Press Releases

As our new products are designed and released for sale we make them known to the public through various trade publications. You will now be able to catch up on the latest technology we have to offer as soon as it hits the market.

New from B&B Electronics: Rugged, Industrial Strength USB to Serial Converters
	April 15, 2008 - High Retention, 15N, Type B Connectors are now a standard feature on most B&B Electronics USB products. A new high retention mechanism that keeps your connection tight while allowing you to use a standard off-the-shelf cable. Withstanding 15 N of force, the connectors conform to Class 1 Div 2 withdrawal requirements. Just look for the orange port to distinguish B&B Electronics' high retention USB models. Read the entire news release.
B&B Electronics acquired by Graham Partners
	April 9, 2008 - Don Wiencek, President and CEO of B&B Electronics, said, "B&B Electronics has experienced uninterrupted growth for the past 20 years and has emerged as a premier communication solutions provider in its industry. I am confident we will continue to deliver impressive financial performance and excel at servicing our customers. We are enthusiastic about the financial and operational partnership with Graham & the opportunities that lie ahead of us." Read the entire news release.
New B&B Electronics Catalog: "Industrial Automation and Communication Products"
	February 12, 2008 - Designing, developing, and manufacturing products for well over 25 years, combined with strong logistics and technical support, B&B Electronics provides customers with total solutions for industrial automation device networking. New industrial Ethernet Managed Switches are just one of many new products featured in their latest catalog. Read the entire news release.
Understanding DAQ Systems and Discovering Their Real Purpose
	September 20, 2007 - Data Acquisition Systems are designed to gather and store data. However, this definition has led many plant managers and engineers to spend substantial amounts of money on systems that do just that - gather data - but are good for little else. The true purpose of a DAQ system is not to gather data - it is to obtain Mission Critical Information. Industrial plants, manufacturers, and producers need to know what that data means and how it relates to their operation. Read the entire news release.
Computer + Touch Panel = Powerful Solution Make your system more productive with an operator interface.
	May 8, 2007 -B&B Electronics now offers Touch Panels, Graphic Panels, Text Panels, and PC Touch Panels to complete your system. Connect a HMI directly to our PLC to design a solution around any application – from discrete control to batch control to process control. From 4-color STN to 256-color TFT screens you can make any control system more efficient and look good. Read the entire news release.
Cut Development Time in Half with the Fastest PLCs at a Fraction of the Cost
	March 15 , 2007 - B&B Electronics now offers Touch Panels, Graphic Panels, Text Panels, and PC Touch Panels to complete your system. Connect a HMI directly to our PLC to design a solution around any application – from discrete control to batch control to process control. From 4-color STN to 256-color TFT screens you can make any control system more efficient and look good. Read the entire news release.
Zlinx Radio Modems: Easy to Install and Transparent to Use
	January 16, 2007 - Zlinx Modbus industrial grade radio modems can do the job faster, easier, and less expensively than stringing cable. Why string cable when you can Make the Connection wirelessly. The Zlinx family of industrial radio modems has a reputation for robust and reliable high speed, secure communication. They are designed to provide wide area system coverage to ensure reliable, secure, and cost effective transmission of critical data to remote sites. Read the entire news release.
Wireless Remote I/O Connects with any PLC or HMI
	November 14 , 2006 - Cost and convenience are the two biggest advantages of going wireless over wired. Now B&B Electronics gives you even more. “Any supervisory control or data monitoring system includes hard-to-wire sensors,” states Mike Fahrion, B&B Electronics’ Director of Engineering. “They’re either hard to reach or in a demanding industrial location where wiring won’t survive. Read the entire news release.
B&B Electronics Acquires Wireless Leader Advanced Embedded Systems
	September 14 , 2006 - B&B Electronics, a leading provider of automation and communications products, today announced its acquisition of Phoenix Arizona based, Advanced Embedded Systems (AES), a designer and developer of wireless solutions for the industrial market. AES will become part of B&B Electronics' engineering and technical group in Ottawa, Illinois. The acquisition provides B&B Electronics with in-house wireless design expertise, enhancing the company's research and development capabilities. Read the entire news release.
