Process weighing family designed for the future
15 Jan 2000
A new family of instruments from process weighing specialist Nobel Systems has been designed to meet industry's current and future needs for higher speed, accuracy and connectivity.
The family consists of a weight processor, a signal transmitter, a communications gateway, an analogue output unit, a digital I/O, and set-up and calibration software. Together, the instruments can connect with all standard fieldbus protocols, while their DIN-rail design allows for future expansion.
At the centre of the family is the TAD3 weight processor/indicator. This converts strain gauge signals from Nobel loadcells and force transducers into useful weight indication. Resolution from its patented Sigma-Delta A/D converter is 1 in 1million. Using the other modules in the family - the AOUT3 analogue output unit, the DIO3 digital I/O and the GATE3 comms translator - the TAD3 can handle options such as analogue inputs and outputs, digital inputs and relay outputs, external serial ports, and connections to fieldbuses.
Internal comms around the weighing family is via Modbus but the GATE3 unit opens the door into other buses.
A feature of the other family member, the AST3 transmitter, is an intrinsically safe version for hazardous area applications. Unlike previous IS weighing systems that could experience impaired performance across separate zener barriers, the AST3 has its own built-in zener barrier. It is specified to Eex ia.
