Kategorie: News
IDE: A completely new digital control system
IDEs former compressor control system CC-Control is only 7 years old, but the manufacturer thought that its range of functions isn’t really up-to-date anymore. Instead of doing some kind of touching-up towards today’s state of the art, IDE decided to develop a completely new digital control system.
In order to equip the new digital compressor controls HMI TCC with a truly optimal set of useful functions and utilize all digital possibilities, IDE discussed a lot and spent a lot of time on the functional specifications document for the software engineers.
Of course, the hardware, its features and components need a lot of attention on every detail and require many individual decisions. For instance, shall a high-quality, high-definition 7’’ multicolor touchscreen with scratchproof Digitizer glass be used, that offers a clear and legible display, operational safety, durability and ex protection, but on the negative side is very expensive? Or should a membrane keyboard be used, which is considerably cheaper, but over time can chafe around the keys, which is additionally not as clear and is unsuitable in terms of EX protection? In the end IDE chose the Digitizer glass touchscreen. They added an extremely large data memory and a strong and fast processor. Android was chosen as programming language.
A particular focus was put on the service feature of the digital control unit. Since the system is based on Android, the cheapest and easiest way would have been to run the service function in a mobile app (app is short for application software, small application programs for smartphones or tablets, e.g. for work, fun, games, recreation or hobby purposes).
After careful consideration IDE dismissed this idea – for safety concerns and because the engineers thought that an app doesn’t actually go well with industrial digitization, i.e. industry 4.0.
An app would interface with the compressor controls via Wi-Fi, but cellphones and Wi-Fi offer hackers the easiest access to company servers and data, security codes not making much of a difference here. Neither is it useful to send error messages and error codes to a cellphone via Wi-Fi, as the Wi-Fi signal will be lost a few yards outside the premises.
For reasons of safety and liability it is unreasonable to use a cellphone for error acknowledgement or as a remote control to start or stop the compressor.
Therefore, IDE decided to use a modem, which is safe and conforms to the rules. The new HMI-TCC control system is equipped with a GSM modem, which in case of an error immediately sends a text message to up to two freely selectable phone numbers, for instance to an external service technician who can then initiate whatever is necessary.
The modem comes with its own SIM card; IDE bears the text messaging charges.
Of course the IDE-HMI-TCC is capable of so much more, and here you can learn all about it:
- IDE-HMI-TCC Compressor control: ide.de/en/hmi-tcc-control
- HMI- TCC- Airsave Ultimate, Air quality control: ide.de/en/air-save
- HMI-TCC – Fill Control: ide.de/en/fill-control
More Informationen: www.ide.de/de/