Automation & Control
The latest process controllers improve plant diagnostics, helping to speed up and simplify the plant automation experience. Sean Ottewell reports.
Die neuesten Prozessregler verbessern die Anlagendiagnostik und helfen so, die Anlagenautomatisierung zu beschleunigen und zu vereinfachen. Sean Ottewell berichtet.
Les automates de supervision dernière génération améliorent la surveillance des installations, contribuant à accélérer et à simplifier l’automatisation des installations. Par Sean Ottewell.
Process controllers aid plant diagnostics
T
he new Allen-Bradley FLEX I/O dual-port EtherNet/IP adapters from Rockwell Automation achieve the goal of helping OEMs connect machines to their end customers’ IT infrastructures using a single network. With the dual ports, users can also leverage the adapter to display diagnostics via a simple web browser, helping reduce troubleshooting and downtime (Fig. 1). The new EtherNet/IP adapters support a
device-level ring (DLR) topology, which provides robust network infrastructure and extremely fast recovery time, while keeping implementation cost down. DLR infrastructures are connected at the end device versus the switch. With no need for unnecessary switches and cabling, users can reduce design time and simplify implementation. The ring also adds a measure of redundancy
that is very effective when a connection fails - as a single network failure, such as a cable break, will not lead to the failure of the other devices in the ring. A DLR network can recover in less than 3mS for a 50-node system. During this time, the connection between the programmable automation controller and the I/O device is not interrupted. The adapters also support the daisy-chain topology for applications that involve devices located long distances from CPU subsystems. Rockwell Automation has also introduced new high-speed input/output (I/O) modules for its ControlLogix programmable automation controller (PAC) platform that enable faster machine speeds in a wide range of discrete applications (Fig. 2). The Allen-Bradley ControlLogix 24vdc I/O
modules, used with the ControlLogix 5570 family of PACs, can significantly improve total system response time (SRT) through new hardware technology and peer-to-peer communication capabilities that significantly reduce the time it takes for modules to communicate with the controller. Since SRT equates to the time required for input module response, controller processing and output module response, reducing I/O latency results in higher machine speeds for increased parts production. For even faster performance, the new
modules also function in peer-to-peer mode, bypassing the controller entirely by establishing in-chassis connections that allow I/O modules to communicate directly with each other. Shifting task management to the I/O modules can relieve a controller of the overhead required to process and direct I/O modules, helping improve reliability in
32
www.engineerlive.com
program execution and throughput. In peer-to-peer mode, input to output response time can be less than 100µS. The peer-to-peer capabilities are ideal for applications with fast detect-energise sequences, such as high-speed parts rejection.
Improved integration and performance GE Intelligent Platforms has launched PACSystems RXi, the company’s new control and computing platform designed for the needs of the Industrial Internet. Based on leading-edge computing and network
technology, and supported by an emerging ecosystem of cloud-based support tools, the RXi will help customers gain productivity benefits from machine-to-machine connections and the skill sets of a digital native workforce. The RXi platform builds on GE’s deep expertise in the design of embedded control platforms as well as industry-standard open architecture technologies that deliver what companies in today’s economy need - improved performance, integration into the industrial internet, and greater uptime and low total cost of ownership.
Fig. 1. Dual ports help users reduce troubleshooting and downtime.
To provide the performance sophisticated control applications need today, the core of the product family is a COM Express architecture with multi- core CPUs, which will allow GE to offer a range of products that will be continually refreshed without impacting the user’s application. The RXi platform offers a full complement of high speed interfaces, with multiple gigabit ethernet and USB 3.0 ports. These high-performance features are coupled with GE’s PACSystems control engine to deliver uncompromised performance and application flexibility.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36