From the point of view of the process automation engineer, the ideal process measurement solution will facilitate a higher output with better quality and a higher output with better quality and at a competitive price for the overall optimization.
Unfortunately, in many small industries and process plants, the implementation of a PLC or DCS is experienced as a commercial and technical overkill. In turn, while full-blown process plants possess areas and applications where specialised process functions and algorithms are required, the cost of performing these calculations in a control room is mostly prohibitive.
Endress+Hauser has introduced a novel concept, which while unable to execute the control functionality offered by PLCs, plays a significant role as a cost-saving ad-on. It allows for a considerable reduction in the amount of programming that is required, reducing both the cost of programming as well as the amount of cabling required by any automated process.
Commutec S is a cost-effective and programmer-friendly process control solution. Comprising of a family of intelligent I/O modules, the product allow users to select and purchase only what they need to build up a custom grouping of up to 60 modules, typically 200 I/O. The result is a universal I/O family that can accept any conventional input including analogue active and passive 4 to 20mA, with or without HART, digital, temperature, Namur, PFM, switches, sensors and Profibus PA. Each individual box is connected via a backplane cable running CANbus digital technology and can therefore share information and communicate with one another. The modules are easily mounted onto a DIN rail. A unique feature of Commutec S is that each module has a removable DAT (memory) chip that stores the parameters of the module ie setpoints, switching points, linearisation etc. Should a module fail, one simply exchanges the DAT and the new module takes the configuration of its predecessor. After processing and manipulating incoming data, the modules present the relevant information in almost any required format, from analog 4 to 20 mA, relay and digital to system output Profibus DP. Foundation Fieldbus and Ethernet will also be available as outputs in the near future. A new feature is that the Endress+Hauser engineering software tool, Commuwin II, can be connected to Commutec S and is able to configure HART and Profibus PA devices transparently. This saves software costs and reduces commissioning time. In small process industries where control is not of primary importance and where access to a programmer is seldom cost-effective, Commutec S provides a sophisticated solution for process visualisation and optimisation. Instead of programming, users simply enter relevant parameters to facilitate the necessary calculations. Small plants thus take advantage of reduced costs regarding programming and hardware, as well as greatly simplified process optimisation. In larger plants, Commutec S facilitates a reduction in the amount of I/O cards, cabling and associated automation such as tagging, racking and documentation. It also helps to reduce CPU overheads being taken up by noncontrol activities. Irrespective of the size of the process, Commutec S thus ensures that the PLC is free to focus on its primary task of control, reliably and accurately, while taking care of subsidiary calculations remotely.
Adding a further dimension of functionality to Commutec S is the fact that it can be integrated with a function module running specialised Applipac software. The function module can download the typical process algorithms common to industry and, as stipulated by user requirements, calculate relevant algorithms based on incoming information. The function module then translates this information into a suitable output format, eliminating the need for each individual device or system to be connected to the PLC. As mentioned, users needn't be sophisticated programmers since they only need to enter the relevant parameters, after which, the module automatically carries out all necessary calculations.
| Tel: | +27 11 262 8000 |
| Email: | [email protected] |
| www: | www.endress.com |
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