Author: Joe Kaminski

Joe Kaminski is an industrial automation specialist at MRO Electric. He has a background in industrial engineering and supply chain management. Joe has worked in the automation industry for over 10 years providing support to some of the largest companies in the world. For more info, visit www.mroelectric.com.

Modicon Quantum Interface Modules

Joe Kaminski 1 Comment

The Modicon Quantum series has a variety of communication interface modules which are listed and described below.

RIO Modules (CRA/CRP)

–          Quantum RIO head and drop modules use a S908-based networking I/O configuration. Communication is done via single or dual coaxial cabling u to 15,000 feet away. This configuration supports a mix of the following product lines:

  • SY.MAX
  • 200 Series
  • 500 Series
  • 800 Series
  • Quantum I/O

When Quantum RIO is required, the Modicon Quantum interface modules controller may support up to 31 RIO drops. In an RIO configuration, an RIO head module is connected with a coaxial cable to RIO drop modules at each remote drop.

DIO Module (CRA)

–          Quantum DIO is implemented over a Modbus Plus network. The CPU or NOMs module may be the network head via their Modbus Plus ports. The Quantum DIO Modbus Plus drop adaptors are specifically designed to link Quantum I/O modules to the head via twisted pair shielded cable (Modbus Plus). The DIO drop modules also provide the I/O with power (maximum 3A) from a 24VDC or a 115/230VAC source. Each DIO network supports up to 63 distributed drops using repeaters.

Network Option Module (NOM)

–          Quantum NOM modules provide extended communication capabilities for the Quantum system within a Modbus Plus configuration.

Modbus Plus on Fiber Module (NOM)

–          Quantum Modbus Plus on Fiber modules provides connectivity to Modbus Plus nodes by fiber cable without fiber optic repeaters and allows the creation of a pure fiber optic network or a mixed fiber optic/twisted-pair network (with the use of a 490NRP254 Fiber Optic Repeater).

Ethernet TCP/IP (NOE) Modules

–          Quantum Ethernet TCP/IP modules make it possible for a Quantum controller to communicate with devices on an Ethernet network using TCP/IP – the de facto standard protocol. An Ethernet module may be inserted into an existing Quantum system and connected to existing Ethernet networks via fiber optic or twisted pair cabling.

SY/MAX Ethernet Modules (NOE)

–          Quantum-SY/MAX-Ethernet modules are Quantum CPU network option modules that can be placed in a Quantum backplane to connect to Quantum controllers to SY/MAX devices and applications.

MMS-Ethernet Modules (NOE)

–          Quantum-MMS-Ethernet modules are Quantum CPU network option modules that can be placed in a Quantum backplane to connect Quantum controllers to MMS devices and applications.

InterBus Interface Module (NOA)

–          The Quantum InterBus is the interface module to the InterBus bus. The InterBus bus is a Fieldbus network designed for I/O blocks and intelligent devices used in manufacturing. It offers a master/slave topology that permits deterministic I/O servicing over its 13 km twisted pair network.

LonWorks Modules (NOL)

–          Quantum NOL modules provide connectivity between a Quantum controller and a LonWorks network, based on Echelon’s LonWorks technology. The NOL module is offered in three models for different transceiver types, and supports three twisted-pair media types with different network topologies or data transfer speeds.

Profibus Interface Module (CRP)

–          Quantum Profibus module is the interface module to Profibus-DP networks. The interface modules use Type A, shielded twisted pair to join inline connectors, with or without service ports and bus terminators.

AS-I Interface Module

–          Quantum AS-i modules provide connectivity between a Quantum controller and AS-i networks. AS-i bus cable is an unshielded flat two-wire link on which communication and power are transmitted to connected devices. The media insulation is self-healing to accommodate junction block removal.

MRO Electric and Supply has new and refurbished Modicon Quantum products available. We also offer repair pricing. For more information, please call 800-691-8511 or email sales@mroelectric.com.

Modicon Quantum Overview: Power Supplies, CPUs, I/O Modules

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The Modicon Quantum system is a special purpose computing system with digital processing capabilities. Modicon Quantum is designed for real-time control in industrial and manufacturing applications in a module, expandable architecture employing the following modules.

–          Power Supply

–          CPU

–          I/O

–          I/O Network Interface

–          Intelligent/Special Purpose I/O

–          Simulator (XSM)

–          Battery

–          Backplanes

–          CableFast Cabling

Quantum Power Supplies are used to supply system power to all modules inserted into the backplane, including CPU modules, Interface modules, and I/O modules. Depending upon the system configuration, the option exists of using the power supply in three different modes. The three modes are:

–          Standalone: For 3A, 8A, or 11A configurations that do not require fault tolerant or redundant capabilities.

–          Standalone Summable: For configurations consuming more than the rated current of one supply, two summing power supplies can be installed on the same backplane.

–          Redundant: For configurations requiring power for uninterrupted system operation. Two redundant power supplies are required for redundancy.

