Customized control systems can include features unique to your process such as those made possible by Programmable Logic Controllers. For example, a PLC can be used to create cascade control.
PLC/HMI (Human Machine Interface) combinations provide the user with a single interface for all the functions of their furnace. I asked our Engineering Manager to drill down a bit on these PLC/HMI combos. Here is what he said:
“In addition to the convenience of a single interface, they can show trending and record data, allowing the user to make plots of any recorded variables (e.g. temperature and setpoint vs. time).
We provide them as a standard on any kilns with more than heating and a few events. Rotary kilns always have them because they need to be able to run the heating of multiple zones, lifting mechanism, rotation speed and direction, and dosing rate into the drum.
Other customers have us supply PLCs that allow them to view the furnace data on their plantwide software. They can make furnace control decisions from anywhere in their facility. The PLCs for this application have an isolation module. The module allows us to keep all of our furnace information on one network, and then the plant network is isolated from it. We are able to use any IP addressing and ladder structure we want, without interfering with the customer’s network.”
To discuss your application requirements and to learn more about these sophisticated control systems, please contact us.
