Hardy Process Solutions (www.hardysolutions.com) has again doubled the speed of their EtherNet/IP enabled HI 6500-XP Extreme Weight Processor by increasing the update rate from 300 to 660 updates per second, providing a PLC with a new weight reading every 1.5 milliseconds (previously 3.3 milliseconds).

“The higher update rate allows this weight processor to provide extremely stable weight readings much faster to a PLC, resulting in tighter feed control limits and under almost any adverse weighing condition.” says Tim Norman, product manager, instrumentation for Hardy Process Solutions. “It’s ideal for high speed filling, dispensing and check weighing, where materials are often fed and weighed in motion at high speeds. Material motion and machine vibration causes many weighing instruments to have lengthy settling times and/or read inaccurately. The faster update rate (CPU clock speed) of the HI 6500-XP effectively mitigates the effects of in-motion weighing, providing a much faster settling time, better stability and tighter control.”

Many weight controllers and processors execute the A/D conversion at one frequency, an then process the weight readings and communications at a much slower rate typically 20 to 50Hz, only providing the PLC with an update every 20 to 50 milliseconds. The HI 6500-XP is different, representing the state-of-the-art in weight processing uniformity and speed. A/D conversion, weight processing and the communications port ALL update at 660Hz, providing a new weight reading locally (at the Instrument) and remotely (in the PLC) every 1.5 milliseconds. This helps manufacturers achieve better product quality and improves raw material yields. The HI 6500-XP is a perfect fit for applications where speed and accuracy are paramount to control and quality, such as batching, blending, filling, dispensing and check weighing. The HI 6500-XP has the best price/performance ratio available, allowing manufacturers to save money without compromising speed, accuracy or stability.

A Set-Up Wizard, Rockwell Add-On Profile and an HMI Faceplate/AOIs make the HI 6500-XP exceptionally EASY to install and configure. Hardy’s exclusive C2 cloud-based calibration allows for automatic system calibration without test weights, saving hours of start-up and maintenance time. Hardy’s Integrated Technician® allows for quick troubleshooting of all system components. Hardy’s patent-pending WAVERSAVER+ technology suppresses the effect of mechanical vibration, reduces scale settling time and

increases the speed of stable gross and net weight readings. With an embedded web server, the instrument can be accessed on the cloud from a computer browser anywhere in the world.

Key features of the HI 6500-XP Extreme Processor Series include:

  • High Speed: 660 updates/second of processed (stable) weight
  • High Resolution: 1:30,000 even when exposed to mechanical vibration
  • Supports CLASS 1 (scheduled) EtherNet/IP data transfer
  • Set-Up Wizard, Rockwell Add-On Profile and HMI Faceplate/AOIs for fast, easy installation
  • Power Efficient: uses a maximum of only 7 watts
  • Communications include EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP & RTU, Profibus-DP and Analog 4-20mA
  • UL, CUL and CE compliant

For more information, visit www.hardysolutions.com.