Plant Direct iT is an open, component-based process control system focusing on the technological requirements of such a system. By combining the client/server architecture with an object-orientated class concept, it offers a secure, future-proof alternative for a conventionally programmed PLC with super-ordinated visualization.

Classes – Modules for plant-wide automation

The basic requirements for a control system are a secure process control combined with maximum transparency for the operator’s personnel as well as efficient project planning, independent of whether it is used for a new plant, for expansions or for modification of existing plants.
Plant Direct iT allows for extensive parameterization of technological functionalities. Only specific functions need to be programmed. The class concept of Plant Direct iT ensures highest functional quality as similar objects are controlled and monitored just by one software module. Thus, re-usability is assured. If necessary, it facilitates the effective qualification of the system.
As a consequence operating expenses for validation can be reduced considerably.
Plant Direct iT provides maximum flexibility for interventions in running operations, cutting down on the frequency and duration of downtimes. The system permits modifications during running production operations without neglecting safety aspects, as all changes are logged in detail by the system. This applies for all operator interaction as well as to any intervention with the engineering of the system (Audit Trail).

Class structure

A class comprises a closed system consisting of three seamlessly integrated components.
The system has complete control over the function of a technical component (e.g. a valve) or an entire step-controlled sequence:

• Class description
• Operating dialog (class dialog)
• Control logic (class handler)

The class description is stored at the central database of the system server and includes a structured mapping of all properties of this class including all status information and the command set.
The operator dialogues are available to the user within the process graphics that provided via the clients. Via the operating dialogue every single object can be controlled and monitored.

The control logic is implemented in the PLC and controls the technical device (e.g. the valve) via the I/O system. All components form one functional unit. They synchronize status information and operating parameters.
These parameters can easily be changed during running operations. In this way, there is maximum flexibility with regard to the selection of changes to be transferred as well as the time of transfer. Where necessary, a single parameter for a specific object can be selected and changed during running operations.
The system standard already contains an extensive set of 

• technical, and
• technological classes,

that are constantly being further developed. The great variety of technical basic classes includes largely equipment-neutral functionality such as valves, drives, measured values and closed-loop controllers, logical functions, and highly-qualified, equipment-specific functions, e.g. for the complete control of a certain model range of frequency converters. With the Sequence Controller and the Object Control Matrix (OCM) there are two powerful classes available for the mapping of complete processes. The system also supports the development and complete integration of additional classes or class libraries for a various applications. The required infrastructure including templates and documentation is available within the standard system.

Plant iT objects are cascadable and provide an API that allows to access them from conventional PLC code. Because the Plant iT system software and application-specific PLC programs can be run parallel in one controller, the system allows the implementation of very complex tasks.

Visu-Recorder

The classes also support “Visu Recorder”, a special function of Plant Direct iT. With the help of Visu Recorder past sequences can be replayed directly in the user interface to support the staff in error diagnosis.

Integration from valves to sequence control

Plant Direct iT does not only provide classes for technical objects. There are also classes for the parameterization of complete processes following different methods. In particular, continuous processes are often mapped by using interlock-based control. In addition to classes for automation objects, a logic function class is available. With its help the conditions for the activation and interlocking of each single object can be parameterized. The second method includes the mapping of processes by means of a step sequence and also for this Plant Direct iT provides the adequate classes:
The Object Control Matrix class (OCM) enables the user to parameterize the controlling and monitoring of a complete group of technical objects (actors, sensors) for a variety of activities that have to be carried out in the process sequence. In a matrix for each object is parametrized how it is to be treated if a specific activity is called (e.g. monitoring for “Off” and “Error” for activity “Inherently safe”). The activities defined by an OCM can be called by superordinated sequential control in any possible combination.
The class “Phase Controller” allows the parameterization of step sequences including the required branch targets and transitions.
Calling OCM activities within these steps results in a completely parameterized sequential process control.
Objects of both classes can be implemented as indepentendly operating instances, but are primarily matched to act in the context of a superordinated procedural control (Plant Liqu iT, Plant Batch iT), from where they are dynamically supplied with order and recipe specific parameters.

Efficient Source/destination handling

The use of Phase Controller and OCM allows variable process control in respect of the allocated plant resources. The parameterization of the group of technical objects to be used by OCM is done by means of object lists, which then can be dynamically allocated to an OCM matrix. In this way, the activities for a specific process need to be parameterized only once. But by combining them with different object lists they can be executed for different resources (e.g. source tanks).

Material-related process control

Plant Direct iT allows the implementation of material-related process control solutions. Plant iT material, the system component for process-orientated material management, can be accessed directly from process control level. With the help of system-internal standard functions transaction-accurate booking records can be generated for every single material movement out of the running process and almost real-time. In that way, material-related process control including inventory management and – in combination with a super-ordinated order management – also tracking and tracing is possible.

Plant Direct iT – an open system

The openness of Plant iT allows the development of own classes that can be seamlessly integrated in the system and flexibly combined with the standard classes. Templates and documentation are included in the standard system. Whether an operating company, a machine or plant supplier wishes to standardize and encapsulate his specific Know-how in his own classes or a system integrator uses his class library as an efficient engineering tool and visible expression of his branch know-how, Plant Direct iT is the platform for it.

Know-how concentrate for our custmers

The class concept ist the result of our ideas, the large number of available classes beyond the standard system is the result of our experience in various branches of the process industry. Due to the continuously increaseing requirements additional classes have been developped that are continuously improved and used within the projects that we carry out for our customers.
Diagnostic classes for Ethernet and fieldbus networks for remote I/O (e.g. Profi bus with Simatic ET200) enable simple and fast error diagnostics based on the visualization system integrated in Plant iT.
Scale classes (e.g. for Simatic Siwarex U) simplify the implementation, control and monitoring of complex dosing task.
Conveyor classes provide integrated intelligence for coordination of switching sequences (predecessor, successor).
Equipment modules encapsulate the functionality of complete equipment groups (e.g. complete temperature control of a fermenter).
The technological classes can be supplied with order and recipe parameters by a superordinated procedural control and thus allows high flexibility and at the same time a maximum of safety for order controlled multi-product plants.

The key to migration

Plant Direct iT allows also a simple migration of existing control systems. If existing system can not be replaced but in spite of that have to be integrated in a homogenous process control system platform, special classes have to be developped that encapsulate exisiting software functionality in the controller and make it transparent to Plant Direct iT.
The Package Unit Interface provides the possibility to make actors, sensors and operating elements accessible via Plant Direct iT.