Press release submitted on behalf of AEC.
AEC’s new VacTrac® ATLAS Series control platform offers advanced control and monitoring of bulk material handling systems. The Advanced Transfer & Loading Automation System (ATLAS) is designed to manage pumps (vacuum or pressure), diverter valves, and inventory devices.
The platform is modular and can control one or multiple bulk material transfer systems from a single, convenient interface. Remote connectivity options enable seamless integration with SCADA systems, while the control platform simplifies system operation and improves efficiency. The system is designed for railcar unloading and high-throughput in-plant transfer systems.
“We developed the VacTrac® ATLAS platform to provide processors with a more integrated system for controlling and monitoring material conveying operations,” said Joe Dziedzic, Sr. Product Manager, AEC. “The goal was to give users greater visibility into their process while creating seamless connectivity with existing controls and plant monitoring systems.”
At the core of the system is an Allen-Bradley Micro850 PLC paired with a 10-inch high-resolution color touchscreen (HMI). Operators can set parameters, monitor conveying performance, view pump and diverter valve status, and track silo fill levels and available capacity in real time. The icon-based graphical interface provides intuitive navigation and system monitoring, while customizable component labeling and role-based password protection help simplify operation and safeguard system data.
Optional features of the VacTrac® ATLAS Series include:
- Remote audible/visual alarm assembly
- NEMA 4-rated outdoor enclosure
- Low-vacuum system shutdown
- Secondary remote HMI display
- Protocol converter – Modbus RTU to Modbus/TCP
- MiVue® for data collection and analysis
Protocol converter – Modbus RTU to Modbus/TCP
“The VacTrac® ATLAS system gives processors enhanced diagnostics and performance monitoring capabilities through an easy-to-use interface,” added Dziedzic. “By integrating with existing SCADA systems and consolidating controls into a single platform, users can more effectively manage and optimize their material conveying operations.”
About AEC
Application Engineering Company, now known worldwide as AEC, has roots dating back to 1957. AEC initially began serving the plastics industry with chillers and cooling towers, establishing itself as a solutions provider for the most challenging process cooling needs. Today, AEC continues to offer one of the broadest portfolios of packaged and central chillers, and has grown to be a leader in blending, drying, conveying, and size reduction, supplying innovative solutions to a wide range of process industries. For more information, visit www.aecinternet.com.