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Control Engineering - Breaking News

Friday, January 2, 2009

Long-Range Camera System

Taking camera technology ‘beyond bar codes’
The AV6010 Long Range Camera System provides a flexible and upgradeable computing architecture to meet the needs of most demanding applications. Processors can be configured for decoding, OCR/OCV/VCS, in-camera dimensioning, and more, allowing the system to be easily configured assuring each application has all the power it needs to get the job done fast and accurately.

AV6010 is compatible with Accu-Sort’s FAST Monitor™ and VisionCapture™ systems. FAST Monitor provides advanced ‘at-a-glance’ diagnostics. VisionCapture’s real-time image capturing of ‘no-reads’ enables fast resolution of poor quality or damaged code issues.

Innovative mounting structures, an auto-calibration wizard and HTML user interface reduce installation and commission time from several days to less than 10 hours for a 6-camera tunnel system. One cable connects all components through a dedicated network providing the tach, trigger and sync signals. Read results are passed through the network to the acting ‘Master’ camera which handles communications to the Host.

Easiest to install, use and maintain:

* 6-sided camera tunnel install in less than
10 hours!
* One cable connects it all!
* Wizard reduces total setup time by 70%

Highest Read Performance:

* Highest read rates on good and poor quality codes
* Superior image quality
* Upgradeable processors

‘Never Fails’ Reliability:

* 75,000+ hours MTBF
* Linux-based OS means no patches and no viruses
* No hard drives = no UPS, no disk crashes

“Beyond Bar Codes” Flexibility:

* Certified dimensioning
* OCR/OCV pre-processing
* Remote diagnostics
* Image Quality Analysis (IQA) compatible
* Image storage and retrieval

Industrial Barcode Scanners and Sensors SICK

Stationery CCD Barcode Reader. Thanks to its small housing size and the straight or lateral oriented reading window, this reader can be integrated into nearly all mounting situations. Reading of high density barcodes, integrated decoder, serial interface RS-232.



Barcode scanner with benefits from CLV 200 family. high performance scanner is integrated into a housing with very small dimensions. Data interface RS-232/422/485, wide range of Input Voltage.



The new bar code scanners CLV 430/431/432 represent the newest members of our high performance scanner family. Large reading distance, IP65. SMART Code recognition technology leads to a definite increase of first good read rate. Additional variants, such as angled or oscillating mirror versions, provide solutions for special requirements, such as reading bar codes on large areas.


SICK is a leading manufacturer of factory and process automation technology worldwide. The diversity of its product line allows SICK to offer solutions at every phase of production in the automotive, packaging, electronics, food and beverage and material handling industries. With an innovative line of bar code line scanners, omni scanners, vision-based reading systems, integration software, and dimensioning products, SICK offers the industry's broadest range of solutions for automatic identification applications. High-performance, flexibility and simplicity are the hallmarks of SICK's barcode scanners and systems.

SICK Industrial Sensors reliably sort, count, inspect, measure, recognize and verify the position, size and overall shape of objects. Contrast sensors recognize differences in material brightness and color. Luminescence sensors recognize fluorescent markings, labels, threads, lubricants and adhesives. Color sensors identify and differentiate objects by color.

The Laser Measurement System Sensors are non-contact measuring systems that scan two-dimensionally, with no additional reflectors or markers required. These devices are ideal for determining the volume of objects or bulk materials, collision prevention for AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles), determining and monitoring the position of objects, sorting and classifying, and for positioning control. Laser Measurement Systems are powerful and versatile tools; they are available in both inside- and outside-use models.

Schneider Electric introduces TeSys T motor management system

Effectively managing a motor system can be complex and costly. Users can overcome the difficulties and compatibility issues of upgrading their electronic systems with the Telemecanique brand TeSys T-- a new class of motor management protection. The TeSys T advanced motor management and protection system combines primary motor protection requirements with additional functionality. This unique system guarantees perfect adaptation to all installed base motor management needs.


“Engineers are faced with the urgency of gathering and interpreting information to manage work and maintenance schedules. They need a smart solution that can adapt motor management needs based on all system inputs,” said James Fox, product staff specialist, Schneider Electric North American Operating Division. “The TeSys T motor management system records motor history, statistics and time-stamped faults to give users a comprehensive real-time view of their motor control.”

The system consists of an efficient multifunction protection device, separate from the automation system, and an operator control unit for reading and modification of monitored parameters. User-friendly configuration software helps users easily implement motor starters equipped with a TeSys T motor management system. An expansion module with voltage measurement and additional logic inputs completes the controller functions.

The additional information offered by the TeSys T motor management systems allows users to improve analysis of current faults and anticipate future system performance. Adapting the monitoring protection and control systems helps avoid nuisance trips, reduces downtime and lowers maintenance and repair costs. The combination of the controller’s basic protection functions and the expansion module’s advanced protection guarantees maximum analysis accuracy.

