NI launches family of powerful industrial controllers
February 2016
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
National Instruments has introduced a family of three new industrial controllers that address the complex requirements of advanced Internet of Things (IoT) applications. These controllers feature 5th generation Intel Core processors, rugged packaging, built-in I/O and extensive connectivity options, so that machine builders and system designers can eliminate the need for separate subsystems within complex machines and consolidate functionality into a single controller. They can simplify system complexity, decrease system cost and reduce overall footprint by integrating different types of I/O, including vision and motion, control and processing into a single, high-performance controller, such as the newly released IC-3173.
“Industrial systems and machines have become more complex, often incorporating several independent subsystems for specialised tasks, such as image processing, multi-axis motion control and operator interfaces. With products such as the IC-3173 industrial controller, system designers can improve performance and simplify system complexity by moving to a centralised approach where one controller is used for many or all of these tasks,” said Jamie Smith, director of embedded systems at NI.
To meet the evolving demands of today’s industrial IoT applications, designers need products that bring together computation, connectivity and control. The IC-3173 industrial controller addresses these requirements with key features, including:
• Powerful processing: Dual-core Intel i7 processors combined with user-programmable Xilinx Kintex-7 160T FPGAs for advanced signal and image processing, customisable digital I/O and high-speed closed-loop control.
• Extensive connectivity: Five independently controlled Gigabit Ethernet ports with four that include power over Ethernet (PoE) support and two full-bandwidth controlled USB 3.0 ports for connecting to and processing images from multiple USB3 Vision and GigE Vision cameras simultaneously.
• Seamless integration: Support for EtherCAT Master, Ethernet/IP, RS-232/RS-485, Modbus serial and Modbus/TCP to communicate with other devices such as PLCs and operator interfaces.
• Software: Full LabVIEW system design software support for customising control algorithms, performing image processing and executing advanced analytics.
For more information contact National Instruments, +27 (0)11 805 8197, ni.southafrica@ni.com, www.southafrica.ni.com
Further reading:
Megatech is expanding
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Megatech SA has been importing high quality industrial plant equipment and spare parts since 2016. Based in KwaZulu-Natal, the company specialises in electrical and mechanical equipment and instrumentation.
Read more...
Powerful and versatile IIoT controller
ifm - South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
The IIoT controller from ifm is a powerful, communicative and flexible PLC solution in machine and plant digitalisation.
Read more...
ACTOM Industry to upgrade drive and control system
ACTOM Electrical Machines
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
ACTOM Industry secured an important contract to upgrade the drive and control system of a man-winder at a gold mine in Ghana.
Read more...
Powerful and versatile IIoT controller
ifm - South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
The IIoT controller from ifm is a powerful, communicative and flexible PLC solution in machine and plant digitalisation.
Read more...
ACTOM Industry to upgrade drive and control system
ACTOM Electrical Machines
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
ACTOM Industry secured an important contract to upgrade the drive and control system of a man-winder at a gold mine in Ghana.
Read more...
MCCs for local and international markets
Iritron
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
With a history of delivering large engineering projects globally, Iritron has over 20 years’ experience in designing motor control centres (MCCs) built to the highest international specifications.
Read more...
Deep learning based component inspection in the automotive industry
Beckhoff Automation
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Achieving the shortest possible inspection times – even when working with different components – is paramount when it comes to series production. This is precisely what stoba Sondermaschinen achieved with its optical inspection system, which is based on deep learning, and features the Beckhoff XPlanar planar motor system at the conveyor system core.
Read more...
Case history 189: Poor furnace temperature control.
Michael Brown Control Engineering
Editor's Choice PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Many process engineers do not appreciate the importance of flow loops in their unit controls. A senior process engineer once told me that flow loops need not be tuned well, as they generally have little effect on the more important and much slower loops like temperatures and pressures.
Read more...
PLCs and PACs simplify data acquisition
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Data acquisition, data logging and data analysis are required functions for most modern industrial control systems. The simplest and lowest cost way to provide these functions is often by using the same platform that’s providing real-time control, namely the PLC or the programmable automation controller.
Read more...
Enhanced perimeter defence solution
Emerson Automation Solutions
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Emerson is improving perimeter security for the DeltaV distributed control system with its new NextGen Smart Firewall, a purpose-built control system firewall designed to provide easy-to-install and maintain perimeter security for all industries.
Read more...
printer friendly version