Impress Sensors & Systems introduced CMC-141 multi-channel controller with large touchscreen colour TFT display and up to 72 digital inputs/outputs. The controller is ideal for the simultaneous measurement and control of a wide variety of process engineering applications.

January 5, 2012 - Impress Sensors & Systems introduced CMC-141 multi-channel controller with large touchscreen colour TFT display and up to 72 digital inputs/outputs. The controller is ideal for the simultaneous measurement and control of a wide variety of process engineering applications.

The CMC-141 provides a universal input card that can accommodate a range of sensor inputs. Counter inputs are provided too, as well as flow meter and rate meter inputs. The CMC-141 is housed in a compact enclosure.

It comes with JAVA applets, which can be embedded into any website or HTML-based web page, allowing users to remotely access real time data from the controller via the Ethernet interface and a web browser.

It can simultaneously record all channel data at a maximum speed of 10Hz (ten samples per second). The unit provides up to 1.5GB of internal data memory, which is sufficient to continuously save data from all input channels at a speed of 1 sample per second for more than 2 months (125,000,000 samples in total). The operator can download saved data using a USB flash memory disk or remotely via Ethernet.

The CMC-141 provides three card slots on the reverse of the controller, each comprising 24 I/O pin options, which enable the user to choose any combination of inputs and outputs to suit the application. For example, up to 72 analogue current or voltage inputs could be used; up to 36 relay/SSR outputs; 36 thermocouple inputs; 18 RTD inputs; or a combination of these. The unit also incorporates a 24V DC digital input, enabling relays and triggers to be set up.

It is ideal for a wide range of process applications, including centralised temperature measurement and control; multi-zone heating control; intermediate pumping station control; spraying and heating control for greenhouses; control of industrial furnaces and incinerators; and for engine test cell measurements.

Measuring just 144mm x 144mm x 100mm, the controller housing is very compact, which means the unit can be installed in restricted spaces. The controller has a 5.7-inch backlit colour TFT display and is based on the Linux operating system, with touch-screen menu navigation, offering ease of use and familiarity to the operator. A USB interface is provided on the front of the device, enabling the user to upload or download software programs quickly and easily via a USB memory stick.

PID Control
The controller is available in two power supply versions, 230V or 24V AC/DC. An auxiliary 24V DC/200mA supply output on the back of the unit enables external sensors and actuators to be connected and powered by the controller. The CMC-141 can also act as a PID process controller, providing a reliable control loop feedback mechanism for a variety of process temperature and pressure control applications.

The CMC-141 also comes with a number of communications interfaces, including two RS485 ports, one RS232, one Modbus RTU, a second USB Host and a 10MB Ethernet connection, allowing the controller to integrate easily with the customer's existing process control networks and fieldbuses.

The CMC-141's integral software provides the user with archiving, printing and visualisation options. A variety of visual presentation display options for recorded measurements are available, including numerical display, bar graph or needle gauge display.