Hardware — Integrated HMI controllers: The Samba 7 is an all-in-one PLC with integrated seven-inch touchscreen HMI and onboard I/O, including options for high speed inputs and outputs, temperature measurement and analog outputs. This is a Control Engineering 2017 Engineers’ Choice Awards Winner.
Samba fills a growing niche—OEMs on a tight budget who need compact controllers for simple machine control without compromising the competitive advantage of a color-touch HMI panel—and is now available with 7-in. HMI panel. Unitronics has now released four models of Samba 7, a cost-effective all-in-one, PLC with 7-in. HMI and onboard I/O. Notably, this includes two new I/O configurations. The SM70-J-TA22 offers 12 digital inputs, which can function as npn/pnp inputs or be configured to include HSC/Shaft-encoder, analog or thermocouple inputs, 8 transistor outputs and 2 analog outputs. The SM70-J-RA22 offers the same input options as the SM70-J-TA22 with 4 relay outputs, 4 npn outputs and 2 analog outputs.
The integrated PLC offers a broad range of features including 2 auto-tuned PID loops, time-based RTC control, data logging and recipes, while the 16-bit touchscreen enables data entry and display, including trend graphs and alarm screens. Samba supports 24 user-designed screens and 5MB images per application. The flat fascia and IP66/IP65/NEMA4X rating makes Samba an excellent fit for industries where spray or wipe down requirements apply.
The Samba 7 units come supplied with a USB programming port. Additional serial, Ethernet and CANbus ports can be added. Samba supports GPRS/GSM, email and SMS, as well as industrial TCP/IP protocols, MODBUS, DF1 slave, CANopen, and J1939; it can also be adapted to any 3rd-party protocol.
Samba uses Unitronics’ VisiLogic software, which provides a single environment for hardware configuration, Ladder development, and HMI design. Complimentary utilities include remote access, data export and program management options.
Samba offers all the functionality system integrators need for small applications, reduces space and wiring requirements, and eliminates the need to set up panel-PLC communication—resulting in an excellent price-performance ratio.
Unitronics, www.unitronicsplc.com
