The laboratory is equipped with four workstations. Each includes a power supply unit, a module with three-position switches, a programmable logic controller (PLC) M238LFDC24DT, an expansion module TM2AMM6HT with analog inputs and outputs, a Magelis HMISTU855 touch panel, a block with buttons and signal lamps, Altivar 12 and Altivar 32 frequency converters, as well as the SoMachine development environment by Schneider Electric for creating, configuring, and managing projects.
The industrial controller M238LFDC24DT is fully compatible with the used hardware modules and the SoMachine software environment. It supports three types of communication interfaces: Mini USB for programming and connection to a computer, CANopen Master, and two RS-485 serial ports for data exchange with other controllers and devices. The controller has 14 digital inputs, of which 8 can function as fast inputs, and 10 digital outputs, 4 of which can be configured as fast outputs.
The expansion module TM2AMM6HT provides four analog inputs and two analog outputs, which can be configured to work with current signals 4–20 mA or voltage signals 0–10 V.
For visualization and process control, the graphical panel Magelis HMISTU855 with a 5.7-inch display and a resolution of 320 × 240 pixels is used. The panel has 16 MB of memory for user applications and supports communication via RS-485, Mini USB, and Ethernet interface. Ethernet connectivity allows remote control of the panel, modification of the parameters of control algorithms implemented in the PLC, as well as requesting information for visualization at a higher hierarchical level.
