The New E5 Ethernet Switch Big Hit on HMC Products' PouchMaster at the Latest International PackExpo
(Davenport, Iowa) Grace Engineered Products' brand new E5 Thru-Door(TM) Ethernet Switch made a big splash at the latest PACK EXPO in Las Vegas. PACK EXPO is the most complete packaging show in the world's largest market allowing the 21,000 person crowd, made up of world-class companies and customers, to connect with innovative processing and packaging solution providers.
One of the exhibitors, HMC Products - a Rockford, Illinois company specializing in the manufacturing, servicing, and training of packagers, fillers and case cutters - standardized the E5 Ethernet Switch on their line of Pouchmaster machines because of the E5 is mounted on the outside of the panel thereby enhancing compliance to NFPA 70E.
Jeff Berg, HMC's chief design engineer explains choosing the E5 GracePort® is, "due to NFPA 70E requirements, opening up the door is no longer an option to program machines. Grace's programming ports offer an easy and clean solution to this safety problem. Also as our horsepower requirements have increased due to different films and packaging materials demanded by customers, our servos have had to increase in size, reducing the space available in the cabinet. The [Grace Engineered Products'] E5 GracePort® with the Inside-Outlet(TM) GFCI provided the perfect solution to free up 25 square inches of space by moving our din-rail mounted Ethernet switch and GFCI to the front."
Many of HMC's customers, impressed by how safely and effortlessly being able to tie together the various PLC's, HMI's, Servos and VFD's through one port on the front of the panel, also commented on the fact that the E5 GracePort with GFCI created more room on the DIN rail because it was mounted on the door. "Not only does [the GracePort E5] help with NFPA 70E compliance, but it also helps solve another problem because I don't have to find room to mount it on my DIN rail," commented one customer.
Berg also noted positive customer reaction to their use of this innovative product, "Our customers appreciated our efforts to make using our machines safer and more user-friendly while providing a clean professional look. This product shows modern engineering leadership, making our machines a step above the competition."
Grace Engineered Products is a leading innovator in the realm of electrical safety devices. Their line of Thru-Door(TM) convenience safety interfaces, GracePort®, has an infinite number of combinations including the E5 Ethernet Switch which brings Ethernet test and diagnostic capabilities Thru-Door(TM) for programming and troubleshooting convenience while eliminating required din-rail mounting space. All GracePorts® are built after the order is received according to their customer's precise specifications and, in most cases, are shipped within 3-5 business days. All data ports are clearly marked as to their function and there are no quantity minimums or maximums when ordering.
Media Contact:
Brandi Borgstadt
Grace Engineered Products
brandib@grace-eng.com
phone: 800-280-9517 x 505
Grace Engineered Products
5001 Tremont
Davenport IA 52807
