As technology improves, not all documentation systems can adapt to these changes. Some people also have a problem adapting to these changes and want to do things within comfort zones or old methods leading to frustration and poor deliverable documents.
With fieldbus technology, instrumentation loop drawings become very simple drawings on the one hand, but at the same time another type of drawing, that was normally not part of the deliverable documents within a project, a bus or network layout type drawing is required. The question arises of what documents are worth the effort to produce in today's fast moving, high production world.
To complicate the matter further, is that the fieldbus systems cannot always cater for all plant requirements like safety standards, speed of some monitoring instruments measurements, etc. Thus resulting in a combination of fieldbus and conventional technology where often these combinations of technology need to be represented on one single drawing or document.
Because the developers of the 1Des - One design tool for instrumentation and electrical design documentation system - understand all this, they have developed the 1Des system to produce any level of the above described documents ie, it can produce simple fieldbus drawings (Foundation Fieldbus, ASI bus, PROFIBUS, etc) (See Figure 1), more complex conventional loop drawings as well as a combination of these drawings on one document.
Figure 1. Simple fieldbus diagrams
1Des can also provide a network layout diagram which can display the different types of network as well as the instruments connected to the bus networks (See Figure 2).
Figure 2. Network layout diagrams
Control programming assistance
Because 1Des already has all the information within its database to generate the above-mentioned drawings, it also provides tools to the 1Des user to generate PLC programming code from standard code templates. The PLC system can for example generate a typical code sample for a motor drive block or analogue input block or digital output block of code. 1Des will then use these sample blocks of code and produce the code for example for all the motor drives found within the database or all the AI instruments found within the database.
This saves time for the engineer or programmer as all the donkey work is then completed and the person can focus on the interlinking and real programming sections of the PLC program. (The same type of integration to scada system is also available - see 'Engineering design software: productivity for EPC and Ops' September 2007, Instrumentation and Control).
Isolated Modbus gateways with built-in Wi-Fi for industrial IoT applications Vepac Electronics
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Vepac Electronics offers the Sielco Sistemi SS10680 series of isolated Modbus gateways with built-in Wi-Fi, providing three configurations for industrial data acquisition: cloud publishing via MQTT, local USB and FTP logging, and straightforward Modbus TCP to Modbus RTU conversion.
Read more...XPlanar aids innovation in laser processing Beckhoff Automation
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Aalborg University is among the first in the world to test Beckhoff’s XPlanar intelligent transport system in advanced laser processes, opening the door to faster, tool-free production of metal parts.
Read more...Belden expands edge computing portfolio with ProLinx Edge Gateway
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Belden has released the ProSoft Technology ELX3 ProLinx Edge Gateway, combining operational technology protocol conversion with Docker-based edge application hosting on a single ruggedised hardware platform for deployment in harsh industrial environments.
Read more...Anybus Communicators are CRA-ready Industrial Data Xchange (IDX)
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
HMS Networks has upgraded its Anybus Communicator range to meet new EU cybersecurity rules, giving industrial manufacturers and integrators an easier path to compliance.
Read more...Remote I/O modules provide flexible options for distributed applications
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Dinkle International is now stocking the iO-GRID NEMO industrial-grade remote input/output modules, offering support for five leading industrial Ethernet protocols and a range of discrete channel configurations for distributed automation applications.
Read more...Daudin expands fieldbus modular remote I/O series
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
: The Dinkle iO-GRID X modular remote I/O family is now available, offering fieldbus coupler modules for major industrial Ethernet protocols, and over 20 types of I/O modules to help integrators and equipment builders create flexible, efficient control systems.
Read more...Siemens and HighByte partner to scale industrial AI Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Siemens is expanding its Industrial Edge ecosystem through a partnership with HighByte, enabling customers to connect, contextualise and transform data from operational technology and information technology sources to build AI models and applications at scale.
Read more...Automotive Ethernet media converter
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
HMS Networks has introduced its first automotive ethernet product under the PEAK brand. The PAE-Media Converter is a compact device designed to connect automotive Ethernet (100BASE-T1 or 1000BASE-T1) with standard Ethernet (100BASE-TX or 1000BASE-T) networks.
Read more...3D electrical systems design workflow for electromechanical innovation Siemens South Africa
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking IT in Manufacturing
Siemens has announced new 3D electrical design capabilities within its Capital software, enabling electrical and mechanical engineers to work concurrently in a shared 3D environment to reduce late-stage design changes and accelerate time to market for complex electromechanical products.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version