For many years Control Technology Inc (CTi) has been the preferred engineering company responsible for the design, manufacturing and support of the many 'specialty modules' for the TI505 series PLC range from Texas Instruments.
When Siemens purchased Texas Instruments (Ti), arguably with the intent to establish a foothold in the USA market, Control Technology continued to manufacture the Ti 505 'Specialty Modules' and also expanded its product range to include all basic I/O cards as well.
Suppliers report that although product prices escalated, the Texas Instrument or Ti 505 PLC series (now renamed to Simatic Ti or Simatic 505) remained a firm favourite with its loyal users, in fact the install base increased significantly under these difficult conditions. Testimonials from satisfied users confirmed that the 505 PLC product range with its robust design, ease of implementation, ease of programming and proven reliability, total reduced cost of ownership will ensure that the 505 product will continue to be a favourite under the CTi brand name.
Ahead of its time
The TI505 series, which is a scaled down version of the TI565 PLC, was arguably 20 years ahead of its time when released. Its makers claim that today (around 20 years later) some leading automation manufacturers are still trying to catch up with its features, such as the automatic I/O determination in the field, the comprehensive diagnostic features, memory and system management, pre-programmed alarms and PID loops with fill in the block configuration face plates and a comprehensive instruction set that includes loop _pack and alarm _pack instructions speeding up PLC/scada communications - all of which are programmable in mnemonics with a basic type language in special functions with floating point maths capability that can run as prioritised, cyclical, time based - or event driven, allowing the passing of parameters to other special functions and subroutines.
The install base of the 505 product remains significant in the USA and many other countries around the world. Product reliability and the way the product architects have designed the upgrade migration path, means that customers can keep their costly investment in code and commissioning while changing from one generation of Ti to another.
New offerings to continue the legacy
The continued support from the thousands of loyal customers around the world and the decision by Siemens to make the product obsolete in the near future has prompted CTi and FasTrack Softwares to manufacture a CPU to replace the current range of CPUs from Siemens. CTi and FasTrack the current manufacturer of the 505 Soft-shoe (TI series programming software) have decided to manufacture and launch four new CPUs, the 2500-C100 will replace the TI545-1105, the 2500-C200 will replace the TI545-1106, the 2500-C300 will replace the TI555-1105 and the 2500-C400 will replace the TI555-1106. Anytech has backing from CTi in supporting not only the CTi TI505 series, but also earlier systems such as the TI500 and 5TI. Anytech carries stock of the 505 series components in southern Africa and can supply refurbished items for most of the 500 series.
Programming software
Anytech also offers Windows-based 32-bit programming software for the 505 PLC platform and the Siemens S5 PLC platform from FasTrack Softwares. The 505 WorkShop software can be used to upgrade 505 Soft-shoe and Tisoft with the additional features as well as allowing Tisoft users to still use the same hot keys and instruction set.
ABB technology for greater circularity in metals and mining industries
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
ABB has been selected by GreenIron, an innovative Swedish company working in the mining and metals industries with its patented materials reduction technology, to provide automation and control system solutions for a first commercial facility in Sandviken, Sweden.
Read more...EtherCAT Box modules for confined spaces Beckhoff Automation
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Users of EtherCAT and EtherCAT P Box modules from Beckhoff’s EP and EPP series benefit from 25 years of IP67 expertise in the I/O sector. The broad product range for decentralised distribution of the I/O level directly at the machine or system has been continuously expanded and further developed during this time.
Read more...ABB updates distributed control system ABB South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Leveraging 30 years of continuous innovation and reliability, ABB’s updated Freelance 2024 distributed control system (DCS) offers greater plant adaptability, faster and more reliable device communication, improved system security, and seamless data exchange.
Read more...Four ways modern operations control can boost sustainability and efficiency
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
With the growing importance of digital transformation, HMIs and scada have evolved from control panels to vast operational hubs. Next-gen HMI/scada can bring together data, personalisation, and advanced insights to successfully achieve organisational goals, it is important to think about HMI/scada holistically within the operations ecosystem.
Read more...The convergence of intelligence: DCS, SCADA and TLC Schneider Electric South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
In the early days of industrialisation, control systems were primarily mechanical, and relied on manual intervention and simple feedback loops to manage processes. Now, in the 21st century, industrial process automation systems are mind-blowingly intelligent, and provide almost unparalleled control and monitoring capabilities, making them integral to modern industrial systems.
Read more...PC-based control for advanced hydrogen storage technology Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
The proportion of renewable energies from solar, wind and water is rising continuously. However, sufficient storage options are of the essence to use these energies as efficiently as possible. GKN Hydrogen offers a particularly compact and safe option, low-pressure metal hydride hydrogen storage systems with PC-based control from Beckhoff.
Read more...ABB modernises key board mill ABB South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
ABB has secured a landmark contract to modernise Smurfit Kappa’s Paper Machine 5 at its corrugated cardboard mill near Mexico City. ABB will provide Smurfit Kappa with DCS, accompanied by a comprehensive paper machine drives system, encompassing some of the market’s most advanced drives and motors meticulously designed to optimise PM5’s performance.
Read more...The synapses of the distributed control system Schneider Electric South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Industrial operations require a distributed control system (DCS) to coordinate and control their process subsystems in real time. Like the brain, a DCS is a multitasking maestro, controlling and coordinating complex processes in a myriad of industrial setting such as large manufacturing plants, providing valuable top-down control.
Read more...Modular assembly platform for clean manufacturing Beckhoff Automation
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
JR Automation delivers custom automated solutions for numerous industries. It has done this through its scalable, modular automation platform, FlexChassis, which speeds up time to market while cutting costs. The company chose the XTS linear transport system from Beckhoff because of its speed, and modular design that allows for multiple configurations.
Read more...Selecting the best remote access solution for your application
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
In today’s Internet of Things (IoT) world, remote mobile access is a necessity for many industrial applications. There are several ways of implementing this connectivity with routers and virtual private networks.
printer friendly version