New Connected Panel Meter from Red Lion Available Through Allied Electronics & Automation

PB-53-RedLion-PM50-400.jpg

January 10, 2022

Legacy equipment in plants can make it difficult, time-consuming and costly to extract data from the machines to help improve performance. Red Lion’s newly launched graphical panel meter, PM-50, is designed to change that. Available now through Allied Electronics & Automation, the new wireless, smart panel meter makes it easier for machine operators to unlock and use data from their factory floor. 

The PM-50 can be used in industrial factories, food and beverage, water/wastewater and packaging plants, and anywhere else panel meters are currently used. Harvesting plant data is as simple as unplugging the old meter, inserting the PM-50 and connecting it to Wi-Fi. Its graphical interface is intuitive and similar to personal smart devices most operators are comfortable using every day. Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity delivers data from the panel meter to the operator’s smartphone or tablet using the Red Lion app. The app provides a simple upgrade path for future improvements. Wired connectivity is also available via Ethernet and Modbus.

“We spent a lot of time talking to customers to understand their challenges and, based on that, we feel we have built the right product with the right feature set at the right time,” said Jeff Thornton, product manager, Red Lion. “Most panel meters in use today are essentially stranded assets; they’re simply serving as displays and leaving the data on the factory floor. Our new PM-50 panel meter and app unlock that data in an extremely cost-effective way, so manufacturers and machine operators can put that data to use in real time.”

The PM-50 comes with various display options, providing operators with multiple displays about the process to help drive efficiencies. The display changes colors based on needs so workers can react accordingly, including a red panel indicating that immediate attention is required. Additional screens with the smart panel meter provide more data within one meter, enabling the machine operator to be better connected to the machine and each job’s requirements. Smart device connectivity allows the operator more freedom to move around and monitor additional equipment while still being connected to the status and output of their machine. The app allows this monitoring and provides alarm indication when the machine is not running correctly or the job is completed.

“What we’re doing with the PM-50 is giving OEM machine builders a way to offer a better product with wireless communication and offering plant managers a very simple, future-minded way to create a ‘smart’ workspace, connecting even older technology so that more data can be captured and acted upon to improve productivity and responsiveness,” said Thornton.

Adding additional equipment, like a human-machine interface (HMI), could allow a single operator to manage a bank of machines, which increases efficiency and allows factory owners to reduce their labor footprint.

“As the production industry struggles with labor shortages worldwide, smart panel meters may become a key piece of technology to keep production lines running,” added Thornton.

In addition to the PM-50 smart panel meter, Red Lion offers a complete line of analog and digital meters through Allied Electronics & Automation, ranging from a small 1/32 DIN counter to a large-digit display readable to almost 300 feet.

“Allied offers market access to a huge customer base in many diverse markets. Their ability to deal with automation products from a technical and logistic viewpoint is unmatched in the industry. From concept introduction to putting our new PM-50 panel meter on their shelves, Allied recognized the value of this product. That is something not all channel partners offer, so we are lucky to have them support our products,” said Thornton.

For more information on Red Lion’s connected panel meter and other industrial automation and networking products, see:

Related Articles


Changing Scene


Sponsored Content
The Easy Way to the Industrial IoT

The way to the Industrial IoT does not have to be complicated. Whether access to valuable data is required or new, data-driven services are to be generated, Weidmuller enables its customers to go from data to value the easy way. Weidmuller’s comprehensive and cutting-edge IIoT portfolio applies to greenfield and brownfield applications. Weidmuller offers components and solutions from data acquisition, data pre-processing, data communication and data analysis.

Visit Weidmuller’s Industrial IoT Portfolio.


ADVANCED Motion Controls Takes Servo Drives to New Heights (and Depths) with FlexPro Extended Environment Product Line

Advanced Motion Controls is proud to announce the addition of six new CANopen servo drives with Extended Environment capabilities to their FlexPro line. These new drives join AMC’s existing EtherCAT Extended Environment FlexPro drives, making the FlexPro line the go-to solution for motion control applications in harsh environments.

Many motion control applications take place in conditions that are less than ideal, such as extreme temperatures, high and low pressures, shocks and vibrations, and contamination. Electronics, including servo drives, can malfunction or sustain permanent damage in these conditions.

Read More


Service Wire Co. Announces New Titles for Key Executives

Bruce Kesler and Mark Gatewood have been given new titles and responsibilities for Service Wire Co.

Bruce Kesler has assumed the role of Senior Director – Business Development. Bruce will be responsible for Service Wire’s largest strategic accounts and our growing Strategic Accounts Team.

Mark Gatewood has been promoted to the role of Vice President – Sales & Marketing. In this role, Gatewood will lead the efforts of Service Wire Company’s entire sales and marketing organization in all market verticals.

Read More


Tri-Mach Announces the Purchase of an Additional 45,000 sq ft. Facility

Tri-Mach Elmira Facility

Recently, Tri-Mach Inc. was thrilled to announce the addition of a new 45,000 sq ft. facility. Located at 285 Union St., Elmira, ON, this facility expands Tri-Mach’s capabilities, allowing them to better serve the growing needs of their customers.

Positioning for growth, this additional facility will allow Tri-Mach to continue taking on large-scale projects, enhance product performance testing, and provide equipment storage for their customers. The building will also be the new home to their Skilled Trades Centre of Excellence.

Read More


JMP Parent Company, CONVERGIX Acquires AGR Automation, Expanding Global Reach

Convergix Automation Solutions has completed the acquisition of AGR Automation (“AGR”), a UK-based provider of custom, high-performance automation design and systems integration primarily to the life sciences industry.

Following Convergix’s acquisitions of JMP Solutions in August 2021 and Classic Design in February 2022, AGR marks the third investment in Crestview’s strategy to build Convergix into a diversified automation solutions provider targeting the global $500+ billion market, with a particular focus on the $70 billion global systems integration and connectivity segments. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Read More


Latest Articles

  • Implementing Functional Safety Requirements

    Implementing Functional Safety Requirements

    The Safety Functional Requirements Specification (SFRS; sometimes referred to as SRS or Safety Requirements Specification) is the plan for the safety controls on a machine and is the second step of the safety lifecycle. The SFRS document serves as a framework for the safety control system design, is informed by prior work done in the… Read More…

  • From Endress+Hauser, 24/7 Digital, Plant-Wide Health Monitoring for Rockwell Systems Optimizes Workflows and Processes

    From Endress+Hauser, 24/7 Digital, Plant-Wide Health Monitoring for Rockwell Systems Optimizes Workflows and Processes

    Endress+Hauser’s Asset Health Monitoring Solution–Rockwell Edition, now available for installation, provides operators with a centralized, digital overview of plant-wide device health to avoid unscheduled shutdowns and accelerate troubleshooting. It not only presents early visibility of problematic devices but distinguishes itself by adding likely causes and remedies to such a report so problems can be fixed… Read More…