Unlike any other product on the market, the advanced solution supports up to five fieldbus types — Ethernet, Modbus, CANopen, DeviceNet and Profibus — without any other auxiliary modules or communication gateways. As a result, the TeSys T motor management system becomes an integral component of automation strategies optimized for integration into intelligent motor control centers and low voltage switchboards. It’s easily used for fixed, disconnecting and draw-out assemblies that meet NEMA or IEC standards for local or international applications.

The TeSys T motor management system offers six motor control functions, including overload, two-step and two-speed modes to simplify configuration and implementation of the motor starter.
The system guards against motor malfunctions, such as overload, current peak, excessive consumption and more.

The TeSys T motor management system is especially suited for industrial applications where a high degree of available production equipment is a requirement, such as iron and steel, cement works, paper mills and raw material extraction. The system also is suitable for the oil and gas, chemistry, pharmaceutical, and water and wastewater industries.

Headquartered in Palatine, Ill., the North American Operating Division of Schneider Electric had sales of $3.7 billion (U.S.) in 2006. The North American Operating Division is one of four operating divisions of Schneider Electric, headquartered in Paris, France, and markets the Square D, Telemecanique and Merlin Gerin brand products to customers in the United States, Canada and Mexico. In the United States, Schneider Electric is best known by its flagship Square D brand, with Telemecanique becoming increasingly known in the industrial control and automation markets and supported by many Square D distributors. For more than 100 years, Square D has been a market-leading brand of electrical distribution and industrial control products, systems and services. Schneider Electric is a global electrical industry leader with 2006 sales of approximately $17.2 billion (U.S.).

Banner Engineering Corp. introduces the U-GAGE® T30UX ultrasonic sensor for challenging applications.

With its extended functional range and advanced temperature compensation, the T30UX sensor withstands hostile environments, providing superior ultrasonic sensing to solve even the toughest application challenges. The T30UX sensor features a robust U-GAGE housing to resist harsh environmental conditions and provides a variety of model options to meet a broad range of application requirements.

The T30UX ultrasonic sensor is available in a choice of three ranges for reliable sensing from 100 mm to 3 m and delivers high-accuracy performance with built-in temperature compensation across a wide range of ambient temperatures. Temperature compensation allows the sensor to self-correct for the temperature in its environment and maintain the highest accuracy in changing conditions. This robust sensor resists harsh environments with a rugged IP67 (NEMA 6) housing and fully encapsulated electronics, and its 30 mm threaded barrel and a selection of mounting brackets allow simple installation. Additionally, models are available with a single analog or user-configurable discrete output, and all models provide highly visible LED status indicators for Power, Signal Strength and Output.

“The T30UX sensor delivers all the advantages of conventional ultrasonic sensors—utilizing sound waves to measure distance and detect the presence of targets,” said Brad Johnson, Ultrasonic Product Specialist at Banner. “The robust sensor also provides enhanced features, including temperature compensation, for a variety of application challenges.” Johnson adds, “The T30UX sensor is easy to set up through push-button TEACH-mode programming, and it offers remote TEACH for increased security and convenience.”

Applications

The T30UX sensor delivers high-accuracy sensing in a wide range of hostile environments, including:

* Liquid level monitoring in tanks
* Web loop control
* Slurry monitoring in vats
* Clear bottle detection
* Automotive glass detection
* Repeatable detection of targets of various colors


In addition, several features of the T30UX sensor make it particularly useful in the above applications:

* Delivers high-accuracy performance with built-in temperature compensation across a wide range of ambient temperatures
* Resists harsh environments with a rugged IP67 (NEMA 6) housing and fully encapsulated electronics
* Offers a choice of three ranges for reliable sensing from 100 mm to 3 m
* Includes models available with a single analog or user-configurable discrete output
* Presents easy visual status monitoring using highly visible indicator lights
* Utilizes push-button TEACH-mode programming for simple sensor setup; offers remote TEACH for increased security and convenience

Thermocouple Data Logger


Omega Engineering are now selling a Thermocouple data logger that plugs directly into a USB port.

The OM-EL-USB-TC data logger measures and stores over 32,000 temperature readings from either a Type J, Type K or Type T thermocouple which plugs into a miniature female thermocouple receptacle at the base of the unit. The user can easily set up the initial data logging parameters including thermocouple type, logging rate, start-time, high/low alarm settings, logging mode and desired temperature units (°C or °F) and also download the stored data by plugging the module straight into a PC’s USB port and running the easy-to-use Windows software.

Downloaded data can then be graphed, printed and exported to other applications such as Excel. The data logger is supplied complete with a long-life lithium battery. Data logger status is indicated by flashing red, green and orange LEDs.

