Digital transformation in process operations requires seamless and secure connectivity between the device and the enterprise. The PlantPAx distributed control system from Rockwell Automation has long helped make this connectivity possible through its alignment with plant-wide automation technology and use of open communication standards. Now, Rockwell Automation is revealing new enhancements coming to the platform to help process operations capture more value across the entire plant and enterprise.
“During 2018, new innovations to the PlantPAx DCS will help users create smarter, more secure, robust and productive operations,” said Christo Buys, business manager control systems, sub-Saharan Africa, Rockwell Automation. “The next release of our PlantPAx DCS will again leverage valuable input from process users and align with preferred industry standards to deliver increased value to the process industries. These innovations help companies leverage their systems more easily to capture benefits from plant-wide integration in the Connected Enterprise.”
The next PlantPAx DCS release will help users reduce unplanned downtime and improve system availability. This includes support for parallel redundancy protocol (PRP), an industry standard for redundant Ethernet, enabling more secure controller and I/O communications.
The next release will also feature updated HMI and trending tools to help increase productivity, and improve effectiveness of operations and maintenance functions. This includes an enhanced Library of Process Objects to align with industry display design standards. The expanded library also includes intuitive integration with electrical protection devices, leveraging both Ethernet/IP and IEC-61850 communication standards. This further extends plant-wide control capabilities and connects electrical management and control, reducing infrastructure duplication resulting in easier implementation and lower total cost of ownership.
ABB updates distributed control system ABB South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Leveraging 30 years of continuous innovation and reliability, ABB’s updated Freelance 2024 distributed control system (DCS) offers greater plant adaptability, faster and more reliable device communication, improved system security, and seamless data exchange.
Read more...Four ways modern operations control can boost sustainability and efficiency
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
With the growing importance of digital transformation, HMIs and scada have evolved from control panels to vast operational hubs. Next-gen HMI/scada can bring together data, personalisation, and advanced insights to successfully achieve organisational goals, it is important to think about HMI/scada holistically within the operations ecosystem.
Read more...The convergence of intelligence: DCS, SCADA and TLC Schneider Electric South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
In the early days of industrialisation, control systems were primarily mechanical, and relied on manual intervention and simple feedback loops to manage processes. Now, in the 21st century, industrial process automation systems are mind-blowingly intelligent, and provide almost unparalleled control and monitoring capabilities, making them integral to modern industrial systems.
Read more...PC-based control for advanced hydrogen storage technology Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
The proportion of renewable energies from solar, wind and water is rising continuously. However, sufficient storage options are of the essence to use these energies as efficiently as possible. GKN Hydrogen offers a particularly compact and safe option, low-pressure metal hydride hydrogen storage systems with PC-based control from Beckhoff.
Read more...ABB modernises key board mill ABB South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
ABB has secured a landmark contract to modernise Smurfit Kappa’s Paper Machine 5 at its corrugated cardboard mill near Mexico City. ABB will provide Smurfit Kappa with DCS, accompanied by a comprehensive paper machine drives system, encompassing some of the market’s most advanced drives and motors meticulously designed to optimise PM5’s performance.
Read more...The synapses of the distributed control system Schneider Electric South Africa
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Industrial operations require a distributed control system (DCS) to coordinate and control their process subsystems in real time. Like the brain, a DCS is a multitasking maestro, controlling and coordinating complex processes in a myriad of industrial setting such as large manufacturing plants, providing valuable top-down control.
Read more...Modular assembly platform for clean manufacturing Beckhoff Automation
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
JR Automation delivers custom automated solutions for numerous industries. It has done this through its scalable, modular automation platform, FlexChassis, which speeds up time to market while cutting costs. The company chose the XTS linear transport system from Beckhoff because of its speed, and modular design that allows for multiple configurations.
Read more...Selecting the best remote access solution for your application
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
In today’s Internet of Things (IoT) world, remote mobile access is a necessity for many industrial applications. There are several ways of implementing this connectivity with routers and virtual private networks.
Read more...PLCs and PACs simplify data acquisition
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Data acquisition, data logging and data analysis are required functions for most modern industrial control systems. The simplest and lowest cost way to provide these functions is often by using the same platform providing real-time control, namely the PLC or the PAC.
Read more...Small-scale custom development in the information age H3iSquared
PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
In the twenty-first century, the ability to put together custom electronic devices has become much more accessible to smaller companies, and even the private user. With the open nature of these platforms, potential developers can start learning systems easily, and do not need a massive capital output to do so.
printer friendly version