COVER STORY ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
changes to the object-type are synchronised to all cases at the same time. This eliminates the need to manually transfer changes, even across all hierarchical levels, as is common for many outdated solutions.
“COMPANION SPECIFICATION” – COLLABORATION REDEFINED If one also considers the Industry 4.0 goals, the ability to depict object- oriented data models becomes a must - not only for SCADA systems, but also for the entire automation pyramid (which in the future will continue to dissolve). This is also relevant when establishing the “Companion Specifications” which the OPC Foundation, in cooperation with the German VDMA and others, is pushing. Here, machines and systems from different manufacturers working together in the same industry segment are, with the help of the OPC UA, object-oriented and linked regardless of the manufacturer. Among other things, there is already a published specification for robotics developed with the support of robot manufacturers. This describes object structures that can be used in all levels of automation, whether controller, SCADA system, or MES. If, for example, a SCADA system can read object structures with these specifications, then object types can be developed at the SCADA level that are applicable to robots from all manufacturers that support this standard. Raw data, alarms, historical
Fig. 3: “KiSoft SCADA” is based on atvise and enables Knapp AG to carry out ergonomic plant visualisation
[1] Certec EDV GmbH, Eisenstadt/Austria:
www.certec.at
[2] Knapp AG, Hart/Austria:
www.knapp.com
data, and calling methods can be generically linked. Based on these standardised data models, a variety of opportunities arise because projects can be created at the touch of a button making individual manufacturer requirements for the execution of a project (and much more) very manageable, thus eliminating the high engineering expenditures of the past. Precisely this flexibility and savings potential is needed for the automation solutions of the future so that companies can continue to be successful in the market. Without a doubt, the manufacturer-dependent modelling of object structures is a thing of the past.
Fig. 4: The Certec portfolio includes a visualisation SDK for HMI, the SCADA system, a (private) Cloud solution atvise Portal and the SW/HW Bundle Panel-PC-SCADA
INTERACTION WITHOUT RESTRICTION Another aspect is the implementation of visualisation on all levels by using pure web technology. This makes it possible to implement much that is maybe not yet integrated or available as a product feature as an application. Server and client-side scripting and vector graphics (SVG) are supportive in many ways. And freely available libraries make it possible to expand programming boundaries. This set-up provides a good starting point for GUI experts and designers; important for companies that are increasingly conscious that graphic visualisation should be one of their most important differentiating features that can be technically implemented with
relatively little effort. The reality however, is that there are
still many SCADA and control systems on the market that do not support these features and cannot support them in the future. This is because conventional control and operating systems were developed to fulfill other requirements and were made using earlier, limiting technology which cannot be “retrofitted” through software.
A SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT PRODUCT LINE There are however alternatives, as proven by the software company Certec [1] with its product line atvise. For a decade, these experts have been delivering HMI, SCADA and Cloud solutions (Fig. 1 and 4) based on pure web technology (Fig. 2) and OPC UA standards. In many reference projects within various industry segments the advantages of using these standards have been proven. Knapp AG [2] is a good example of this.
With more than 1,500 active systems and an average of two new commissionings per week, Knapp is one of the leading European software providers for high- performance logistics solutions. The logistics software “KiSoft” used for this purpose enables central operation and monitoring of stock, “KiSoft Command” is used as a command centre controlling all logistical processes, and “KiSoft Scada” with the help of atvise provides ergonomic plant visualisation (Fig. 3). “KiSoft Scada” offers a professional
graphic user interface for centralised plant visualisation. It displays all available information and data on stock levels, monitoring and control functions as well as the configuration of stock components. All of these applications, including access via the Internet, make “KiSoft Scada” stand out. For preventive maintenance and easy repairs it is the ideal tool: it supports the operator in optimising uptime of the plant.
Certec EDV
www.certec.at
PROCESS & CONTROL | OCTOBER 2019 15
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