each I/O rack (slave). Ethernet slaves can be configured as ‘critical’ I/O so that the CPU will “drop out of run mode” if that I/O rack or GS drive disconnects for some reason; or you can allow the CPU to continue running using the last known values or cleared values. Several advanced diagnostic functions are also included to help troubleshoot any traffic issues or connection problems. 

When a GS drive is connected to your Ethernet I/O network via a GS-EDRV100 module, Do-more automatically creates a memory ‘structure’ containing all the most popular drive parameters. You can access these parameters (tags) in your ladder logic just like native I/O, without having to implement any read and write instructions or their accompanying logic. There are even 15 user-defined placeholders in the structure, for adding the additional drive configuration or operational parameters required for your application.  Plus, if you need to read and write to specific registers in the drive, new GS Register Read and Write instructions allow you to pick the available GS Drive parameters from a list, with descriptions – it couldn’t be easier.

Learn more about Do-more

Our favorite automation programming instructor, Doug Bell is offering 30 days of FREE online training on our Do-more PLC and Productivity3000 programmable controllers. When you purchase any qualifying CPU from AutomationDirect, you will receive a coupon good for 30 days of free unlimited access to pre-recorded tutorial videos, including all “Intro to PLC 101” videos.

Click here to find out more.

Web feature of the month

Be sure to write a Review, before August 31st, to be automatically entered to win an iPod Touch.

Customer product reviews are a great “user community” tool to assist with product research and purchasing decisions. We currently have over 3,700 reviews available on detailed item level pages as well as product listings for relevant products. Guests can read reviews and registered logged-in users can add information for products they are familiar with.

You have spoken and told us you like these and want more. To encourage you to share your product experiences, until August 31, 2013, submit a valid product review (for any product you have purchased from AutomationDirect or have experience using) and be automatically entered into a random drawing for an Apple iPod Touch 32GB (5th Generation) in the color of your choice. Limited to one entry per userID; however, please feel welcome to share reviews on all our products you have experienced with industry peers. Winner will be notified via the contact email associated with your account.

Here is a product review example:

A company in Boulder, Colorado converts blown film into retail plastic bags. Wanting to increase efficiency, they turned to AutomationDirect for the right control products. Control Engineering magazine shares the company’s story on their Web site..

Read how the new automation system greatly reduced the amount of energy use during production..

Want to share your application story? Drop us a note @ editor@automationdirect.com. It just might become a feature article in an upcoming enewsletter or in our Automation NOTEBOOK magazine, plus you can receive account credit.

You can check out our complete list of application stories here.

Many of us have seen the classic TV shows our parents loved. Shows like “The Andy Griffith Show”, “Leave it to Beaver”, and “The Dick Van Dyke Show” brought many guffaws. One personal favorite of mine is “I Love Lucy”. The unintentional mischief Lucy got into was never-ending and always brought great belly laughs. Check out this scene we found on YouTube. Imagine how things would have turned out if they had automated things with products from AutomationDirect.

See the video here