Tech Briefs Magazine - August 2022 - MD-14

MOVE
IN THE
RIGHT
UniSlide® Linear
Assemblies
DIRECTION
When your positioning device
needs to travel with precision,
choose Velmex. For over 50
years, Velmex has manufactured
positioning systems for scientific
and industrial applications.
* Linear and rotary stages
* Manually-operated and motordriven
*
Short travel, long travel
* Single to multiple axes
* Motors and controls
* Encoders and
readouts
* Complete plug-in
and run systems
* Made in USA
If you need to align,
test, scan, measure,
focus, and more, move
to Velmex for the
solution.
Rotary
Tables
Figure 3: Support for MODBUS/TCP ensures that the BRX PLC can work with almost any brand of HMI specified,
so users obtain a clear and easy-to-use interface matching their standards. (Image: Design Automated Controls)
around which family of PLC we should
specify.
While we have long used more traditional
PLCs, we decided that the new
project would be best served with a more
modern model, the AutomationDirect
BRX. This was based on several reasons:
* The PLC uses native MODBUS/TCP
communications, which works
seamlessly
with any HMIs or other automation
systems elements using this industry-standard
protocol.
* Analog inputs and outputs are configured
and scaled via the I/O module itself,
so no PLC programming is needed
to work with engineering units.
BiSlide® Linear
Assemblies
XSlide™ Linear
Assemblies
* The pluggable option module (POM)
is a flexible way to provide an additional
serial, Ethernet, or USB port as needed.
One controller model can thus be
adapted to meet the needs of multiple
projects by using an appropriate POM.
" Positioning Systems for Science and Industry
Since 1967 "
TF: 1.800.642.6446
P: +1.585.657.6151
www.velmex.com
info@velmex.com
14
MD Velmex Ad 0822.indd 1
7/14/22 2:28 PM
* We wanted to take advantage of the embedded
IIoT support for data gathering
and reporting in the future.
* Organizations we work with are fans of
the software, not only because it is free
but also because it is easy to use.
* The PLC and all products in the
AutomationDirect portfolio, were immediately
available, with no supply
chain issues.
The BRX PLC was easy to learn and
program. It also worked smoothly with
the CIMON HMI specified for this project,
enabling us to rapidly create clear
and functional visualizations depicting
the machinery operation (Figure 3).
This initial project scope was to provide
basic functional operation, which
included development of the PLC control
panel, and associated programming
and HMI configuration. Since the field
service company working on this project
was familiar with the BRX, and Design
Automated Controls took advantage of
remote support capabilities, the startup
phase proceeded smoothly, and the end
user was able to begin processing cotton
right on time.
Moving forward, our client would like
to add remote access and industrial internet
of things (IIoT) capabilities. The
BRX Series of PLCs meets these and
other needs by delivering traditional
PLC reliability in a compact form factor,
with options for built-in and expandable
I/O options, and modern communication
capabilities.
This article was written by David Adams,
Owner, Design Automated Controls
(Wetumpka, AL). For more information,
visit http://info.hotims.com/82324-281.
Motion Design, August 2022

http://info.hotims.com/82324-710 http://info.hotims.com/82324-281

Tech Briefs Magazine - August 2022

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