Category Industrial automation

Brake/clutch control with overvoltage

This electronic board, now in its third generation, controls the power supply of two electromagnetically operated brake/clutch units.
Compared to the previous version, it maintains its functionality but has improved in power management and in terms of board layout. The container has also been changed, now equipped with a transparent front window from which the status LEDs can be seen.
It is capable of continuously powering devices with a maximum absorption of 2 A @ 24 Vdc and, for a quicker response of the mechanical system, it provides a programmable timed boost, via the RS232 serial port, from 1 to 255 ms and up to 48 Vdc.

A 16-bit microcontroller governs all functions. In this way, it is possible to implement control functions that are difficult to obtain with simple analog circuits or circuits based on logic networks.

The two channels dedicated to driving the brake and clutch are managed independently, i.e. the times of the boosts can also be set for different durations. They can also be used to drive only two clutches or two brakes, one for each channel, it is not binding to connect both electromechanical parts to both channels.

Switching takes place by piloting a suitable digital input: if in the LOW state, for example, the brake is activated, if in the HIGH state, the clutch (the outputs can still be swapped).

A further input is used as an ENABLE signal: connected, for example, to the machine emergency management line, it allows disabling all the outputs, i.e. the power supply to each channel is cut off.

In addition to the two pairs of outputs for controlling the brake/clutch units, there are two other PNP outputs (max 50 mA @ 24 Vdc) used to indicate the so-called READY signal, one per channel.

The system can also operate at 12 Vdc.

Power supply:

  • one input for the voltage of 12/24 Vdc ± 10% for the control logic and brake / clutch in steady state;
  • one input for the voltage of 24 ÷ 48 Vdc for the overvoltage of the brake / clutch unit.

4 PNP inputs:

  • 2 x enable signal from the machine controller;
  • 2 x digital input to change the state of the output (e.g. LOW = brake, HIGH = clutch).

6 PNP outputs:

  • 2 x 24 VDC / 2 A brake power supply (up to 48 VDC) with programmable duration;
  • 2 x 24 VDC / 2 A clutch power supply + supercharging (up to 48 VDC) with programmable duration;
  • 2 x READY signal.

RS232 serial port: (115200,8,N,1) this is mainly used to change the setup of the board, i.e. the timing of the overvoltages.

Maximum switching frequency: this is mainly overvoltage time dependant.

Minimum command impulse duration: < 1 ms (typically 200 us).

Dimensions: the electronic board is housed in a DIN bar container with dimensions of 101 x 120mm x 22.5 mm.

It is possible to customize the firmware, if required.

For more information, please use the following form.

Meat tenderizing machine

The meat tenderizing machine, developed in collaboration with Umbra Macchine, is a revolutionary machine for the slaughter.
It allows not having to leave the meat maturation for weeks, but thanks to a patented process allows to soften the meat a few hours after slaughter, keeping the flavor intact. This avoids all the problems of long passages in cold storage. This machine also allows you to work meat with and without bones, young animals as well as older ones.
The machine is fully automatic, you’ve to simply enter the piece of meat in the refrigerated stainless steel container, seal it with its transparent cover, press the start button on the touch screen and wait a couple of hours: the meat will be soft as after 20 days in cold storage.
For information visit the website of Umbra Macchine or use our online form.

Android in automation

The Android operating system is increasingly popular and is beginning to emerge for the ability to build hybrids systems for industrial automation in which the panel for the operator works with software developed for this OS.
Given the computing power available, you can implement all control loops directly into the panel and thus realize a single project for the interface and control strategies.
Communication to and from the machine can be achieved via Bluetooth, WiFi, USB or serial ports, depending on their availability.
For interfacing to high power devices and sensors it is necessary only an electronic card capable of performing the functions of acquisition, control and communication required and not available directly via the panel.

