APPLICATION AREA

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Automated factory

  An automated factory, as its name suggests, encompasses the foundational and application products involved in the three-layer structure of industrial control standards. With the widespread use of Teles' products in industrial environments, the concept of the "Teles Automated Factory" has emerged. This concept includes seven major product categories—Teles terminal blocks, marking labels, PCB connectors, HDC products, electronic components, junction boxes, SAI devices, and industrial Ethernet—comprising nearly a hundred different products. In terms of applications, the "Teles Automated Factory" integrates today's three mainstream control methods: direct wiring control, fieldbus systems, and industrial Ethernet. Designed according to the three-layer structure of industrial control standards, it presents to audiences Teles' comprehensive solutions across all relevant areas.

  The diagram illustrates a simulation of a raw material processing procedure. Under PLC control, the heated container will sequentially move to the heating position, where it will be heated to the appropriate temperature; then it will move to the cooling position, where it will be air-cooled to the predetermined temperature, and finally return to its initial position.

  It is mainly divided into the following 3 parts:

   · On-site layer

  The field layer is equipped with a large number of basic devices, such as various sensors and actuators. The working environment is often harsh, so these devices have high requirements for dustproof, waterproof, and corrosion-resistant performance.

  This layer features a wide variety of signal types: they can be digital signals, analog signals, or bus- or network-based data from smart devices.

   · In this area, there are a total of 6 digital signals, 3 of which are connected to the field work area.

  The proximity switch informs the PLC of the container’s current position; this is an input signal connected to the SAI’s DI. Meanwhile, the motor, blower, and heater—whose operation (start and stop) is controlled by the PLC—are output signals managed by the SAI’s DO, which in turn controls intermediate relays.

  Therese’s active SAI boasts an IP67 protection rating and can be installed close to the equipment. Compared to traditional direct wiring, bus-based devices not only transmit signals but also provide equipment status, fault information, and transmission parameters, enabling remote control and other functions.

 

 Therese

 

   · On-site control box

  Here, the field control box serves to connect wires locally and enable parameter display and production control—similar to field operator stations found in many factories. The Teres junction box boasts an IP67 protection rating, effectively preventing foreign objects or liquids from entering. Its stainless steel enclosure is resistant to corrosive gases. Since common electrical components such as isolators and terminals lack inherent protective features, they must be housed inside the box to ensure optimal protection. The panel is equipped with a PMX420 alarm display unit that can directly show temperature readings and control status relays. Three buttons perform the following functions: start/reset/emergency stop, while three small indicator lights indicate the current position of the container.

  The production site is equipped with various signal and power cables. To facilitate centralized processing, these cables need to be connected as close as possible to the junction box. When entering the junction box or other enclosed enclosures, specialized cable glands with appropriate IP protection ratings are required. Teires’ cable connectors and heavy-duty connectors can perfectly meet this requirement. The cable connectors can accommodate a wide variety of cable types, while the heavy-duty connectors offer flexible installation options and high load-carrying capacity. On this display panel, the cable connectors are used to join multi-core cables, whereas the heavy-duty connectors are employed to connect flexible conduits.

  Inside the enclosure, Terex’s W-series terminals are installed. This terminal series is exceptionally thin, allowing for efficient space savings. Additionally, a Wave RTD Pro temperature transmitter is fitted. It connects to field-mounted resistance temperature detectors and linearly converts their resistance values into standard 4–20 mA signals, which are then sent to the PMX420 alarm display unit. While displaying the temperature, the alarm display unit also controls status indicator lights in conjunction with two relays—MRS and MCZ. The time relay BTM offers a variety of time-control functions; in this application, its task is to generate a periodic pulse signal.

   · Control layer

  A large volume of data and signals originating from the work area will eventually reach the control layer. At the control layer, there are various master control devices, such as PLCs, DCSs, industrial PCs, and others. Common signals handled by controllers include digital signals and analog signals, as well as various types of communication data.

