The intelligent actuator with integrated Twido PLC
The compact size of the Twido modular controller was the key reason it stood out and was finally chosen. With the Twido PLC processing the various input signals, the actuator precisely controls globe valves, gate valves, throttle valves, sluice gates and other regulating valves.
The built-in Flash memory of the Twido allows data logging — valve operation counts, historical maximum valve torque, etc. The Twido PLC supports the Modbus protocol and can join a fieldbus control network.
Twido PLC inside the actuator (annotated)
The absolute-encoder electronic travel controller and electronic torque controller were developed in-house by the power-station auxiliaries works. The man-machine interface is an LCD custom-made by a Wuxi company; the Chinese-language menu makes field commissioning far more intuitive. Selected parameters — torque, travel, opening, remote-control mode — can be set precisely, and fault states such as phase loss, motor overheat and torque overload are displayed.
Chinese menu interface: item selection / travel setting / parameter query
Networking over Modbus (dedicated twisted-pair or telephone lines; remote control, monitoring and telemetry for up to 240 actuators)
Working with Schneider, the customer integrated the Twido PLC into the actuator. Twido's compact size and powerful functions assured the product's successful development. The product strengthens the works' leading position in the industry and boosts confidence that domestic intelligent actuators can challenge imported equivalents, bringing comprehensive benefits to the customer — while the Schneider brand helps open markets. The actuator is now widely used in major projects in the power industry and beyond.
