The MTL Instruments Group
plc today announces the creation of the MOST business
unit. MOST, short for MTL Open System Technologies, has
been established to provide open hardware and software
technology-based components for use in the most demanding
real-time system applications. Users can choose one or
several of these field-proven components for their control
system needs, “snapping” them together to
create sophisticated control systems. OEMs can now be
offered DCS functionality at PLC prices whilst control
system partners can reduce development expense and achieve
a faster time to market.
MOST
President Dennis Gillespie said, “The new MOST business
unit was created to address a growing trend in the market
place. The industrial automation market is making a slow
transition from proprietary systems towards a truly "best
of breed" open operating model. Many automation companies
are moving toward the new, open world of enhanced end-user
choice and value, which requires them to change from an
existing solution to a new approach. MOST is making a
major investment in open control technology and is working
actively with system integrators and OEM partners to help
them provide open control solutions. We believe that MOST
is well positioned to benefit from this market shift."
With the announcement of this new venture, MOST
is also introducing a range of new products with associated
Workbench engineering tools:
• MOST
Hybrid Controller – supporting concurrent execution
of regulatory and IEC 61131-3 sequential control strategies
• MOST Process Controller – supporting regulatory
control strategies
• MOST Logic Controller
– supporting IEC61131-3 sequential control strategies
Designed as rugged, field-mountable platforms, the MOST
components are intended for process applications and can
be ‘snapped’ together by third party companies
to create sophisticated control solutions. Combined with
the MTL8000 Process I/O™ system components, they
offer cost savings over control-room mounted systems as
well as flexible system design and high system availability.
The MOST component range can also utilise off-the-shelf
HMI packages, including Wonderware, Intellution, Citect
and Cimplicity.
The MOST components are built for use in harsh process
applications, operating over the industrial (-40ºC
to +70ºC) temperature range that is typically associated
with industrial environments. The powerful controllers
provide a tight control loop response; assuring the system
has the capacity for advanced control strategies. Additionally,
the controllers feature a rigorous redundancy model and
have redundant Ethernet communications ports assuring
both reliable system operation and high-speed communications.
The user may select between the various MOST controller
types that offer both sequential and regulatory engines
either as separate packages or combined into the Hybrid
Controller.
The sequential control capability of the Logic Controller
and Hybrid Controller offers the five IEC 61131-3 automation
languages - Ladder Diagram (LD), Sequential Function Chart
(SFC), Function Block Diagram (FBD), Structured Text (ST),
Instruction List (IL)) plus Flow Chart. The Workbench
software suite is used to develop, down-load, simulate,
debug, monitor, and edit application programs and allows
process engineers to combine programming languages in
the same project. The Workbench Windows™ interface
guides engineers through the development and commissioning
of projects and its simulator allows the testing of programs
before startup. Completed applications are then downloaded
to the controller.
The regulatory control capability of the Process Controller
and Hybrid Controller offers an open, easy to use process
control engineering and management solution that delivers
comprehensive, distributed control functionality. The
advanced process control and instrument engineering system
offers configuration tools, modeling, simulation, troubleshooting
utilities, project drawing management and self-documentation.
It is a robust solution that provides the flexibility
to configure control systems ranging from a few loops
to thousands of points. A flexible, scalable design allows
cost effective system expansion. In addition, the system’s
extensive use of industry standards simplifies integration
with other packages.
The MOST product offering is targeted at the process automation
market, including the following industries: chemicals
and petrochemicals, water and waste water, oil and gas
pipeline, cement, pulp and paper, power generation and
electrical distribution, food and beverage. The MOST Components
are an ideal solution for those process applications where
a PLC solution struggles to meet the demands of the process
user or designer.
Dennis Gillespie said, “MOST will be providing both
hardware and software components for systems integrators
and OEMs to incorporate into their product offerings.
The open nature of our products will also be attractive
to sophisticated end users that want to install their
own systems. MOST’s objective is to provide the
process market with open, easy-to-use and cost-effective
control components as an alternative to current proprietary
and higher cost systems.” |
