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Focus on Process Control Hardware

| By Gerald Ondrey

Wired network bridge enables remote troubleshooting

This company has added the PLX35-NB2 Network Bridge to its slate of Secure Remote Access solutions. This wired solution can help system integrators, machine builders, or anyone who wants to cut down on unnecessary travel time for minor fixes by allowing them to troubleshoot their remote equipment from anywhere in the world. The Network Bridge joins the company’s Industrial Cellular Gateway. Both solutions’ remote connections are handled through ProSoft Connect, a secure, cloud-native platform designed to help users realize benefits from the industrial internet of things (IIoT). — ProSoft Technology, Bakersfield, Calif.

www.prosoft-technology.com

Emerson Automation Solutions

Emerson Automation Solutions

Wireless adapter enables IIoT for hazardous areas

The new THUM Adapter (photo) has been certified as explosion-proof for in U.S. and Canada. The wireless adapter, designed to operate in hazardous areas, retrieves valuable and formerly stranded data to provide insight for planned maintenance and avoid costly unplanned shutdowns. The device converts a wired HART signal to WirelessHART, and transmits the wireless data to a Gateway. The Gateway connects to the host systems via an industry-standard wired connection, usually Modbus or Ethernet. The diagnostic and process data accessed by the THUM Adapter provides users with insight to their process and helps them plan maintenance to avoid unplanned shutdowns. The THUM Adapter connects directly onto HART devices via threaded conduits, removing the need for a barrier. — Emerson Automation Solutions, Shakopee, Minn.

www.emerson.com/wireless-thum

 

Walchem

Walchem

A controller for wastewater-treatment applications

Introduced last year, the W900 Series Controller (photo) enables powerful programming for complete control of chemical metering pumps and valves in a broad range of water-treatment applications. With easy, icon-based programming on the large touchscreen display, the W900 can be configured to control multiple outputs using one of many pre-engineered algorithms. Four I/O slots permit exceptional flexibility to utilize almost any type of sensor, including pH/ORP (oxidation-reduction potential), conductivity, disinfection, fluorescence, temperature, level and flow, to name a few. Internet connectivity lets users maintain control via remote access. — Walchem, Iwali America Inc., Holliston, Mass.

www.walchem.com

 

 

 

Yokogawa

Yokogawa

Measure pipeline flowrates with this flow computer and terminal

The Y-Flow product family consists of the Y-Flow YFFC (field flow computer; photo) and Y-Flow YRTU (remote terminal unit). The Y-Flow YFFC is a low-power, orifice-flow computer designed to measure AGA 3 (American Gas Assn.) orifice gas flow and the Y-Flow YRTU is a low-power remote terminal unit designed to measure various complex AGA gas flow calculations, as well as remote control applications. The Y-Flow YFFC utilizes the company’s EJX910A multivariable transmitter capsule and communication board. The multivariable capsule and communication board are integrated into the flow computer as a single unit, thus reducing the cost of ownership and providing an accurate and precise measurement. The Y-Flow YRTU allows an external turbine meter, ultrasonic meter, multivariable transmitters and Coriolis meter to be connected to measure complex AGA gas flow calculations. — Yokogawa Corp. of America, Newnan, Ga.

www.yokogawa.com

 

 

Sigmatek

Sigmatek

Wireless operating panel with multi-touch & safety functions

The wireless handheld panel HGW 1033 (photo, p. 22) enables data transfer without long cables in production sites. The mobile panel has a 10.1-in. multitouch display (PCT) that is suitable for industrial applications and offers a wide range of visualization options and an intuitive operating concept. As with function-oriented data, safety data are transmitted via the standard WLAN network, but according to the Black Channel Principle. With the wireless HMI (human-machine interface), the machine operator can flexibly select the inspection points and operate multiple machines, robots or system units at the same time with only one panel. For this purpose, a safe seven-segment display for machine identification is integrated. A dual-core EDGE2 Technology processor provides the necessary visualization power. — Sigmatek GmbH & Co. KG, Lamprechtshausen, Austria

www.sigmatek-automation.com

 

 

