Open Source Data Exchange Enabled With Hot Runner Control Unit

 

Hasco has made additional advances to its range of Primezone H1281 hot runner control units, which provide optimal control accuracy, an intuitive user interface thanks to latest software technologies and comprehensive diagnostic functions. With a new software revision, hot runner users are now provided with an OPC UA interface with EuroMap 82.2 protocol, providing enhanced process automation and M2M communication to meet the demands of Industry 4.0.

OPC UA is a service-oriented architecture and specifies the industrial M2M communication independently of both the producer and the platform. The communication is based on standardized web technologies and is carried out according to the server-client principle. The OPC UA server maps the data and processes by means of nodes and references in the address space. This data and processes are mapped has been standardized by EuroMap and published under EuroMap 82.2 specifications.

Customers now have three groups of data available: general information on the control unit, status information and process data. EuroMap 82.2 defines the OPC UA based communication with injection molding machines.

Advantages behind an OPC UA interface include producer-independent communication between injection molding machines and the hot runner control unit; simple connection setup; high safety standards; low costs; control of the control unit via the machine interface; and automated reactions by the control unit to disruptions in the process.

Alongside the OPC UA interface, the calendar function is provided as an additional automation tool. With this function, start and stop times can be defined for all weekdays, which the control unit works off cyclically. This eliminates the need to wait for heat-up at the beginning of a shift. 

Three desktop versions — from 6 to 48 control zones — are available, as well as a floor-standing mobile version for 64 to 96 zones.