This creates an efficient and economically competitive structure capable of supporting the most different needs ensuring totally customizable user interface, multinguages and ready for future updates.

layoutviewmate

For a specific application for the food industry, an electronic board based on a dsPIC33 has been developed. This board is able to:

  • control 3 alternate current loads (3 x 230 Vac 1,5 kW) using TRIAC devices (no relé);
  • control 3 direct current loads (3 x 12/24 Vdc 10 A NPN);
  • acquire 3 digital inputs 12/24 Vdc;
  • acquire local temperature by a thermometer on I2C bus;
  • acquire remote temperature by a clabled sensor on I2C bus;
  • acquire air pressure in a chamber (10 – 1000 mBar);
  • comunicate by SPP over Bluetooth;
  • comunicate by VCOM 115k2,8N1 su USB.

For more information you can contact us through this form.

Microwave glue detector

Glue Detector is an electronic system to detect and measure the amount of glue placed over a sheet of paper. It is fast and contactless.
Using a RF signal at microwave frequencies, it is possible to control the gluing process with a high precision, being sure that the requested amount of glue has been placed on the paper.
This device can be used all the times a feedback to the automatic glue dispensers is requested. It is useful to provide information to the controller of the machine to correct possible problems during the work process.
It can work with hot melt or cold glue.
No moving mechanical parts are present.
It is mainly composed by two parts: an electronic board to manage the signals and a sensing element to interact with the glue. The two parts are connected by two coaxial cable.

It can work in the darkness or in extremely lighted environments. The measurement is not dependent by the temperature of the product and vibrations are not a problem.
It can be applied to new machines as well as an upgrade to old ones. It is easy to operate and it does not reduce the quality of the product: contactless measurement.
The time required for the result of the measurement is less than 1 ms from the rising edge of a 12/24 Vdc trigger signal.
The output information can be represent by an ON-OFF signal (glue – no glue) or numerical. In this case the numerical value of the measurement is sent on the RS232 interface.
It does not require maintenance.
It works on 12 Vdc or 24 Vdc powered systems.
It can be customized upon request of the customer.

GlueSens1_small
Diapositiva2_small
Diapositiva3_small

To request information, please use the following form.


ZCONV485

ZCONV485 is an efficient and compact RS232 – RS485 self-powered converter.

It connects directly to the RS232 port using the classic 9-pin SUBD connector. From this it derives also the current necessary for its operation.

On the opposite side there are 6 terminals with a 5.08 mm pitch to which the RS485 communication cable is to be connected. It is also possible to supply the converter directly from the bus by applying a voltage between 9 and 24 Vdc.

Technical characteristics, RS232 side:

  • Data Rate up to 120 kpbs
  • ESD +/-15 kV (HBM – Human Body Model)
  • Meets or Exceeds the Requirements of TIA/EIA-232-F and ITU v.28 Standards
  • Max supply current 15 mA

Technical characteristics, RS485 side:

  • Maximum bumber of end node: 32
  • Low Supply Current, 5 mA Max
  • Meets or Exceeds the Standard Requirements of ANSI RS-485 and ISO 8482:1987(E)
  • Common-Mode Voltage Range of −7 V to 12 V
  • Positive- and Negative-Output Current Limiting
  • Driver Thermal Shutdown Protection

The following table shows the pinouts of the two connectors.

RS232
RS485
Function

1
Power Supply 9 – 24 Vdc
2
2
RXD+ / A

3
RXD- / B

4
TXD- / Z
35
TXD+ / Y
5
6
Gnd
4, 7

Power Supply

More information? Please use the following form.

GPIO4431

This electronic board is based on a  microcontroller PIC18F4431 from Microchip and it acts like a small PLC.
With respect a standard PLC, this is a much more high performance/cost ratio solution.
Its microcontroller is able to control each input and ouput signal faster than a lod-end PLC, just in few microseconds.

The board is equipped with:

  • 16 digital inpunt working at 24 Vdc;
  • 8 digital PNP output – max ouput current 100 mA @ 24 Vdc;
  • each input and each ouput is equipped with a LED to easily see the corresponding state – active high;
  • 1 analog input 0 – 10 Vdc;
  • 1 input for an incremental encoder with A, B and INDX signals decoding;
  • 1 RS232 serial port to communicate with and external device (terminal, PC, bar-code reader etc).