Don't allow rogue currents to garble messages or damage equipment
	September 5 , 2006 - Tame rogue data line signals that can garble a message or damage electronic components by inserting an optical isolator in the data line. Rogue currents can have many causes, from exposure to a minor power surge in a nearby electrical circuit to a lightning strike in the vicinity. Read the entire news release.
New USB converters connect PCs and laptops to legacy serial devices
	August 15 , 2006 - Get the extended range and multi-drop capability of RS-232 or RS-422/485 from the USB port of your PC. Models USOPTL4 and USPTL4, designed and manufactured by B&B Electronics, are USB to one-port RS-422/485 converters. Supporting 2-wire RS-485 or 4-wire RS-422/485 communications, these devices are great for applications requiring long range or multi-drop capabilities. Read the entire news release.
"Automation and Communication Solutions" Theme for B&B Electronics Catalog
	July 24 , 2006 - Designing, developing, and manufacturing their own products for 25 years, combined with strong logistics and technical support, B&B Electronics provides customers with a total solution for industrial automation device networking. Their new Modbus Ethernet serial servers are just a few of over 150 new products featured in a new catalog. These easy-to-use, cost-effective Modbus ASCII/RTU to TCP servers allow you to Ethernet enable Modbus serial ports on industrial equipment. Connect up to 32 serial Modbus devices. DIN and panel mount options. Read the entire news release.
Ethernet enable Modbus serial ports on industrial equipment
	June 22, 2006 - As industrial workplaces replace their old data communications systems with Ethernet, managers are faced with the choice of either replacing millions of dollars worth of Modbus controlled PLCs and other devices, or of finding a way to translate the Ethernet signals to talk to the Modbus devices. Read the entire news release.
B&B Electronics Poised for Aggressive Growth with Reorganization
	May 11 , 2006 - Don Wiencek, president of B&B Electronics Manufacturing Company, is restructuring the company's Engineering and Marketing teams to better position the company to meet its aggressive growth strategy. Read the entire news release.
Ethernet Explosion causing a Mishmash of Fiber and Copper
	February 8 , 2006 - The growth of Ethernet connectivity on the factory floor has driven the expansion of copper and fiber cable installation. Fiber optic cable is typicallylocated in factory settings, offering long range and RFI immunity, while copper connections are found on most every piece of control equipment. Read the entire news release.
Dammit! Need a dataline across that new parking lot? Wirelessly connect your legacy serial device to 802.11!
	January 5, 2006 - You've just repaved the parking lot. Now they want to move a production line to that building on the other side. And of course those machines need to share data with your production control office. Will you have to tear up that nice new paving, plus spend a bundle for trenching and cabling? Ouch! Read the entire news release.
18 Percent Increase in Wireless Sensor Network Deployment Plans
	October 11, 2005 -Over 70 percent of respondents researching wireless for industrial applications; 53 percent considering deployment in the next 12 months. Read the entire news release.
Fidelity Capital Investors acquires Avtek, Inc. and subsidiaries
	October 4, 2005 Fidelity Capital Investors (FCI), a private equity leveraged buyout group, announced that it has acquired a majority interest in Providence, Rhode Island-based Avtek, Inc, a leading manufacturer and distributor of industrial and commercial connectivity products and solutions. Read the entire news release.
Connect USB Devices over a quarter mile apart?
	September 23 , 2005 - The USB standard calls for a maximum range of 5 meters (16.4 feet), but you can stretch this useful protocol to over 100 meters using standard UTP cabling, or as much as 500 meters (1640 feet) by using fiber cable. This magic is made possible through the use of the new Ulinx™ USB Extender Modules from B&B Electronics.. Read the entire news release.
Plug-and-Play Ethernet Switch is a Tiny Survivor
	July 14 , 2005 - Freeze it to -29° F or toast it to +165° F. Neither will bother the new Elinx™ series of heavy duty copper and fiber Ethernet switches from B&B Electronics. Read the entire news release.
Talk To Distant Machines As If They Were Right Next Door
	May 31, 2005 - Could that machine way back in the corner use some tweaking of its firmware? You know the one - you let it go until it’s really bad because it’s such a hassle to lug the laptop out there to fine-tune it. Read the entire news release.
Market Survey Released: Wireless Mesh Networking is Coming on Strong
	March 31, 2005 - A recent survey of industrial production engineers by B&B Electronics and Sensicast Systems showed almost 2/3rds of them have researched wireless sensors for industrial monitoring applications. Almost half of the respondents are considering deploying wireless sensors this year. Read the entire news release.
