Modular Measuring Amplifier System

The measurement technology specialist HBM is offering a solution for numerous measurement technology tasks in the production and test environment with their PMX amplifier platform. It provides simple integration into industrial automation systems in addition to high-quality measurement technology. The scalable system provides the user with precisely those functionalities required for the application. The supplier is using the latest standards such as Industrial Ethernet. The product can be integrated in modern automation systems precisely through the support of the real time Ethernet protocols Ethercat and Profinet. The amplifier can sample signals with 19.2 kHz, process them internally and transfer results in real time. This allows mean values or limit values to be determined, for instance. The user can then monitor production processes such as fitting or pressing in a production plant. Effective machine and plant monitoring is also possible with this system. The rugged system is modular and can be easily expanded if a plant is modified, so that users have shorter setup and service times, as well as greater investment security. The system comprises a basic unit that holds up to five plug-in cards. The first card to be plugged in can be a communication card for the Industrial Ethernet protocols Ethercat or Profinet. The other four slots are then available for amplifiers with four channels each and are available for strain gauges (SG), analog standard signals (current, voltage) and digital inputs/outputs. The system can be operated as a stand-alone device or in an automation network. Several PMX devices can also be automatically synchronized. Communication with a PC used for configuration or visualization is implemented via Ethernet. Operation is realized via an innovative, novel web server technology so that separate software is not required.