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mAI085-MB Actuator Interface Technical Manual /1
Distributive Intelligence
CMC INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS LTD
1. Overview
The mAI085-MB Actuator Interface is an interface between the control room operator and a
network of Actuator Controllers. The interface is capable of controlling up to 100 actuators,
either on a single network of up to 31 controllers or through a series of network drops utilizing
RS485 repeaters. The interface allows for the pre-setting of setpoints for each of the actuators.
An open key opens all of the actuators to their preset setpoints. A close key closes all of the
actuators. A clear pushbutton sets all of the actuator setpoints to zero (fully closed).
The interface has optional features that allow the control of a conveying system. Timers are
provided which can delay the start of the actuator opening to allow a conveying system to start.
A second timer allows the conveying system to purge after closing all of the actuators.
Individual timers for each actuator allow for the distance between conveying system entry
points. The interface will open and close each actuator in sequence to provide superior
blending.
The interface communicates to the actuator controllers using the Modbus RS485 RTU protocol.
A Modbus RS232 RTU communications interface is provided for connection to a host computer
or PLC. The status information from all 100 actuators is available to the host computer or PLC
over this Modbus network. In addition, the interfaces front panel operators and enunciators are
mimicked over this network.
To facilitate configuration of the interface and the attached actuators a menu driven setup
system is provided. A table of parameters is saved for each actuator. The system allows the
retrieval and downloading of actuator parameters individually or for the entire network. A facility
is provided to backup the configuration to a TAB delimited file suitable for editing using Excel.