During a whistle-stop tour around the country, Mitsubishi Electric’s distributor in sub-Saharan Africa, Circuit Breaker Industries (CBI), recently held the official launch of the System Q programmable logic controller. Accompanying CBI on the tour were Olaf Ophoff, Christoph Behler, Thomas Droth and Wolfgang Kowalewski of Mitsubishi’s European office.
"System Q is not just another PLC, we regard it as an automation platform," said European & African Product Manager, Ophoff. "Users can install up to four CPUs in each system, with the ability to choose from a range of two motion CPUs, two PC CPUs and eight logic CPUs - that is over 100 different combinations. If the configuration of the system needs to change, the user can simply replace some/all the CPUs. However, the platform, module rack and peripherals remain the same ensuring the system remains highly flexible.
"To satisfy the increasing demands of our customers for networking support, we have included not only USB and serial port, but also an Ethernet interface on System Q," Ophoff continued. "We also recommend comprehensive solutions for those customers that have concerns over the network security issues that this exciting level of transparency can introduce."
When asked how the market had received the System Q, export sales manager, Kowalewski commented, "The response of the European market has been excellent and the South African market has been no less enthusiastic.
"The introduction of a European research facility by Mitsubishi means that the specific needs of the EU/African market are being addressed," elaborated Kowalewski. "The application technologies used in Africa are often very similar to European industry. This, further complemented by the excellent relationship between Mitsubishi - Europe and CBI - South Africa, means significant benefits to South African end-users and system integrators."
On the cards for the not too distant future is also a System Q specifically tailored for the process industry. This will augment another feature of System Q - the ability to integrate Q Motion Controller CPUs in the existing platform. Users can install up to three 8 or 32 axis motion CPU modules in the System Q, enabling synchronisation of up to 96 servo axes with a single system. This modular motion controller functionality is particularly useful in mechanical engineering applications, machine tools, printing and paper processing machines and in modern packaging and food processing machines.
With respect to the looming war in the Gulf and economic current global economic downturn, Kowalewski had the following to say, "Whilst many of our competitors announced significant decreases in sales over the last year, we have shown a healthy increase in sales."
Marketing manager of CBI, Karen Heitmuller, enunciated on the company's product and service differentiation, "Some of our clients have been using Mitsubishi products for many years... for them the reliability of the product speaks for itself. One of the users at our recent user-group meeting told of how in using Mitsubishi products for 20 years he had only experienced two failures, both of which were easily rectifiable."
Mitsubishi's confidence in CBI was well demonstrated by Kowalewski's reaction when he was asked if Mitsubishi was considering direct distribution of its products. "We are very happy with the performance of CBI. It is a large, established company with over 50 years of experience in the electrical engineering sector. CBI is serving our customers well and we see no need to intervene."
For more information contact Circuit Breaker Industries, 011 928 2000, [email protected], www.cbi.co.za
© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved
printer friendly version