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About Triangle Research International I. Introduction Triangle Research International Inc (TRI-INC) is incorporated in Delaware, USA in 2000 and British Columbia, Canada in 2004. TRI-INC is responsible for the sales, support and design customization of a range of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) in North America. TRI-INC is an offspring of Triangle Research International Pte Ltd (TRi), a company that started up in Singapore and has been in operation since 1993. Since its incorporation, TRi has always been a specialist in developing board-level programmable controllers based on Relay-Ladder Logic programming language for sales to the Asia Pacific countries. Relay-Ladder Logic is the most popular programming language used by all major makers of programmable controllers, such as Alan Bradley, Siemen and Omron. Unfortunately these controllers are typically highly priced gadgets and can only be programmed by expensive, proprietary programming hardware and software which are often also difficult to learn. On the other hand, low cost single-board computer (SBC) are only programmable in assembly language or C language and the programmers must fully understand the CPU architecture before they can even attempt to write the first line of code. Programs encoded in these languages are more difficult to write and to maintain by other peoples and typical electricians who do not have in-depth knowledge of microcomputer programming would be at a loss when asked to maintain such control systems. At TRi, we saw the need of developing a series of low cost, SBC-like controllers which are programmable in Relay-Ladder Logic language. Instead of first developing the controllers and then followed by designing some proprietary programming hardware for them (which is what most PLC manufacturers do), we first developed an extremely user-friendly software that runs on the industry standard IBM compatible PC platform before we design any PLC. In 1991 we launch TRiLOGI - a ladder logic editor, compiler and simulator. TRiLOGI is the industry's first standalone Relay-Ladder Logic learning tool with a built-in real-time on-screen simulator. With TRiLOGI’s simulator anyone could write ladder programs and immediately test them using just the keyboard and see the result of the action on screen. Today’s TRiLOGI is already a standard ladder logic learning tools used by a number of technical institutions in a number of countries including the USA, Singapore and Malaysia. In fact, many of our valuable customers commented that programming using TRiLOGI can dramatically reduce programming time required for a project compared to programming with other PLC’s programming tool. With a great programming tool in place, In 1993 we launched our first PLC - The T44H. With 28 Inputs and 16 Outputs, the T44H takes pride in being the industry's smallest and lowest-priced 44 I/O controller. In the same year more than a hundred T44Hs was acquired by Apple Computer Inc as the distributed controllers of their high-tech FMS (flexible manufacturing system)-based Macintosh Assembly lines, in both their Singapore and Fountain Colorado Spring factories. To cater to different customer requirement, we introduced the entire H-series PLCs ranging from the 20 I/O PLC with transistor I/Os- The T20H-npn to the 64 I/O PLC with opto-isolated inputs and relay outputs, the T64H-Relay. In 1996, we have successfully developed the world first single chip Relay-Ladder Logic programmable controllers in an 18-pin IC package. With the new CPU we launch the world smallest Relay-Ladder Logic programmable controllers - the E10-npn PLC. Measuring 5.4cm(L) x 5.4cm(W) x 2.0cm(H) and operate on 12 to 30V DC supply, the E10-npn takes up less than the space of a typical electro-mechanical relay, yet it incorporates 6 inputs, 4 high voltage high current outputs (DC 1A current per output), 8 internal relays, 4 timers, 4 counters and 1 sequencer. It is programmable by a special version of TRiLOGI - TLE33.EXE, which shares identical user interface and programming ease as the version for H-series PLC. In 1997, we introduce a new sibling to the popular E10-npn: The E10-Relay which includes 4 voltage free relay outputs that can switch 2A current @250VAC. It also has built-in DC power supply which requires only a small 24V, 0.2A AC transformer to power it. In 1998 we have launched the latest star in PLC history: The M-series programmable controller.. Not only does a T100MX or T100MD PLC comprise a whole arsenal of hardware that would suit almost any control needs, it also features the industry very first programming language that combines the best of LADDER LOGIC for on/off I/O controls and BASIC for data processing into one seamless programming. Compared to traditional PLC languages which force-fit some data processing job into ladder rungs, the integrated use of BASIC for data processing is much more powerful, flexible and easy to program. You can download our FREE TRiLOGI evaluation software which comprises a simulator that will let you test out this exciting new way of programming at no cost at all! In Year 2001, with the introduction of the Internet TRiLOGI Version 5.0, the M-series PLCs became the world's very first PLC that can be programmed via the Internet using only a Java-enabled web-browser! With this new found strength, the M-series PLCs are ready to become the main stream embedded PLCs that will be adopted by many OEM equipment manufacturers! II. Main Clientele List and Applications Triangle Research retails its PLCs through a network of distributors in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, Europe and Japan. In Year 2000 the Triangle Research International, Inc. was incorporated in the USA and located in Silicon Valley to handle sales/marketing and distribution of our PLC products. TRi, Inc also continues to develop PLCs that empower electricians with no knowledge of microprocessors to make use of sophisticated PLC technology. In 2004, a new TRi Inc was incoporated in British Columbia, Canada to handle the growing Canadian OEM market as well as to continue to service our North American OEM users. We sell thousands of PLCs every year to many OEM equipment manufacturers as well as factory and building automation users. Although many of these machine manufacturers may not be household names, they are the main volume users of TRi's PLCs for their equipment. Among our factory automation clientele are: a) Apple Computer OurPLCs are found in the following applications by our clients: a) embedded control in standard or custom-designed machines © Copyright 2001 Triangle Research International, Inc. |
