Industrial Solutions

Legacy to USB interfaces …

A little more than a decade ago, log printers connnected to injection molding machines for log printing used to have serial or parallel interfaces. Now that retailers are running out of spare parts for serial/parallel log printers due to the decline of serial interfaces, the changeover to USB printers has become a salient issue for investment.

… for modern log printing applications …

The ARBURG "Allrounder" (injection molding machine) is a typical example how the ipcas

is being applied to link up machines with old interfaces to operate with modern printing technology using the customary USB printers for log printing. The control unit of the "Allrounder" is simply connected with a serial (RS232) cable to the serial port of the RS232 to USB printer converter.

… easy to start

Due to the implementation of software specially designed for the ARBURG "Allrounder", the printer converter does not have to be configured. The RS232 to USB Printer Converter is immediately ready to run when connected. Besides, the converter can be used both for old and new control units.

For more specifics, view RS232 to USB Printer Converter webpage.

For machines with parallel interfaces, view Centronics to USB Converter webpage.

Also view coverage in LinuxDevices.com.

A couple of weeks ago I introduced the ipcas RS232-to-USB Converter and the Centronics-to-USB Converter as gap-filling solutions to link up legacy port equipment with modern USB and network technology. Both legacy port servers are based on ipcas’s Linux Box LB1 hardware design.

This is just to tell you we got some excellent coverage in LinuxDevices.com

In our last Industrial Solutions entry (Refer to "Old interfaces …")we tried to show you how convenient it is to connect your old serial interfaces to modern printing technology with the RS232 to USB Converter, enabling you not only to link up and print but also to network your log data.

But what if you have or need parallel interfaces to be linked up?
Well, fortunately we’ve got good news for you!
The ipcas Centronics – USB Printer Converter does just the job allowing you to connect your legacy parallel interface equipment to modern USB printers.
Here are some of the advantages of the Centronics – Printer USB Converter:

• Supports virtually unlimited selection of USB printers, graphics, formats, etc.
• No machine/interface refitting!
• No time-consuming installation drivers required!
• Easy to configure – no IT expertise required!
• Dynamic data buffer memory – no more data loss!
• USB Stick to configure, retrieve and/or output log data on your office PC!
• Optimized printing process helps you save paper!
• LAN 10/100 BaseT Ethernet interface enables network access to print data!

For details view
Centronics – USB Converter

Today I would like to introduce another line of our industrial solution products featuring leading edge converter modules for best printing solutions, especially for industrial data logging (MDA, PDA, etc.).

Are you currently looking for spare parts for your conventional log printer and discovering that suppliers are gradually running out of stock because legacy printers are being phased out by customary USB printers? And this in times of increased logging demands and growing market expectations for continuous monitoring?

Now, if you are looking for an easy way to make the transition from legacy to USB printing technology, then the ipcas RS232 to USB Converter is certainly the right answer to your problem for a variety of reasons:

• The RS232 – USB Converter enables you to choose from a wide selection of possible printers and supports all kinds of log and graphics formats in black and white or color.
• The RS232 – USB Converter easily connects to old and new interfaces, saving you time and costs for refitting!
• The RS232 – USB Converter is immediately ready to run. No drivers required, saving you time and costs for complicated installations!
• The RS232 – USB Converter is a cinch to configure. All you have to do is use the provided USB Stick with the configuration software to load it to the converter and PC. No IT expertise required!
• The RS232 – USB Converter features a dynamic data buffer memory of more than 100 DIN A4 pages for increased data security (Buffer memory capacity can be raised substantially by installing a CompactFlash board into the converter). Therefore, no more data loss in case of device failure (paper jamming, empty cartridges, operation errors, etc.)!
• The RS232 – USB Converter not only allows you to make use the USB Stick to configure but also to retrieve lost data and, what’s more, to output log data for further processing on your office PC!
• The RS232 – USB Converter helps you save paper due to its optimized printing process which accumulates data into print lines before it is printed out automatically.
• Finally, the RS232 – USB Converter provides a LAN 10/100 BaseT Ethernet interface, thus making your log printer networkable and enabling network access to print data. So if you choose to get set on using cutting-edge and environmentally-friendly printing technology, why not change over entirely to a paperless logging system, thus saving even more time, costs, and material!

Just think of all the money, time, and work hours you could be saving by converting to USB-equipped technology NOW. The ipcas RS232 USB Converter provides you with the missing link between old technology (interfaces) and state-of-the-art printing and networking technology requirements. Seize the day – get “converted”!

To link up serial interfaces view RS232 to USB Converter
To link up parallel interfaces view Centronics – USB Printer Converter