To control the production process you need devices that will send an appropriate signal, about the current state of production, position, etc., to the controller. There is a growing range of sensor choices, providing a growing spectrum of process control options. In our work we use only devices from renowned companies. Here are some examples of such devices:
· Initiators (inductive sensors) – devices allowing to control the position after approaching it,
· capacitive sensors,
· optical sensors,
· physical quantity meters (current, voltage, temperature and pressure meters),
· or vision systems.
· safety features (curtains, scanners)
· and others
These devices are mostly installed in the production line. In addition, various types of relays (including safety relays), inverters, transducers for sensors and other devices are mounted in control cabinets.
A controller is the heart of an industrial automation system. A PLC, that is programmable logic controller, is one of the most frequently used control elements alongside industrial PCs and programmable relays.
The controller has a programme that is responsible for the operation of the entire line. It diagnoses and processes incoming information and then, on the basis of the previously prepared programme, makes decisions and sends information about the work parameters to actuators. We use PLCs of the following companies:
· SIEMENS
· ALLEN BRADLEY (Rockwell Automation)
· Mitsubishi
· Omron
· and others
HMI stands for Human – Machine Interface and is simply a control panel. HMI control panels can be sets of buttons, potentiometers and switches, as well as touch panels, which are becoming more and more common.
HMI touch panels are a modern solution used in combination with PLCs. For simple and undemanding solutions, they are a convenient alternative to many buttons and switches and also offer the possibility of visualising the process. In addition, they allow to view the parameters of line operation, adjustment of settings and process control.
Definitely greater possibilities (but not excluding cooperation with HMIs) are provided by SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) systems. As the name suggests, they are supervisory control systems.
When we need to communicate with multiple PLCs, collect and archive process data or use databases, a SCADA system is the best solution.
Industrial automation versus communication and communication protocols
Industrial automation also means communication and communication protocols between devices.
While elements such as sensors or transmitters can have analogue and digital outputs and thus communicate with the PLC, the communication is taken to a higher level in the case of the devices incorporated in the line.
There is also a growing number of items that have to exchange huge amounts of information in real time.
Here are examples of network solutions that come in handy in this case:
· ProfiBUS
· DeviceNET
· CAN/CANOpen
or industrial Ethernet
· ProfiNET
· Ethernet/IP
Contact the appropriate department and receive the terms of cooperation.
