Japan-based Yokogawa Electric Corporation recently released two entry-level models in the UTAdvanced series of digital indicating controllers.

The new low-cost UT35A and the UT32A have a sequence control function that is based on the general-purpose ladder logic programming language and are targeted for use in the single-loop control of production equipment.

Indicating controllers are embedded in industrial furnaces and other relatively small-scale production line equipment and installations, and are used to measure, display, and control various types of data including temperature, pressure, and flow rate.

In April 2009, Yokogawa launched the UTAdvanced series of digital indicating controllers featuring sequence control based on the widely used ladder logic programming language.

The first models in this series, the UT55A and UT52A, have gained a reputation for their contributions in raising efficiency and lowering costs by integrating peripheral devices such as relays, a statement said.

These high-end, high-performance digital indicating controllers have a wealth of control function modes that are suitable for controlling relatively complex installations such as continuous furnaces.

However, there is also a need in the market for inexpensive general-purpose indicating controllers that have just the functionality needed for controlling single-loop production equipment.

To meet this need, Yokogawa is releasing the UT35A and UT32A entry-level models. These new products are expected to lead to further growth in Yokogawa’s digital indicating controller business.

Product features

The UT35A and UT32A have a fixed control scan period of 200 ms and 300 steps for ladder programming, compared with the three control scan periods and 500 steps in the high-end UT55A and UT52A models. However, this is more than adequate for the single-loop control of production line installations.

The UT35A and UT32A have capabilities that to date have been found in only high-end controllers; these include a ladder language-based sequence control function; support of the Ethernet, Profibus-DP, and RS-485 communication protocols; a colour LCD display; and operation guidance functions including navigation keys.

Target markets include machining facilities in a wide variety of industries including electrical equipment, machinery, chemicals, foods, semiconductors, and automobiles as well as in-plant equipment such as air conditioners and power supplies.

The UT35A and UT32A may be used in applications such as measurement, display, and control of temperature, pressure, and flow rates in research and development and manufacturing. – TradeArabia News Service