The new Pro Series from West Control Solutions offers superior temperature control.
The new Pro Series of temperature controllers from West Control Solutions offer customers yet greater precision control in challenging applications. Key to the enhanced capability of the Pro Series is that all three units in the range – the Pro-4, Pro-8 and Pro-16 – provide two PID sets rather than the one typically found on alternative controllers. This allows the user to tune for accurate control for a wide range of set points or various products with different thermal characteristics.
The Pro Series controllers offer a high level of I/O, with an unprecedented six outputs available and up to four digital inputs, plus an in-built profiler for a varied setpoint at each process stage. The Pro Series combines a sophisticated level of control with maximum flexibility, an example being the capability to customize the menus, thus speeding up manual control by making frequently used functions available at a keystroke. The result is complex temperature control capability that can be accessed easily by any member of the workforce. Capability and convenience is further enhanced by the configuration and simulation software, BlueControl©, which allows a test configuration to be carried out locally on a PC.
Typical applications that will benefit from these features are; industrial ovens and furnaces, chiller and refrigeration systems and particularly plastics and rubber extrusion applications where processes such as non-linear cooling, heater current input and boost functions are commonly required.
In addition to the I/O provided by the Pro-4 and Pro-8, the Pro-16 comes in a compact 48mm x 48mm design, meeting the need of many applications for compactness and capability in a small, front-of-panel controller. The Pro-16 is the only temperature controller of its kind to provide so many features in such a compact casing, offering customers a premium product that is powerful yet easy to use.
The new Pro Series of temperature controllers from West Control Solutions offer customers yet greater precision control in challenging applications.
Key to the enhanced capability of the Pro Series is that all three units in the range – the Pro-4, Pro-8 and Pro-16 – provide two PID sets rather than the one typically found on alternative controllers. This allows the user to tune for accurate control for a wide range of set points or various products with different thermal characteristics.
The Pro Series controllers offer a high level of I/O, with an unprecedented six outputs available and up to four digital inputs, plus an in-built profiler for a varied setpoint at each process stage. The Pro Series combines a sophisticated level of control with maximum flexibility, an example being the capability to customize the menus, thus speeding up manual control by making frequently used functions available at a keystroke. The result is complex temperature control capability that can be accessed easily by any member of the workforce. Capability and convenience is further enhanced by the configuration and simulation software, BlueControl©, which allows a test configuration to be carried out locally on a PC.
Typical applications that will benefit from these features are; industrial ovens and furnaces, chiller and refrigeration systems and particularly plastics and rubber extrusion applications where processes such as non-linear cooling, heater current input and boost functions are commonly required.
In addition to the I/O provided by the Pro-4 and Pro-8, the Pro-16 comes in a compact 48mm x 48mm design, meeting the need of many applications for compactness and capability in a small, front-of-panel controller. The Pro-16 is the only temperature controller of its kind to provide so many features in such a compact casing, offering customers a premium product that is powerful yet easy to use.
CAL temperature controllers from West Control Solutions are helping laboratory OEMs to provide the best possible conditions for research into the treatment of diseases such as cancer.
In particular, the CAL 3300 temperature controller is providing outstanding service in controlling the performance of an incubation chamber for laboratory equipment manufacturer, Solent Scientific.
Solent Scientific and the Application
The 37 Climate Chamber from Solent Scientific is an acrylic enclosure integrated with a powerful microscope, which is used to conduct prolonged studies of living cells, usually involving time lapse image capture. These enclosures can also exclude light when working with low level light microscopy. Warm, filtered air circulates within the enclosure from a heater unit and the precise temperature within the chamber is controlled by a CAL 3300 unit.
With temperature control a critical feature of the incubation chamber, Solent Scientific turned to West Control Solutions, which has established a strong reputation across industry for providing exceptionally reliable temperature controllers that perform over long periods within extremely tight tolerances.
Temperature Control Requirements
Orry Dugdale, Director, Solent Scientific, explained further how the 37° Incubation Chambers work and why the CAL 3300 provided an ideal solution for temperature control.
“When we built the incubator, we were trying to create a cell culturing system that accurately replicates conditions within the human body, and that means maintaining a constant temperature. The temperature requirement for the chamber is 37° degrees, + 0.1°C. The temperature must be accurate and within that tight tolerance. The CAL 3300 is proven to be capable of delivering that, day after day, year after year.”
Selecting the Right Temperature Controller
The CAL 3300 is easy to operate, with a large 4-digit green LED display clearly showing the-current temperature, and a parameter security-locking feature that prevents the operator from inadvertently changing the settings.
The CAL 3300 brings ease-of-use to the customers of OEMs such as Solent Scientific by offering integrated auto-tune PID control (Proportional Integral Derivative). This means that users do not have to programme parameters manually, a task that requires a certain amount of technical knowledge, and reduces set up time to a few minutes.
Using PID Control
The PID facility is further enhanced by a unique dAC (Derivative Approach Control) function, which prevents control temperature overshoot during warm up. CAL has developed dAC functions outside of the proportional band during warm up by widening the proportional band. The temperature rise is slowed during this period and when the temperature falls within the original proportional band, the controller reverts back to normal operation. The result is a steady temperature rise with minimal overshoot, which can be critical when maximum temperatures must not be exceeded.
West Control Solutions has also provided Solent Scientific with a cost-efficient method of logging temperature over a period of time, a facility that was required in order to test the operation of each incubator. By using the communication software for real-time logging of CAL controllers, Solent Scientific could prove that the temperature within the incubator was kept to + or – 0.1°C over long periods of time, which is well within the tolerances required for the application. This solution avoided the considerable cost and development involved in employing SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) packages.
The 37° Incubation Chambers are making a major contribution to the life sciences, with sales to universities and research institutes across the globe. “Imperial College in London was our first customer in 1997,” Orry Dugdale explained. “When I visited London in 2012, the chamber was still working and I can think of no better recommendation for CAL controllers.”
Dynapar introduces a new addition to its line of hazardous encoders offering, the rugged Hazardous Series HSD35 optical encoder.
This robust encoder expands our current portfolio of hazardous series encoders which also include the AX71, EN42, EN44, ISD37, ISD25, ISW38, X25, Hazardous Series HD20, and Hazardous Series HD25, and will provide our customers with a broader choice in encoder selection for their requirements.
Certified by UL for Class I, Division 2, Groups A, B, C & D; Class II, Division 2, Groups F & G operation, the Hazardous Series HSD35 was designed with certain key elements to provide more robust feedback in hazardous environments and will be available in a variety of mechanical configurations to custom fit your application.
Our Hazardous Series HSD35 features:
- Hard anodized Aluminum housing with optional dual isolated output for critical application redundancy.
- More robust connector protection through terminal box with field serviceable connectors for convenient solder-less connections.
- ABEC 3 bearings for high 400 G shock and 20 G vibration environments in tough customer applications.
About Us
At Anderson Control, we are dedicated to providing top-notch automation solutions and precision control technologies. Founded in 1982, we have built a reputation for excellence in delivering high-quality products and services tailored to meet the needs of diverse industries. Our extensive experience and commitment to innovation empower us to offer a comprehensive range of sensors, motion control devices, encoders, and industrial controls. We strive to exceed customer expectations by combining cutting-edge technology with exceptional support, making us a trusted partner in your automation journey.