1 Watt Radio Modem Shatters Distance and Price Barriers
	March 11, 2005 - Can you install 40 miles of serial cable and boosters for $600? Not likely! But that same money will buy a pair of these new radio serial modems from B&B Electronics. They will transmit your serial signal transparently up to 40 miles. Read the entire news release.
World Premier: B&B Electronics Product Introductions at National Manufacturing Week…
	January 31, 2005 - The world premier of their ESR series of Industrial Ethernet Serial Servers will be hosted by B&B Electronics in booth 4705 at National Manufacturing Week. This line of DIN Rail mount Ethernet servers will be available with one, two or four serial ports. Each port is configurable to suit RS-232, RS-422 or RS-485 serial and operates on industrial range AC or DC power. Read the entire news release.
"Serial to Anywhere" Theme of New Catalog from B&B Electronics
	December 30, 2004 - A sandy beach might be a strange location for a production control computer, but that’s what the cover of the new data communications catalog from B&B Electronics shows. “Sure, it’s a little far-fetched, but it would be entirely possible with our new wireless data converters,” says Mike Fahrion, Marketing Manager for the Ottawa, Illinois company. Read the entire news release.
802.15.4 Wireless Mesh Network Sensor Devices; B&B Electronics Inks Partnership with Sensicast System
	December 13, 2004 - B&B Electronics to develop and distribute 802.15.4 wireless nodes using Sensicast’s SensiNet™ B&B Electronics today announced a plan to broaden its development and distribution of 802.15.4, ZigBee ready wireless products by signing a partnership and distribution agreement with Sensicast Systems, a leading provider of wireless sensor networking products and solutions. Read the entire news release.
Next-Gen Serial Extender Boasts Web Server, Multicasting & Remote Diagnostics
	November 29, 2004 - Millions of industrial devices are configured by serial ports, but serial ports are fast disappearing from new PC's. To solve this problem, B&B Electronics has enhanced its family of serial servers, so now serial data can be sent over intranets or the Internet to up to eight client locations anywhere in the world. Read the entire news release.
New Universal PCI Serial Card Line Brings Order to a Chaotic World
	September 30, 2004 - RS-232, RS-422, RS-485? 3.3 V, 5 V? Isolated, Non-isolated? How many ports? The MIport™ (Multi-Interface) line from B&B Electronics is a new series of universal PCI cards said to bring order to the chaotic world of serial communications. Read the entire news release.
Wireless and Industrial Ethernet Problem Solvers In New Catalog
	September 10, 2004 - A scale on a forklift, a warehouse inventory scanner, an intra-campus data communication system. What do they have in common? They are all perfect applications for wireless data transfer. 802.11x, Bluetooth®, ZigBee™, Wi-Fi® and proprietary radio modem wireless products are just some of the problem solvers shown in this new Catalog 37 from B&B Electronics Mfg. Co. Read the entire news release.
New B&B Electronics President Says “Lousy Economy” a Mere Myth
	July 19, 2004 - Don Wiencek, the new president of B&B Electronics in Ottawa, Illinois, insists the economy is booming – even in the staid industrial market. “A lot of people are complaining that sales are slow, that Bush messed everything up, and the breadlines are getting longer. But we sure aren’t seeing it here.” Wiencek, who has been leading the company for nine months, reports record sales for four quarters in a row, double digit growth, and robust demand for the company’s rugged networking gear. Read the entire news releas e.
New System Integrator Program Helps Firms Solve Communication Puzzles
	July 5, 2004 - B&B Electronics has introduced a System Integrator program. "Most integrator programs and "strategic alliances" are little more than a price discount," says Mike Fahrion, marketing manager at B&B Electronics. "But our emphasis is different. Integrators can send us information on their system. We'll do a detailed drawing with a communication hardware Bill Of Materials and power budget; we'll include the cables and power supplies in the bid and one box with everything included - no more tracking down cables & connectors and last-minute runs for parts." Read the entire news release.
