Sigmatronics designs complete
systems
using our own data acquisition hardware, our custom written software,
and
also using the excellent equipment from Opto 22.
Whatever type of plant, system, or process you
need to control or monitor, we can provide a custom tailored answer to
your needs. We have experience in the water, wastewater,
laboratory,
oilfield, and mining industries.
This
Sigmatronics custom data acquisition hardware and software takes the
place
of a whole wall full of chart recorders, indicators, and controls.
The new system shown here is easier to read, more reliable, and records the data more accurately than traditional chart recorders.
The computerized data recording allows for easy automatic report generation and computer searching of records.
Extensive alarm functions in our software allow for easy setting of trip-points for all monitored parameters, and the display shows which parameters have been out of tolerance, even after the alarms have been silenced or the alarm condition goes away. No more wondering what caused that alarm to go off!
The screen shows the parameter values in a chart-like format as well
as a numeric readout for each channel. With this system, trends
can
be easily tracked, yet the exact current value can also be accurately
read.
Behind
the scenes, these two Sigmatronics AIDIO modules accept the signals
from
16 4-20 mA current loops which carry the process information for this
plant.
The AIDIO modules were designed by Sigmatronics to provide a reasonably priced method of safely interfacing process signals to a PC based data acquisition system.
The AIDIOs each provide eight 4-20 mA input channels. These inputs are fully isolated and surge protected to make interfacing to the PC data acquisition boards safe, easy, and economical.
These modules also provide control relay outputs which operate the audible plant alarm and the automatic telephone dialer.
For more info about our AIDIO modules, click this link.
Also shown are some other custom built modules which perform conversion from temperature probes to 4-20 mA and interface some existing telemetry channels to the new equipment.
Sigmatronics designs and builds many custom interfaces and modules
to
ease the integration of modern systems with existing equipment.
Ask
us about any special requirements you may have. We love a
challenge,
and specialize in custom manufacturing of special interface devices,
even
in small quantities.
The
Opto 22 equipment shown in this picture replaced an existing relay
logic
panel and drum timer that was used to control the automatic operation
and
backwashing of this water treatment plant's filters.
The new system allows for much greater flexibility in adjusting the plant operation and the backwashing characteristics. This upgrade will enable this water plant to continue to provide the best quality water at the lowest operating costs for years to come.
Upgrades to existing systems such as this are one of Sigmatronics' specialties. Such modifications to existing plants can often extend the life of an entire plant and allow it to meet new and future regulations without the need for more expensive measures.
Improved control implementation can reduce operating costs and the
risk
of regulatory violations by providing tighter control of
processes.
By allowing for automatic correction of problems or for shutdown of
systems
when parameters threaten to exceed regulated limits, the potential for
violations or out-of-tolerance production can be drastically reduced.
The
controller, or "brain" for this system is located in the main panel,
separate
from the backwash control panel. The Opto 22 system architecture
allows for distribution of the I/O modules throughout a facility,
connecting
them via simple twisted pair RS-485 or other serial communications
protocols.
This remote I/O capability allowed us to eliminate a planned additional conduit run of 50 control wires which would have connected the remote backwash control panel to the main control panel. This feature alone saved the customer a great deal of money for the materials and installation costs associated with this extra wiring.
The end result is a system where the I/O modules are located in panels where the original field wiring was already terminated, yet we now have automated control from a central "brain" with very little extra wiring required.
In this retrofit, the "look and feel" of the original system is mostly retained to make retraining of personnel as minimal as possible. The original control switches are still located in their existing panels, and these switch positions are read into the control system via these remote I/O modules.
The end devices controlled by the system were also easily wired,
since
the remote I/O was placed where the existing plant wiring already
terminated.