Equipment/Software/Literature

In-rack liquid and gas flow computers enhanced

Version 2.05 upgrade has been released for the inRAx line of single-slot in-chassis flow computers for platforms from Rockwell Automation, Milwaukee.

The modules are tied directly into the back plane of the controller and act as an add-on calculator to the processor without burdening the PLC/PAC with complicated flow algorithms, the .

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Version 2.05 modules provide these enhancements:

Modbus dictionary. In flow applications, RTUs and SCADA networks often use the open modbus protocol because of its common support and its multipoint (polled) architecture. The inRAx flow computers provide a modbus master port to allow users to poll data from a remote chromatograph device. The modules have an internal modbus map, so for the convenience of the user the version 2.05 upgrade was equipped with a modbus dictionary, which acts as an index for users to locate needed data.
Multimeter runs. The company says stand-alone flow computers are relatively expensive and are often limited to only a few meter runs, which increases implementation and maintenance costs and creates more potential points of failure by complicating wiring designs. Alternatively, the inRAx integrated flow computer supports eight to 16 meter runs; and, now version 2.05 modules support multiple streams (as many as four per meter) and allow the PLC/PAC to switch the active stream via the module over the back plane of the controller.
Data archival/event logging. Version 2.05 modules have an expanded data archival and event logging feature, which allows 35 regular daily and 48 regular hourly archives, and 1,440 daily and hourly extended archives per meter.

The inRAx line of flow computers use the AGA 3, 7, and 8 measurement standards and API 2540 calculation standards. Modules are available for the following Rockwell Automation platforms: ControlLogix (MVI56-AFC), SLC 500 (MVI46-AFC), PLC-5 (MVI71-AFC), and CompactLogix (MVI69-AFC).

Source: ProSoft Technology Inc., 1675 Chester Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301.