High Vibration Tolerance & Compatibility for OEM Controllers
Overview
Tuftco Corp. is the largest OEM (original equipment manufacturer) of carpet finishing machinery in the world. Their equipment tufts various types of “yarn” into a primary backing and then applies secondary backing to produce finished carpet. The end users of these systems are carpet manufacturers across the globe. They use Tuftco’s machines to produce carpet for a wide range of customers, including commercial, hospitality, and residential markets.
The tufting and carpet finishing machines Tuftco sells generate large capital expenditures for customers. When customers purchase these machines, they need reassurance that the machinery will operate reliably as a long-term investment. Additionally, carpet factories are industrial environments and systems are subject to high vibration from surrounding machinery. Ruggedization of all electrical components is a high priority.
Tuftco began implementing Sealevel’s I/O in their systems in the 1990s, beginning with ISA cards.
The Solution
Tuftco began implementing Sealevel’s I/O in their systems in the 1990s, beginning with ISA cards. They have migrated to PCI in response to upgraded controller technology. Tuftco has used a combination of Sealevel serial and digital I/O for controlling yarn delivery, cutting, proximity monitoring and tufting. Today, they rely primarily on Sealevel’s 7202 PCI serial interface. The high vibration tolerance, wide operating temperature range and long-term availability guarantee have encouraged company-wide adoption of this serial solution. Compatible with a wide range of peripherals, the 7202 also includes SeaCOM software for easy installation and operation.
7202 2-Port RS-232 Serial Interface
- Two RS-232 serial ports
- Data rates to 460.8K bps
- All modem control signals implemented
- 16C850 buffered UARTs with 128-byte FIFOs
- Two DB-9M connectors
- 0°C to 70°C operating temperature range
The high vibration tolerance, wide operating temperature range and long-term availability guarantee have encouraged company-wide adoption of this serial solution.