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PC-based Control ApplicationsPC-based Control Application Listing
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Application: DL205 with WinPLC used to control and monitor chipfeed system Products used: DL205 and WinPLC with Entivity Studio software Description: Southland Instrument Services installed four each DL205 PLC units using WinPLC with Studio software to control and monitor three chipfeed boilers and the chipfeed system. Think andamp; Do Studio is used for HMI with Ethernet communications. This system has been in service for 2 years trouble free. These PLCs are the most dependable and versatile PLCs Southland Instrument Services has ever installed and maintained. Submitted by: |
Application: Thinkandamp;Do/Terminator I/O system offers datalogging and remote programming for electroplating systems Products used: Thinkandamp;Do, Terminator I/O Description: We inherited a product line of laboratory and small production electroplating systems from another division of our parent company. By converting the control architecture from the previous D250 PLC/Exor touchscreen system to Thinkandamp;Do running on an industrial PC with Ethernet Terminator I/O, we were able to offer the following: extensive datalogging, remote programming by modem, improved alarm and fault handling and logging, better recipe capability, and a better operator interface. All of this was accomplished for slightly less hardware cost and less programming time than the previous control system. The system controls tank heating, variable flow rate pumps, rinse water, and plating rectifiers. Submitted by: |
Application: Automationdirect.com powers stack emissions monitor and data collection system Products Used: LookoutDirect HMI software, operator interface, cables, DINnectors Description: The system is primarily composed of AutomationDirect products: an operator interface, cable, terminal blocks and PLC. A desktop computer (connected via RS422 on the lower PLC port) runs LookoutDirect software. The entire system is configured and programmed to collect data and perform automatic daily instrumentation calibrations complete with reporting and alarm functions. The units are sold through an emissions monitoring and servicing corporation. Submitted by: |
Application: Think and Do is the glue that holds this box machine together Products Used: Think and Do PC control software, DL-205 I/O and Ethernet base controllers Description: Think and Do software and Ethernet-connected DL205 I/O control a French-made Martin Mini flexo folder/gluer that produces 28,000 corrugated paperboard boxes per hour, with multi-color printing, folding, gluing and stacking. The system uses 489 discrete inputs, 341 discrete outputs, and 3 analog outputs. A desktop PC, mounted in a NEMA 12 enclosure with a heat exchanger, connects to an Ethernet hub. Each of the 12 DL-05 I/O bases also connects to the hub. The 24 volt DC control circuit is segregated among travelling and fixed sections, some of which may be disconnected and removed from the machine with their I/O, and later reconnected, without changes to the wiring or program. Three sensorless flux vector AC drives, 75 HP, 30 HP, and 3 HP drive the machine. There are 56 three-phase AC motors, numerous air cylinders and other devices which control the process. Electrical circuits were made simple and the Think and Do program was well documented; these factors, along with the functionality of the HMI, have eliminated excessive electrical down time and greatly increased productivity. PC failure is no threat: we have unplugged the Ethernet cable from the system PC, connected it to a notebook computer, and immediately resumed operation. Submitted by: |
Application: WinPLC and Think and Do control a Calcium Hydroxide factory Products Used: WinPLC, Think and Do PC-control software, DL205 Ethernet Base Controllers, 9-slot DL205 bases with various digital and analog outputs, DP-M320 touch panel Description: At PandB Lime Works, 40 kilometers from the southern tip of Africa, Think and Do is used to control a complete Calcium Hydroxide factory. Analog and digital inputs throughout the plant provide information to four 9-slot DL-205 bases with Ethernet Base Controllers. Based on logic created in Think and Do flow diagrams, several processes are controlled. Calcium carbonate stored in five silos is fed through vibrators and a series of conveyors to feeder hoppers above two rotary kilns. The feeding speed and kiln rotational speeds on each of the two kilns are controlled by analog outputs from the PLC. Temperatures are sent by radio telemetry from both kilns through the serial port of the PC to theThink and Do application. The burner start cycle and subsequent temperature control and output of calcium oxide to the storage silo is controlled with I/O in one of the DL205 bases. The slaker, which converts the oxide into calcium hydroxide through the addition of water, is controlled by a WinPLC with a DirectTouch HMI to ease user interaction. Think and Do has performed extremely reliably so far, without any crashes to date. Think and Do is exceptionally easy to maintain and modify in a continually expanding factory. Submitted by: |