Automation

Blackrow Electrical provides a wide range of automated solutions from simple hard-wired relay logic through to networked PLC systems. We have many years experience working with all major PLC manufacturers including Mitsubishi, Allen-Bradley and Siemens. For price sensitive applications we can offer intelligent relays which have almost the full range of functionality as traditional PLCs but at a fraction of the price. For control applications we offer a range of HMI panels used for machine operation, recipe control and diagnostics. For more sophisticated applications we can provide full SCADA systems based on CitectSCADA. In fact Atomic Electrical Services is an authorized Systems Integrator for Citect. The following list details our range of automation services: PLC Programming HMI & SCADA Systems Custom PC Applications Motion Control Industrial Networks PLC Progamming Blackrow Electrical offers a comprehensive PLC programming service covering virtually all the major PLC manufacturers. We have over 10 years experience working on major projects consisting of networked PLCs with hundreds of I/O points. As part of our panel build service we can supply fully programmed PLCs, or intelligent relays for simple applications. All systems are supplied with commented ladder source code. We can incorporate new or older systems onto corporate networks for integration into SCADA and IT systems. Additionally we can provide out of warranty support on older machines including: • Machine diagnostics & troubleshooting • Program modifications • Program commenting • PLC brand conversion • Spare parts supply • Training ▲ Top HMI & SCADA Systems Blackrow Electrical provides a range of HMI products to suit most applications from simple text keypads to colour graphic touch panels and industrial PCs. We have experience programming the majority of HMI panels from Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Beijer and Pro-face along with all other leading manufacturers. For more sophisticated applications we can offer SCADA systems based on CitectHMI and CitectSCADA software. Blackrow Electrical Services is an authorised systems integrator for Citect and we have in-house expertise on the use of these products. Citect is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of SCADA software with thousands of systems installed world-wide. The software is highly scaleable from simple stand-alone HMI-type applications to multiple Client/Server systems with thousands of I/O points. For more specialist applications we can offer a custom PC programming service using Visual Basic, SQL and ASP to create stand-alone or web-enabled solutions. ▲ Top Custom PC Applications For specialist applications, Blackrow Electrical offers a custom PC programming service. Our company employs engineers able to develop desktop and web-enabled applications using Visual Basic, SQL, ASP.NET, OPC and other technologies. Past projects include: Scheduling system for growing beansprouts Recipe system for bulk material handling Time & Attendance systems Pallet labeling & barcoding Using the latest OPC Client/Server technologies we can develop solutions to extract process data from virtually any industrial serial or ethernet device. This data can be linked into, or extracted from a SCADA system for data logging, trending and alarms. Process data can be used for performance and downtime monitoring, pack counting, and recipe control. This information can be formatted and stored in an SQL database and displayed as a collection of web pages. ▲ Top Motion Control Blackrow Electrical provides its clients with complete a motion control service from equipment sizing and selection through to motion programming and set-up. We have teamed up with Baldor, one of the world’s largest suppliers of motors, drives and motion control equipment to provide solutions for virtually any motion application. One of the unique features of Baldor’s range of motion controllers is the Mint motion language. This easy-to-learn language is very similar to Visual Basic but is extended with the Mint Motion Library offering a rich array of motion functions to perform virtually any motion task such as gearing, cams, flying shears, homing as well as simple point-to-point moves. Common to all current range motion controllers and drives is Baldor’s Workbench V5. This software is free to download from Baldor’s support website and offers a feature-rich environment for setting up and programming Baldor’s motion products. Baldor offers a range of brushless servo drives with matching servo motors, gear-heads and linear stages. Top of the range drive products such as the MintDriveII have built-in motion controllers with expandable I/O and communications connectivity. These products are suitable for simple or complex single-axis applications, and as well as carrying out the usual motion tasks, can also be used for processing logical I/O functions, reducing or eliminating the need for an additional PLC. For multi-axis applications, the newly-released NextMoveESB motion controller has on-board capacity for up to 7 axes motion, 3 of which are full closed-loop servo. Each axis can be used for servo or vector control with the remaining 4 axes used for stepper control. The NextMoveESB also has on-board digital and analog I/O as well as a CANopen master interface for expansion with additional I/O or HMI panels. For programming, the unit has on-board serial and USB ports. All motion and drive products can be fitted with HMI panels from UniOp to provide visual machine status and recipe control functions. ▲ Top Industrial Networks Blackrow Electrical offers a multitude of fieldbus connectivity solutions. We have experience installing all the major fieldbus networks including Profibus, DeviceNET, CC Link, CAN and Ethernet. Past projects include: Implementing remote I/O nodes for Allen-Bradley, Mitsubishi and AutomationDirect PLCs. Installing a DeviceNet system of variable-speed drives connected to an Allen-Bradley SLC500 PLC. Siemens S7-300 PLC with Profibus connection to variable-speed drives and HMI panels. Various CANopen I/O networks with connection to UniOp CANopen HMI panels Recent technology has allowed for the connection of legacy serial-port based PLCs onto Ethernet networks to allow remote diagnostics and data collection to higher-level systems such as SCADA. This consists of serial to Ethernet hardware products which facilitate RS232 or RS422/485 communications over existing Ethernet networks by ingeniously packing serial data in to an Ethernet frame and moving the data to the relevant location (typically a PC) using IP addressing. It is an ideal way to reduce cabling duplication or to overcome the 15m distance limitation of RS232. At the PC end, a virtual serial port driver is installed to enable programming access to the PLC, or an OPC server can be installed which will enable the PLC to be simply ‘plugged’ into a SCADA system. Our company can offer various software solutions including SCADA, OPC, and custom desktop or web-enabled applications. We are an authorised systems integrator for Citect. ▲ Top Blackrow: where innovative thinking meets engineering excellence.