Open suite enables faster machine development

Greater openness and better communications between disparate factory automation systems is a constant struggle for many firms. But an offering from an automation supplier could help, writes Dean Palmer In the world of factory control and automation systems, a battle has been raging amongst suppliers for many years now, centred around automation and 'open' standards. Whether we will ever reach a stage when manufacturers can implement 'true' open communications automation systems to their plants is still a matter for hot debate. What we can say for certain is that clear progress has been made in the last five years. Truly open systems started with the introduction of Ethernet and web-based technologies, but there is still a problem for manufacturers in that many end up being locked-in by their automation vendor on either software or hardware, or both. It's usually the large OEMs that are affected here, but also includes systems integrators that supply these companies. A new offering from a well-known automation supplier was launched last month (although some beta users have been using it since the end of 2003) claims to put "the productivity of end users first" and "helps design engineers produce future-proof machines and automation systems faster". Sold under the Telemecanique brand of Schneider Electric, the aptly-named 'Unity' is an offering that attempts to overcome the hardware and software lock-in experienced by many end users. It's a three-tier offer, consisting of PLC programming software (Unity Pro); hardware, which includes new CPUs for Modicon Premium, Atrium and Quantum PLCs; and a growing suite of specialist software tools. And, as Jez Palmer, product manager high-end PLCs at Schneider Electric told Eureka, "long term support and commitment from Schneider is also a key part of the offering." He continued: "Unity is at the heart of our Collaborative Automation initiative, which enables end users to easily develop and integrate products in partnership with us. Typical third party applications include electrical CAD, network management and process simulation tools." Palmer added that Unity is complemented by another of the company's initiatives, 'Transparent Ready'. This, he explained, was a major strategic development that deploys Internet technologies into Schneider's products and services, such as Ethernet and web services. This enables simple tools, such as web browsers, to be used to access control system information. The goal here is greater flexibility and openness for both developers and end users. "Unity software uses recognised industry standard open technologies, supports open Ethernet communications and offers the power and flexibility that enables easy integration of third party tools," said Palmer. "But there is a clear migration path for those already using our existing Concept/PL7 software." On the hardware side, developments include more powerful CPUs for Modicon Premium and Quantum PLCs and an enhanced PCI bus co-processor card for PC-based control with the company's new Atrium. New features include greater memory, faster performance, integral USB ports for programming and Ethernet connectivity. Schneider kicked off the development of Unity version 1 back in 2000, and by the end of 2003 there were more than 100 beta users around the world using it, three of these in the UK. "This allowed us to work closely with the end users to see how they faired and to re-develop the products as required," explained Palmer. Since November 2004, version 2 has been available. Although Palmer is excited about his company's new offering, he was cautiously optimistic. "We've been working with a manufacturing company based in Northern Ireland which had 20-year old I/O hardware systems that we had to connect to. We have to be realistic. We recognise that no end user, after investing £20 million in factory control and automation systems and legacy hardware over the last decade, is just going to rip it all out next week and use our software and hardware instead. But Unity is about recognising the direction you want to take your company and its factory automation strategy." Pointers * Unity is a three-tier offering that comprises PLC programming software, hardware and a growing suite of specialist software tools such as electrical CAD, network management and process simulation software * The aim is to offer end users a truly open approach to factory automation and control systems * Design engineers, machine builders and systems integrators should benefit from being able to produce future-proof machines and automation systems faster than before