Connect Up to Four Legacy Serial Devices to Your Ethernet Backbone
	April 14, 2004 - You’ve got industrial Ethernet throughout your plant now. Your goal is to monitor and control all of your machinery from the central office. And it’s working- all except for those four old presses on aisle C. They’re good machines, but their PLCs speak RS-485 serial and they won’t communicate with your Ethernet LAN. Read the entire news release.
Ancient Stone Tablets Reveal Ten Commandments of Industrial Ethernet
	March 30, 2004 - Archeologists have recently unearthed stone tablets etched with the 10 Commandments of Industrial Ethernet. Sources say they may in fact be related to the ones brought down from Mount Sinai by the famous prophet Moses over 3500 years ago. Read the entire news release.
B&B Electronics Converters Now Good to 40 Below!
	March 30, 2004 - Industrial temperature ranges have been added to several popular data communications devices from B&B Electronics. They will operate well from -40° to +80°C (-40° to +176°F). This makes them suitable for extreme applications such as traffic controls, outdoor SCADA installations, water treatment plants and power substations. More good news- the improvement has been made at no price increase! Read the entire news release.
B&B Electronics Teams with Ember Corporation on Zigbee Wireless
	March 30, 2004 - B&B Electronics, Ottawa, Illinois, has partnered with Ember Corporation, Boston, Massachusetts, to provide module assemblies and distribution services for Ember and its customers. B&B will also be developing its own product solutions for its customers based upon Ember’s technologies. Read the entire news release.
B&B Electronics Accepted for CSIA Membership
	March 19, 2004 - B&B Electronics Mfg. Co. reports it has been accepted by the Control and Information System Integrators Association as an Associate Member. Read the entire news release.
Industrial Ethernet Highlights New Catalog from B&B Electronics
	March 19, 2004 - Give new life to that row of old serial ported machines by connecting them to your Ethernet LAN! A new 4-port Serial Server is just one product introduced in a new color catalog from B&B Electronics. Each port can link one those serial ported machines transparently to any PC connected to the LAN, directly or even by way of the Internet. Read the entire news release.
DIN Rail Mount Models from B&B Electronics
	March 19, 2004 - The popularity of the Interface Converters housed in DIN Rail mount cases has prompted B&B Electronics to continue to add models in the convenient cases. DIN Rail is most frequently used in industrial cabinets. These cases easily snap into place on the DIN Rail, making them conveniently added, removed and re-arranged. Read the entire news release.
8-Port Industrial Ethernet Switch Provides Full Features, Network Economy
	March 17, 2004 - This new Ethernet Switch from B&B Electronics acts as a traffic cop to direct messages from the LAN to one of eight ports. It reduces network traffic by routing the message only to the appropriate device. The unit is designed for building automation, point-of-sale, ATMs, kiosk displays, warehouse control and many other monitoring and control applications. Read the entire news release.
Optical Isolation, Traffic Monitors, Send Data Control, Enclosed Terminals- All in One Serial Converter!
	March 17, 2004 - Optical isolation and traffic indicating LEDs are just two of the advanced features that define this new RS-232 to RS-422 or RS-485 data interface converter. By converting the RS-232 PC output format to RS-422 you can communicate up to 4,000 feet, compared to the 50 feet normally reached. Using the RS-485 signal, you may use up to 32 drops on a two-wire system and use the Automatic Send Data Control which lets the hardware control the drivers, eliminating software overhead. Read the entire news release.
Add Serial or Parallel Ports to Your Laptop or Notebook
	March 17, 2004 - PC cards, also known as PCMCIA cards, are a popular choice for mobile applications such as field service, whether the field is the factory floor or a real field, outdoors and miles from home. PC cards slip into the slot present on most notebook and laptop PCs and provide from one to four serial ports. With the serial or parallel data port this provides, the laptop can assume almost all the capabilities of a desktop PC. Read the entire news release.
Forget the 50 Foot Limitation of Standard PC Cabling! B&B Electronics has Serial Converters for Almost Any Application
	March 17, 2004 - Changing RS-232 to another serial protocol such as RS-422 or RS-485 can give you increased range, up to 4,000 feet, and allow you to set up a serial network with 32 or more nodes. A popular converter for this purpose is Model 485LDRC9. This is a DIN Rail mount converter with built-in isolation to protect data lines from ground loops and data line power surges. It is Modbus compatible and operates at a wide range of temperatures, -40 to +80°C (-40 to 176°F). Automatic Send Data Control enables the RS-485 driver, so no software rework is required. SDC monitors the data line and automatically enables the driver during transmission and disables it when no data is present. Model 485LDRC9 is about $140. Read the entire news release.
