Profibus-DP-PID controllers

April 2000 Fieldbus & Industrial Networking

Protea Industrial Control says that connection to PLCs and PC supervisory packages is made easy with the 2408f and 2404f Profibus-DP controllers. Available in 1/8 DIN and 1/4 DIN panel sizes, they provide independent front-end control of temperature and other process variables without any compromise in performance.

Unlike other products, the design is not a gateway but uses a direct connection to the microprocessor bus of the controller, thereby ensuring efficient communications.

A Windows "set-up Wizard" sets up the controller parameters that are mapped into the PLC registers. This allows the ladder logic or control program to read and write to the controller as though it were an internally fitted module.

The controllers offer stable control with a range of control options. One-shot and continuously adaptive tuning optimises control performance without the need for specialist knowledge or training. A modular build accommodates a range of plug-in I/O modules.

Features include:

* Up to four internally stored setpoint programs.

* Analog retransmission.

* Remote setpoint.

*Two PV inputs for differential, max, min or transfer control.

* Cascade, ratio and feedforward control options.

Further reading:

Why secure industrial communication depends on deployment as well
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The Industrial Security Harmonisation Group has released a joint industry perspective highlighting a critical truth in industrial cybersecurity: secure communication is not determined by protocols alone, but by how they are deployed and managed in real-world environments.

Read more...

---

A single platform for all automation functions
Beckhoff Automation Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The introduction of TwinCAT in 1996 marked a decisive evolutionary step for PC-based control. Today, the TwinCAT platform combines all automation functions in a strictly deterministic real-time environment, from PLC and motion control through CNC and measurement technology and beyond, to vision, robotics and pioneering AI tools.

Read more...

---

Loop signature Part 2-4: Feedforward Control: Part 3
Michael Brown Control Engineering Editor's Choice Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
In the previous articles in this series, the basic theory behind feedforward control was discussed, and it was also shown how to apply feedforward in practice. In this article, it will be shown how well feedforward can work in practice by giving a couple of examples.

Read more...

---

Control Station and Dimension Software partner to connect control performance monitoring with enterprise operations intelligence
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Control Station has entered into a strategic technology partnership with Dimension Software, a leading provider of industrial operations management platforms. The collaboration connects Control Station’s PlantESP control loop performance monitoring platform with Dimension Software’s Asset Intellect operations intelligence environment, enabling manufacturers to operationalise control performance insights across their organisations.

Read more...

---

PCIe digitiser cards for optimal GHz signal acquisition and analysis
Vepac Electronics Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The addition of two new PCIe Digitiser cards from Spectrum Instrumentation extends the company’s flagship M5i series to deliver optimal GHz signal acquisition and analysis capabilities.

Read more...

---

Precise, synchronised control for automated steel mesh handling system
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Automation specialist Hambi Maschinenbau has developed a world-first system that automates the cutting, handling and stacking of heavy reinforcing steel mesh – a task that previously required up to six human operators.

Read more...

---

Loop signature Part 2-3: Feedforward Control: Part 2
Michael Brown Control Engineering Editor's Choice Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Feedforward control tuning is not nearly as critical as feedback tuning, and fairly simple models are usually fine for the purpose in hand.

Read more...

---

Upgrading radiological surveillance systems in nuclear facilities
Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Nuclear plant operators face an uncomfortable reality. Many of the control and monitoring systems still in use today were never designed to support the full operational lifespan of the facilities they serve.

Read more...

---

Next-level CAN Software enables easy access to CAN XL
Industrial Data Xchange (IDX) Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
With the release of its PCAN-Explorer 7, PEAK delivers a major update that adds full support for CAN XL, multiple symbol files per connection, Python scripting and flexible licensing including floating licenses.

Read more...

---

Loop signature Part 2-2: Feedforward Control: Part 1
Michael Brown Control Engineering Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Feedforward control is a powerful technique that can dramatically improve control variance in cases where load changes cause big deviations from setpoint and the actual process dynamics are too slow to allow the feedback controller to operate fast enough to catch these disturbances.

Read more...

---