PLCs with in-built functional safety and fail-safe condition monitoring are the unsung heroes of many renewable installations, offering off-the-shelf availability, high reliability, fast processing speeds and proven safety functions
Mitsubishi Electric has released its smallest and most powerful compact PLC to date, the FX5UC series Premium Micro PLC. Its diminutive size is set to help machine builders and manufacturers pack ever more functionality into a smaller space - while also providing the web access and network connectivity demanded by the latest Smart Factory applications
To improve overall functional safety of various applications to global safety standards and reduce manual inspection and maintenance, ABB has launched what is reported to be the world’s first safety PLC with integrated condition monitoring.
RS Components has introduced the first programmable logic controller (PLC) to be based upon Phoenix Contact’s PLCnext Technology open control platform.
New from Unitronics, the UniStream 5" All-in-One, compact PLC and HMI with built-in I/Os offers a solution for OEMs and systems integrators needing space-saving controllers that deliver the functionality to control complex machines, while creating a competitive advantage via a colour-touch HMI panel.
The new Micro PLC VIPA Control from Yaskawa combines high performance, high channel density in a compact, modern design. With a width of less than 72mm, the Micro is up to 50% smaller than typical micro controllers.
MicroTek Processes, a manufacturer of specialist UV treatment systems has upgraded its PLC requirements from the Unitronics Vision 570 model to the touch screen V1040 PLC+HMI unit, supplied and supported by Alldrives & Controls. The upgrade has been applied to all the closed vessel UV systems the company manufactures and gives a consistent product offering and a universal PLC platform.
NORD Drivesystems will present intelligent drives with an integrated PLC at the SPS IPC Drives exhibition. The drives are fully equipped to execute control sequences in customer applications.
Following restructuring of IDEC Electronics’ European business last year, the operations of former IDEC Electronics UK have received a significant boost with the launch by IDEC UK’s former managing director, Stephen Schiller, of Staffordshire-based company, Sys-Tek
Since first finding commercial success in the early 1970s, PLCs (programmable logic controllers) have been at heart of many production lines, machine functions and processes. An industrial computer system that continuously monitors the state of input devices and makes decisions to control the state of output devices, a PLC can greatly enhance any application.
Highly modular, a PLC enables different types of input and output devices to be combined to best suit the application. It also has the ability to change and replicate a process while collecting and communicating resulting data.
