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Application Article
Customer Takes Advantage of Entertron's Analog Capabilities
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Controllers used - Smart-PAK PLUS
Total Digital Inputs - 4 to 8 @ DC
Total Digital Outputs - 6 @ relay
Analog Inputs - Various: 1 @ 0-50 millivolts; 1 @ 0-5 VDC; 1 @ RTD
Analog Output - 1 @ 0-10 VDC
Communication Protocol - Entertron ModBus RTU, Ethernet
Operator Interface - Eclipse Message Master Plus
Customer Goals - Conmetrics seeks to provide high quality custom aquatic controls and measurements to satisfy client's specifications at the lowest possible cost.
Conmetrics began over twenty years ago, dedicated to using conductivity measurement to control the infusion of chemicals used in washing and cleaning. For this purpose, the company still manufactures a line of very sturdy conductivity controllers that operate reliably in extremely hostile environments. Over a thousand of these controllers are installed and working daily in North American laboratories.
Other products followed. Custom float switches that control the level of chemicals in reservoirs are still an important product, as are conductivity meters that are rugged, simple to use, and are temperature compensated to near the boiling point of water.
The latest products are custom crafted controllers that control the environment of aquatic animals such as zebra fish and frogs used in scientific research. These controllers are based on Entertron's Smart-PAK series of program logic controllers coupled with specialized probes made by Conmetrics. The basic controller will activate heaters and chillers to hold the temperature that the aquatic animals experience within a narrow band. It will also enable timed daily events such as partial or total exchange s of treated tank water. Alarms for temperature out of range for extended time, and for low levels of liquids are standard. The basic controllers, often with features listed below, are installed in some of the most prestigious government, academic and industrial laboratories in the US. Some of the optional features that are available include:
Conductivity, PH, DO, temperature control and lighting control are all accomplished by using the analog features of the Smart-PAK PLUS, This could not have been done without a close cooperation with Entertron's technical staff in developing this solution. In some cases Entertron provides customized analog inputs to match the probes that are used. Data logging is a relatively new feature based on Entertron's offering in this field. Entertron guided Conmetrics in utilizing special features, such as passcode protection to guard against accidental or malicious tampering of parameters that can be set by the end user.
Conmetrics was able to address all their analog I/O requirements in one analog board. With other PLCs, you would require a modular PLC, due to the fact that brick style PLCs can't even come close to offering the analog flexibility that the Smart-PAK PLUS provides and what Conmetrics required. Even with a modular solution, Conmetrics would have priced themselves out of their market. Just to give you an example, a solution from Automation Direct would cost 75% more (utilizing the DL-06 PLC) than the solution that Entertron has provided.
Content furnished by Milton Lillie of Conmetrics. Inquiries, comments and questions are welcome at info@conmetrics.com
