Controllers industrial: manufacturers, device, principle of operation, application

The efficiency of modern production facilities to a large extent depends on the quality of the organization of work of automated systems. It's not just about minimizing the labor of workers, but also in optimizing logistics functional processes. The harmonious and correct adjustment of the automation allows us to spend less resources, supporting the optimal production rate and the proper level of quality of the products. You can count on this effect only if properly selected industrial controllers for automatic systems are involved in controlling the operation. It is an indispensable component in any programmable complex through which the interaction of individual elements of production occurs.

General information about the controller

In the industry, controllers are devices that act as a command center in relation to the serviced equipment with an automatic control principle. The function of such devices is not without the means of feedback, which is based on sensors that collect this or that information about the work process. On the basis of the information obtained, industrial controllers develop reverse commands, thus controlling the entrusted systems. The reach of one processor can be different. As a rule, modern models allow simultaneous processing of signals from 200-250 units of equipment, also sending them signals with settings of operating parameters. An important difference of the controller in the current understanding is the ability to function with data processing in the program mode, that is, a serious departure from the principles of one-step rigid logic, on which automated production lines of previous generations operated.

Device

The base is formed by a modular, programmable type processor, which is supplemented by a huge list of auxiliary systems and components. The basic elements of the main subsystem include the input / output modules, communication facilities, sensor sets, data storage devices, and operator control panels. To secondary modules, which, incidentally, are rarely inferior in importance to the aforementioned components, include protection systems, temperature controllers, display and keyboards, as well as the latest complexes for organizing network data transmission. Along with this, the device of the industrial controller does not do without the inclusion of engineering systems, which can provide cooling of the equipment and, if necessary, its heating. As for sets of sensors, their composition is completely dependent on the object on which the system is operated. It can be water or gas flow detectors, energy consumption meters and even motion sensors.

Principle of operation

When the modular structure is established and the production process is started, the registration of operational parameters begins. As already noted, the system can take into account hundreds of indicators, comparing them with the values of the program laid by the user. Based on the results of this comparison, the controller makes a decision for the team. For example, if the hydroabrasive cutter can operate at a temperature of at least 0 degrees, the equipment will issue a process stop command if the thermometer shows a value below the allowable value. Other industrial controllers operate on the same system. The principle of work involves more complex decision-making algorithms. For example, dozens of indicators that affect the operation of a single site or a particular piece of equipment can be taken into account. Also in the process of operation, the system monitors its own performance indicators, including power supply parameters.

Application of industrial controllers

Such equipment is used in various fields, not only in production. But the main areas are still metallurgy, chemical industry, oil production, processing industries, etc. For example, metallurgical plants use automation to control presses, lathes, the same carvers and grinders, which are highly demanded in terms of the accuracy of the result. In the chemical industry, industrial controllers control the technological processes of mixing substances, dosing and cleaning. In addition, logical programming tools effectively show themselves as part of security systems. In particular, controllers control the functions of alarms, security points, protective partitions and gates with automated drive. Now it is worthwhile to become more familiar with the manufacturers of modern controllers and the capabilities that are offered in them.

Controllers "OWEN"

The company "OWEN" since 2005 develops automatic controls for the industrial segment, adhering to the principles of functionality, ergonomics and reliability. An important characteristic of these devices is the initial basing on a powerful hardware resource, which is supplemented by broad software capabilities. Regarding the second aspect, industrial controllers of Russian production "OWEN" work in the software environment CoDeSys from German developers. From the point of view of operation, this equipment is advantageous for the possibility of component expansion, which makes it universal, and also includes the latest means of communication interaction.

Segnetics Controllers

Another domestic company engaged in the development of the segment of industrial controllers. At the moment, specialists of "Segnetix" offer several solutions for different categories of users. The basic series SMH2010 includes panel universal controls that are optimally suited for use in the housing and communal sector. On the other hand, the production of industrial controllers at the facilities of this company is oriented towards highly specialized tasks. For example, Pixel devices are designed specifically for controlling the ventilation system. There are also more complex controller models in the family that can be successfully applied in the field of automation of technological processes on large production lines.

Advantech controllers

A promising manufacturer that emphasizes the development of internal logical processes between the components of controllers. Currently, the company's line offers two complexes - APAX and ADAM. In the first, an open architecture is used, on the platform of which the functions of processing and managing information are combined. Communication means involves building up components, which makes the system flexible in application. The ADAM family also offers industrial controllers with advanced stuffing for the control function and some additions. In particular, the system is provided with deterministic input / output, redundant power supplies and optimized memory.

Conclusion

The simplest systems of automated production support gradually evolved into complex multifunctional devices. To date, manufacturers of industrial controllers have set themselves tasks of a new order, which will have to improve the efficiency of process management in different areas. Among the most important areas can be highlighted the improvement of communication links, the optimization of energy supply and the transition to more reliable elemental platforms. At the same time, domestic developers practically do not lag behind foreign experts, offering quite competitive solutions of the modern level.