Specifications
Temperature Measurement Range:
Type J: -130 to 900°C (-202 to 1652°F)
Type K: -200 to 1300°C (-328 to 2372°F)
Type T: -200 to 350°C (-328 to 662°F)
Resolution: 0.5°C (1°F)
Accuracy: ±1.0°C (±2.0°F)
Thermocouple Connection: Female subminiature thermocouple connector
Temperature Units: °C or °F selectable in software
Memory: 32,000 readings
Logging Interval: 1 sec, 10 sec, 1 min, 5 min, 30 min, 1 hr, 6 hr, 12 hr
(selectable in software)
High/Low Alarms: Selectable in software
Start Date/Time: Selectable in software
Operating Temperature Range: -10 to 40°C (-14 to 104°F)
Visual Indicators (LEDs): 2 LEDs; the first LED flashes orange to indicate a problem
condition with the data logger such as low battery; the second LED indicates alarm status
and flashes green (temperature within limits) or red (temperature out of limits)
Software: Windows® 2000/XP/VISTA
Power: 1/2 AA 3.6 V lithium battery (included)
Battery Life: 6 months (at 25°C and 1 minute logging interval)
Weight: 43 g (1.5 oz)

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Relays are Dead: Long Live the Relay!

In Process Control applications, it is vital to connect control systems, such as PLC’s, to the real world.

Enter the humble relay!

Even though PLC systems were introduced to eliminate relays, we still can’t live without them! The traditional socket mounted, electromechanical relay, often used in designs that are 30 to 40 years old, is still a highly effective solution to load-switching problems in industrial and commercial applications.

Top 10 reasons to use a Relay in a Process Control application:

  • High current contacts - By using a relay interfaced to a PLC output, you now have the ability to switch on and off much higher current loads (typically 10Amps for a small plug-in relay) than by just using the PLC output alone.
  • Multiple poles – Relays give your PLC the ability to switch multiple loads simultaneously. If you try this with just PLC outputs, you will need multiple individual PLC outputs to do the same job, plus programs will need modifications.
  • Low replacement cost – Plug-in relays are a lot cheaper to replace than a PLC output module. If a relay contact “welds” then all that is required to fix the problem is to pull out the relay and replace it.
  • Less downtime of Process Automation – It seems strange to say this, but through experience, you will find that it is quicker to pull out a suspect relay and replace it than it is to: (a) Find a spare Output Module, (b)Get authorization to shut down the Process, (c) Get maintenance to lockout all energy to the panel (d) Get maintenance personnel to replace suspect Output Module, (e) Get maintenance to energize the PLC panel and all other associated equipment, (f) Hunt down the Process operators, who went for a coffee break, (g) Get the Operators to reset the Process to a starting point, (h) Restart the Process Automation, and hope everything runs okay! On a time scale, it would take about 20 to 30 minutes to get the relay replaced, but the harsh reality is, replacing a suspect PLC Output Module could take anywhere from 1 hour to 8 hours!
  • Simple control of loads – Relays are ideal for switching loads such as Lamps, motors, heaters, solenoids, pumps, etc. To use a PLC output, means to consciously design for these items during the initial design phase. Ask questions such as, what is the maximum current of the load? What is the voltage range required? Is the load inductive? Can the PLC Output be sink, source or volt free contact?
  • Normally closed contacts – Ah, I hear you say, “So what!” Normally closed contacts can be a big deal in any Process Control System. When the relay is de-energized, the relay contacts are closed, allowing a circuit to be made. Now, a PLC Output is normally open (unless you use a form C relay output module). PLC digital Output Modules generally fall into a small number of categories such as Solid state A.C or D.C. and Relays. A typical application is an Interlock signal that is used between to Process Control systems. If the requirement for the Interlock is that it will be ON when de-energized, then your safest solution is the humble plug-in relay.
  • No leakage current through contacts – Solid state relays and some PLC Output Modules have a small “leakage current” this is only a minute source, but can show up a source of problems during commissioning a Process Control system. Leakage current can cause strange results in a system such as Beacons on Control Panels flashing for no reason.
  • Manual override ability – Some relays have a small lever that can be pushed in to manually operate the contacts. This gives you the ability to test connected circuits even when the Process Automation PLC system is off!
  • Lower maintenance costs – One relay is cheaper to replace, than a whole PLC Output Module.
  • Many different styles of relay help ease design issues – Relays come in many shapes and sizes to help implement an Engineers design. There are plug-in styles with an octal base, plug-in styles with flat pins, Din mounted, terminal block mounted, PC board mounted, Built-in LED indicators, Timer delay types, pulse expander types, relays that detect and operate on speed, built-in suppression of spikes and Built-in diodes for D.C. coils.

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