Time-of-Flight Laser Measurement Sensor from Banner Engineering
Banner Engineering has expanded its family of L-GAGE laser sensors with the new LTF Series.
Featuring time-of-flight technology, the laser measurement sensor ensures accurate distance measurements out to 12 m. By emitting a pulsed light, the LTF measures the amount of time for the light to reflect off the object and return to the sensor to calculate the distance. This enables sensing in long-range applications, including loop control, part presence or absence and fill level.
The LTF offers the best-in-class combination of accuracy, repeatability and range. Designed with a Class 2 laser emitter with small, highly visible spot, the LTF provides easy sensor alignment and high excess gain. The same sensor that provides repeatability of less than 3 mm and accuracy of plus or minus 10 mm can also reliably detect dark targets past 7 m and white targets at 12 m.
In addition to precision distance measurement, the LTF delivers consistent detection of targets regardless of the angle, environmental conditions or ambient light resistance. The dynamically adjusted laser sensor can also sense objects with varying materials and shapes. The laser power increases output for dark targets or objects at steep angles, while reducing power for shiny targets.
With easy, ready-to-use operation, the LTF starts measuring right out of the box. In just three simple steps, the sensor can be quickly mounted, aligned and provide real-time measurement. Users can also select from several TEACH modes, including 2-point teach, mid-point teach, switch point teach and push button adjust, to accommodate diverse applications. Advanced measurement modes, delay timers and cross-talk avoidance capability are also available.
Featuring an intuitive two-line, eight-character display, the LTF makes adjustments and menu navigation simple and easy to read. Additionally, the bright LED indicators provide clear status indication for analog output, discrete output and power.
To satisfy applications in harsh environmental conditions, the LTF features durable IP67-rated die-cast zinc housing.
For more information on the LTF laser sensor, visit bannerengineering.com.
Exor IP69K Food Grade eTOP507MFB HMI from Electromate
Electromate is now offering the Exor IP69K food grade HMI solution (model eTOP507MFB).
According to the company, the unit doesn’t need to be shielded from high temperature, high pressure cleaning, thanks to its 316 stainless steel bezel and polyester front foil.
Other features include: a PCAP “glove compatible” touchscreen; 800x480 64K colour display; an operating temperature range of -20° C (-4° F) to 60° C (140° F); and 2 Host interface v.2.0, SD card slot, 2 Ethernet port with integrated switch.
For more information, visit www.electromate.com.
Press Hardening Control Solutions from Fluke and Selmatec
Working with Fluke Process Instruments, German manufacturer Selmatec Systems has developed a range of quality control systems for press hardening. The portfolio covers direct and indirect press hardening as well as pressure controlled hardening (PCH).
Solutions are provided for various process stages: recognition of double blanks; position control before and after the oven as well as in the press; parts temperature monitoring before and after the press; and temperature monitoring of the tappet guide rails.
In addition to vision sensors, Raytek MI3 infrared thermometers and Raytek MP150 infrared linescanners from Fluke Process Instruments are variously used.
The linescanners enable inline monitoring of moving blanks and press parts. Scanning the parts at a 150 Hz frequency, they generate thermal images that provide information on temperature uniformity, part integrity (thickness variations, overlapping material), oven performance, die wear, and cooling cycle performance. Even minimal hot spots or cold spots are detected.
When parts do not comply with set specifications, the system can prompt automatic alerts and item discharge. This helps reduce downtimes since normal production can usually continue without interruption. 100 percent of processed parts are monitored in line. Temperature measurement complies with CQI-9 HTSA at a ±1 percent accuracy.
The system is compatible with all controller brands including, for instance, S7-1500. It can be integrated in OPC and customer-specific networks. Featuring an open, scalable software and hardware layout, all Selmatec systems allow for adaptions such as the integration of additional sensors for viewing complex parts in more detail.
For more information, visit www.flukeprocessinstruments.com.
The Experion Process Knowledge System Orion from Honeywell
Honeywell Process Solutions (HPS) today launched its newest version of Experion Process Knowledge System (PKS) Orion, featuring advanced Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) capabilities.
The new solution will help industrial plants further optimize automation project execution, reduce loop commissioning time, minimize operational risk and protect intellectual investments while keeping current with today’s technology.
In a competitive environment, industrial firms must find ways to implement new automation solutions quickly, efficiently, securely and cost-effectively. Experion PKS Orion now employs an expanded portfolio of innovative solutions for improving project execution and commissioning, modernizing control system infrastructure, expanding standards compliance and interoperability, and providing a path for continuous technology evolution.
Experion PKS Orion’s major enhancements include:
- Automated device commissioning: Essential to LEAP project execution, auto device commissioning automatically binds control configuration engineered in Honeywell’s secure cloud with field devices connected to any Universal I/O (UIO) channel, reducing loop commissioning time from hours to minutes.
- Integration of electrical systems with process control: Experion PKS Orion is the first distributed control system to be used for electrical system control and management, including support for IEC 61850 electrical management.
