Universal Control Platform for Pneumatic Valves Facilitates System-wide Compatibility

Transcription

1 Universal Control Platform for Pneumatic Valves Facilitates System-wide Compatibility By John Garbarino, Valve Product Manager and Yufeng Qi, Controls Engineer Parker Hannifin Corporation A rose may still be a rose by any other name, but to leading solenoid valve providers, a valve is no longer merely a valve. Valve manufactures are continually looking at alternatives for improving the way valves fit into control system architectures. Ensuring the easy integration of valves into machines and open systems presents opportunities to OEMs and end users for cost-saving, quality-enhancing, and productivity-improving solutions. As industry transitions from a regional to global perspective, valve customers are demanding products that meet standards supported throughout the world. ISO standards for both pneumatic and hydraulic valves and cylinders have existed for years. While hydraulic valves are not proprietary, most valve manufacturers still manufacture proprietary pneumatic valves. ISO will change that. ISO means that standardized pneumatic valves will eventually be readily available, around the globe, from all valve manufacturers. Eventually is the key word because many manufacturers are still selling and supporting proprietary valves. When the transition is complete, customers may still have brand preference, but they will be assured that ISO pneumatic valves meet quality and interchangeability criteria. Universal control platforms for pneumatic valves are the logical next step to facilitate system-wide compatibility. Globalization and demands by international manufacturers for standard platforms and interchangeable valves are changing the pneumatic valve paradigm just as open operating systems changed the computer market years ago. End users and OEMs expect thorough control, simplified system configuration capabilities, and comprehensive data collection for their valve applications whatever the industry, from automotive, material handling, packaging, and consumer equipment, to the medical and process industries. Universal Control Platform for Pneumatic Valves Facilitates System-wide Compatibility Page 1 of 7

2 ISO Standards for Pneumatic Valves ISO was developed to introduce standardization to five-port direction pneumatic control valves, sizes 18mm and 26mm, 0.55 and 1.1 Cv respectively. The 18mm valve is perfectly sized for applications using 1.5 bore cylinders and smaller. The 26mm valve is perfect for applications using 2 to 4 bore cylinders. Until recently, no standard plug-in valves in these sizes were available to OEMs and endusers valves will run cylinders with a 4-inch (or under) diameter and a 12-inch (or under) stroke comfortably and at an adequate speed. Parker Hannifin estimates 50% of the market demand for pneumatic valves exists in these sizes. ISO valve types have a body-to-base plug-in, in which the valve electrically plugs into the base. The bottom of the valve has a female socket and the base has a male plug. ISO valve types are non-plug-in valves with no electrical connectivity through the base. Electrical connections are made via DIN connectors or M12/M8 connections on the valve body or coil. In addition to the ISO standardization of pneumatic valves, evolving communication systems and plug-n-play capabilities enable innovative valve manufacturers to position their products as part of a modular I/O platform that simplifies system integration and facilitates system-wide communication between the pneumatic and electronic components in air handling power control applications. Parker s New Isys Valves and Isysnet Field Bus System With the recent introduction of the Isysnet Field Bus System and the Isys family of plugin valves, Parker Hannifin has developed one of the best system-linked pneumatic valve product lines available. Isysnet products feature enhanced environmental characteristics, as well as modular designs and plug-n-play electronic capabilities, increasing the speed of installation while reducing mistakes, and simplifying control applications. IsysNet has four major components, including: A valve drive module that controls up to 32 solenoids; Up to 62 I/O modules with 264 inputs and 264 outputs that provide field interface, system-interface circuitry; Communication interface modules that provide the network-interfaces using EtherNet/IP, ControlNet, DeviceNet, and PROFIBUS DP ; and Preferred Connectivity to Rockwell Automation processors using RSLogix 5000 Software. Universal Control Platform for Pneumatic Valves Facilitates System-wide Compatibility Page 2 of 7

