Reviewer details
Reviewer: Eugene Kemp
Position: Engineer
Company: Comptech
Telephone: +27 (0)41 365 3080
E-mail: [email protected]
Product details
Vendor: Adroit Technologies
Product name and version: Adroit v6.0
Telephone: +27 (0)11 658 8100
E-mail: [email protected]
URL: www.adroit.co.za
Application
Industry: Automotive
Server operating system: Windows Server 2003
Client operating system: Windows XP Pro
Front end: 10* Bosch engine management systems, 1* Allen-Bradley SLC 500
Tag count: 10* 150 licences
General
Q: Briefly describe the application including information on any pre-existing system that was in place.
A: The challenge was to replace an existing 'black box' proprietary engine hot test facility that was inflexible and could not be expanded to include new parameters required to test a new type of engine that was being produced. We chose to go the Adroit scada route as this would allow for future expansion. Adroit Technologies had great skills in driver development and we used these to assist us in working out the existing protocols necessary to talk to the existing Bosch engine management systems. Adroit’s flexibility also gave us options on how to deal with all the records and test certificates.
Q: Who performed the scada configuration?
A: Comptech.
Q: Approximately how many man-hours did the scada configuration take?
A: 40 man-hours.
Q: Was a structured process followed to determine expected performance under full load and during abnormal failure conditions?
A: No.
Q: What sort of licensing agreement applies to this particular system?
A: We used 10 standard Adroit 150 scan point systems.
Q: What upgrade agreements are in place? Are patches and version upgrades free, covered under annual maintenance or managed in some other way?
A: Yes there is an Annual Technology Agreement in place on the back of a recent upgrade we did.
Q: How is after-sales support handled?
A: By local system integrator, Comptech backed up by Adroit Technologies
System architecture
Q: What impresses you most about the architecture?
A: Adroit’s flexibility, stability and in-house driver development capability combined with the great support they offer their SI partners in more difficult and challenging projects such as this one.
Q: What are the key physical communication layers and communication protocols employed in the system?
A: RS232 serial communication through a CAN interface using Bosch PCM protocol. RS232 to an Allen-Bradley SLC 500 PLC. RS232 to a Dallas Tag access control reader for operator log-in. Ethernet to a central server for SQL server data storage.
Q: Is the scada system integrated onto an intranet or the Internet? If so, what level of remote monitoring and control is configured?
A: No.
Q: Does the application utilise web services?
A: No.
Q: What redundancy is incorporated in this scada application?
A: None.
Graphics
Q: Could you describe the graphics development process?
A: Adroit has many standard wizards and graphics and the application was built mostly with these.
Q: How would you describe the library of graphic images?
A: Good.
Q: What human factors were taken into consideration in the HMI design process?
A: We made the application menu-driven and as visual as possible requiring no typed text input.
Q: Did you use any ‘special’ images?
A: No.
Compatibility
Q: Do you run the scada in conjunction with any third-party application software?
A: We used an Access database on the local machines and SQL on the central server via another Adroit application. The production data is available to the plant network and the shop floor via a large display from Polycomp.
Q: Was any custom code or scada scripting written for this project?
A: VB to control log on via Dallas Tags.
Management reporting and integration
Q: Is a trending and historical data reporting system included?
A: In this instance we log to a SQL server directly from Adroit.
Q: Is a management reporting system included in the package?
A: No.
Q: Is the system integrated with an MES/ERP or other management reporting or control system?
A: No.
Q: Who performed this integration?
A: Comptech.
Q: Was any additional software development needed?
A: An Adroit protocol driver was developed to communicate and access all engine management parameters from the Bosh EMS units via a CAN converter. This was the core of the project.
Q: Are any production benchmarking tools configured as part of the scada system?
A: No.
System safety, security and data protection
Q: What alarm management standards or best practices were adopted in configuring the scada system?
A: We used the standard Adroit alarming.
Q: How were the potential consequences of abnormal process conditions taken into consideration during the HMI design process?
A: N/A.
Q: Does the design make provision for a DMZ and firewall segregation of process network and business networks?
A: Yes this application runs on its own network.
Q: What intrusion detection is incorporated on the plant network(s) on which this scada system exists?
A: Antivirus software was deployed.
Q: What configuration backup and archive backup methodologies have been adopted?
A: The Adroit backup utility is used to backup all Adroit files. Backups of the application are stored offsite and locally.
Conclusion
Q: What was the predominant feature(s) that made you decide to employ this scada, rather than another?
A: The scada was a good fit for the application, the availability of local high level support and the product’s Proudly South African heritage.
Q: What impresses you the most about the system?
A: It makes it easy to integrate complex systems.
Custom questions
Q: Would you use the same alarm system in future?
A: In future we intend to use Adroit v7.0 Alarm Management functionality based on the IECSP18.02 EEMUA 191 guidelines.
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