Control integrates into CIM
15 Jan 2000
One of the findings of the Benchmark survey was that 88 per cent of the UK's leading manufacturing companies see the need for greater integration of computers, control systems and production equipment. In response, CIM organiser Independent Exhibitions has introduced another `show within a show' in the shape of Control Systems Integration.
In this corner of the CIM show, control and instrumentation companies have the chance to show their capabilities as systems integrators. Surrounded by the doyens of the IT industry, the likes of ABB, Cegelec, Mitsubishi and Rockwell Automation will be making the point that the process control sector knows a thing or two of its own about integrating IT.
Interbus Open Control, for example, is being shown by Phoenix Contact (420 on enquiry card). This PC-based system uses the industrial standard Interbus as a field or sensor/actuator bus, an industrial PC as an automation device platform, and PC Worx, the `fully integrated automation software solution'.
Designed for demanding applications, the new FMT-200J controller from Colter Systems (421) offers 12 analogue and 56 digital I/O. In addition to the controller's internal memory, credit-card sized `flash' memory can be used to load application programs. Programming itself is via the Colter Flex 2 package which features an advanced version of ladder logic plus high-level, text-based language.
Claimed as the `world's first commercially available, peer-to-peer industrial process control system', the mTRON system from Jumo Instruments (422) is said to offer the same functionality as conventional PLC systems, yet costs nearly a third less to install and maintain. Intelligent control and monitoring devices, mTRONs, plug into a network - that can be hundreds of metres long - and can be used with or without a central PC. Up to 64 multifunction units can run simultaneously on any one loop simply by plugging in the mTRONs.
The mTRON system is aimed at the builders of large systems, production lines and chemical plants, and applications such as tunnel ovens that need distributed processing.
Showing its software engineering skills in this part of the show is Manchester-based Thurnall (423). This multi-disciplined project engineering company will demonstrate its capabilities in the areas of manufacturing execution, batch control and Scada systems.
