Yokogawa Electric Corporation announces the development of CENTUM VP R6.01, an enhanced version of the company's flagship integrated production control system. R6.01 marks the first step in the development of an all-new CENTUM VP that will play a central role in Yokogawa's VigilantPlant strategy for the IA business.
The adaptive evolution of the new CENTUM VP focuses on addressing customers' needs to keep up with the fast pace of change in the business landscape and technology while delivering maximum return on assets and the lowest total cost of ownership. This first R6- level release of the CENTUM VP system represents much more than conventional functional improvements. R6 brings together smart engineering, advanced operation, system agility, and sustainable plant. With R6, plant operators can be assured of an optimum engineering environment that spans the entire plant lifecycle, from plant design and the engineering and installation of systems and devices to the start-up of production, maintenance, and renovation. In addition, it is designed to meet the most stringent industry requirements for safe and reliable plant operations and environmental protection.
R6.01 features an expansion of Yokogawa's lineup of I/O devices and introduces crucial new control system components. Combined with an intuitive engineering environment, it reduces the time required to configure and install a control system.
The N-IO, a new CENTUM VP field I/O device, fulfills the functions of universal I/O and a signal conditioner, enabling configurable software and flexible I/O assignment. It has an I/O module that accommodates multiple I/O signal types, accepts up to 16 I/O points, and allows specification of an individual signal type for each point. Both analog and digital I/O signals, which account for the majority of I/O signal traffic, can be handled solely through software settings. Pulse and relay I/O signals can be managed by using additional adaptors. With the N-IO, it is no longer necessary to replace the I/O module, reducing the amount of rewiring that must be done when changing sensor types and/or layouts during a plant revamp. This significantly reduces the amount of work that has to be performed by plant engineers and maintenance personnel.
In addition, Yokogawa has signed OEM agreements with Pepperl+Fuchs GmbH and MTL Instruments Group Limited, under which Yokogawa will receive baseplates and market them as its own products. These will be used in combination with the company's N-IO modules and intrinsic safety (IS) isolators procured from the two companies. Both partners have solid track records in the development of interface products for use in hazardous areas. This tie-up means Yokogawa is able to ensure that the N-IO conforms to the major IS regulations in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
