Software for Industrial Automation

An Industrial Revolution
Imagine an integrated automation system that has the features, power
and convenience to truly change the way you approach automation.
A revolutionary product that delivers a comprehensive automation
environment in a robust, performance and object oriented software system.

automationX is an innovative software program that
combines all automation functions into a smart and
unified package. automationX empowers an enter-
prise by effortlessly networking all functions associa-
ted with automation systems into databases, quality
assurance and production control tools. In doing so,
automationX strategically levers data from the core
operation enabling corporate and e-business systems
to propel a firm to optimum profitability and efficiency.
The advantage of automationX is in how it intelligently
deploys computer software to consolidate the traditio-
nal approach of using dedicated and proprietary PLC
or DCS hardware to perform automation tasks.
automationX is performance software, field proven in
its abilities to replace or extend classical products such
as PLC, DCS, SCADA, visualization and even more
sophisticated systems like image processing.
Whether it is a grassroots or modernization project,
automationX offers a superior and adaptive solution
where new and existing devices are homogeneously uni-
ted. automationX fulfills the promise of seamless de-
livery of tools and data for users, reliably and every day.

Fields of application: Automotive,

manufacturing, chemicals, consumer
goods, fibers & textiles, pharmaceuticals,
power supply, forest products, building
automation, mining and metals, environ-
mental technology, transportation
engineering, packaging.

Typical applications: Process and

machine control, visualization, PLC, DCS,
quality management, production logi-
stics, industrial image processing, facility
management, batch systems, SCADA
applications, integration of control and
visualization for machine exporters.
The Open Truth About
Our System Architecture
 Hardware independence from field devices (mix & match)
 Support of different field bus systems
 Use of existing Information Technology (IT) infrastructure
through client/server technology
 Effortless linking to business systems
 Platform independent: Linux and NT

Mix And Match

"Open System” is a phrase used by many vendors to
describe their offering. But when time comes to
implement the system the truth becomes a lot less
open. Born without biases or prejudice, no other auto-
mation product in the world rivals automationX for its
freedom of choice and flexibility.
We designed automationX to guarantee openness in
all directions through the optimal use of existing IT
infrastructure, the use of field devices of different ven-
dors and effortless coupling of other systems.
System description:
It’s the networking structure of an automationX
system that allows these possibilities. At the heart of
an automationX system are its Control Servers. The
Servers  perform the control functions, which are
traditionally handled by PLC and DCS processors. The
Servers are typically workstation or server level PCs
with Windows NT or Linux and require no special
administration or maintenance.
While automationX is proven highly robust and relia-
ble, a fully redundant control server can be optionally
installed . If a control problem is detected with the
main server, the standby will automatically take over
all functions.
Out in the field or on the floor it’s all your choice -
automationX allows a complete mix of components
from different vendors. Recent field bus systems pro-
vide fast, multi I/O communications with significant
cost-savings over conventional wiring .
automationX effortlessly mixes new protocols such as
Profibus, Interbus, DeviceNet, and CANopen with tra-
ditional hardware such as Siemens Simatic S5/7, Allen
Bradley PLCs, and more 
A user works with automationX through the Client
Browser . Designed to be resource efficient, the
automationX Client Browser runs smoothly on any PC
connected via network or modem. Of course a client
computer doesn’t have to be dedicated to the task
and runs simultaneously with other applications.
automationX users are managed through accounts
that define the complement of Control Servers acces-
sed and the privileges available on each . Account
profiles define which displays and data a user can view
and the depth of changes allowed on the system. An
automationX account follows the user and is not
bound to the hardware of a certain computer.
Establishing tight integration of any application such
as an e-business database or production and quality
management system is done over a firm’s Intranet in
the simplest way .
Rapid and Accurate
Application Development
by Object Orientation

Automation classes are re-

usable software "objects”
within automationX that
contain everything that’s
necessary to establish a
function, whether it be a
device operated by the
system, a communication
task, an interface, or what-
ever. All of this functionality
is neatly wrapped up into a
single graphical icon that
can be used as many times
as you like, even within
new more powerful classes.
 Automation Classes: Complete, comprehensive and reusable
software modules for application configuration
 Easy-to-use Classes Neatly Bundle the Knowledge of Experts
 Intuitive Programming for Technicians, Engineers, Quality and
Production Control Personnel.

