DC-Digital is proud to showcase one of our latest custom-engineered solutions — the DC-80T-DN-W Network Timer System, designed for Bobcat’s production line takt timers. This powerful timing system combines wireless control, redundant operation, and real-time network data output, delivering precise time tracking and overage reporting for industrial applications that demand accuracy and durability.

A Dual-Timer System Built for Industrial Efficiency

This configuration features two DC-80T-DN-W indoor digital timers, wirelessly linked together for synchronized countdown and overage time functionality.
The Master unit, located on the left, communicates seamlessly with the Secondary unit on the right to maintain accurate timing across production cycles.

Each timer features 8-inch high LED digits, easily visible up to 400 feet away, making it ideal for large-scale production environments where visibility is key.

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Dual Input Controls: Wired and Wireless

To maximize operational flexibility, the Master timer includes dual control inputs — both wired and wireless:

• The wired controller connects through a 25-foot cable, mounted in a NEMA 4X-rated enclosure equipped with environmentally sealed tactile switches for rugged use.
• The wireless controller operates on a 900 MHz frequency, enclosed in a durable polycarbonate housing.

Both control systems are fully redundant, allowing either one to perform start, stop, and reset functions independently. This ensures reliability even in the event of a single-point control failure — an essential feature for continuous production operations.

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Two-Tone Horn Alerts and Overage Timing

Each unit is equipped with a two-tone horn system providing both warning and end-of-period alerts.

• The warning time is user-adjustable up to 99 minutes and 59 seconds.
• When the timer reaches zero (00:00), it automatically activates a three-second horn, flashes the display, and transitions into overage mode, counting upward from zero.

This dual alert system allows operators to easily distinguish between approaching deadlines and time overruns — improving process management and cycle awareness across the production floor.

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Durability and Range

Each DC-80T-DN-W is built with extruded aluminum enclosures and adjustable keyhole mounts for easy installation and long-term durability. The system maintains a wireless range of 300 feet between Master and Secondary units, and up to 1,500 feet between the wireless controller and Master unit. These capabilities make it ideal for large manufacturing spaces, assembly lines, or industrial environments where dependable communication and timing synchronization are critical.

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Integrated Network Connectivity for Real-Time Data Output

One of the standout features of this custom system is its network integration capability. The Master unit includes a network data link, visible through an Ethernet (RJ-45) connection, which allows the system to send real-time operational data to a designated IP address.

Using an Ethernet-to-serial adapter (network card), the timer transmits data packets directly to Bobcat’s third-party production tracking software. Together, DC-Digital and Bobcat engineers developed a communication protocol to ensure that every time-based event is captured and transmitted accurately.

Here’s how the data exchange works:

• When a production run completes, the system sends a final time record.
• If the cycle runs over, the timer sends overage data every second until reset.
• If the operator resets early, the system sends the last recorded time before reset.

This ensures that all production cycle data — from completed runs to interrupted or extended cycles — is accurately logged for performance tracking and data analysis.

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Web-Based Configuration and Secure Communication

The DC-80T-DN-W’s configuration is managed through a web interface, giving users complete control over their network settings.
The setup allows for:

• Static IP or DHCP configuration
• Outgoing TCP settings (e.g., port 56951)
• Custom destination IP address assignment

Operators can also disable UDP transmission to maintain secure and stable TCP communication, as TCP ensures data reliability across complex industrial networks.
In testing, Packet Sender software was used to simulate Bobcat’s data receiver, confirming that each timer successfully transmits accurate time packets to the network client in real time.

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Real-Time Monitoring for Production Insight

When the timer begins a countdown, it records and transmits key timing data points to the network:

• If reset before completion, it reports the remaining time as a positive value.
• If it exceeds zero, it sends continuous overage data until stopped.

This enables live production monitoring and automatic takt-time analysis, giving facility managers insight into workflow efficiency, overage occurrences, and cycle consistency.

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Key Highlights of the DC-80T-DN-W Network Timer System

• Dual wireless-linked 8″ LED timers (Master and Secondary)
• Dual input control: wired and wireless redundancy
• Adjustable warning and end-of-period horn tones
• Overage time tracking with flashing LED display
• Network data output through TCP/IP connection
• Custom protocol for third-party integration
• Web-based configuration for IP and port settings
• Industrial-grade enclosure and long-range wireless performance

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Precision Timing with Real-Time Intelligence

The DC-80T-DN-W Network Timer System exemplifies DC-Digital’s commitment to custom-engineered timing solutions that merge physical reliability with digital intelligence.
By integrating wireless performance, redundant control, and advanced network connectivity, this system allows companies like Bobcat to streamline production timing, improve efficiency, and gain actionable insights — all from one robust, network-enabled platform.

See tutorial Timer and Indicators video

Webpage and data setup video

See DC-Digital Store

See other DC-Digital Master-Secondary timers page