Posted to News on 9th Sep 2007, 19:06
All-in-one unit has PLC, floating-point maths and HMI capability
Audon Electronics now supplies the Cutouch CT1721, an integrated touch panel, 5.6inch graphic LCD and embedded computer. Based on Comfile's PLC-on-a-chip technology, the Cutouch CT1721 provides fast processing speed, 82 digital I/O ports, eight channels of 10-bit A/D, six 16-bit PWM outputs and 80KB Flash program memory so users can quickly develop HMI devices for industrial machines, factory temperature controllers, packing machines, robots, embedded controllers and more.
Using the free Cubloc-Studio Software, the Cutouch CT1721 can be programmed in both Basic and/or ladder logic, enabling fast control, complex maths, dynamic touch-screen graphics and fast data communication protocols to be implemented with ease. Ladder logic offers real-time sequential processing and Basic supplies the processing power. The real-time capability of a Modbus PLC and the 32-bit floating-point maths, graphic capabilities, and communication powers of Basic are now available in one product.
CuCanvas software, which is available for free, can be used to draw graphics such as boxes, circles and menu buttons with keypads. These simple graphics can be animated to, say, show the rise and fall of liquid in a tank. For more complex graphics, PixelStudio software enables users to create up to 200 custom images.
The Cutouch CT1721 has 82 digital I/O ports with a mix of 32 opto-isolated inputs, 32 transistor outputs and 17 5V TTL I/O. A range of expansion modules is available giving mains relay outputs, motor control, Compact Flash data memory storage and wireless Bluetooth interfaces. Using an optional XPORT internet module, TCP or UDP packets can be monitored via the internet from anywhere, enabling users to update or provide customer service for products located anywhere in the world.
Industrial applications
In addition, the Cutouch CT1721 has 80kB of Flash Memory for Basic and ladder programs, 28kB for data memory, a real-time clock and one of the two RS232 serial ports can be used for download and debug. With eight channels of 10-bit analogue input and six channels of 16 bit pulse width modulated output, the Cutouch CT1721 is ready-made for numerous industrial applications. An internal battery provides safe data backup.
Modbus Master and slave support is also included, making the Cutouch CT1721 suitable for customised industrial tasks.
A stater kit is available that includes the CT1721 controller, a paper manual, all software on a CD, interface cables and RS232 programming cable - all for under £250.
Sovereign Way
Chester West Employment Park
CH1 4QJ
UNITED KINGDOM