Mitsubishi Electric Automation

Mitsubishi Electric Automation

This CNC featuresintuitive touchscreen operation

The M80W computer numerical controller (CNC; photo) is this company’s latest addition to its industry-proven M8 Series CNCs. The M80W features a touchscreen Windows-based display that is separate from the control unit, providing expandability and flexibility. Incorporating the latest operating system and slim personal computer, the M80W includes two expansion slots for 32 GB SD cards, allowing OEMs and end users to add up to 64 GB more memory for even greater flexibility. The new M80W CNC was designed for the automotive and machine-tool industries, and is especially useful for applications such as turning centers, machining centers, lathes and mills. — Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc., Vernon Hills, Ill.

http://us.mitsubishielectric.com

 

 

Phoenix Contact USA

Phoenix Contact USA

Space-saving surge protection with these thin modules

With modules starting at just 3.5-mm wide, the new Termitrab Complete surge-protective devices (SPDs; photo) can protect up to 572 signals on 1 m of DIN rail. In addition to this ultra-narrow option, the company’s newest SPD line includes variants that meet many specific measurement and control needs. The range includes SPDs that use optical monitoring capabilities to troubleshoot and diagnose a system from any location. Local and remote status indication simplifies maintenance. Some modules in the Termitrab Complete line come in a pluggable format. The user can easily remove and replace devices without having to undo or redo connection wiring, saving valuable time. The pluggable versions can be tested using the mobile test laboratory CheckMaster 2. The SPDs are available with Push-in connection technology or screw connection. Eight variants are triple-rated for hazardous locations (IEC Ex, ATEX and Class I, Division 2). A knife-disconnection option makes testing and evaluation more convenient. — Phoenix Contact USA, Middletown, Pa.

www.phoenixcontact.com/ttc

 

Modems now integrated into HART product line

Viator HART modems, previously marketed under Pepperl+Fuchs MACTek Inc., is now a Pepperl+Fuchs branded product. The official integration of the Viator portfolio means that it now has the power of this company’s distribution network, making Viator globally available and supported. Bluetooth, RS-232, USB, and USB with PowerXpress Viator models are available, including a Bluetooth model that is designed for use in hazardous locations. HART networks bridge the long distances between the plant and the field, offering cost-effective solutions for data acquisition. Measured values are available on a regular basis, leading to increased quality and more economical operation of process plants. — Pepperl+Fuchs, Twinsburg, Ohio

www.pepperl-fuchs.com

 

ITW Vortec

ITW Vortec

Cabinet cooler now certified for hazardous locations

The ProtEX Vortec A/C line of cabinet coolers (photo) has been granted certification for Class I, Division 1, Groups A, B, C and D; Class II, Division 1, Groups F and G; and Class III, after extensive review by Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL). The new UL Classification is on top of the existing ATEX Certification for Zones 1 and 21, which complies with the latest EN ISO 80079 36:2016 standard. The unique combination of UL Classification (UL File E356284) and ATEX Certification greatly expands the industries and locations where Vortec enclosure coolers can be used. The new ProtEX models are small, easily installed and require minimal maintenance costs. In addition, they are certified for ambient temperatures up to 175°F, which is significantly greater than most hazardous-area-rated Freon air conditioners. With dual ATEX and UL certification, these coolers provide an economical alternative to large, heavy air conditioners, which are expensive to purchase and to maintain, says the company. These Vortec models offer 900-, 1,500-, 2,500- or 5,000-Btu/h cooling capacity to suit the differing needs of each enclosure and facility. — ITW Vortec, Cincinnati, Ohio

www.vortec.com

 

Honeywell Process Solutions

Honeywell Process Solutions

This PLC is first to be awarded critical certification

Last August, the ControlEdge programmable logic controller (PLC; photo) received ISASecure Embedded Device Security Assurance (EDSA) Level 2 certification by exida, the ISO 17065 accredited certification body who conducted the assessment. The certification recognizes the integrity of both the PLC and its development lifecycle, and includes rigorous communication robustness testing, as well as functional and software-development security assessments. ControlEdge PLC is said to be the first PLC to be awarded the ISASecure Level 2 certification, which builds on the Level 1 capabilities by providing additional security features, such as the confidentiality and integrity of data at rest and in motion, detection of unauthorized changes and additional protection against Denial of Service attacks. The ISASecure-compliant controller has advanced features, including a secure boot capability to prevent uploading of unauthorized software and a built-in firewall. PLC communication can also be secured using IPSec to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks and unauthorized access. — Honeywell Process Solutions, Houston

www.honeywellprocess.com

 

