Page 45 - Industrial Technology July 2021

SYSTEMS INTEGRATION

Unify the process control network

FOR MANY LIQUID AND GAS CONTROL APPLICATIONS, DEVICE INTEGRATION TO
THE MAIN PLC THROUGH A SINGLE FIELDBUS REDUCES COSTS AND CAN ALSO
BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND CONTROL CAPABILITY. GREG WAINHOUSE OF
BÜRKERT EXPLAINS HOW TO OPTIMISE PROCESS CONTROL INTEGRATION.

he trend towards commonality party CANopen-based devices. Whether displayed via Communicator as well the
of hardware within an developing a new system or extending majority of devices.
automated control system existing infrastructure, up to 128 inputs The ME43 also includes control
Tincreasingly includes process and outputs can be assigned to the capability of its own and can manage
applications, from food & beverage ME43. segregated parts of a plant operation, like
markets through to pharmaceutical dosing on a skid as well as graphical
production. Previously, engineers may Analogue device integration programming for the automation of sub-
have specified a mix of ‘best of breed’ Third party devices, such as solenoid systems. Graphical programs can be created
components or procurement teams valves or sensors, that are not Ethernet- within the gateway to manage operations
might have selected individual items for enabled can also be integrated to a such as water level monitoring involving a
best cost. The risk, however, is the Bürkert system via the ME43, thanks to pump and PID loops controlling upper and
challenge in integration, including the a range of I/O cards. These enable the lower setpoints. In this way, the ME43 can
time it takes in commissioning and the fieldbus gateway to receive analogue also be used for distributed control to well as faster commissioning. With extra
accumulated cost. In some cases, input signals, such as a standard 4-20 peripheral areas of a plant and if required, monitoring and control potential, the ME43
attempts at integration may not succeed mA signal or 0-10 V through to pulse two or more ME43 units can be combined in combined with Bürkert’s full range of
at all, with no single vendor able to outputs common to previous generation a daisy chain and fed to the central PLC. process hardware is more than just a field
resolve the issue. flow meters, and then convert them to Commonality of hardware under a single bus gateway: it provides system
For engineers designing liquid or gas digital signals. While Bürkert provides a device that can manage communications performance and long-term reliability.
process applications, the advantage of a wide variety of process control ensures integration for lower project costs as MORE INFORMATION: www.burkert.co.uk
supplier that provides a full range of hardware, this communications
valves, sensors, mass flow flexibility means operators are not locked
controllers/meters and displays that can in if they want to integrate a specific
communicate via Ethernet, means third-party manufacturer’s device.
assured integration between the This capability enables
components and the controller. straightforward extension of existing
Removing the potential for system errors systems, while new projects can be
and speeding up commissioning, a developed using various currently
single supplier also reduces procurement available devices, such as
costs. paddlewheels, that often only provide Accurate distance measurement
Further to supplying a full range of pulse outputs. This also satisfies the
valves, sensors and associated process requirements of engineers who prefer for every application
control hardware, Bürkert’s ME43 analogue or pulse devices for fault
fieldbus gateway is flexible for virtually diagnosis, using a meter rather than a
all liquid and gas applications and the laptop connected to the PLC.
preferred communications protocol, The ME43’s digital output relies on
featuring wide-ranging compatibility just a single cable, significantly reducing
with Ethernet-enabled PLCs. This the cost of wiring and the time required
includes PLCs that communicate via for installation, which also makes
PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, Modbus/TCP, maintenance easier. Similarly, the speed
PROFIBUS DPV1, EtherCAT and CC- of commissioning is far ATEX
APPROVED
SENSORS
Link. faster and Bürkert’s AVAILABLE
Even if individual Communicator is a
devices have Ethernet single piece of free
connectivity, linking software that can
each of them directly to configure and manage
the PLC incurs an all PLC-connected
DIMETIX D-SERIES
additional licence cost devices via a laptop,
for each node. The which also allows
benefit of the ME43 is remote connectivity.
that licence costs are An advantage for n 100m range on natural n Fast measurements up to
significantly reduced as commissioning and surface (no reflectors needed) 250Hz with 1kHz output
hardware is channelled maintenance via CANopen n 1mm absolute accuracy, n Outdoor and indoor use
through the fieldbus includes Bürkert’s expansion of the independent of colour,
gateway and then to the PLC, protocol to include additional status texture and distance n Shock and vibration certified
requiring just a single licence. Bürkert indicators. Using industry standard
hardware communicates via the open signal outputs, potential errors, such as www.dimetix-uk.com
source CANopen protocol, ensuring valve opening and closing times, can be
TEL: + 44 (0)1727 85 93 73 EMAIL: sales@sensorsuk.com
compatibility that also extends to third- presented using recognised alerts

July 2021 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY

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