Process Variables Always to Hand

Watch list

Process variables always to hand

Testing, commissioning and diagnostics are activities familiar to every automation technician. Efficient work is only possible if the elementary process variables can be monitored. The SolutionCenter provides users of the M1 automation system with all the tools needed for this. In version 1.95 a freely configurable variable list was integrated for process analysis, as well as a watch list with a wide range of useful functions.

The monitoring of process variablesis a way of testing the behavior ofautomation systems. For the user herethe controller is a black box: Definedsignals are fed to the inputs and theirtrace observed at the outputs. If it is possible to read and write variablesselectively, this enables conclusions to be drawn about the behavior ofthe automation system. For efficient work, however, a randomly sorted listof all controller inputs and outputs, as offered by most manufacturers, is notenough. That is why Bachmann offers a freely configurable variable list in theSolutionCenter – a so-called watch list.

The user defines the content

The variable list can be configuredquickly by the user – by selecting thevariables or channels with drag & drop orin the dialog window. The number of variablesthat can be entered is unlimited.Extensive filter and sort functions arealso provided that simplify the handlingof extensive lists. The user can furthermoremanually place the most important variables at the beginning of the list.Variables and channels of differentcontroller systems can be managed injust a single list. In this way, overlapping processes in large machines and plantscan be observed and followed. Thecycle time for fetching the actual valuescan be set between 200 millisecondsand 2 seconds.

Integrated setpoint definition

Setpoints for individual parameters canbe defined very easily with the helpof the watch list. These values canbe defined with multi-selection in aseparate column and downloaded tothe controller with just one command. Conversely, actual values from thecontroller can be entered directly as setpoints in the list.

Clear trend display

The SolutionCenter shows all theselected variables in a trend graph. This makes it possible to trace signalsover time. Extensive configurations become unnecessary: The graph axesand the curves plotted are set up and configured automatically to produce aninformative display.

The new variable list in the Bachmann SolutionCenter provides optimum supportfor important testing and diagnostic tasks with automation applications.Maximum efficiency is thus guaranteed.

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Picture caption:

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The clear display of the variable list is further enhanced by the highlightingof recently changed values: The mostimportant information can thus be viewedat a glance.

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The signal trace is activated with a single click without any configuration required:It thus provides a good overview of the individual measured values and theirrelationship over time.

Picture credits: Bachmann electronic

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