Flexible System Provides Remote Monitoring, Requires No Specialized Software


PITTSBURGH, PA –The new LinkBus Remote Instrument Monitoring System (Linkbus RIMS) from AMETEK Process Instruments provides users of AMETEK process analyzers and instruments with 24/7 access through their PC web browser or Fieldbus™, ModBus™ protocol-based distributed control system (DCS).


“Remote instrument monitoring offers numerous operational and economical benefits, whether on or offsite,” notes Tom Marecic, Vice President and General Manager of AMETEK Process Instruments. “AMETEK’s Linkbus is among the most flexible and user friendly. A single LinkBus RIMS can be used for up to 16 AMETEK analyzers, including our full line of Thermox Series 2000 and IQ analyzers, Western Research 880/Series 4000 photometric analyzers and 5000 Series Moisture Analyzers.”


“More than one Linkbus RIMS may be preferred with each assigned a unique IP address,” adds Marecic. “For example, all the important analyzers in one processing unit or operation can be linked to a gateway using an RS-485 cable. Each process unit may have multiple analyzers with the resulting 4-20 milliamp signals from each analyzer typically routed to the DCS for control. The Linkbus RIMS can be connected to the plant LAN using a standard Ethernet connection and viewed from any PC on the system simply by using the generic web browser. No specialized software is required and the system is independent of the DCS. “

The Linkbus RIMS hardware/software platform provides users of AMETEK analyzers with a standard analyzer/computer/database connection and a variety of service packages. The platform provides Internet and Ethernet communications capability as well as bi-directional DCS communications using Fieldbus™, ModBus™ communications protocols. Its real-time operating system has the option of incorporating OPC or XML client server capability. The Linkbus RIMS collects and reports process trends and analyzer response time information in addition to all sensor data and functions currently provided by Thermox®Series 2000 and IQ analyzers, the Western Research® 880/Series 4000 photometric analyzers and 5000 Series moisture analyzers. Fault alarms can be issued automatically by email to any location worldwide.