The latest range of advanced process controllers from Eurotherm provide precision control of temperature and a host of other process variables together with an abundance of advanced options making it the most adaptable product in its class.

The emphasis is on flexibility yet the 3500 controllers still maintain ease of use. A simple ‘Quick Start’ process is used to configure all the basic functions essential to controlling your process. This includes input sensor type, measurement range, control options and alarms making ‘Out the Box’ operation truly achievable. More advanced features are configured using a PC based graphical configuration tool enabling users to pick function blocks from a library then connect them together using soft wiring.

The nanodac™ recorder/controller offers the ultimate in graphical recording combined with PID control for a box of its size. The compact ¼ DIN panel mount unit offers four high accuracy universal inputs for data recording and PID control. This secure data recording device with accurate control is enhanced by a full colour, ¼ VGA display to bring a crystal clear operator interface to even the smallest of machines.

EtherNET/IP Client or Server mode

Available as an option, the nanodac recorder/controller can be easily integrated with an existing instrument network and act as local data historian. When enabled, EtherNet/IP allows the nanodac to act as either a Client or a Server and provides data recording for up to 30 process parameters (via virtual channels). EtherNet/IP provides two user pages, the first is an overview of all the process parameters (data points) being addressed via the communications. The second is a diagnostics page that can be used during initial setup and commissioning, to test the connection, between the Client and/or Server.

3 x Isolated DC Outputs (DDD)

This release provides support for Isolated DC Outputs in option slots OP1, OP2 and OP3. Please refer to the Installation sheet or User Guide for wiring instructions.

Washdown Front

An optional IP66 rated Wash-down bezel has been made available in this release, making the nanodac suitable for applications in Food & Beverage or CIP/SIP.

Crystal clear, colour display

The 3.5” TFT display offers incredibly clear visualisation of process parameters with a wide selection of configurable views to best suit the application. Views include: Horizontal and vertical trends; Horizontal and vertical bar graphs; Numeric; Alarm panel, Alarm status, and control loops. The unit also provides user wiring from the front of the product for detailed configuration without the need to connect to a PC.

Data Acquisition and Recording

The nanodac recording functionality utilises the secure strategies and UHH format developed by Eurotherm through years of recording expertise. As well as multiple real-time views and historical review on the product, multiple data archiving strategies are provided utilising the 50MB onboard Flash memory, removable USB and data transfer via FTP to a specified server.

The four universal input channels provide high accuracy (suitable for use in Nadcap applications) and 125ms parallel sampling. An additional 30 virtual channels can be utilised to provide maths, counter, slave communications and totaliser functionality within the instrument.

PID Control Loops

The nanodac instrument can also provide two independent control loops (optional). This control functionality utilises the advanced Eurotherm PID algorithm providing high performance and reliability to your process. Functionality includes one of the best autotune facilities available along with overshoot inhibition (cutbacks); compensation for power fluctuations using power feedforward; linear, fan, oil and water cooling.

Heat Treatment is one of the many processes that often need to vary the setpoint of the control process over a set period of time; this is achieved by using a set-point program. The nanodac offers an optional Dual Programmer supporting up to 100 programs locally, each program supporting 25 segments. The nanodac also provides remote access to a further 100 programs that can be easily retrieved via FTP or USB memory stick.

The Foxboro PAC System enables secure and reliable process control and information recording with complete redundancy options for maximum availability.

Part of the InFusion Enterprise Control System, the PAC System is ideally suited both for stand-alone applications and for integration into a wider ArchestrA-based control solution.

High performance, high accuracy, high functionality in an I/O system that provides cost effective access to a wide range of advanced functions including PID control with auto tuning and gain scheduling.

Designed to communicate with Modbus RTU, Profibus®, DeviceNet®, or Modbus TCP/IP masters, it can be used for signal conditioning, alarm monitoring, remote data acquisition, or devolved control for systems such as the Eurotherm® Visual Supervisor, PC-based SCADA packages, and PLCs.

Devolved Control

Eight PID blocks, provide an extensive range of control strategies. Each block offers one-shot auto tuning to optimize control performance without the need for specialist knowledge. Every PID block may be a Single PID, Cascade, Ratio or Override controller, each providing the choice of analog, time proportioned, or valve position output.

Mounting Flexibility

Six base sizes are available to take from 2 to 16 I/O modules each. Up to 16 bases may be daisy chained to provide acquisition and multi-loop control solutions with up to 128 I/O per base.

