Mini Control Offers Central Conveying for Small Plants, Work Cells

The new SmartFLX Mini conveying control from Conair is sized for the needs of small processing plants or work cells that need a centralized conveying control with powerful standard features, easy installation and an economical cost. Based on the system architecture, logic and field-proven components developed for Conair’s full-sized SmartFLX conveying control, the SmartFLX Mini supports vacuum conveying systems with up to three vacuum pumps and a maximum of up to 12 receivers. 

Though the SmartFLX Mini is scaled to fit smaller operations, it offers a range of important central-conveying features. Configuring conveying system equipment to utilize these features is simple because of “predefined” I/O panel slots. For example, receivers may be configured for standard, multisource or ratio loading, while sources can be configured to operate as pocket valves, purge valves or as a granulation device/common line valve. Other important conveying features include FIFO priority loading; load-and-hold, fill-sensor operation; and VNC remote connections. Pump configuration options include idle mode and dust-collector controls.

The SmartFLX Mini also connects easily with SmartServices, Conair’s cloud-based Industry 4.0 platform, which provides a “dashboard” of auxiliary equipment status for centralized monitoring and control.

High-end security and communications features — multilevel password security, keystroke logging and multilingual displays — are also standard and easily accessible through a 7-in., color touchscreen HMI that utilizes Conair’s “common control” interface. The common control interface shares the same look and feel as other Conair auxiliary equipment controls. It also offers a context-sensitive Help system that provides specific instructions for each command screen, helping even novice operators to access and use control capabilities with confidence. All control functions operate atop a new PLC processor and software, with all system intelligence centralized in the system’s main panel for easy, single-point software upgrades.

Like the larger and more powerful SmartFLX control, the new SmartFLX Mini features a two-channel system architecture for maximum conveying reliability. The first, high-speed channel prioritizes material conveying requests and equipment diagnostic signals to ensure timely material movement and provide real-time equipment status. It uses the advanced Powerlink protocol, which supports crystal-clear data communications in noisy industrial environments while operating at speeds far faster than older communication protocols. The second channel, which carries non-time-critical equipment signals and system reports, utilizes the proven Modbus communication protocol.