Sunnyvale - IDEC Corporation, worldwide manufacturer of control automation devices and a pioneer in the micro-PLC field, is pleased to announce the latest additions to the MicroSmart series of programmable logic controllers. The latest in the Micro family of PLCs, the MicroSmart has raised the bar for controller technology with its superior speed and expansion capabilities.
With a growing demand in industrial OEM markets for more control and versatility in a programmable logic controller, IDEC has created a PLC that can address those needs without increasing the space requirements and can be expanded and adapted to suit almost any control requirements.
The MicroSmart was previously released in "all-in-one" (brick style) CPU units with 10, 16, or 24 I/O terminals. The new additions to this family are the "slim" type CPU units, available with 20 or 40 I/O points and varying types of output. Each CPU module is equipped with four high-speed counters, an RS-232C port, an analog potentiometer plus several other standard features. The Slim types also include a built-in analog input. All this in an extremely compact housing, only 90mm in height and 70mm in depth.
All of the slim type CPUs, as well as the earlier 24 I/O All-in-One type CPU, accept additional expansion I/O modules. There are four types of expansion modules available; input modules, output modules with relay or transistor sink/source output, combination input/output modules, and analog modules, including one that can accept type J, K, T thermocouple (or RTD) inputs.
The 24 I/O All-in-One CPU can expand up to 88 I/O points using a maximum of four expansion modules. The Slim type CPUs accept up to seven modules; the 20 I/O modules expand either to 148 or 244 I/O (depending on model) and the 40 I/O modules can expand as high as 264 I/O points.
In addition to the auxiliary I/O modules, there also are several optional accessories available to further customize the MicroSmart module to meet individual needs, including a real-time clock and calendar cartridge or a memory cartridge for user programs.
Additional RS232C ports or an RS485 port can be added to all the CPUs (except the 10 I/O All-in-One module), allowing the MicroSmart to connect to PCs, printers, barcode readers, as well as to IDEC operator interfaces. The MicroSmart can also be linked to as many as 32 other MicroSmart modules as a master or slave, or as a slave to another PLC or PC.
The newest accessory in the MicroSmart series is the HMI module, a plug-in LCD unit for display and monitoring. It fits directly into the All-in-One module or into the HMI Base Module for use with the slim type module. The HMI module can access certain menus and edit values, even while the system is operational.
MicroSmart modules are programmable with WindLDR version 4.10, IDEC's intuitive ladder logic software. Programs can be stored on the optional memory cartridges and transferred between modules. The CPU modules also feature user program read/write protection.
IDEC will continue to expand and improve the MicroSmart series with accessories to meet new challenges and demands; the next planned addition is an ASI-bus communication adapter.
For more information on MicroSmart, the next generation of PLC, contact IDEC today.
Contact: Luisa Muyco
IDEC Corporation
1-800-262-4332, ext. 371