CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA, MAY 4, 2007 - GE Fanuc Automation announced the Durus family of low-end controllers. The Durus controller provides a rugged design and is filled with state-of-the-art features in a small package. It is built to take on the industrial environment with standard features like a built-in Operator Interface, a wide range of communications options, expansion slots, and a solid slide-and-snap mechanical interlock to expansion modules. “Durus is Latin for strong and sturdy,” said Bill Black, Controllers Product Manager for GE Fanuc Automation.
“Couple its rugged design with its very competitive price and you have a great product that allows our customers even more ability to meet their needs by complementing our existing product line.” The free software package, Durus Controls Software, provides convenient program creation and editing. Programs can be saved on a computer and accessed at any time. They can also be uploaded from the controller and edited. The Durus software provides a simulation mode that allows users to virtually run and test the program before it is loaded to the controller eliminating mistakes before they ever make it to the plant floor or production environment.
“The Durus Controllers are ideal for applications requiring less than 44 inputs and outputs such as vending machines, packaging lines, security and assembly where it could result in cost reduction by replacing timers and counters,” said Black. “It provides a real time clock for timing, high voltage output for controlling situations such as street light control, and the built-in programmer and operator interface allow for easy field modifications. We also see the Durus being useful in conveyor control and water level control where its rugged design allows for control in environments where delicate controllers might fail.”
The Durus provides a perfect complement to the GE Fanuc line of controllers; the VersaMax Micro Nano is ideal for applications where more memory and I/O are needed whereas the Durus is ideal for the simpler applications.
Some other features of the product include:
- Ability to use two different programming languages: ladder logic or function block diagram
- Communications options: Profibus DP Slave, DeviceNet Slave, Modbus RTU Slave and Ethernet Server
- Discrete and analog expansion up to 44 I/O
- Replacement of up to 15 timers and counters in an application The Durus Controller meets all global standards including UL and CE, as well as China RoHS.
It is currently available from GE Fanuc Automation.
About GE Fanuc Automation
GE Fanuc Automation Corporation, a joint venture between GE and FANUC LTD of Japan, delivers automation hardware and software designed to help users reduce costs, increase efficiency and enhance profitability.
With solutions and services for virtually every industrial segment, GE Fanuc Automation provides a diverse array of capabilities and products, including controllers, embedded systems, advanced software, motion control, CNCs, operator interfaces, industrial computers, and lasers.
Headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, GE Fanuc Automation is a part of GE Industrial and combines the diverse global strengths of the GE family with the local presence customers need to design, develop and maintain their automation investments.