IDEC

IDEC

A small, yet powerful — and smart — PLC

The MicroSmart FC6A Plus (photo) is a powerful PLC, with up to 2,060 local I/Os. With its expanded I/O capacity, the FC6A Plus can control and monitor the largest machines or entire small-scale manufacturing facilities, a capability seldom found in a micro PLC, says the company. To ensure high-level performance with this expanded I/O count, basic instructions can be executed in the extremely fast speed of 21 ns, and program memory is 800 kB (100 K steps), much larger than other micro PLCs. These capabilities are combined with extensive data memory, more than double the capacity of a typical micro PLC. These features allow the FC6A Plus to handle large programs with complex control requirements, such as PID, flow totalization and recipes. Two models are available, each with 24-V d.c. input power. The 16 I/O model has eight inputs and eight relay or transistor outputs. The 32 I/O model has 16 inputs and 16 transistor outputs. Each model also includes an integral 0–10-V d.c. analog input with 12-bit resolution. Each model can accommodate up to three plug-in discrete, analog, serial communication or Bluetooth cartridges. Each discrete cartridge has four discrete I/O points, either four inputs or four outputs. Each analog cartridge has two analog I/O points, either two inputs or two outputs. Up to 63 I/O expansion modules can be added. This gives the FC6A Plus the capability to handle up to 2,060 I/Os with a maximum of 511 analog I/Os. — IDEC Corp., Sunnyvale, Calif.

www.idec.com/usa

 

R. Stahl

R. Stahl

Compact Ex-d enclosures for control and terminal boxes

This company’s ATEX- and IECEx-certified empty housings (photo), with explosion protection type Ex d, enable highly flexible structuring of terminal and control boxes. The enclosures are suitable for applications in Zone 1, 2, 21 or 22, for both gas- and dust-hazardous environments. Series 8250 includes cost-effective housings with sizes from 250 × 150 × 110 mm up to 540 × 360 × 300 mm. Made of seawater-resistant aluminum, the enclosures are corrosion resistant, reliable and durable. Thanks to their innovative design, these housings weigh almost 15% less than other Ex d enclosures on the market, says the company. They are universally applicable as terminal boxes, as machine- or motor-control units or as distribution boxes. The enclosures can be individually equipped with operating elements and signaling devices. Flameproof cable glands of Ex d type protection are available for direct cable entry into the enclosures. With IP66 degree of protection and a wide temperature range from –60 to 70°C (on request, up to +130°C), the enclosures are suitable for worldwide use in industries such as machine building, offshore applications, chemical, pharmaceutical and others where explosion-protected equipment are mandated to comply with international standards.— R. Stahl, Waldenburg, Germany

www.r-stahl.com

 

Siemens AG

Siemens AG

An economical lPC for industrial applications

This company is now offering an economical, basic panel PC, Simatic IPC377E (photo). The Simatic IPC377E Basic Panel PC is based on Intel Celeron processor technology and represents a new IPC platform that has been specifically developed to optimize cost for PC-based applications in the industrial and industry-related environments. The Simatic IPC377E combines the openness and performance of an industrial PC with a long-lasting, robust display with anti-glare glass front, analog-resistive with single-touch operation, scratchproof and resistant to chemicals. The display is available in three sizes: 12-, 15- or 19-in. diagonal screen. The Simatic IPC377E Panel PC provides a preconfigured, turnkey solution well suited for all industrial applications, especially for economical implementation of HMI (human-machine interface) applications, the acquisition and networking of production and energy data in production environments, such as assembly workstations, warehouses and logistics systems, or for standard applications in the image-processing field. It is easy to integrate into existing machines and plant concepts. — Siemens AG, Munich, Germany

www.siemens.com