PLA applications module from Sprint Electric - Digital drive can reduce need for PLC or PC based systems

Designed primarily for use by system integrators, the PLA offers a powerful and flexible method of processing analogue and digital signals via easy to use configurable software blocks. Via its range of configurable inputs and outputs to the internal application blocks, the PLA enables the user to define a control strategy to exactly meet the demands of the process or application. The block diagram created is flexible and has a unique Configuration Checker detecting shorts within the user-defined connections.

The standard application blocks in the PLA include diameter calculator, taper tension calculator, torque compensation for inertia and friction, motorised pot simulator with power loss memory, two high performance PIDs with gain profiling, two summers with inverting scaling clamping and hysterisis, two filters with precision time constants from milliseconds to 30 seconds, delay timer with roll-over facility, linear or 'S' ramp with independent up-down rates for forward and reverse, four comparators with programmable hysterisis and aperture option, eight multifunction blocks, and many more.

All the facilities can be programmed and interconnected with each other and/or the extensive input/output facilities in the PLA. All source and target parameters are described in English or selectable other languages. Additional input/output facilities can be programmed and monitored in engineering units using the diagnostic facilities available within the PLA.

The PLA measures 289 x 216 x 110 mm. The module includes Sprint Electrics PL Pilot configuration and monitoring software complete with PC to PLA programming lead. As a Windows based package, the software requires no previous knowledge of any programming language. An RS232 port enables the PLA to communicate to remote equipment such as other PLAs, drives, operator interfaces and other devices. Further connectivity can be achieved for the more demanding applications by the addition of further field bus communication cards including Profibus and DeviceNet.