Mitsubishi Electric has introduced the iQ Platform, which builds on the power of Mitsubishi’s Qn series programmable automation controller (PAC). This offers a range of control modules that interface directly with business information systems to deliver top-to-bottom plant and enterprise control.
The iQ Platform integrates plant and business functions, from the shop floor to corporate commercial systems. Modular hardware allows control engineers to configure complete systems, without the need to involve IT specialists.
The ability to monitor and control automation processes across many different functions within a business helps to achieve greater operational efficiency. This allows companies to respond effectively to sales and market trends, improve profits, and reduce waste, rework, maintenance and spares holdings.
The iQ Platform system enables open communication between factory equipment and business processes. It uses common systems, protocols and networks to bring these functions together. This can be achieved using either a single communications network, or alternatively, through the integration of existing networks within the organisation.
The iQ Platform strategy revolves around the Qn series of PACs, coupled with extensions and options modules designed to sit at the heart of plant processes. This enables total integration of control and communications from a single hardware platform. The control platform is scalable, being capable of accommodating anything from just a handful of I/O channels right up to several thousand. It can monitor or map all channels concurrently, which means that business functions can be integrated more effectively.
Advanced hardware and software tools also deliver comprehensive production data management as part of the iQ Platform strategy. This provides a means of connecting data from the shop floor control systems to the management IT databases feeding the control and reporting systems. The MES connectivity makes it easy to track, measure and control critical production data and activities, providing information such as increased traceability, productivity and quality improvement.
In devising the strategy for MES connectivity, Mitsubishi has recognised that MES systems vary greatly in scope and scale, from simple work-in-progress reporting right through to full end-to-end manufacturing control and monitoring. The iQ Platform is scalable to meet the requirements of all of these approaches.
Based on industrial PLC design standards, the MES module removes the need for any intermediate PC interface and associated specialist software. This reduces development costs through installation, as control engineers can integrate data directly into and from the management databases. The inclusion of the MES module in a system removes the requirement for specialist IT database skills in the integration process. It also simplifies architectures so that development and commissioning cost savings are realised.