Over the years Eurotherm has built an international reputation for developing premium quality, "fit for purpose" products and plastics solutions. Eurotherm have long been recognized for leading innovation in the plastics processing, automation and machine controls market. Each of the solutions we provide is drawn from a comprehensive family of configurable process control, data management and scalable products and systems.
Eurotherm’s MACO® control systems are specifically designed to save plastic OEMs and producers time and money. They are based on a revolutionary building block architecture that is designed to adapt to the ever changing needs of the plastics industry. The result is an open and scalable system that contains four decades of injection, extrusion and blow molding knowledge.MACO is a complete family of control products – operator stations, application specific I/O blocks (ASBs), racks, terminal I/O blocks (TBs) and other plastic machinery control components. Operator stations, ASBs and TBs can be networked to form an overall control scheme. Applied as a total machine controller, or as an individual component, MACO creates a system that meets your needs perfectly today, and whose adaptability ensures a perfect fit in the future.
The MACO compact operator interface is a sleek new flexible design that provides a full range of cost effective HMI’s for the MACO Compact control system. It is available with a 12.1 inch TFT display, and an 800 x 600 viewing resolution, as well as an optional touch screen interface. In addition, there are several keyboard options, ranging from a touch screen only version to full numeric keypad with 24 machine function keys, and different combinations of E-Stop blanks and machine function keys. The display is provided with a Strong ARM 200MHz processor equipped with up to 64M of Nand flash memory and runs on a Microsoft ® CE.net operating system. It is equipped with a real time clock and battery backup. Ethernet communications is standard, with provisions for USB and RS- 485 communications if required. There are two USB ports, one of which is on the front side of the display, as well as an optional compact flash for recipe and file storage. Screens are programmed by means of an enhanced OPtiGrafix screen editor. The OPtiGrafix screen editor can be used to create multi-language (including Asian character) screens. Line graphs can be created, displayed and stored to the compact flash. The display also has statistical process control capability with enhanced trending.
The MACO Compact is a cost competitive, application specific, programmable logic controller with the advantages of integrated, total machine control in a compact package. It is an expandable system, available with different options to meet OEM and end-user application requirements. Equipped with Ethernet communications, the MACO Compact delivers seamless connection to plant wide systems. A tightly integrated multiple processing architecture, utilizing DSP technology provides < 1msec loops. Typical ladder logic execution is less than 0.5msec. High performance ethernet communications is provided for interfacing with the HMI or other devices.The controller also features built-in diagnostic and process monitoring for multiple shot monitoring, shot to shot repeatabilit y, data storage, “reference/signature” shot and “snapshot” functions. Additionally, online RLD diagnostics allow troubleshooting logic and machine operation with web browsing capability via the internet.
The MACO Compact supports either open or closed loop (IMPACT ™ II) injection process control. Run the machine for a few cycles, and IMPACT II creates a theoretical model of the process. It uses this model along with hundreds of rules to automatically optimize the process to compensate for short and long term deviations in the injection molding process. Injection control features velocity or pressure controlled fill with ramping for up to 10 steps. Transfer mode is user selectable and there are multiple steps of pack and hold, as well as synchronized back pressure and RPM control of up to 10 steps. Eight isolated temperature control loops with the industrybest auto tune algorithm, a full complement of built-in alarm functions, with auto-compensation available for sensor break. There is also an optional 12 zone T/C-Analog card available.
The MACO Breeze II brings parison only wall thickness control capability to the average operator, and added productivity and profit to blow molders. It can be specified on a new machine or added as a retrofit to a wide variety of machines to provide consistent wall thickness for improved product quality, less material consumption and reduced scrap. The user needs only specify the type of machine and the unit will be factory programmed for that type of machine. Once the unit is installed, calibrate the tool/accumulator and enter the desired parison profile. The 100 point parison profile is displayed graphically on a large display, which allows the profile to be quickly modified and compared to the actual process value. The entered profiles can then be stored internally or on removable USB memory sticks. The MACO Breeze II utilizes the same cards as the MACO DS total machine controller, which allows users to stock fewer spare parts and provides highly precise parison control. Parison tooling position is updated every 0.1 milliseconds to minimize material usage and improve part quality.
The MACO Breeze IIc is the latest in parison only control from Eurotherm, providing the same high performance wall thickness control that you have come to expect from earlier versions of the MACO Breeze. This standalone unit is based on the MACO Compact control system, and includes a Compact parison board and Compact touch screen display in a chassis only slightly deeper than an Optima PC, eliminating the need for a separate controller enclosure! As with previous MACO Breeze systems it can be specified on a new ma chines or added as a retrofit to a wide variety of machines to provide consistent wall thickness for improved product quality, less material consumption and reduced scrap. The user needs only specify the type of machine and the unit will be factory programmed for that type of machine. Once the unit is installed, calibrate the tool/accumulator and enter the desired parison profile. The 100 point parison profile is displayed graphically on a large display, which allows the profile to be quickly modified and compared to the actual process value. The entered profiles can then be stored internally or on removable USB memory sticks. Parison tooling position is updated every 0.1 milliseconds to minimize material usage and improve part quality.
The EM-3c is specifically designed for small extruders but is packed with the features of the popular EM-3 Extrusion Control System. The operator interface is either a MACO Compact running Microsoft CE.net or the rugged OPtima Touch PC running Wonderware InTouch™ and can be used just for extruder temperature and pressure control or complete line control. A building block archite cture has been used to create a standard implementation of an extrusion control system that is applicable to many extrusion processes Standard control system definitions save valuable engineering time and expense. Preprogrammed components can be connected for true out-of-the-box performance. These built-in functions manage temperature, pressure, and line speed. Ramping and bumpless transfer ensures smooth processing. The temperature card is designed specifically for single-screw, twin-screw, co-extrusion or blown film applications. Fully automatic adaptive tuning (as well as conventional tuning) is provided. Predefined screens and seque nce logic greatly simplify installation and setup. Applications that match the predefined screens and logic will not require additional programming. For applications that differ, installers can use the predefined application as the basis for custom control.
The OPtima Touch PC is a rugged, compact industrial computer combined with a TFT touch screen monitor in a single housing. It is designed to serve as a general purpose human machine interface (HMI) and can be ordered pre-configured with several HMI software packages. A heavy duty chassis and low component count circuit designs provide enhanced reliability, increased EMI immunity, and resistance to shock and vibration. A unique bracket mounting system eliminates the need for drilling holes or fixing studs. The 15 inch unit, with a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels, can be mounted either horizontally or vertically. The 12.1 inch unit, with a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels, is for horizontal mounting. The 10.4” unit, with a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels, is also for horizontal mounting. The OPtima Touch is designed for operation under harsh environmental conditions in a multitude of vertical markets, including automotive, semi-conductor, transportation, plastics, heat treating, utilities and more. Thanks to a built-in fast ethernet port, the OPtima Touch provides instant connectivity to a plant ’s intranet and networked servers.
Utilizing a distributed control structure that features intelligent processor assemblies (IPAs) with on-board microprocessors, the MACO RS delivers unmatched control. In addition to the on-board microprocessors, each RS can be equipped with a central processor for custom control and local I/O drops. The central processor supports true IEC 61131-3 programming*, runtime controller simulation for discrete I/O, on-line monitoring/editing, and custom control capability. Custom control capability is unique to MACO RS. OEMs no longer need to design and manufacture their own control systems to keep routines confidential. Through the sequence programming package, a low level C++ block can be downloaded to modify or enhance Invensys Eurotherm’s routines. Ladder Diagram, Function Block Diagram, Sequential Function Chart, Instruction List, and Structured Text.