GE Fanuc HMI/scada solutions, through the use of discovery and automated configuration, offer added value and easier setup on third party hardware than HMI/scada solutions from the vendors themselves. The Proficy HMI/scada discovery and auto-assembly component (DAC) is specially designed to identify field data and automatically configure both drivers and scada databases to use the information.
The new component - which is installed as standard to GE Fanuc Automation HMI/scada - iFIX 4.0 and in the future will include Cimplicity - delivers an easy to use interface for discovering tags from field-based devices like PLCs. This then allows the user to configure HMI/scada drivers to acquire data from those tags, and configure HMI/scada databases to use the data for alarming, logging and so on.
The DAC tool consists of three components:
* Discovery agents are specially developed for various data sources.
* Driver configurators offer the ability to configure a driver to acquire data from the field.
* A Database Configurator will configure the HMI/scada database to use the data from the driver.
Discovery agents are designed to discover tags from a specific source. Sources include PLC programs, PLCs directly, and OPC servers. The DAC Version 2.0 Discovery Agents offer support for Siemens Step 7 program files, OPC server sources and Allen-Bradley PLCs
In addition, all Discovery Tools can automatically create iFIX database blocks. This means that block types, scan rates, and descriptors can be selected for each tag to be generated. Block tag names are automatically set based on the discovered name, and can contain pre-and post-alphanumeric characters.
Users can choose to phase database block processing in order to control CPU utilisation; and can also include text in the descriptor of a block. This is beneficial as a search item for future block programming. The DAC tool may be used to initially create function blocks, and then the database manager can be used to search descriptors for those new blocks to perform additional editing.
Enhancements to I/O Discovery and HMI/scada Configuration
That the process of setting up a driver or creating the database is triggered through the 'Run All Wizards' icon. The DAC tool prompts the user for details and then modifies the blocks in the iFIX Database accordingly.
Prior to actual auto-configuration, the DAC tool will summarise operations that are about to be performed. The tool will also generate a display of the actual actions taken and finally, results of any action are logged within the spreadsheet and the DAC tool annotates all variables that need further attention and will save its information to a file enabling users to access results in successive sessions. On-line help ensures that the user has the answers to any questions that may arise.
Productivity packs
GE Fanuc Automation has also recently added additional customer support in the field of HMI/scada. Productivity Packs are a new programme designed to deliver an ongoing value to its HMI/scada customers. These packs are typically product independent enhancements for GE Fanuc Automation's suite of Proficy products - Proficy View, Proficy HMI/scada - Cimplicity and Proficy HMI/scada - iFIX. They are comprised of utilities, graphic objects, drivers and database tools that are valuable enhancements to applications and that can be delivered independently of a major product release. These Productivity Packs are provided free to all GlobalCare Complete customers on a continuous quarterly basis; and are also posted to the GE Fanuc Automation's GlobalCare website.
For more information contact Daniel Coetzee, GE Fanuc Automation, 031 583 2602, [email protected], www.gefanuc.com
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