New 4 and 8 channel temperature control modules

VIPA, the German manufacturer of innovative PLC and PC based automation solutions, have launched a new range of temperature control modules for demanding processing applications

VIPA, the German manufacturer of innovative PLC and PC based automation solutions, have launched a new range of temperature control modules for demanding processing applications.

For direct use with Siemens S7-300 PLCs or with VIPA System 300V, the 4 and 8 channel modules have been developed in conjunction with Gossen Metrawatt, the leading industrial measurement and control technology company based in Nurnberg, Germany.

The new FM355/R355 range is conveniently added to the S7-300 or VIPA System 300V via the standard backplane bus and parameter set-up and configuration is by means of the 355Config software tool which allows programming from the main CPU with Simatic Manager or with VIPA WinPLC7.

Configuration is also possible using the built in RS232 interface from a PC.

Parameter storage is held in the main CPU allowing ease of field replacement and system scalability.

With a sampling rate for all 4 or 8 channels within 100 ms, the "dead-beat" PDPI control algorithm used on the new range has been developed by Gossen Metrawatt and has been field-proven for critical temperature control applications.

Control loop set-up is optimised using an auto-tuning feature and control parameters can be freely adjusted in-situ.

Information output from the FM355/R355 is via a choice of MPI interface (VIPA MP2I), Ethernet TCP/IP, Profibus-DP or CANopen protocol.

Online visualisation of cyclic data is available for a wide range of values and control variables such as heating current and alarm information as well as processed values such as setpoints, delay times, ramps and error diagnosis.

A data logger feature includes 3600 samplings for each channel including actual values and setpoints.

An alarm history is also featured, allowing the acquisition of 100 channel or device error status entries with time stamp, as well as output errors.

VIPA FM355/R355 temperature controllers are available in 4 and 8 channel configuration with or without actuator outputs making them suited to actuator control over long distances.

Current/voltage or Thermocouple/Pt100 options are included in the range and versions are available with 8 or 24 Binary I/Os, including short-circuit detection which are freely assignable to controller states, functions and channels.

Other features for total temperature control for specialist processing applications include hot runner control compatibility, heating current monitoring with single or multi-phase summation current transformer and water cooling control with a unique algorithm for non-linear cooling effect caused by evaporation.

Cascaded, differential and switching control is also possible.

Applications will include multi-channel temperature control for rubber and plastics processing (injection moulding, extrusion, blow moulding, hot-runner technology), semiconductor manufacturing processes, industrial and laboratory ovens, textile and packaging machines, climatic test cabinets, refrigerator and heater manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, process engineering, food processing industry, wood and paper industries (fibre stock extrusion), glass and ceramics industry, temperature control devices and other thermal processes.

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