DIN rail mounting allows the 2500 to be located where the control action is required, minimizing the cost of the cable used, as only the communications need be taken to the User Interface. The 2500 may also be mounted on part of the machine, saving the cost of centralized control cubicles.

Easy Configuration

A friendly Windows configurator package, ‘iTools,’ is used to set up the 2500. iTools parameterizes and commissions the I/O points, the Toolkit, and PID function blocks and interconnects the different variables, alarms, function blocks, and I/O. ‘Toolkit blocks’ provide local combinational logic and mathematical calculation.

• High stability, precision and functionality
• One, two or three control loops
• PID, valve, ratio, cascade and override control
• Setpoint programming
• High speed ModBus®, DeviceNet™ and Profibus® communications
• Test chambers, autoclaves, kilns, furnaces, forehearths
• Melt Pressure, Carbon Potential

It employs universal inputs (TC, RTD, DC) with INSTANT ACCURACY™. Direct connection of Zirconia probes is also supported for carbon potential control in atmospheric combustion applications (heat treatment industry). The advanced control algorithm and gain scheduling gives straight line control, even in difficult non-linear applications and automatic tuning simplifies commissioning.

A setpoint programming option allows storage of up to 50 programs (500 segments, 16 digital events, gauranteed dwell, holdback) and each can profile up to three setpoints.

Using internal Toolkit blocks, including timers and totalizers, customized user configurations and special machine control applications can be created. Configuration is by the front panel or via iTools.

The 2604 is available with high speed Modbus® RTU, DeviceNet™ and Profibus®-DP (in the 'f' version) digital communications. The 2604 is available with powerful preprogrammed applications such as melt pressure and carbon potential.

2000 I/O Expander

The 2604 has fixed and modular I/O and can use the 2000 I/O Expander to provide additional input/output connections. The 2000 I/O Expander is a DIN Rail mounted 24Vdc powered digital I/O expansion unit which uses proprietary serial comms to increase up to 20 each the number of digital inputs and outputs to the 2604.

Features:

• 3 Control loops
• SP Programmer
• Customisable user interface
• Maths and logic functions
• Open communications

• High performance measurement - the best in class control
• Flexible I/O - meets many diverse requirements
• Feature rich - more than just a temperature controller
• Application specific functions - simplifying complex applications
• Graphical soft wiring - easy to be creative and find solutions to complex problems

Its user interface incorporates a bright dot matrix display, providing extreme flexibility and ease of use.  It is a highly configurable product offering many features previously only found in programmable logic controllers (PLC).  This enables systems to be implemented integrating the process control and logic functions of a machine - simplifying system complexity and reducing total system costs.

Configuration is achieved either via the front panel interface of using the iTools configuration software.

High Precision Process Input

If you cannot measure accurately, you cannot control accurately. The 2704 offers typical resolution of 0.25uV making it ideal for applications such as semiconductor, vacuum heat treatment and research applications. All thermocouple input types are catered for, as are Pt100 resistance thermometers and linear input types such as 0-10Vdc and 4-20mA. Four wire Pt100, and Pt25 measurement is also possible using a module specially designed for high accuracy metrology applications.

The 2000IO expander can increase the digital I/O providing the option for greater remote operation of the programmer and expanding the 2704 logic capability:

• 20 logic inputs
• 20 relay outputs

Setpoint Programmer

• Ideal for atmosphere or vacuum furnaces and environmental chambers
• 60 programs
• 3 profiled setpoints/program
• 600 segments
• 16 event outputs
• program mimic display

60 setpoint programs, each with 16 digital events can be stored. A total of up to 600 segments can be programmed, and holdback, wait functions and digital inputs offer an extremely flexible solution for applications such as carburizing and vacuum furnaces, environmental chambers and autoclaves.

Digital communications

• Modbus RTU
• Ethernet Modbus/TCP
• Profibus DP
• Devicenet® network communications
• EI-Bisync
• Master Modbus

The 2704 supports two slave communication ports.  Its modular build provides the user with a selection of communication protocols enabling easy integration into both PLC and PC supervisory systems.

Master Modbus communications significantly increase the applications open to the 2704.  In its simplest form it can be used to retransmit a setpoint to a number of slave controllers in a multi-zone furnace.  Alternatively it can be integrated with the Mini8 16 loop controller to provide a remote operator interface with setpoint programmer functions.