Data Acquisition Modules from B&B Electronics Monitor Sensors and Provide Output Commands
	March 17, 2004 - These data acquisition modules from B&B Electronics can receive signals from up to eight external sensors, control various devices and output analog voltages. The compact modules plug easily into DB-25 serial ports. Applications include monitoring sensors and controlling process and test equipment, and monitoring and controlling ON/OFF states. Read the entire news release.
Serial Cards Expand PC Capability
	March 17, 2004 - Do you need to add two, four or eight extra ports to your industrial or personal PC? Or to change the regular RS-232 PC output to RS-422 or RS-485 to extend its range up to 4,000 feet, rather than the 50 feet normally provided? The answer to these questions can be the installation of a new serial card into your PC. Read the entire news release.
Transmit Data from 64 or More Devices to One PC, or Vice-Versa
	March 17, 2004 - A network management software package has been added to the B&B Electronics Model 232BSS4 smart switch at no extra charge. Vlinx™ Q4 software allows networking of all varieties of serial devices and includes visualization mapping of the network. A mapping wizard lets you set baud rates and handshake requirements, define device names, and add notes and links to the device documentation. Read the entire news release.
Network Management Software Expands Uses for Legacy Devices
	December 9, 2003 - The convergence of the Internet and traditional factory floor devices has created a resurgence in the application of serial ports. To give users total control of company-wide serial networks, B&B Electronics has introduced the Q4 Smart Switch network management and visualization software. Read the entire news release.
Industrial Ethernet Surge Protectors Prevent Lightning and Ground Loop Damage
	July 16, 2003 - When a voltage surge disrupts data in your office, you take a coffee break and check your email later. But when surges disrupt data on the plant floor, you choke down the last bit of coffee and run to fix the problem. The new Industrial Ethernet Surge Protector from B&B Electronics prevents these emergencies by protecting equipment from transient surges. Read the entire news release.
Ethernet Serial Server Links Factory Equipment to The World
	February 25, 2003 - The new Vlinx Serial Server from B&B Electronics now makes it possible to Ethernet-enable serial devices and communicate anywhere in the world. Every unused serial port represents an opportunity to capture unused data and put it to work. Furthermore, manufacturers can extend communication and diagnostic data to older equipment without ripping out existing wires or otherwise affecting its operation. Read the entire news release.
Free PalmT PDA Software for Field Measurements
	October 30, 2002 - Install SyphonT freeware from B&B Electronics onto your Palm PDA to turn your PDA into a measurement and control instrument with graphical capabilities. Read the entire news release.
Super Compact Industrial Ethernet Switch
	October 9, 2002 - Scarcely larger than the six RJ-45 ports on its face, this miniature Industrial Ethernet switch fits neatly into industrial control boxes. Read the entire news release.
Software Release - AutoTap® for Windows Version 2.0
	June 26, 2002 - AutoTap V2.0 software introduces a completely new user interface, providing users with outstanding customization capability as well as improvements in performance and ease of use. Read the entire news release.
Software Release - AutoTap® for PalmT
	June 26, 2002 - AutoTap for Palm software puts the power of an OBD II scantool into an inexpensive, portable platform. Users can view and log real-time generic OBD II parameters as well as view generic and enhanced diagnostic trouble codes (DTC's). Read the entire news release.
B&B Electronics Goes CART Racing. And They Hope No One Notices!
	June 12, 2000 - B&B Electronics of Ottawa is in the middle of the CART racing action, but if they've done their job right, no one will notice them. The unobtrusive gray boxes fastened to the pit wall in each race team's pit area contain electronic circuitry and connections that provide instant access to official CART timing and scoring data and closed circuit TV. The boxes are part of a new custom data network developed and built for CART by B&B Electronics. Read the entire news release.
CART and B&B Electronics Join to Make Timing/Scoring Data Available in Pits
	June 12, 2000 - A new pit lane CCTV/data connection allows teams to tap directly into the official CART Timing and Scoring and closed circuit TV. This provides teams with instant race information from the tower. Read the entire news release.