April 2002System Integration & Control Systems Design
The ‘solutions’ concept adopted by Control Techniques SA is the company’s drive to make setting up, adjusting and software updating far simpler.
The goals were to produce products where the customer:
* No longer has to wait for 'the only person who knows how it works' when updating software
* No longer has to adopt the use of a new high-risk product, being the first company to have ever used it.
* No longer requires expensive updates to keep the system running.
Control Techniques has expended considerable effort, using its knowledge and experience to design standard, platform-independent software solutions. These are designed to plug easily into drive platforms, AC or DC, providing low-cost, low-risk drive solutions.
Three possible scenarios are:
Fan and pump duty-assist
Fan and pump duty-assist
The duty-assist control is an effective method of controlling multiple pumps or fans in parallel, to maintain the required process demand. Pumps and fans are often used in parallel banks to:
* Avoid motor overload.
* Guarantee security of supply (system redundancy).
* Reduce running cost due to system load cycles.
* Provide wide range of control and flexibility.
In a typical bank of three it is unusual to find two running and one on standby.
The duty is controlled by a PID loop which will maintain the process level required. If the demand exceeds the capacity that can be derived from the duty, then an assist starter will be enabled to assist with the delivery. If the demand continues to increase, additional starters will be called. When the demand decreases then each assist starter will be deselected to reduce the delivery.
Winder control
Winder control
Many industrial processes involve handling material in web form, invariably this requires the material to be unwound and rewound.
Electric drives are ideally suited to provide accurate and effective control of material tension and have become the standard solution for winder application providing:
* Ability to either motor or regenerate enabling use in both coiling and uncoiling applications.
* Reduced running cost compared with mechanical equivalents.
* Improved reliability.
* Wide range of control and flexibility.
The final tension control solution will depend upon the material to be processed and the speed and diameter range over which it is to be run. Simple low pwerformance systems can be based upon straightforward open loop torque prediction, whilst more sensitive applications may require the tension loop to be closed by feedback from a loadcell. Some materials are better handled by running the drive in speed control with a dancing roll measuring the tension and modulating the winder speed.
Flying shear control
Flying shear control
The flying shear is a common industrial application for cutting a continuous product to a set length at line speed, this means that the main production process is not interrupted, and so machine productivity is maximised.
The cutting tool is typically mounted on a carriage that moves either parallel to the product flow or at an angle across the product flow. The flying shear drive accelerates the carriage to synchronise with the line speed, at this point the cut tool can be activated. The carriage then decelerates and returns to its original position ready to cut again. There are also many other similar applications where a carriage must be synchronised at line speed and most of these can also be accommodated using the flying shear control software.
The drive is configured using real engineering units of choice such as mm or inches. This means that the configuration of the system is made very easy, through an operator interface or by entering configuration parameters directly on the drive.
The time is now for systems integrators
Editor's Choice System Integration & Control Systems Design
Integrators combine sophistication regarding technology innovation with practical, hands-on experience. Collaborating with systems integrators is the means to significant productivity improvement, powered by the convergence of automation and information and operations technology.
Read more...System integrators are a diverse market
Editor's Choice System Integration & Control Systems Design
System integrators (SIs) combine expertise on emergent technologies with real world experience. Working with SIs, it’s inevitable that at some point someone will say, “We’re not a typical SI.” And in many ways, it’s true. SIs come in all shapes and sizes.
Read more...Avoiding the pitfalls of PLC and scada control system integration Iritron
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Upgrading your control system by integrating PLCs with scada systems should be a simple seamless process. Regrettably, the industry is plagued with control system integration and upgrade myths and misconceptions that can lead to liability issues, project delays, cost overruns and decreased plant performance.
Read more...EtherCAT measurement terminals for vehicle development at Mercedes-Benz Beckhoff Automation
System Integration & Control Systems Design
At the Mercedes Technology Centre plant in Sindelfingen, Germany, car axles are examined with the highest precision on four test benches, in parallel with road tests and simulations. All data is acquired using PC-based control from Beckhoff.
Read more...Loop signature 23: Tuning Part 2.
Editor's Choice System Integration & Control Systems Design
It is my opinion that most tuning methods are very crude. They do of course also offer a starting point for tuning if one is not fortunate enough to have a sophisticated tuning package like a Protuner around.
Read more...PIC microcontrollers with integrated FPGA features in TME
System Integration & Control Systems Design
The new PIC16F131xx microcontrollers in TME’s offering from Microchip are ideal for the evolving and miniaturising electronic equipment market, offering efficient power management and predictable response times for controllers.
Read more...Five smart machine trends you need to know Adroit Technologies
System Integration & Control Systems Design
The last ten years have brought about dramatic advances in technologies that OEMs had never realised would affect their designs or the saleability of their machines, much less impact business models and profits so dramatically. The following discussion will cover key advancements and recommendations all OEMs should be adopting in their design processes to stay current and competitive.
Read more...36 years of innovation and success SAM Systems Automation & Management
Editor's Choice System Integration & Control Systems Design
Systems Automation & Management was established in 1988 at a time when there were no other systems integrators (SIs) in the process business. SA Instrumentation & Control’s editor caught up with managing director, Claudio Agostinetto to find out more about how this thriving company has prospered over the last 36 years.
Read more...Understanding the role of AI in generative engineering design
System Integration & Control Systems Design
When a design engineer sets out to design a new part, component, or assembly, the intent is to meet the design requirements for fit, form and function, and also incorporate a certain degree of innovation and elegance to the overall design. There is no reason to re-invent the wheel by introducing a new design.
Read more...PCS stays up so you don’t have to PCS Global
System Integration & Control Systems Design
Maybe it’s time to look at a solution that stays online 99,99999% of the time so you don’t have to. This the world of Stratus computer platforms, tailor-made for your critical applications.
printer friendly version