VERNON HILLS, Ill. – Nov. 8, 2004 – Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. will add full redundant hot back-up capabilities to its popular Q Series Automation Platform. Redundant control is an essential requirement for industries where downtime on production lines and shop floors is not an option.
Since its launch, the Q Series Automation Platform has received an enthusiastic welcome from the global automation market, with significant installations at both large end user locations, and a widespread OEM base. Mitsubishi Electric Automation expects the Q Series Redundant System to further increase the impact of the Q Series Automation Platform on the global automation market for those industries where redundant control is an essential requirement.
“For many industries, downtime is simply not an option due to cost, interruption to service, equipment damage, safety or regulatory control,” says John Browett, product marketing manager for Mitsubishi Electric Automation’s rack-based controllers and automation networks. “By adding full redundancy to the Q Series platform, Mitsubishi Electric Automation now offers one of the most efficient and reliable automation platforms available.”
Industries where Q Series’ new system capability can be applied
include:
·
Environmental
(refuse incineration, emissions control, desalination, etc.)
·
Steel (continuous
casting, rolling line furnaces, annealing furnaces, etc.)
·
Chemical
(Polymerization, temperature control, blending, mixing, etc.)
·
Pulp and Paper
(conditioning, drying, finish, etc.)
·
Cement (crushing,
kiln control, dust control, etc.)
·
Water treatment
(filtration, pump control, chemical dosing, etc.)
·
Semiconductor
(slurry delivery, gas recovery, wafer handling, etc.)
·
Material handling
(airport baggage handling, conveyors, sorters, etc.)
Key features of the Q Series redundant control solution include:
·
Triple-level
redundancy, with dual redundant processors, dual redundant networking and hot
swap capability to insure maximum process uptime
·
Automatic, user
defined synchronization of process data between redundant processors, insuring
“bumpless” transfer of control
·
Dual redundant
network capability allows deterministic performance up to 25Mbit/s between
controllers and I/O
·
Redundant power
supplies prevent failure through power loss
·
Redundant ethernet
communications insure continuity of communications to SCADA systems (such as
Mitsubishi Electric Automation’s MX-WORX) after switchover
·
No special
hardware required beyond redundant processors, reducing cost of ownership as
standard Q Series parts can be used on both regular and redundant Q systems
·
Redundant CPUs are
physically separate, allowing offline CPUs to be serviced without interrupting
the process
·
Support using
Mitsubishi Electric Automation’s established programming and maintenance system,
GX Developer; all Mitsubishi Electric Automation controller systems, regardless
of type, may be programmed and maintained by the same tools
·
Automatic program
updates between both CPUs simplifies maintenance
·
Extremely compact
size minimizes panel space
·
Extremely high
performance, with switchover times measured in the tens of milliseconds
Mitsubishi Electric Automation expects to begin shipping redundant systems near the end of 2004.
About
Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc.
Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc., in Vernon Hills, IL, offers a
comprehensive line of factory automation solutions. Products include automation
platforms, programmable logic controllers, human machine interfaces (HMI), AC
variable frequency drives, servo amplifiers and motors, motion controllers,
industrial computers, control software, computerized numerical control systems,
robots, uninterruptible power supply systems and industrial sewing machines.
For a broad range of factory automation applications, visit the
Mitsubishi Electric Automation
web site at
www.meau.com.
# # #
For More Information:
Lori Bacharz
847.478.2417
bacharzl@meau.mea.com