The Quantum CPU is a module residing on the Quantum local I/O backplane. The CPU is a digitally operating electronic system, which uses a programmable memory for the internal storage of user interactions. These instructions are used to implement specific functions such as logic, process sequencing, timing, coupling, and arithmetic. These instructions allow control through digital and analog outputs, for various types of machines and processes.  The Quantum CPU serves as a bus master controlling the local, remote, and distributed I/O of the Quantum system.

Quantum I/O modules are electrical signal converters that convert signals to and from field devices to a signal level and format, which can be processed by the CPU such as limit switches, proximity switches, temperature sensors, solenoids, and valve actuators. All I/O modules are optically isolated to the bus, ensuring safe and trouble-free operation. All I/O modules are also software configurable.

MRO Electric and Supply has new and refurbished Modicon Quantum products available. We also offer repair pricing. For more information, please call 800-691-8511 or email sales@mroelectric.com.

Control Techniques Unidrives and Environmental Responsibility

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Control Techniques Unidrive

Control Techniques Unidrives and Environmental Responsibility

Control Techniques is committed to minimizing the environmental impacts of their manufacturing operations and of their products throughout their life cycle. To this end, they operate an Environmental Management System (EMS) which is certified to the International Standard ISO 14001. Further information on the EMS, their Environmental Policy, and other relevant information is available on request or can be found at www.greendrives.com.

The electronic variable-speed drive manufactured by Control Techniques (such as the Control Techniques UNI1405) have the potential to save energy and reduce raw material consumption and scrap throughout their long working life through increase machine/process efficiency. In typical applications, these positive environmental effects far outweigh the negative impacts of product manufacture and end-of-life disposal.

Nevertheless, when the products eventually reach the end of their useful life, they can be very easily dismantled into their major components for efficient recycling. Many parts snap together and can be separated without the use of tools, whilst other parts are secured with conventional screws. Virtually all parts of the product are suitable for recycling.

Product packaging is of good quality and can be re-used. Large products are packaged in wooden crates; whilst smaller products come in strong cardboard cartons which themselves have a high recycled fiber content. If not re-used, these containers can be recycled. Polyethylene, used on the protective film and bags for wrapping product, can be recycled in the same way. Control Techniques’ packaging strategy favors easily-recyclable materials of low environmental impact, and regular reviews identify opportunities for improvements which are consistently being made.

When preparing to recycle or dispose of any product or packaging, please observe local legislation and best practice.

MRO Electric and Supply has new and refurbished Control Techniques products available. We also offer repair pricing. For more information, please call 800-691-8511 or email sales@mroelectric.com.

Why Choose Modicon Quantum?

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Modicon Quantum

Why Choose Modicon Quantum?

The Modicon Quantum series is manufactured by Schneider Electric and is a PLC system for process applications and high availability solutions. The quantum series provides well-balanced CPU’s that are able to provide leading performance from Boolean to floating point instruction. The CPUs have 5 IEC languages as standard, which include LD, ST, FBD, SFC, and IL the Modicon LL984 language to facilitate installed base migration. Schneider Electric’s Quantum CPUs are able to work at a high-level multitasking, which is aided by their memory capacity of up to 7 Mb using PCMCIA extensions. These PLCs are specially shaped for process control applications with conformally coated modules, and an extensive catalog of partner modules which allows them to be used in a range of environments. In order to manage safety integrated systems, safety processors and I/O modules help to complete the series. There are also options for plug and play high-performance Hot-Standby solutions with LCD keypad for local monitoring for ease of use. These Hot-Standby solutions have numerous built-in ports, which include a USB port, Ethernet TCP/IP port with a Web server, Modbus Plus and at least one Modbus serial port on the front panel. The Modicon Quantum series utilizes in-rack connectivity to Profibus-DP and an embedded Ethernet router for easy communications. If you need to increase the availability of your architecture the CRA and CRP Quantum Ethernet I/O modules (QEIO) are available. Thanks to the Modicon X80 drops, expand your architecture and integrate easily your distributed devices on the same network, such as HMI, variable speed drives, I/O islands and more.

There are many benefits to using the Modicon Quantum series over other similar PLC systems available in the market today. The Quantum series offers a large range of processors which are ideal for complex processes. The power of its processors results in optimum cycle times while integrating ever more communications functions, diagnostics, memory flexibility, and data storage. The Quantum Safety system is also now available, certified TUV Rheinland, which is simple to use and ready to be integrated into your automated system. The Quantum series has more flexibility which allows you to choose the best topology, daisy chain loop, ring, star, bus, etc. for the design of your Ethernet architecture. This flexibility allows for higher availability, which is aided by the Hot-standby CPUs and daisy chain loop topology which improve the availability of your process. In the case of cable fails, the recovery time is less than 50 ms for an entire Quantum Ethernet I/O architecture. The applications of the Modicon Quantum PLCs include process control, safety, infrastructure and many more.

MRO Electric and Supply has new and refurbished Modicon Quantum products available. We also offer repair pricing. For more information, please call 800-691-8511 or email sales@mroelectric.com.

