Company Profile
TSM was formed in 1978 to
provide process control for the plastics industry. TSM are specialists
in gravimetric blending and continuous blending with over 2000
installations in 35 countries worldwide.
Situation
TSM
decided to replace its existing DOS-based proprietary Sigmat control
systems with more up to date and open technologies. TSM tasked
Measuresoft, a local Microsoft Certified Solution Provider with the job
of providing an industrial automation solution for the company. After a
process of consultation with TSM, Measuresoft developed a new control
system with TSM based on the Microsoft WindowsTM
platform.
Solution
The Sigmat 9000 Extrusion Automation
System supervises blending, width, thickness, temperature zones pressure
and throughput on mono and co extrusion lines with up to 8 layers. The
system provides a central operator interface to the extrusion process
and downloads and retrieves information from the individual blenders,
sensors and controllers. The system also displays the co-extrusion line
control parameters as well as providing the operator with comprehensive
process data for all "sub controllers".
Recipe Storage and
Production: Automatic adjustment of the speed of the extruder screw
provides control of the process throughput. The Sigmat 9000 system can
also display thickness profile plots, width measurement data, extruder
temperature profiles as well as process data displayed on mimic
diagrams.
Data Collection: Additional features include: roll,
order, shift and alarm report printing, label printing of individual
slit roll data, job queuing and order sequencing.
Modem Access:
The Sigmat 9000 system also includes a modem with remote diagnostics
software to enable TSM engineers to provide technical support and
problem diagnosis, immediately over a standard telephone line. Systems
can be re-programmed, re-calibrated, or simply monitored using this
facility.
Data Logging: The system offers an optional data
logging package for long term logging of process data for product
traceability, research or diagnostic purposes.
Technologies
The following technologies were
used to implement the system:
-
System was designed using
Design Patterns
-
C/C++ and Win32 for server
side programming and serial communications
-
MFC for implementation of
GUI
-
Integration of
activeSHAPES for display of ActiveX mimics.
-
Integration of Measuresoft's Orchestrator
data logging system and trends.
Benefits
The decision to use WindowsTM allows TSM to take advantage of the platforms many
benefits including usability, reduced Total Cost of Ownership, and
integration with desktop productivity tools such as Microsoft
Office.
The built in modem dial-in feature allows TSM support
engineers to diagnose any problems without having to travel to the
customers site - significantly saving on maintenance
costs.
TSM are currently looking at making their Sigmat systems
OPC compliant to aid integration with 3rd party SCADA products.
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