How it Works
AMCS acts as a central point for communications with all other systems and devices. It can measure, process, control and record temperature, pressure and vacuum readings for all parts in the machine. When in operation, the system executes the selected cure profile, records all the data and provides detailed reporting. Notably, it can serve this data in real-time across networked devices.The AMCS is a highly robust and industrially proven piece of hardware on which manufacturers can depend to automate, monitor and report on autoclave operations.
Full Technical Specifications
Software Interface
AMCS is written in-house with the sole purpose of managing advanced materials processing (e.g. composite) equipment. Its applications include the following:- Acts as the primary user interface for operators and engineers
- Provides a simple but powerful graphical profile editor
- Displays current running status with numerical and graphical presentation
- Allows manual intervention to the process to authorised users
- Displays system alarms and diagnostic data
- Records all process data and user actions in a secure database
- Used to search database and view/print/ export historical records
- Server option to manage users and recipes across multiple machines
Process Control
Due to the powerful nature of the programmable logic controller (PLC) processor, we have been able to take advantage of its proven proportional–integral–derivative (PID) control logic and enhanced it to replicate the functionality of the best traditional discrete programmer/controllers. As a result:- Process variables such as temperature and vacuum are measured by thermocouples/other sensors and the readings are interpreted and processed by the PLC against the set points
- VFE control algorithm follows the programmed temperature ramp rate
- PID control optimises the power required in each heating zone
- Output demand is communicated digitally to each Thyristor (power controller) with actual kW consumption continually monitored
Additional Interface/ Recording
For most systems, the data recording of the FMCS software provides sufficient security. For more critical applications, additional options may be considered.- Duty/Standby PC Configuration
The system is configured with a “hot standby” PC which is continually recording and following the duty PC. In the event of duty PC failure, it will continue the cycle to completion without interruption - HMI
This dedicated network device is able to mimic the critical functions of the AMCS software during running cycles (pause, abort, view trend charts and numerical data). It also records a more comprehensive set of data than the PLC backup alone - Backup Recorder
A graphical chart recorder can be fitted in place of (or in addition to) an HMI to provide backup data recording but without the HMI’s ability to provide machine interaction
AMCS Server Facility
Customers with multiple installations can benefit from the AMCS server facility, granting the following capabilities:- Central creation, management and assignment of cure profiles across all machines
- User management for all systems
- Backup repository for all client (machine) databases
- Serves historical data to network users without loading the machine PC
- Interface with customer ERP/production databases to provide part data, cure references and to export data files to part production records