3 Parker Hannifin Corporation s Isys line of plug-in pneumatic valves use ISO dimensional and electrical standards as its foundation. Isys valves have the smallest envelope in the industry, reducing space and cost for customers. The Isysnet Field Bus System incorporates the four protocols listed above because they are compatible with all Isys pneumatic valves. Parker is the first global manufacturer to make ISO its flagship plug-in valve line. The company recognizes that standardization facilitates choice, flexibility, and control for engineers, OEMs, and end users Advantages of Integration To leverage the advantages of pneumatic valve standardization that will result with ISO (See article sidebar), leading valve manufacturers, such as Parker Hannifin, are developing field bus systems that are compatible with numerous control platforms to help seamlessly integrate a system s pneumatic valves with multiple devices on one or more networks. The goal of open network architectures through a universal control platform is to seamlessly integrate all plant-floor devices with one another, including access to the Internet, with the front office enterprise. These systems, such as Parker s Isysnet, help improve flexibility, reduce installation costs, and increase productivity. Selecting a Network There is an array of devices, computing platforms and operating systems that users must consider when configuring systems to maximize communication options and compatibility. The prevailing trend is toward the use of the EtherNet/IP Industrial Protocol as the standard for pneumatic valves in air and fluid power control applications. Other network choices include ControlNet, DeviceNet, and PROFIBUS DP. A user s specific application requirements help determine how to configure the system. Universal Control Platform for Pneumatic Valves Facilitates System-wide Compatibility Page 3 of 7

4 Ethernet/IP Is an open industrial networking standard that supports implicit and explicit messaging. It uses commercial, off-the-shelf equipment and physical media and is ideal for applications that require configuration, data collection, and control on a single, high-speed network. Other application requirements suited to Ethernet/IP include: Plant management (e.g., material handling) Time critical applications with no established schedule Regular sending of data across the network Internet/Intranet connection This open protocol the most popular on the market has an installed base that is growing by 40% annually. ControlNet Enables intelligent, high-speed control devices to share the information required for the transfer of time-critical data between controllers and I/O devices for supervisory control, operator interface, remote device configuration, work cell coordination, programming, and troubleshooting. ControlNet is designed for: Deterministic and repeatable data delivery Media and Controller redundancy Intrinsic safety Redundant controller systems DeviceNet Offers high-speed access to plant-floor data from a broad range of plantfloor devices and a significant reduction in wiring. Benefits of DeviceNet include: Connections of low-level devices directly to plant-floor controllers without interfacing them Data can be sent as needed More diagnostics for improved data collection and fault detection Less hard wiring and reduced start-up time when compared to traditional, hardwired systems PROFIBUS Used for connecting to an existing PROFIBUS DP 5m bus, 12 mb network. Each of these networks is suited to different industrial needs, appealing to different types of customers and industries. They use a common application layer called the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP), which ensures common user experience on all networks. Comprehensive I/O Coverage Universal control platforms for pneumatic valves will deliver comprehensive I/O coverage that includes digital, analog and specialty I/O modules. Users will select I/O devices base on the field devices in the network. For example, Parker Hannifin s Universal Control Platform for Pneumatic Valves Facilitates System-wide Compatibility Page 4 of 7

5 Isysnet has over 62 digital, analog, and specialty I/O modules for a wide variety of applications. Isysnet accepts signals from sensors, photo eyes, limits and other field input devices, and provides signals to both locally and remotely operating solenoid valves and other field operating output devices. The module s extremely fast I/O backplane uses change-of-state (COS) connections to maximize performance. To simplify installation, Parker s Isynet I/O wiring is often pre-manufactured with quick disconnect features and includes built-in short circuit, open circuit detection, surge suppression and electronic feedback. OEMs and end users can select their I/O from a range of color-coded I/O types with connector choices of M8, M12 or M23. This reliable, easy-to-use design means fewer points of failure to help boost uptime and plant production. Constructed with NEMA 4 protection, Parker s Field Bus System modules can be mounted directly on the machine, eliminating conduit and enclosure costs, which can save valuable space. If the operation is big enough, installing multiple I/O units increases floor space and lets companies maximize plant usage. Modularity Facilitates Change Well designed control platforms for pneumatic valves will feature modularity to facilitate change. As end-users and OEMs change and expand systems, they ll find that Parker s Isysnet Field Bus System features modularity that simplifies replacing or adding new I/O. The best designed systems will feature mechanical keying that prevents users from placing I/O modules in the wrong sequence. Isysnet Field Bus modules, for example, have a unique latching mechanism that is screwand tie rod-free, which eliminates the need to redesign the panel, screw and drill backplates, significantly reducing assembly time. Modular components enable flexible manifold configurations, eliminating the need to run new conduit wires. This allows OEMs to reduce wiring and installation time by 10% to 25%. Both 18mm and 26mm manifold bases can be mixed, or jump sized on the same manifold, eliminating costly transition plates. Valve purchase costs can be reduced if OEMs order manifolds with both 18mm and 26mm valves on them and then properly size the valves to cylinder requirements. The Auto Device Replacement feature of Isysnet allows OEMs to add I/O modules without making changes to control software. Customers also have the capability of adding input or output modules to their machines without having to power down, reducing downtime costs. Universal Control Platform for Pneumatic Valves Facilitates System-wide Compatibility Page 5 of 7

