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Smart PLC making mining safer

Smart PLC
The new ifm Smart PLC is rated to SIL3

SPONSORED German sensor specialist ifm electronics was the first company to invent the proximity switch and have now evolved to develop full safety systems suitable for use in mining applications.

The company recently released its’ new Smart PLC combining two separate PLCs in one compact housing. The Smart PLC is SIL 3 complaint which sets it apart from a range of other products. While the one PLC solves safety related applications, the second PLC either works as a standard PLC or as platform for other tasks. Both PLCs communicate with each other, so that entire plant controls can be implemented including safety functions and visualisations with only one SmartPLC.

Safe PLC

Certified up to SIL3, PL e. Eight safe local inputs and four safe local outputs. In addition to the AS-i and the local inputs and outputs I/O (standard and safe) can be expanded via EtherCAT + FSoE.

Furthermore several SmartPLC SafeLine devices can be linked via the fail-safe cross communication. Convenient diagnostic functions, include status indication for safe I/Os and error memory with time stamp for up to 2,000 messages.

Programming is done via CODESYS V3. The auto-teach function simplifies the replacement of slaves.

Standard PLC

The PLC can be freely programmed using CODESYS V3. Its software and hardware operates independently of the fail-safe PLC, but it can of course communicate with it and exchange data. The PLC has access to all interfaces of the system.

AS-i gateway

Without programming, the SmartPLC can be used directly as a gateway for AS-i on the one side, and Profinet, Profibus, EtherNet/IP or EtherCAT on the other side. The integrated display and the convenient web interface display all the available status information for the user and support diagnostics in case of a fault.

Data logger

Operational system data can be recorded via AS-i, Modbus TCP, Profinet, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, TCP/IP, UDP/IP and stored on the SD card or in the internal flash memory.
If needed, the integrated real-time clock provides a time stamp for each recorded data block. This simplifies the documentation and diagnostics of processes.

Visualisation system

A freely programmable web visualisation based on HTML5 provides maximum transparency. An internet browser with HTML5 capability is sufficient on the final unit (PC, tablet, smartphone). No further software is
required. Even the full graphic display of the SmartPLC= is freely programmable for visualisation tasks.

Protocol converter

Connect your sensors and Ethernet based devices to your fieldbus: The SmartPLC can be used as protocol converter between Profinet, Profibus, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT on the one side and AS-i, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, Modbus TCP, TCP/IP, UDP/IP on the other side.

You can download the DATA SHEET on the Smart PLC HERE

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