Temperature controllers step up to challenge PLCs
A
Hawco product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Aug 27, 2001
Programmable Analogue Control units have the capability to function either as conventional analogue controllers or with analogue math/logic functions normally would be associated with PLCs
As instrumentation technology develops, units such as temperature controllers are getting smaller - cheaper too, less than ?50 for a conventional 1/32 DIN controller.
What's more, they are becoming more densely packed with features and benefits to increase their versatility.
But miniaturisation has its boundaries and ultimately there has to be a finite limit to what features and functions can be accommodated.
That is why a whole new generation of state of the art programmable temperature controllers has been developed.
The new technology is Programmable Analogue Control (PAC) that endows the units with the capability to function either as conventional analogue controllers or with analogue math/logic functions that normally would be associated with higher end PLCs.
In many respects they are better than PLCs because they are designed with the plant technician in mind and to make programming faster, easier and more flexible.
PAC technology is based on pre-programmed virtual function blocks that act like classic commercial discreet components.
One such control unit series, introduced by process instrumentation specialist, Hawco, features 30 of these blocks including amplifiers, linearisers, calculators, integrators, counters, timers, positioners, etc.
As stand-alone temperature controllers or part of a PLC linked system, they offer all the features of advanced microprocessor-based controllers such as bimodal PID autotuning, fuzzy logic, dual alarm and RS 485 Modbus communications.
The PAC units can be programmed and configured on site by keyboard or remote RS485 Modbus communication with Lop-Win PC software, and Proasis data acquisition software, supplied free of charge with controller units.
Operating with thermocouple, Pt100 and other signal transmitter inputs, they offer the ability to combine temperature control with other process control variables such as pressure, position, RH, frequency, etc, in a single DIN size panel instrument package.
All standard pack models, 1/16, 1/8, 1/4 and 1/2 DIN, are provided with built-in LED displays and programmable function buttons plus auxiliary 24VDC power supply output as standard.
Bearing all of this capability in mind, the outstanding feature of this new generation of instrumentation has to be its price.
Individual units can start from just £150.
Compared to the cost of a conventional PLC, remote interface/display and customised software programs, PAC-based control would appear to have broad appeal across a wide spectrum of process control and supervision applications.
Not what you're looking for? Search the site.
Articles by product category
- Consultancy and Services (903)
- Machine Building (4,517)
-
Engineering Design Software (6,179)
- Engineering Design Software (12)
- 2D CAD software (200)
- 3D CAD software (1,157)
- FEA and structural analysis software (369)
- Fluid, thermal, noise, vibration software (334)
- Simulation, modelling, validation software (914)
- Rendering, visualisation, styling software (196)
- Materials design and moulding design software (151)
- Process, instrumentation, automation software (258)
- Electrical design software (164)
- Publishing and documentation software (229)
- Maths, charting, statistics, QA software (317)
- Data, document management software (310)
- CAM, CNC, production management software (568)
- File conversion software, data capture (351)
- PLM and collaboration software (649)
-
Drives, Motors and Controls (3,361)
- Drives, Motors and Controls (1)
- Precision Motors and Gears (411)
- Industrial Drives/Controls (1,276)
- Linear Drives and Motors (114)
- Industrial Motors (497)
- Stepper and Servo Drives, Motors, Controls (1,060)
- Small Mechanical Components, Joining, Tools (1,975)
-
Control and Instrumentation (5,028)
- Plantwide control (1,324)
- Plant- and Machine-Wide Communications (1,174)
- Smaller-Sized PLCs (387)
- CNC and Motion Controllers (184)
- Mid-range and Large PLCs (201)
- Power Supplies, Uninterruptible Power (562)
- HMIs/Operator Interfaces (294)
- Logic Controllers, Timers and Relays (96)
- Cabling, Conduit, Signal Conditioning (806)
-
Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (5,459)
- Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (1)
- Data acquisition Software and Communications (494)
- Data Acquisition Hardware and PC I/O Boards (472)
- Electrical and Electronic Testing, PAT Equipment (630)
- Form/co-ordinate, optical, vision instruments (703)
- Gauges, Indicators and Instruments (440)
- Data loggers (422)
- Materials testing equipment (421)
- Telecomms/network test equipment, software etc (154)
- Testing and Calibration Services and Information (500)
- Testing, analysing and monitoring equipment (1,222)
-
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (4,160)
- Batteries, chargers and circuit protection (555)
- Connectors, Terminals, Busbars, Slip Rings (679)
- Enclosures and Equipment Cooling Fans (709)
- Knobs, Handles and Enclosure Hardware (420)
- PCs and Embedded Systems (798)
- Electrical and Electronic Subassemblies (369)
- Electrical and Electronic Components (630)
-
Materials and Processing (2,963)
- Materials and Processing (5)
- Materials and components (2,215)
- Rapid Prototyping (458)
- Materials processing and testing (285)
-
Engineering Industry News, Resources (6,093)
- Engineering Industry News, Resources (4)
- Engineering Business News, Views (388)
- Engineering Exhibitions, Events (562)
- Engineering Conferences (425)
- Engineering Seminars (400)
- Engineering Industry Developments, Awards (633)
- Engineering Guides, Newsletters (349)
- Engineering Recruitment, Employment (219)
- Engineering Training Courses (433)
- Engineering Education, Resources, Standards (838)
- Engineering Industry Reports, Surveys (597)
- Electronic Resources for Engineers (278)
- Health and Safety Legislation (402)
- Health and Safety Strategy, Risk Assessment (113)
- Health and Safety Consultancy, Software (175)
- Health and Safety Events, Training, News (277)
-
Powertrain Design (3,598)
- Powertrain Design (2)
- Bearings (939)
- Chains and belts (326)
- Gears, brakes, couplings and engines (1,441)
- Hydraulic Components (471)
- Lubricants (418)
-
Capital Equipment (3,387)
- Capital Equipment (1)
- Manufacturing Machinery and Plant Equipment (468)
- Production line blowers and fans (62)
- Compressors and Air Treatment (510)
- Electronics Manufacturing, Tools, Instruments (192)
- Electrical hardware (131)
- Machinery and Production Equipment (1,093)
- Robotics, Handling and Storage (930)
-
Sensors (7,080)
- Sensors (8)
- Accelerometers and Vibration Sensors (427)
- Loadcells, Force Sensors, Torque Sensors (699)
- Pressure sensors (621)
- Flowmeters and Flow Sensors (618)
- Level Sensors and Leak Detectors (527)
- Linear Position Sensors (399)
- Rotary Position, Tilt and Angular Sensors (546)
- Proximity Sensors (700)
- Gas, Chemical, Radiation, Magnetic Sensors (284)
- Humidity and Environmental Sensors (152)
- Temperature sensors (612)
- Vision and Colour Sensors (1,384)
- Barcode Sensors (103)
- Valves, Pumps, Process Hardware (3,623)
