Configuration and operation of the zone controller.

Table 18 – ControllerType Definition

Attribute

Value

BrowseName

ControllerType

IsAbstract

False

References

Node Class

BrowseName

DataType

TypeDefinition

Other

Subtype of 0:BaseObjectType defined in OPC UA Part 5

0:HasProperty

Variable

SetValueActive

0:Boolean

0:PropertyType

M, RW

0:HasProperty

Variable

ActualValueActive

0:Boolean

0:PropertyType

M, RO

0:HasComponent

Variable

SetValueType

0:UInt16

0:MultiStateValueDiscreteType

M, RW

0:HasProperty

Variable

ActualType

ControllerTypeEnumeration

0:PropertyType

M, RO

0:HasComponent

Variable

UpperOutput

0:Double

0:AnalogItemType

O, RW

0:HasComponent

Variable

LowerOutput

0:Double

0:AnalogItemType

O, RW

0:HasProperty

Variable

OutputTime

0:Duration

0:PropertyType

O, RW

0:HasProperty

Variable

ReferenceZone

0:UInt32

0:PropertyType

O, RW

0:HasProperty

Variable

AutomaticReferenceZoneSelection

0:Boolean

0:PropertyType

O, RW

0:HasComponent

Variable

SetValueManualOutput

0:Double

0:AnalogItemType

O, RW

0:HasComponent

Variable

ActualOutput

0:Double

0:AnalogItemType

O, RO

0:HasComponent

Variable

AverageControllerOutput

0:Double

0:AnalogItemType

O, RO

0:HasComponent

Object

LoadCurrent

0:Double

3:MonitoredParameterType

O

0:HasComponent

Object

LoadPower

0:Double

3:MonitoredParameterType

O

0:HasComponent

Variable

UpperSetValueCascade

0:Double

0:AnalogItemType

O, RW

A control zone is switched on and off with this parameter. ActualValueActive shows the current status of the controller. When it is switched on, the power control is realised with the predefined ControlType. When it is switched off, there is no power control and no alarms are generated for this zone. Only the actual temperature value is measured cyclically.

Usually there are various controller types available.

Note: SetValueActive is only a switch to turn the zone on or off.

Examle: SetValueActive=false means for a zone with SetValueType=0 that the zone is used as a controlled zone but is currently switched off. It does not mean that the zone is not used and can be hidden in the HMI of the HRD or stop measuring the actual values.

Indicates the current status of the controller. ActualValueActive is true, if the controller is switched on via SetValueActive and EnablePower (see 9.7) is true.

Set value and actual value for the controller type used by the zone.

The Enumeration for the possible Types is defined in Table 19.

Table 19 – ControllerTypeEnumeration Definition

Name

Value

Description

CLOSED_LOOP_CONTROL

0

Closed loop control is active for the Temperature object of the zone.

This is the default control behaviour in which the hot runner system is usually operated.

MANUAL

1

Open loop control is active. SetValueManualOutput defines the constant required output. The zone is not controlled to the actual temperature value.

SYNCHRONOUS_ZONE

2

Additional zones can be added to the standard type. This way, various heating elements can be operated with one sensor. The required parameter ReferenceZone (zone of the standard type) can be assigned multiple times.

CASCADE

3

Two control circuits (zones) are interlinked.

There is one nominal temperature, two actual temperature values and one actuator.

The first control circuit is the cascade type and the second a standard type.

The cascade type has no actuator.

The cascade type requires a ReferenceZone with SetValueType=Standard to transfer its controller output internally to the second zone.

The standard type uses the parameter UpperSetValueCascadeControllerSlave as the upper limit to prevent overheating.

COOL_ZONE

4

This zone is assigned to a standard type. The two zones control to the same nominal and actual temperature, but have two separate outputs. The standard type operates the heating circuit and the cool zone the cooling circuit. The cool zone and the standard type are linked via the ReferenceZone parameter. This regulator is specially designed for cooling performance and has the respective control parameters (PiD: Xpk, Tn,Tv).

Required parameters: ReferenceZone of the standard type and ControllerOutputTime if required to adapt the actuation cycle to the respective actuator.

MEASURING_ZONE

5

The zone is only used for monitoring of MonitoredParamters. If SetValueActive is true the monitoring is active and can generate alarms. If SetValueActive =false the monitoring is inactive but the actual values are still measured and displayed. SetValueActive has no effect to the power control of the zone.

NOT_USED

6

The zone is not used. SetValueActive has no effect on this zone. The behaviour is the same as for any other zone with SetValueActive =false with the only difference that the zone can be hidden in the HMI of the HRD. This setting can be used, for example, if no sensor is connected and the actual values of the zone should therefore not be visible.

For SetValueType the TypeDefinition is MultiStateValueDiscreteType, so the Properties EnumValues and ValueAsText shall be filled with the supported values. A server can provide manufacturer specific values with EnumValues ≥ 100.

Limitation of the maximum output in closed-loop control in %.

Limitation of the minimum output in closed-loop control in %.

Time basis for operating the actuator. The basic cycle of the actuator. It can also be called actuation cycle time and it is used with contactor-controlled power units in order to reduce the switching rate.

If zones are to operate parallel to a control zone, the reference relation can be realised with this parameter. The same applies to the cooling channel and cascade controller.

Valid range:1 – “number of zones”

Not used:0

If true, the HRD selects automatically the reference zone. The selected zone is then written into the Variable ReferenceZone by the HRD.

Manually given output in percent if SetValueType = MANUAL is selected.

Indicates the currently active output in percent.

Indicates the average output which can be used when a sensor is broken. The determination is active when the control circuit has reached the nominal value.

Information about the load current in Ampere. The MonitoredParameterType is defined in OPC 40083.

Information about the load power in Watt. The MonitoredParameterType is defined in OPC 40083.

If the two controllers are cascaded, the master defines to which nominal temperature value the slave is to control to. With this parameter, the upper limit for the slave is defined.