6 Conclusion Clearly, a valve is no longer merely a valve. Leading pneumatic valve manufactures, such as Parker Hannifin, are establishing a new and comprehensive pneumatic valve implementation paradigm. This new paradigm includes the standardized ISO valve product, universal network and control platforms, as well as the accompanying customer support to provide customers with lower costs, higher quality, and increased productivity in air handling power control applications. ### Isysnet Provides Preferred Compatibility to Rockwell Automation RSLogix 5000 Software Parker Hannifin s Isysnet Field Bus System is especially compatible with Rockwell Automation products and interfaces, including preferred connectivity to Rockwell processors using RSLogix 5000 Software. End users and OEMs with an installed Rockwell Automation product base: Spend less time integrating Isysnet into the system; Reduce troubleshooting time if there is a system problem; Minimize variations in software; and Lower the cost of technical support and training requirements. Rockwell Automation s RSLogix 5000 Software configures Logix-based PLCs or other controllers to communicate with various system devices. Isyset s preferred connectivity status with RSLogix 5000 defines how Parker devices operate with the controller. It is very easy for OEMs and end users with Rockwell Control Logix products to install and integrate the Isysnet Field Bus System and Parker ISO valve products into their overall control system. This is done with specific Logix Profiles. In simplest terms, a Logix Profile is very much like a device driver for the Microsoft Windows Operating System. A device driver file provides product-specific configuration and diagnostic information for installation. The availability of these files, either with the operating system install or via a separate install, improves the user experience because functionality is personalized to the specific device. There are two types of Logix Profiles for system integration: specific and generic. Specific profiles are designed for Rockwell devices and for select platforms and products with preferred connectivity, such as Isysnet. These profiles are delivered with the Rockwell RSLogix 5000 programming software. Specific profiles provide the highest level of integration with Logix and are the simplest to use. They require one profile per Universal Control Platform for Pneumatic Valves Facilitates System-wide Compatibility Page 6 of 7

7 I/O or communication module. Generic profiles deliver the lowest level of integration, limited functionality, and non-descript information about the device s identity and features. They are also hard to use. One generic profile is required per I/O platform or network. Specific Isysnet RSLogix 5000 Profiles Parker Hannifin IsyNet Preferred Compatibility with Logix-based controllers relies on tested and proven Specific profiles, provides the highest level of integration of Parker ISO pneumatic valves with the system, and delivers a full set of platform capabilities, including: Detailed and descriptive configuration applets specifically for Parker valves that significantly reduce commissioning time Standardized configuration for all modules and nodes Access to extended platform capabilities such as health and status diagnostics The Parker Specific profile defines the data that is presented on the network and determines the format for that data as it will be used by Isysnet I/O modules. The profile also defines the standard functions that the network uses to obtain and manipulate data, as well as the standard parameters required to install the device. Methods and procedures used to communicate parameters to the device via the network are also defined. The Specific profile controls creation of the tags and data types within the RSLogix system. The profile tells the controller what the user is integrating into the system by identifying the Parker valve, model number, software parameters, etc. The Specific profile screen captures, in Figures 1 and 2 illustrate how the Parker profiles, included with every RSLogix installation, simplify configuration. There are no devicespecific routines required for setting up data exchange with Logix-based controllers or for monitoring platform health of the installed devices. Due to the standardization of the configuration process, troubleshooting is simplified as well. While it is hard to specify exact dollar savings that ISO pneumatic valve standardization and Isysnet preferred connectivity with RSLogix 5000 would bring, all of the areas addressed above significantly reduce the cost of ownership of devices on the network. See for more information. Universal Control Platform for Pneumatic Valves Facilitates System-wide Compatibility Page 7 of 7