Danaher releases multi-loop bus controller

Chicago, IL—Danaher Industrial Controls Group recently released what it reports is the first multi-loop PID controller, Partlow-brand MLC 9000+ to offer system compatibility with all major fieldbus protocols.

By Control Engineering Staff July 6, 2004

Chicago, IL— Danaher Industrial Controls Group recently released what it reports is the first multi-loop PID controller, Partlow-brand MLC 9000+ to offer system compatibility with all major fieldbus protocols. MLC 9000+ is a modular, behind-the-panel, temperature control system that the company says is ideal for multi-zone temperature or process control applications, such as plastics, packaging, converting, semiconductor, food processing, and heat treatment. Danaher Industrial Controls is a division of Danaher Corp.

The controller combines the PID control offered by dedicated PID controllers and the integrated, single-interface convenience offered by a PLC. At the same time, this controller overcomes many weaknesses of PLC temperature control or multiple front-to-panel discrete controllers by improving PLC performance. It frees up the PLC’s capacity by outsourcing loop control to the controller.

MLC 9000+’s bus control module (BCM) links up to 32 loop control modules to various network protocols on 8 in. of panel space. These 32 loops can be set up via a dedicated bus port in less than 30 minutes. Access can then be acquired to all control loops or an HMI. Also, the PC configurator allows MLC 9000+ recipe files to be copied and pasted from one controller to another, ensuring multiple control loops in the systems are configured identically and accurately.

The basic design of the product reduces the cost of installation by eliminating wiring and reducing the number of holes that have to be cut into the panel. Plus, since MLC 9000+ is a self-contained temperature solution, the expense of buying and installing dedicated analog I/O cards to convert the sensors’ analog signals into digital format within the PLC is eliminated.

Control Engineering Daily News Desk

Elizabeth SanFilippo, editorial intern

elizabeth.sanfilippo@reedbusiness.com