Product category:
CNC and Motion Controllers
News Release from: National Instruments | Subject: Programmable automation controllers
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 30 May 2005
Automation controllers oust ancient PLCs
Researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder are using programmable automation controllers and LabView to streamline centrifuge experiments.
Researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder recently implemented National Instruments programmable automation controllers (PACs) and the National Instruments LabView graphical development environment to streamline experiments involving a 400 g-ton centrifuge, one of the USA's most powerful centrifuges capable of spinning 2t of material at 200 times the force of gravity Using industrial PXI chassis and LabView Real-Time controllers, researchers replaced the existing 200 I/O-point PLC controller - along with 2000 lines of antiquated PLC ladder logic - to create a more efficient, rugged and easily upgradeable system that reduces system setup time and increases reliability
Researchers working with large centrifuges face unique challenges including a demanding environment, the need to control large DC drives and the requirement to perform both control and data acquisition on several hundred I/O points.
The ruggedness, modularity and reliability of PXI made it ideal for replacing the centrifuge's existing PLC with an NI PXI-8176 embedded controller running LabView Real-Time software.
Researchers bolted the new PXI system - more than 20 times smaller than the existing PLC system - into the same location as the original PLC.
PXI offered I/O compatibility with the existing PLC system, helping researchers reuse original wiring and replace hundreds of individual conductors with standard Category 5 Ethernet.
In addition, researchers replaced the existing collection of data acquisition equipment with a single PXI-based PAC running a Windows OS and LabView.
"The rugged PXI form factor was ideal for withstanding stresses in industrial settings like the centrifuge, and its modularity and high level of integration increased the reliability and productivity of the system", said Robert Wallen, Professional Research Assistant in the University of Colorado at Boulder Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering.
"We also saw substantial savings by using LabView to program both the control and data acquisition systems, and with LabView and PACs, we were able to reduce the system setup time by 75%".
By using a single development environment for both the centrifuge control and data acquisition systems, researchers saved development time by reusing existing code and replacing 2000 lines of antiquated ladder logic code with LabView code.
Researchers used a single development environment, LabView, and flexible hardware to create a solution for their control and data acquisition needs in a minimal amount of time with substantial cost savings compared with purchasing a new PLC control system.
National Instruments PACs combine the flexibility of PCs with the ruggedness and reliability of PLCs.
The NI PAC platform consists of a broad range of industrial hardware all programmed with LabView, from PXI for industrial control and data acquisition applications, to Compact FieldPoint for distributed I/O and control, or CompactRIO for FPGA-based control.
National Instruments PACs are unique because they offer integration with motion and vision and are based on commercial technologies.
"The centrifuge control application at the University of Colorado at Boulder illustrates how flexible hardware and a single development environment can replace control systems traditionally implemented with PLCs", said Ray Almgren, National Instruments Vice President of Product Marketing and Academic Relations.
"In addition, the use of NI PACs at this leading academic institution is an example of the National Instruments commitment to supporting research and teaching with advanced technology as professors and researchers work to solve the challenges of tomorrow and train the engineers of the future". Request a free brochure from National Instruments ...
• National Instruments: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Engineeringtalk email newsletter
• Engineeringtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