automationX takes the concept of object orientation furt- For automation engineering this means a much more
her than any other software in its class. As a result, appli- understandable programming interface for process
cations are created rapidly and accurately. Object orienta- engineers, mechanical engineers, quality managers and
tion in automationX is such an important feature that once production control engineers.
you’ve tried it, you’ll never use anything else again. Automation classes can be distributed over the Internet,
too. As a result, the user can get special knowledge which
Although somewhat related, the implementation of object would not be available in other systems because of the
orientation in automationX should not be confused with complexity and integration effort. With automationX you
the techniques applied in programming languages, such will not deal with bits and bytes but easily build the solu-
as C++ or Java. automationX uses object orientation for tion that you require.
application development or configuration of automation
projects. It is this technique that allows total applications
to be constructed out of self-sufficient software modules
known as the "automation classes”. The result – it allows
experts to neatly bundle their knowledge, hide confusing
details and provide easy-to-understand interfaces into
modules from which others can create their own
applications.
Automation classes (also referred to as objects) are
powerful software modules that integrate all functiona-
lity associated devices operated with a modern auto-
mation system. A single class or object includes fea-
tures such as regulatory and logic control, process
visualization, automated alarm and interlock assistance,
data historian and trending, automatic simulation
mode for testing and training and much more. Some
examples are variable speed pumps, flow control valves,
pulp screens, tanks with level, or filter stations. Applica-
tions are easily constructed by combining automation
classes to create the final system. Application designers
just use class catalogues with the advantage of inherited
functionalities in the used objects.
The object orientation feature automatically creates
shorter and more intelligible programs. The result is a
much higher “transparency“.
With the automationX class builder every portion of an automation
engineering task can be done within a graphical environment.
Close Your Eyes and
Tap Your Mouse Three Times

You’ll be the wizard when time comes to do con-
figuration work in automationX. Unlike other
systems you won’t be faced with a bevy of tasks and
software programs that take you on a development
"milk run”. Since automationX requires the use of
only one simple graphical editor for all configurati-
on work, it’s a yellow brick road in comparison.
The intuitive and easy-to-handle editor tool is a
veritable genius. The automationX editor is used to
develop the regulatory and logic control program,
creates process graphics and user interfaces, confi-
gures databases, modifies or develops new automa-
tion classes and more. Since configuration can easily
be combined, even the most complex applications
can be developed quickly with automationX’s
single, simple tool.
To create outstanding visualization, the graphic libra-
ries within automationX contain a large number of
"core” classes (animated pipes, different kinds of swit-
ches, analog instruments, process equipment, com-
munications, field devices etc.). The automationX edi-
tor supports 3D displays with sophisticated animation
effects, the import of pictures and graphics, as well as
the integration of live video signal processing. The
capabilities of automationX are vast but the deve-
lopment route is direct and simple – the possi-
bilities are limited only by one’s imagination.

Applications developed with the editor execute

within automationX’s powerful Soft PLC. Fully
capable of processing regulatory, analog and digital
(logic) control, the Soft PLC removes the require-
ment for physical PLC’s or DCS controllers. The Soft
PLC is fully compliant with the IEC 1131-3 standard.
Function Block Diagrams (FBD) and Sequential Flow
Charts (SFC) are supported with standard control
libraries containing all functionality and control
blocks associated with IEC 1131-3. In addition the-
re is a full set of function blocks for communicati- It’s so easy: Select an automation class from the class library and drag it
ons, such as connecting to databases, included. onto the process graphic. Assign a name and customize configuration para-
meters (e.g. tuning constants) for the new device. In essentially a single
step, the new object is ready for operation. Each new object automatically
inherits all functionality of the original and is ready to run.
  Intuitive application development
 Minimum configuration effort
 Process Transparency

The imbedding of a new device class (object) into a process configuration is

done quickly and precisely through the clearly defined interface and well
known mechanisms of Function Block Diagrams and Sequential Charts.
The configuration effort, when compared with conventional approaches
like a PLC, is reduced up to 80 percent and the transparency of all pro-
grams is much higher.
Virtually a Wrench for Every Nut

The automationX editor allows the design of process graphics with full 3D and
animation effects. Because the integrated Soft PLC is synchronized with the
high-speed data collection of the automationX trend system,
trend windows can even be used as a logic analyzer.
  Graphic editor
 Process Visualization with Automated Alarm
and Interlock Assistance
 Data Historian and Trend System
 Automatic Simulation Mode for Testing and Training
 Database Coupling

The automationX Database Wizard enables straight for-

ward communication with commercial databases. The
user simply "surfs” the network and the Wizard identifies
existing databases (e.g. Oracle,
SQL Server, Access), analyzes their
structure and shows them graphi-
cally. A few taps of the mouse
later has the automationX control
program writing quality data into
the database, automatically
adapting to new production para-
meters or fetching the latest pro-
duction orders.

