PLC and Configuration Software
in the Blast Furnace Proportioning System
Abstract:PLC is widely used in industry for its high reliability and performance/price ratio. The configuration software also enjoys fast development due to the popularization of personal computer, and is recognized of the value originated from the merits such as real-time multitasking, openness, flexibility, versatility, and reliability. Based on the work of the innovation project for the proportioning system the paper presents the design of the electrical system, PLC system and the supervision system, and puts the stress on the later two systems.
With the Siemens PLC S7-300 and the corresponding programming software STEP7 that helps in control software programming, the proportioning system meets the requirements of automatic proportioning, weighing, loading and weight compensating.
The design work uses WinCC, that is also a product from Siemens, to configure the supervisory software, realizing the real-time data-logging, supervising and controlling, as well as various visual HMI with Windows features such as real-time weighing, record checking, alarming, dynamic simulation. PLC and the IPCs in the scheduler room are linked together via Profibus to form a hybrid industry control system,in order to make profit of the unique merits of PLC and IPC.