Keeping development
time down
ime is a valuable
resource when it
comes to software
development
for automation
processes. The longer it takes to
get a machine up and running,
the more costly it will be, even
without factoring in delays caused
by errors and troubleshooting.
Reducing development times
can be challenging, as every task
and function in an automated
system must be seamlessly
synchronised in order to deliver
high quality products to market
at the right time, in the right
quantities. Using different software
packages for different tasks such
as programming, simulation,
visualisation or diagnostics, can
further complicate this and cause
delays, particularly if bringing
multiple product lines online
simultaneously.
T
A solution that can substantially
reduce machine development time
is simply to use a more streamlined
software package. Engineering
suites are now available that bring
all automation development tasks
into one platform, supporting every
stage from initial specification
through hardware configuration
right up to final commissioning,
using a Windows-like interface
with which engineers are already
familiar.
Simultaneously integrating
software development throughout
the lifecycle of a project, can greatly
reduce the time to bring a machine
or process online.
WAGO’s e!COCKPIT software, for
example, is based on CODESYS
3.5, and supports all IEC 61131-3
PLC programming languages plus
CFC (continuous function chart),
popular in the building automation
world. This allows engineers to
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PECM Issue 28
use a language, or several in
combination, that they’re already
comfortable with, spending less
time learning and more time doing.
Live debugging means that the
system will catch and flag up errors
before the operator moves onto the
next programming step, reducing
time spent finding and eliminating
them afterwards.
e!COCKPIT introduces many other
time saving benefits such as
integrated web visualisations, which
avoids the requirement to program
separately a traditional graphical
HMI. With e!COCKPIT a full library
of HTML 5 visualisation objects are
included so that it only requires a
low cost web panel to be used, as
visualisation is created within the
PLC rather than separately. This
removes an entire step from the
programming process, potentially
saving a huge amount of time. It
is also possible to access the HMI
functionality quickly and simply
via any standard browser, be it a
PC, tablet or smart phone, further
saving time while increasing
monitoring flexibility and speed of
diagnostics.
Another time saving development
is the adoption of the latest
Windows-style interface which
enables the representation of a full
automation network with visibility
of all nodes including both WAGO
and third party devices. This further
saves time through the ability to
publish network variables between
nodes and to simultaneously view
multiple controller projects.
For manufacturers, a reduced
development time can allow an
increased diversity of product
ranges to be brought to market
more quickly and at a lower cost,
providing greater flexibility to
adapt to changes and trends.
For the engineers tasked with
implementing new machine
functions, a highly streamlined
syst em can simplify the
development process, and reduce
the likelihood of errors creeping
in, even for highly sophisticated
processes.
WAGO Limited
Visit: http://global.wago.com/uk
Telephone: 01788 568008
Email: [email protected]