New control system and software from IPC Global

CONTROLS Group company IPC Global has updated both its controls system and testing software. IMACS2 is its third-generation Integrated Multi-Axis Control and data-acquisition System (IMACS). UTS Neutron is the second-generation dynamic materials testing and analysis software. IMACS2’s attributes include 24bit data resolution, up-to 200kHz data sampling, 5 to 25kHz loop closure and an in-built colour display. “You can be assured that your tests are performed with minimum variability, precisely to specific
December 12, 2018 Read time: 3 mins

2139 CONTROLS Group company 3912 IPC Global has updated both its controls system and testing software.

IMACS2 is its third-generation Integrated Multi-Axis Control and data-acquisition System (IMACS). UTS Neutron is the second-generation dynamic materials testing and analysis software.

IMACS2’s attributes include 24bit data resolution, up-to 200kHz data sampling, 5 to 25kHz loop closure and an in-built colour display. “You can be assured that your tests are performed with minimum variability, precisely to specification and results are totally accurate with no peak, trough or failure point being missed,” said IPC Global.

IMACS2 has been designed to be modular and scalable so users can add additional axes of control and data acquisition channels when required. The smart “plug & play” transducers aim to eliminate set-up errors and save valuable time: whatever compatible transducer is plugged in, the controller will know what to do. Tests can be set up directly on the controller for from a PC.

To optimise the number of systems it can control, IPC Global has designed IMACS2 with a large range of external interfaces including Gigabit and 100Mb ethernet, USB, RS232/485, CAN bus, GPIO, ESTOP, HDMI, Servo valve outputs, solenoid outputs, servo motor control and encoders. Its flexibility means that it can effectively retrofit almost any exist8ing testing system, says the manufacturer.

IMACS2 has also been designed to be future-proof. “Right now, in spite of the cutting-edge performance, we are only using a small portion of its power. The potential for further development is practically unlimited,” said IPC Global. New functions and technology will be added as they are available.

IPC Global has designed its testing and analysis software UTS Neutron, the next step up from UTS, to accommodate a wide range of users from the very basic to the experimental. It will be available in three licence levels: UTS Neutron Essential for easy testing to national standards; UTS Neutron Performance which allows existing tests to be tweaked; and UTS Neutron Developer for users who are looking for a open system which allows tests to be created from scratch.

Access rights for each of the versions are totally configurable. For example, an operator may only need basic access, allowing them to change settings to perform a test, whereas a laboratory manager will need broader access and abilities to make changes.

Both IMACS2 and UTS Neutron have forward and backward compatibility. That is, UTS and UTS Neutron can be used with either an IMACS controller or an IMACS2 controller.

Asphalt milling, paving & compaction

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • IPC Global launches AsphaltQube asphalt mixture tester
    May 16, 2017
    AsphaltQube, new from IPC Global, uses IPC’s electromechanical servoactuation (EmS) technology for dynamic SuperPave Performance tests that were previously available only to high-end research laboratories. According to IPC Global, AsphaltQube allows all the most common international asphalt mixture standard tests in one compact, modular, easy to use machine. The design allows for total flexibility to suit each user's testing requirements. Individual test modules can be added to the base system separately as
    Read More
  • IPC Global launches AsphaltQube asphalt mixture tester
    May 16, 2017
    AsphaltQube, new from IPC Global, uses IPC’s electromechanical servoactuation (EmS) technology for dynamic SuperPave Performance tests that were previously available only to high-end research laboratories. According to IPC Global, AsphaltQube allows all the most common international asphalt mixture standard tests in one compact, modular, easy to use machine. The design allows for total flexibility to suit each user's testing requirements. Individual test modules can be added to the base system separately as
    Read More
  • New deals between testing equipment companies are good news for customers
    May 22, 2014
    This month we report on two very different deals which see materials testing equipment companies in Italy and Australia joining forces and the result should be more competition, better machines and better prices for customers - Kristina Smith writes Italy’s CONTROLS Group has acquired Autralia’s IPC Global in a deal signed on 31 March this year.The first of two deals which see Italy and Australia joining forces came in March this year. CONTROLS Group acquired Australian material testing equipment manufactur
    Read More
  • Advances in asphalt testing
    June 18, 2012
    The latest asphalt testing equipment brought onto the market is both innovative and highly accurate as Kristina Smith reports Advanced pavement design requires advanced test equipment. And advanced test equipment takes time and money to design, engineer and produce. But if your expensive testing machine could perform a few more tricks, buying one would make financial sense to more organisations. This is the thinking behind IPC Global’s new Uniaxial Fatigue Test Kit for its Asphalt Performance Mixer Tes
    Read More

Highlighted Content