Extraordinarily flexible automation
Intellution's industrial SCADA package iFix is the engine for Malvern Link, with a vast array of network communications drivers that provide the connectivity to PLCs. Intellution is a market leader in plant automation, with a large user base in particulate processing, especially in the pharmaceutical industry.
Malvern Link main options are:
- Plant data link/local display
- Automatic background and cleaning
- Sampler control
Plant data link/local display
Any parameter that RTSizer can calculate may be exported to the plant control system. Typically this includes Dv10, Dv50, Dv90, %<xm, D[4,3], transmission and concentration. The four options for plant DCS communications are:
| Option |
Connect type |
Use Malvern PLC |
Use client PLC |
Real time process values |
Bi-directional link |
Use Malvern Link |
Error/ Status messages |
Full measure- ment control |
Advantages |
Limitations |
 |
4-20mA |
4-20mA current loops from Malvern PLC to client PLC |
Option |
Option |
PLC specific |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Simple to implement |
Each additional process parameter requires extra cabling. No error/status messages |
RTSizerX |
RTSizer connection to plant SCADA via active-X / Net DDE (across MS NT LAN) |
N/A |
Yes |
Unlimited |
Yes |
No (uses clients SCADA) |
Yes |
Yes |
Gives client full control of automation |
Requires some programming of SCADA and PLC |
Plant PLC |
Malvern Link connection to PLC via plant communication network |
Option |
Option |
Unlimited |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Simple data exchange, works with any SCADA |
Requires read/write access to client PLC. Difficult to pass text |
Plant SCADA |
Malvern Link connection to plant SCADA via OPC or active-X (across MS NT LAN) |
Option |
Option |
Unlimited |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Most powerful approach |
Requires client to have an OPC compliant SCADA |
Bi-directional communication is especially important when size information is to be used for process control. A double watchdog allows both DCS and Malvern Link to raise the alarm if the other is not available.
Status and error messages allow the operator to understand the status of the Insitec system and to control the instrument, telling it when to measure for example, the file to use and the material to be measured. This is particularly useful in the event that powder is not always present in the line or if the specification of the powder changes frequently.
Local displays are piloted from 4-20mA outputs.
Automatic background and cleaning
This requires the placement of automatic valves on the process interface - on the eductor for example. Insitec then carries out periodic automatic background and cleaning cycles. Should material fails to reach the sampling zone, this will be detected and a cleaning cycle will be initiated to free up the system. During quiescent periods the instrument can be placed in an idle state, conserving its life and saving on consumables.
Sampler control
Malvern Link can drive additional samplers, including items such as the augers used in cement processes.
Specifying and customizing your system
Malvern's Automation Group is dedicated to customizing our Insitec on-line measurement systems to client specifications. We will need to know the following about your system :
- PLC type, make and model e.g. Siemens S7
- SCADA / DCS system e.g. Intellution iFix
- PLC communications network e.g. Profibus
- Contact name of your automation engineer and, where appropriate, the contact details for your system integrator.
Please contact us for more details.
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