MANUFACTURING SOF
RING SOFTWARE
RE
Automation p latformdelivers supp ort for Industry 4.0
distributor of A tom tion Platform ExT, explains how the new features included in the platform have been designed to accommodate the trends and requi ement
the platformhave been designed to
benefits, Microsoft has ensured that Windows 10 is Internet of Things (IoT) compatible, allowing multiple devices to communicate on the platform with ease. If devices of such a small size are
supported, it offers integrators the tools to create a unified and customised
Platform.NExT delivers the power to serve the largest facilities, but also th e versatility to incorporate the smallest devices into its framework.
Scalability is further supported by Automation
Platform.NExT via its own
ndustry 4.0 is a concept that has shaped automation dramatically since its conception at the 2011 Hannover Fair. Attaining a ‘smart factory’ requires total interoperability and the utmost
I
transparency of information between devices – which means SCADA software
is required to be more versatile than ever monitoring system. Automation before. These requirements have been carefully considered by Progea, as i t launches its new SCADA platform, Automation
Platform.NExT. The new SCADA system has been designed to service and accommodate the existing
attainment of the ‘Fourth I and new technologies that
Revolution’.
Automation
Platform.NExT has been designed as a future-proof SCADA product, hence why it has been written from first principles on the .NET framework Progea spent f our year s intensively researching and testing Automation
Platform.NExT – while holding constant dialogue with users and industry to gauge the suitability of ne w features .
. KEEPING KEEPING PACE CE WITH EITH EXPANSION ANSION
One of the main provisos of Industry 4.0 is scalability. Industry 4.0 demands that field devices of various hardware
specifications can communicate openly with each other, to build a singular network that unites all devices in a facility. Furthermore, being able to expand your SCADA system as your business grows is a primary concern, as easy integration of new devices can greatly reduce installation costs and save time. The answer to this was to provide a versatile and modular SCADA system that could be easily managed.
Automation
Platform.NExT has been specifically built to run on Windows 1 0, which offers many innate benefits for scalability. Many smaller devices, such as Raspberry Pi, are now supported by Windows 10. This means devices that typically would not be able to be
integrated into a unified system can now do just that. To compound these
DYNAMIC VISUAL CLAR TY NAMIC VISUAL CLARIITY
Clarity of information is achieved via Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) supported by DirectX graphics. This gives SCADA operators the ability to create modern 2D and 3D graphics with dynamic functions that also give plenty of scope for user artistry. Such features will allow users to create and adapt their SCADA systemwith devel plant, while also a
and representation of new technologies into their centralised systems. Interoperability is a key asset for
designing software that will move with the Industry 4.0 concept Creating a global network relies not only on
.
servicing various hardware capabilities, but also being able to communicate with the protocols that govern them. Progea has therefore designed Automation
Platform.NExT to be compatible with OPC UA network
/AUTOMATIONATION /AUTOMAT
will define the modular construction. The platform ndustrial
allows the addition of plug-ins and modules, enabling total centralisation and customisation of processes and their related information. Furthermore,
information can then be assigned to tags that can be populated to connected devices or processes providing globa l information centres for either sections of the plant or its entirety. This allows total information transparency, allowing users to create a virtual copy of their physical world processes with accurate models and real-time data .
, The Automation he Automation
Platform.NExT SCADA system has been
Platform.NExT SCADA system has been
designed to service and accommodate the existing and new
Revolution’ the ‘Fourth
designed to service and accommodate the existing and new
technologies that will define the attainment of
technologies that will define the attainment of the ‘Fourth IndustrialIndustrial Revolution’
protocol, one of the most utilised
industrial communication languages on the market. This allows more scope for integrators, while also providing the efficiency and safety in communication that is a given with a proven platform .
REMO REMOTE ACCESS CCESS
The cloud is a key component of Industry 4.0, due to the fact it allows operators to access their plant off-site, 24 hours a day. By hosting processes and associated data on the cloud, users can quickly diagnose alarms and assess performance from a handheld wireless device. Automation
Platform.NExT offers this support for HMIs, but also for handheld iOS and Android devices. By installing an app, operators can control and monitor facilities far from site with total convenience. This is enabled by an HTML5 web client, which is designed to keep pace with the latest web-based services and devices.
With accessibility comes the issue of security, an issue Aut omatio n
llowing easy integration opments inside the
oject engineering is in confluence with stringent security protocol, which is applied to all systems represented on the platform. Users can be assigned
Platform.NExT has addressed with a highly robust system for managing users and passwords. This guarantees that proj
permissions by administrators, but also by command and action functions to create selective permissions for users ojj
.
powers and access as allowing end users to
T: 0845 077 3858 www.
AU AUTOMA MAT
Paul Hurst, director at Products4Automation, the exclusive UK distributor of Automation
Platform.NExT, explains how the new features i cluded i
Paul Hurst, director at Products4A 4Automati the exclusive UK accom odate the trends and requirements that define Industry 4.0 at define I dust y 4.
INDUI NDUSTRY FOC
OCUS
regarding separate pro ects and process tags Progea has ens ured that hig h security is matched with versatility,
set administrative is required.
Products4Automatio T: 0845 077 3858
www.products4a
n
4automation.co.uk ATION | DECEMBER//JANUAR 201 JANUARY 2017 35 35
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
