Tokyo, Japan - April 24, 2009
On this date, Yokogawa Electric Corporation will release the UTAdvanced, a digital indicating controller with a sequence control function based on the ladder logic programming language. Replacing Yokogawa's GREEN series*1, the UTAdvanced offers various greatly improved measurement, display, operation, control, and networking functions that enhance the efficiency of user design and save money by eliminating the need for peripheral devices and associated wiring.
Development Background
Indicating controllers are embedded instruments which measure and display various types of data such as temperature, pressure, and flow rate, as well as data on equipment operation. They control the operation of comparatively small-scale stand-alone devices like industrial furnaces and semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
Devices and panels with indicating controllers typically also have a data acquisition unit, programmable logic controller (PLC), and single-functional peripheral devices such as a switch or timer, resulting in a complex system configuration. Conventional indicating controllers can simplify this system configuration by using a calculation function, but programming tends to take longer because the languages used by manufacturers are incompatible. In addition, the indicating controllers, PLCs, and data acquisition units have different communication protocols, forcing engineers to connect these devices via a converter and write a dedicated program to network the devices.
In response to the ever present need to reduce production costs, Yokogawa has developed the UTAdvanced Digital Indicating Controller.
Product Features
- Standard sequence control function using the ladder logic programming language
The UTAdvanced Digital Indicating Controller comes standard with a sequence control function based on the ladder logic programming language. Built-in switch, relay, lamp, and timer functions are provided by ladder sequence function, eliminating the need for peripheral devices and wiring to these devices. The use of the popular ladder logic programming language also helps engineers carry out their design tasks with greater efficiency. - Easy-to-view LCD display, easy-to-use operation
The color LCD display is easier to read than conventional displays, and new guidance screens and navigation keys speed up the design process and help prevent operator errors. - Open system architecture
The UTAdvanced complies with the Ethernet*2 protocol and will soon also comply with the PROFIBUS DP*3 protocol. In addition to eliminating the need for dedicated communication programs and converters for connecting to devices such as a data acquisition unit or PLC, this makes it easy to develop optimal multi-vendor systems for users.
Major Target Markets
- Machining facilities in the semiconductor, automobile, electrical equipment, machinery, chemical, and food industries
- In-plant equipment such as air conditioners and power supplies
Applications
Measurement, display, and control of temperature, pressure, and flow rate in research and development and manufacturing (heat-treatment, washing, sterilizing process, etc.)
*1 The UT420, UT450, UT520, UT550, and UT551 Digital Indicating Controllers
*2 A registered trademark of XEROX Corporation
*3 Process Field Bus - Decentralized Peripherals (PROFIBUS DP) is a communication protocol used in the factory automation (FA) field. Assured responses in a specific time and low-cost connections are its main advantages. PROFIBUS DP is a trademark of the PROFIBUS User Organization, and is widely used in Europe.
About Yokogawa
Yokogawa's global network of 19 manufacturing facilities and 89 companies spans 40 countries. Since its founding in 1915, the US$4 billion company has been engaged in cutting-edge research and innovation, securing more than 7,500 patents and registrations, including the world's first digital sensors for flow and pressure measurement. Industrial automation and control, test and measurement, information systems and industry support are the core businesses of Yokogawa. For more information about Yokogawa, please visit our web site at www.yokogawa.com.