Keeping Up With Technology

Home » Articles » AUXILIARIES: Flexible PLC Control for Central Conveying Systems

AUXILIARIES: Flexible PLC Control for Central Conveying Systems

From: Plastics Technology
Issue: January 2012

The Novatec FXS (FlexXpand) color touchscreen from Novatec, Baltimore, is a Siemens-based PLC system designed for resin-conveying systems with up to 20 pumps and 120 stations. The base panel controls up to five vacuum pumps and 32 material receivers with proportioning capability, plus 25 purge valves. An icon-driven graphic display allows ease of use.

Ethernet connection capability permits full control access from any remote PC. The PLC is also supported by ProfiNet communications for adding more components remotely. Expansion is accomplished via FlexXpand FXS modules that connect to the main control via ProfiNet. Modules can be positioned to minimize wiring to system components. The modules control additional receivers, pumps, purge valves, or material-selection stations when automatic proofing is desired for selection validation.

Each FXS control includes a three-port Ethernet connection for additional FXS modules or local or remote human-machine interface (HMI) modules. Expansion does not require additional programming, as all modules are instantly recognized by the FXS control. Audible and visual alarms are incorporated on the control face. Ethernet capability enables the FlexXpand interface to also monitor and control other Novatec ColorNet-compatible HMI’s installed on the local network.