The dimension of the board are: 100 x 160 mm.

The green plastic enclosure is ready for the hooking on the DIN bar.

For more information, please use the following form.

Brake/clutch control with overvoltage

NEW VERSION: CLICK QUI

This electronic board, now in its third generation, deals with the control of the power supply of electromagnetically operated brake / clutch groups.
It is able to continuously power the group with a maximum of 2 A at 24 Vdc. For a faster response of the mechanical system, it controls a programmable olvervoltage up to 48 Vdc: this can be programmed via the RS232 serial port from 1 to 255 ms.

All the functions are governed by a microcontroller. In this way it is possible to implement control functions that are difficult to obtain with simple analog circuits or based on logic networks. The two channels dedicated to driving the brake and the clutch are managed independently, i.e. the timing of the overvoltage can be set with different durations.
The switching takes place by driving a suitable PNP input: if in the LOW state, for example, the brake is activated, if in the HIGH state the clutch is activated (the outputs can be exchanged, of course).

An additional input is used as an ENABLE signal: connected to the machine emergency response line, it allows to disable all outputs.
In addition to the two outputs for controlling the brake / clutch unit there are two other PNP outputs (max 50 mA @ 24 Vdc), one of which is used to indicate the so-called READY signal.
The system can also work at 12 Vdc.

Power supply:

  • one input for the voltage of 12/24 Vdc ± 10% for the control logic and brake / clutch in steady state;
  • one input for the voltage of 24 ÷ 48 Vdc for the overvoltage of the brake / clutch unit.

5 PNP inputs:

  • one is used as an enabling signal (READY);
  • one is used to to change the state of the output (e.g. LOW = brake, HIGH = clutch);
  • three more inputs are available for future uses.

4 PNP outputs:

  • 24 VDC / 2 A brake power supply (up to 48 VDC) with programmable duration;
  • 24 VDC / 2 A clutch power supply + supercharging (up to 48 VDC) with programmable duration;
  • READY signal;
  • one additional spare output manageable by the microcontroller for future applications.​

RS232 serial port: (115200,8,N,1) this is mainly used to change the setup of the board, i.e. the timing of the overvoltages.

Maximum switching frequency: this is mainly overvoltage time dependant.

Dimensions: 9,8 cm x 8,8 cm

For more information, please use the following form.

MultiControl V.2

For one of the our most valued customer we have designed and programmed an electronic board based on the powerful microcontroller dsPIC 33FJ256MC710a from Microchip.

Multi Control V. 2.0
Multi Control V .2.0

Here below we summarize the main features, just enough to understand what types of electronic systems TSP is able to create according to customer specifications.

  • microcontroller dsPIC33FJ256MC710a from Microchip
  • 24 inputs working at 24 V
  • 24 PNP outputs working at 24 V
  • differential incremental encoder interface
  • CAN bus
  • 2 x RS232
  • RS422/RS485 optoisolated
  • I2C Bus
  • estended power supply 9-30 Vdc
  • dimension 188 x 130 mm

Here below you can see some details about the layout and the PCB.

Layout of the board
PCB tracing and routing
The board is inside the control panel of the machine

For more information please use the following form.

Microwave detector and counter for sheets of paper

For a particular industrial application, a special microwave sensor has been invented and patented. Its use is foreseen when it is necessary to count the number of sheets of paper within a specific volume. It is used to check the number of sheets taken from a pile so as to know with certainty, for example, how many will end up in an envelope. The following diagram shows how it can be used.

Schema di montaggio

The system is composed of:

  • an electronic unit that generates and emits a microwave RF signal and subsequently carries out the measurement of its power after it has interacted with the material;
  • a cavity within which the measuring material is placed;
  • connection cables for the RF signal.
SNA v1.2

The measurement takes place in a very short time (<1 ms) and in contactless mode: the material is not altered at all.

Sensors and paper

For more information please use the following form.

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