   · Control cabinet

  In the input and output circuits for digital signals, optocouplers or transistors are typically used. These components can only handle very small currents and are suitable for driving small loads. Moreover, since each channel has a relatively low voltage withstand rating, channels are prone to damage under conditions of significant on-site interference. Therefore, relays are often employed to achieve expansion and isolation protection. Tairis offers a wide range of intermediate relay products as well as highly integrated interface board products. In this system, most digital signals are not implemented using traditional relays; instead, they are realized through field I/O devices that support bus communication (active SAI). Because the SAI units are installed close to the field area, this approach significantly reduces the amount of wiring required. Additionally, the active SAI features functions such as short-circuit detection, open-circuit diagnosis, power monitoring, and on-site power supply, greatly enhancing the system’s intelligence level.

  Compared to digital signals, analog signals in practical applications more often rely on traditional direct wiring. In this system, the temperature signal is converted into a standard 4-20 mA signal within the field junction box and then transmitted upward to the control layer. Since real-world field environments are often plagued by various types of interference—such as inductive overvoltages and ground loops—the signals entering the controller tend to become distorted and may even carry dangerous high voltages. Therefore, signal isolators are typically installed close to the controller to provide protection. The TTA universal isolation transmitter from Teris can withstand short-term high voltages exceeding 4,000 V, offering excellent protection for the controller. Additionally, it can directly connect to a wide variety of sensors, collect data, and perform control via alarm contacts, effectively functioning almost as a standalone mini-control system.

  In addition to switches and analog signals, the controller also needs to be connected to various communication lines. For buses, Terex can provide bus connectors that connect to the D-sub interfaces of Siemens PLCs. Routers, on the other hand, can segment the network between the field level and the control level, reducing broadcast storms and enhancing security. Here, the wireless bridge pairs with another bridge located in the field junction box, enabling wireless communication and facilitating protocol conversion between wireless and wired networks.

   · Fiber Optic Ring Network

  A large-scale factory often has equipment distributed over a wide area, with individual pieces of equipment potentially separated by several kilometers. Moreover, such facilities are typically subject to significant electromagnetic interference. Cable-based transmission generally has an effective range of less than 100 meters and is highly susceptible to electromagnetic interference. In contrast, fiber-optic transmission offers much longer distances and is immune to electromagnetic interference, making it the preferred choice in many applications. To connect fiber-optic cables, switches must be equipped with fiber-optic interfaces or use optical-to-electrical converters for connectivity. Additionally, industrial Ethernet connections must be extremely reliable—network disruptions caused by even minor faults are unacceptable—and thus require redundant network architectures. A fiber-optic ring network represents a cost-effective and efficient redundancy solution: if any single fiber cable in the ring breaks, the switches can automatically switch over to the backup path. Tairis employs its proprietary RapidRing protocol, which enables communication to be restored within 300 milliseconds after a cable break. Currently, Tairis’s managed switches support this feature.

   · Monitoring Center

  Monitoring centers are often located far from the site, so fiber optics serve as an excellent communication medium. Moreover, the data volume here is relatively large—beyond production control data packets, it may also include other types of data such as video surveillance—and thus Ethernet has become the primary communication protocol. In this system, since there are not many network devices, we’ve installed a non-managed switch with 3 electrical ports and 1 optical port to connect the touch screen and the computer. On the touch screen, users can view key operational parameters and directly interact with the graphical user interface to perform controls, making it easy for viewers to engage in interactive activities. If connected to a computer, users can use dedicated management software to carry out remote monitoring. Additionally, if you know the IP address of the on-site network camera, you can directly access its feed via Ethernet, control its movement, and observe the production process from various angles.

  The five sections above have each simulated some simple applications of Teres products in industrial settings. In actual industrial environments, the applications of Teres products are even more numerous and diverse.

  As an electrical connection specialist, Terex is continuously committed to providing the Chinese automation market with **high-quality products, timely services, and efficient, locally tailored industry solutions.** The launch of the “Terex Automated Factory” concept will further enhance Terex’s overall service standards and innovation capabilities, bringing even more reliable options to the Chinese market.

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