Next generation controller is prepared for the future

Today’s manufacturing environment is already complex and fraught with competitive challenges, but tomorrow, the year after and four years after that will be even more taxing, especially as manufacturers contemplate concepts such as Big Data and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Mitsubishi Electric’s e-F@ctory concept, reinforced with the new iQ-R series, better prepares manufacturers to approach these challenges.

The continuing threat from external unauthorised access to control systems led the company to include a variety of  protective features into the iQ-R series. These include IP address filtering to prevent unapproved access to the system; knowhow is protected with strengthened password and program encryption and finally production can be protected by easy, flexible and cost effective system configuration with redundant CPUs using standard CPU technology. The new controller is also backwards compatible so existing installed hardware can continue to be utilised. 

The new GX Works3 has been created to compliment iQ-R with a multi-language interface which will be ideal for companies with international export business. Other innovative functions help reduce development time through effective reuse of existing software assets.

The processors optimised for consistent, reliable manufacturing operation, and are said to be up to eight times faster than the preceding QCPU. However, when combined with the new high speed bus, users will see an increased throughput of around 40 times the current iQ Platform. 

The iQ-R series also has new features for auto-saving operational data, especially error flags and occurrences so that maintenance engineers can quickly diagnose operational performance from the stored historical data. A new memory dump feature allows active information to be automatically saved to the SD card detailing timing and error conditions, and status information; protecting this vital data even if the most serious event occurs.