- Multivariable APC in the controller: Experion Profit Controller moves multivariable predictive control out of the Microsoft operating system and into the Experion Control Execution Environment (CEE), to run directly in the C300 controller and Application Control Environment (ACE) node.
- Support of all wireless standards, including WirelessHART: The latest Experion PKS Orion release offers numerous enhancements to its OneWireless Network. The updates support compliance with the latest revisions to the ISA 100.11a standard per IEC 62734, as well as the incorporation of WirelessHART technology.
- Next generation Virtualization Premium Platform with fault tolerance: Fault tolerance is a highlight of the Experion PKS virtualization environment and a crucial aspect of LEAP. It optimizes high-availability technology by providing continuous protection for Virtual Machines (VMs) in case of a host failure.
- Superior IIoT-Ready PLC Solution: Experion PKS Orion further supports Honeywell’s IIoT-ready initiative by leveraging a common HMI plus LEAP project execution for Honeywell’s new ControlEdge PLC. This provides a superior solution with secure connectivity and tight integration to devices from multiple vendors - resulting in easy configuration, efficient operations, and reduced maintenance.
- Automated third-party skid integration via SCADA: Automated skid integration applies our LEAP lean automation project solution to PLC integration. Enhanced third-party integration capabilities require less effort to validate Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Interfaces – reducing rework and retesting when a package program is modified, lessening schedule risk for late changes, and eliminating misalignment of configuration.
Other important Experion PKS Orion release features include: Universal Remote Modular Cabinets, safety critical alarms, C300 controller and ACE updates, optimized UIO-II modules, improved wireless access and identity management, enhanced Profibus data collection, new Ethernet Interface Module (EIM) technology, support of Ethernet IP, upgraded SCADA/Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) integration, and expanded on-process migration solutions.
For more information, visit www.honeywellprocess.com/pks.
Simatic PCS 7 Version 8.2 from Siemens
To meet the rising demands of automation, Siemens has further developed its Simatic PCS 7 process control system and released Version 8.2.
The new version comes with a range of functionalities to improve user convenience, as well as the performance and efficiency of the process control system over the entire life cycle of process plants – from the planning stage through to maintenance.
Plant engineers will also benefit from more efficient engineering solutions, while operators will find the system even more convenient in daily operation due to greater system availability and lower overall running costs.
To allow production processes to run with the greatest possible stability and efficiency, Version 8.2 of Simatic PCS 7 offers networked plant monitoring. Web systems can now also be operated and observed over the Intranet/Internet with Simatic PCS 7, for instance. For this, operators can use extensive configuration possibilities for individual and secured online access to the operating and monitoring level of a production plant, enabling the implementation of benefits such as remote control room concepts.
The integration of mobile terminals in Simatic PCS 7 has also been extended. This allows information such as production characteristics, trend or alarm functions to be viewed at any time from any location using smartphones or tablets – no matter which operating system is used.
Simatic PDM (Process Device Manager) supports plant-wide access to field devices. Diagnosis, maintenance, parameterization, configuration and commissioning can be performed by mobile terminals with standard browsers as well as by any optional computer within a system. By enabling the parameterization of field devices, the PDM solutions help improve servicing productivity.
The new version of Simatic PCS 7 supports operators with a range of search and visualization functions: one of these is the measuring point browser, which accelerates the selective search for measuring points with relevant plant information.
The Operator Trend View tool depicts the process sequence in the form of trend graphs for a rapid overview, helping the operator achieve optimized plant monitoring and process control. The group view visualizes existing measuring points, making operation faster and more intuitive for plant personnel.
The Logic Matrix plays a key role in ensuring efficient plant engineering. It allows the efficient switching of interlock statuses in a production plant in compliance with the cause and effect principle. The Logic Matrix can be processed, exported or imported with Microsoft Excel. In Simatic PCS 7 version 8.2, mass data engineering has also been extended: for instance technological engineering with function, system and layout plans and the relevant documents for Simatic PCS 7 projects. This reduces the work entailed in compiling PCS 7 documentation.
To avoid load peaks in the power supply, the new version of PCS 7 also offers integrated monitoring of all energy-relevant consumption data for a complete plant. The load management functions to control loads such as drives are a constituent part of the technology library and can be implemented. This supports plant operation within contractually agreed energy supply conditions and enables the selective optimization of power consumption.
For 24 V power supply concepts, there is a new library containing modules and faceplates for the direct integration of Sitop power supplies in Simatic PCS 7. Software modules supply the faceplate of the Simatic PCS 7 user interface with operating and diagnostic data, generate messages and guarantee connection to the Simatic PCS 7 maintenance system.
To ensure that the process control system will stay abreast of the latest technological developments at all times, Siemens offers a Software Update Service (SUS) for Simatic PCS 7. This also encompasses support for new operating systems such as Microsoft Windows 10 and Server 2012 for PCS 7 V8.2.
For more information, visit w3.siemens.com.