Modbus, Traditional Networks still Dominant over Industrial Ethernet

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Modbus, Traditional Networks still Dominant over Industrial Ethernet

We’re always keeping an eye on innovation, and a big trend in the PLC world is the move toward industrial ethernet communications rather than traditional networks. However, Bill Lydon (Editor for Automation.com) recently posted an article asserting that it’s going to be 15-20 years before industrial ethernet becomes the dominant market technology. In the meantime, customers are relying on networks like Modbus, Fieldbus, DeviceNet and others.

Modbus, designed by Modicon in 1979, is a request/reply protocol and offers services specified by function codes. Our Modicon Quantum Communications Modules utilize Modbus protocol to communicate with the drives and input/output modules on the same network, and has become so popular since its inception that many other industrial electronics also support the protocol.

MRO Electric and Supply has new and refurbished FANUC CNC, FANUC Robotics, Control Techniques,  Siemens, Modicon, Yaskawa, MagneTek, Saftronics, and Omron products available. We also offer repair pricing. For more information, please call 800-691-8511 or email sales@mroelectric.com

Unidrive SP AC Drives Used in Belgian Theme Park Ride

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Unidrive SP AC Drives Used in Belgian Theme Park Ride

Wondering what Control Techniques Unidrive SP Drives are actually used for? Well here’s a pretty cool application for those of you that enjoy theme parks. This zero-gravity ride at the Walibi Theme Park in Belgium was recently refurbished using Unidrive SP Drives. Previously, the ride had been using Unidrive Classic Drives to run the motors which hoisted riders over 250 feet in the air.

emerson drives on rides
Dalton Terror Ride powered by Unidrive SP Drives

More information about the retrofit:

The drop tower is based at the Walibi theme park; the ride is a round tower of 77m in height and has five rows of seats, each with four-person capacity, in a ring around the tower.

The seats, weighing 1.5 tonnes empty, are hoisted by speed-controlled Leroy Somer geared motors to the top of the tower, where they are released to drop in freefall at a maximum speed of 110km/hr, generating complete weightlessness.

Magnetic current brakes that comprise permanent magnets fitted in the seats generating powerful Foucault currents in the metallic frame of the tower provide fault-free guaranteed braking, independent of the power supply, bringing the ride to a safe slow speed with hydraulic shock absorbers providing the final soft stop at the base.

This, Control Techniques said, makes the ride a ’zero-risk’ attraction.

The Dalton Terror was originally installed in the park in 1998 and featured the previous Classic Unidrives to haul the seats to the top of the tower.

Compagnie des Alpes has been investing heavily in the upgrading of many of the rides, with the accent heavily on safety.

When it decided to refurbish the Dalton Terror, the precise movement of speed profile of the previous Control Techniques drives was a key factor in the selection of the latest-generation of AC drives and five heavy-duty 75kW Unidrive SPs, operating in closed-loop flux vector mode, were fitted as part of the total renewal of the control panels.

Signals from encoders fitted to each of the Leroy Somer LSMV motors feed back to the drives and, using SM Universal Encoder Plus option modules, are re-transmitted to the PLCs that control the safety of the whole process.

Here’s a video of the ride in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agSTlMNbPpQ

MRO Electric and Supply has new and refurbished Control Techniques parts available including the Unidrive and Unidrive SP series. We also offer repair pricing. For more information, please call 800-691-8511 or email sales@mroelectric.com

Modicon Unity Pro Software for Quantum series

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modicon quantum

Modicon Unity Pro Software for Quantum series

Modicon PLC Unity Pro Software upgrades are becoming increasingly popular for MRO Electric customers. We find ourselves quoting the software often, but before we can give you a price we need to know which version of the software is necessary for your purposes. That’s why we’ve created this blog post – the table below shows all the variations of part numbers for Unity Pro. Just find your part number and include it in your RFQ… we’ll have a price back to you in no time. Some common questions are answered at the bottom of this post.

If you’re upgrading from Concept, PL7 or ProWORX Modicon PLC, here’s the designation you should purchase based on the version of your current software:

  • From Concept S, PL7 Micro, ProWORX NxT Lite, and ProWORX 32 Lite purchase Unity Pro Small Version 7.0
  • From Concept S/M, PL7 M/J, ProWORX NxT Lite, and ProWORX 32 Lite purchase Unity Pro Medium Version 7.0
  • From Concept S/M, PL7 M/J/P, ProWORX NxT Lite, and ProWORX 32 Lite purchase Unity Pro Large Version 7.0
  • From all models Concept, PL7, ProWORX NxT and ProWORX 32 purchase Unity Pro Extra Large Version 7.0

Other notes:

Software Features:

  • “All-in-one” software
  • 5 IEC61131-3 languages
  • Customizable Function Block Library (DFB) integrated
  • Use the PLC simulator to validate your Program on a PC before installation
  • Full range of Online services

For product descriptions directly from Schneider Electric, check out this link: https://www.schneider-electric.com/en/product-range/548-ecostruxure%E2%84%A2-control-expert/?parent-category-id=3900&parent-subcategory-id=3950

MRO Electric and Supply has new and refurbished Modicon parts available including the Modicon Quantum series. We also offer repair pricing. For more information, please call 800-691-8511 or email sales@mroelectric.com