Multifunction hardware with fully modular design maximizes flexibility in process control instrumentation

West Control Solutions continues to strengthen its extensive product portfolio. Through the company’s PMA division, it has now developed the KS98-2. This freely-programmable, simple to upgrade unit is highly suited to deployment in automated production processes - providing a compact and cost effective multifunction solution that delivers industry-leading performance.

Targeted at application areas like foundries, hardening shops, industrial climate control systems and building automation equipment, the KS98-2 provides precision process control capabilities and analogue measurements of superior quality. It is supplied in a 96mm x 96mm housing and features a 3.5-inch colour display with integrated touch screen. The primary advantage of this modular solution is the high degree of flexibility offered. It means that engineers can assign the most suitable signal inputs and control outputs for their particular application. Furthermore, its simple function block programming allows intuitive interfacing with proven and coherent user-friendly functions. Through this operator dialogues are automatically generated, whereby each function has dialogues associated with it for configuration, parametrisation and operation. As a consequence, the need for complex, time-consuming programming is completely eliminated.

Thanks to its innate flexibility and scope for modular expansion, the KS98-2 does not require the allocation of heavy engineering resources, thus making implementation far quicker and less costly. It offers an attractive alternative to programmable controllers (which tend to be restricted to certain logical processes and lack the modules necessary for specific sensing/measurement tasks). In addition, sophisticated control algorithms enable stable, self-optimising process management to be benefited from. In order to deliver elevated levels of performance, the KS98-2 incorporates advanced processor technology. The innovative internal hardware concept utilized presents engineers with a platform upon which future upgrades can be supported.

“The KS98-2 is the culmination of a major financial investment by the company, including substantial capital extpenditure on state-of-the-art, ultra-efficient production and test equipment,” states Ian Collins, Product and Marketing Manager, West Control Solutions. “This means that we are now very well positioned for driving forward with further product innovations.”