Controls News 13
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Saia®
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Focus issue:
The new class of devices combines strengths, eliminates weakness
PFC came out of PLC.
Saia® PCDs become Saia® Function PCDs
Why a new class of device? «Lean Automation» aims to provide twice as much
automation at no extra cost and with half the number of qualified personnel.
This is feasible only if there are new types of automation systems.
Author: Jürgen Lauber
It’s a tantalizing path into a functional impasse.
Extensions and functional
adjustments aren’t possible
Each colour represents a
specific program function
that can be selected and
installed.
Workflow description:
Automation with dedicated controls
A device manufacturer takes a cheap hardware and
equips them with classic features. A program is writ-
ten in order to cover a wide variety of possible ap-
plications that can be realized with the integrated
I/O level. The fact that the dedicated controller has
to cover such a range of applications means that
its internal structure is often confusing. Expertise
and time is needed to choose the «right» control-
ler. Once it has been chosen, it is configured ac-
cording to hundreds of parameters for individual
use. A thick manual and configuration software are
required in order to master the complexity of the
choices available.
If the dedicated controller is used in a real facility
and correctly configured by service technicians, the
equipment will run without individual program-
ming or special software engineering.
In Direct Digital Control for building automation,
there is a particular form of the dedicated control-
ler. Instead of delivering the hardware with the pro-
grammes already installed, the required program
components are selected from facility displays us-
ing application software and loaded onto the con-
troller. But the device is not freely programmable.
At its simplest, automation uses the old-style «ded-
icated controller» type of device. These provide a
fixed set of functions. Thus anyone without spe-
cial skills or substantial training can achieve basic
functioning of control and automation solutions.
Lean Automation means having the possibility to
optimize functionality and expand freely. For the
life cycle of the facility, an automation systemmust
always be modifiable and upgradeable so it can be
adapted to changing operating conditions. That’s
not possible with dedicated controllers. Freely pro-
grammable PLC technology is much more flexible.
But it requires a specialist programmer. It is too
demanding for those without specialist qualifica-
tions. The available products are not really suited
to lean automation. So a whole new class of device
is needed. Evolution, not revolution, is required.
The existing PLC (Programmable Logic Control-
ler) has given rise to the PFC (Programmable
Function Controller). Saia® PCD developed into
Saia® Function PCD. This combines the advantages
of dedicated controllers with the strengths of PLC
technology. Weaknesses and disadvantages are
eliminated.
Production controller
Find matching controller
and qualify
Installation
Basic configuration
and fine parameterization
en1328
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