EC: L Series Temperature Controller

Machine and embedded control – PLCs: The L Series Temperature Controller from Mitsubishi Electric is intended to reduce energy consumption and improve manufacturing sustainability. This is a Control Engineering 2012 Engineers’ Choice honorable mention.

November 18, 2011

Mitsubishi Electric’s L60TC temperature controller performs PID operation to reach the target temperature based on input from an external temperature sensor. Up to four loops of temperature adjustment control can be performed simultaneously in a single module. In addition, loop control can be performed using analog modules in the system; input from an A/D converter module or output to a D/A converter module can be processed. The module controls temperature by outputting the operation result to a heater or others in transistor output. The L60TC4 performs temperature adjustment control automatically when the user simply sets PID constants necessary for PID operation: proportional band (P), integral time (I), derivative time (D), and temperature set value (SV).

No special instructions are necessary to perform PID control. Using the auto-tuning function or self-tuning function enables the PID constants to be set automatically by the L60TC. Complicated PID operational expressions to determine PID constants are not necessary. Temperatures of multiple loops can be adjusted to simultaneously reach the set value of each; temperatures are controlled evenly without any partial heat exaggeration. Designed to directly improve manufacturing operating costs, the L60TC is the first temperature controller with advanced, integrated features to specifically address a reduction in energy consumption. Synchronous Temperature Rise creates a uniform temperature control through the ability to manage multiple loops, eliminating partial thermal expansion and burn-off. Peak Current Control controls the heater’s current flow without the need to synchronize the output timing. 

www.meau.com

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Mitsubishi Electric

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