Electricity + Control March 2015

CONTROL SYSTEMS + AUTOMATION

ROUND UP

Dialogue module for mobile machines

more reliable performance. With its high- resolution andmodern 303 mmgraphic dis- play, the PDM360 NG-12 dialogue module from ifm electronic has a powerful 32-bit controller and provides optimum readability and flexible operation. Advanced ‘optical bonding technology’ eliminates the clearance between the front glass and display and prevents interfering condensation. In addition, it improves read- ability of the display under different viewing angles. Protected by a scratch-resistant glass pane, the 300 mm TFT display with a resolution of 1 024 x 768 pixels ensures

Powerful process and dialogue modules for operation and visualisation in mobile ma- chines are providing users with a safer and

good visual detection even with unfavour- able sunlight conditions.The new develop- ment also provides backlit function keys and a navigation key with tactile feedback. Thanks to the extremely flat and fully sealed die-cast zinc housing with the protec- tion rating IP 65 / IP 67 the PDM360 NG-12 is especially suitable for use outdoors. Four CAN interfaces with CANopen and SAE J1939 protocol, an internal mass storage, USB interface and interfaces for analogue cameras ensure universal use. Enquiries:Tel. 012 450 0370 or email info.za@ifm.com

Reduce measurement system cost with the rugged controller

The CompactDAQ 4-slot controller integrates the processor, signal conditioning and I/O into a single CompactDAQ system, making it possible for NI engineers and scientists to reduce overall system cost and complexity while increasing measurement accuracy. Inte- grated measurement systems reduce the number of components, connections and wiring needed, where noise and additional costs are often introduced, to ensure high-accuracy measurements and cost-optimised systems. “Because the CompactDAQ controller is a stand-alone device, we don’t have to spend money on a separate

ultimate system reliability. By pairing industry-standard OS options with LabVIEW system design software, customers can easily port LabVIEW code from existing measurement systems to these new CompactDAQ controllers. Engineers and scientists can combine LabVIEW and over 60 sensor-specific I/O modules for CompactDAQ to quickly customise data acquisition systems to meet their specific application needs. “We designed this next-generation CompactDAQ controller based on customer feedback, making it smaller, less expensive and more rugged,” said Stefanie Breyer, director of data

Power management company Eaton has launched a new line of Pro-FX electronic controls and software, including the HFX controllers and VFX displays families, and the Pro-FX Control software suite to pre- cisely control machine functions for mobile off-highway applications, such as within agricultural, construction, material handling and surface mining vehicles. “The new Pro-FX family offers customers best-in-class hardware and software to solve control challenges without digging into the bottom line,” said Christophe Natter, product marketing manager, Eaton . “Simplifying electric control integration without sacrific- ing customisation options helps end users in a wide range of markets improve productiv- ity, operator safety and energy efficiency.” computer, signal conditioning or ca- bling,” said Ryan Ewart, mechatronics engineer atYanos Aerospace. “Using the CompactDAQ platform, we’ve reduced system complexity, cost and installation time.” The CompactDAQ controller features an Intel Atom dual-core processor that can run either industry-standard Windows Embedded 7 or NI Linux Real-Time for

acquisition R&D at NI. “By leveraging the latest Intel Atom 3800 processor within the controller, our customers can deploy powerful processing paired with high-accuracy measurements anywhere.” Enquiries: Mark Philips. Email mark.phillips@ni.com or ni.southafrica@ni.com

New line of electronic controls and software - mobile, off-road

New HFX controllers are IP67 and IP69K rated. Their die-cast aluminium housing is rugged enough to withstand wide tem- perature ranges and water depths. Multiple inputs and outputs, including three CAN ports, provide flexible configurations to meet individual customer’s needs.With one of the fastest processors on the market, the controllers allow for precise equipment con- trol. Additionally, memory can be allocated to perform data logging functions that can reduce cost by taking the guesswork out of maintenance by predicting problems before they happen.The new line also includes two displays – 4,3 and 7 inches. Like the control- lers, the best-in-class display screens are ex- tremely rugged, built to withstand high and low temperatures, and are readable in direct

sunlight. With a powerful backlight and an optically-bonded liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, the displays not only provide sun- light optimised viewing capabilities at every angle, but also protect against fog and dust contamination – a must-have in the mobile off-road market. In addition to the new controllers and displays, Eaton has released the new Pro-FX configuration software, which is based on CoDeSys V3.5, a non-proprietary common programming tool, and is International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61131-3 compliant.With full customisation and auto- mation options, Pro-FX software helps max- imise machine productivity by simplifying operations andminimising operator impact. Enquiries:Visit www.eaton.com/pro-fx

Electricity+Control March ‘15

8