The automationX basic class "table” can be merged on one hand in

process graphics and linked on the other hand with databases. As a
A special compression algorithm permits almost any
result an optimal interaction with commercial and logistic systems is
trend configuration of curve numbers, scanning rate and
ensured.
recording duration.
User Friendly

The automationX editor allows any combination between control, databases

and graphical elements. The control portion is programmed in accordance
with the IEC 1131-3 standards. The training effort for control engineers is
therefore minimal. The mechanism of IEC 1131-3 is also used to create auto-
mation classes and database couplings, and the range of control engineers is
extended into the realm of the IT world.
For ease of use and identification, the graphical
representation of many of the automation classes
is true to the actual look of the physical devices,
right down to the functioning panel LED’s.
  Integrated Powerful Soft Control (Soft-PLC)
 Graphical Class and Application Design
 Transparency in all Application Programs
 Intuitive Configuration

The configuration is very intuitive
and easily understood.
Due to the object based architecture of automationX, the connection between the control program and
the process visualization is automatic. With a touch on the button, automationX searches the total control
program and provides an understandable logic diagram in a graphical form. With this feature users get
an illustration of the conditions behind a process, such as interlocking. This smart feature of automationX
requires no special programming, dramatically improving process transparency of the system.
Additional Modules For Special Needs

Perfect Batches Every Time

The automationX batch system is a highly flexible module where
the user can create any recipe based on product and tank lists .
The system supports intuitive and easily understandable recipe
administration (e.g. modification and version check of recipes).
During a batch execution, automationX checks the plausibility of
the recipe and product parameters generating the control
actions necessary to perform the mix (routing, adjustment of
recipe steps, mutual product interlocks, etc.). Once the recipe is
completed, the batch system compiles consumption statistics
and quality assurance data.

Use SPC for Quality

The automationX SPC module is used for quality assurance
purposes on industrial manufacturing processes. The SPC
module obtains data from the process, archives it in databases
and permits standardized analysis.
The appropriate analytical graphs are available to the user simply
and seamlessly within the automationX system. The SPC
module supports a variety of features such as ISO 9000 repor-
ting, histograms, s-bar, scatter charts and more, for both visual
and automated analysis. SPC data may also be used in the
standard control environment to close the loop and allow
automatic and sophisticated quality control strategies.

It’s All in the Image

The image processing option for automationX is a special
library of classes. Image processing is a powerful method for
applications on which conventional sensors are unusable.
automationX provides image processing at a very reasonable
cost, so the analysis of video pictures is an exciting new
alternative for manufacturing. For example, typical areas of
application include object identification, quality tests, auto-
mated data capture, analysis and quality assurance.
Purchase a Perfect Fit
Cost Advantages by Custom
License Point Pricing

The license cost of automationX is being calculated on the

basis of license points. License points are determined by the
type and quantity of I/O and automation classes in the appli-
cation. In this manner the user buys only what is needed to
get the job done. For system expansion, when the number
of license points are exceeded, the system creates an alert
without impacting the application in any way. You can
then later upgrade the software key to support the additio-
nal license points.

Server License:
A Server License provides both, Runtime and Developer
Versions which includes: the automationX editor to build
applications and classes, Data
Acquisition (I/O) Class Library,
Powerful Soft Control (PLC), Com-
munications Class Library, Equip-
ment Class Library with Operation,
Maintenance and Engineering
modes,
Process Visualization with Automa-
ted Alarm and Interlock Assistance,
Integrated HTML Documentation,
Data Historian and Trend System;
Prioritized Alarm Lists, Event Jour-
nals, Logging, Automatic Simulati-
on Mode for Testing and Training,
Full Capability Remote Access.

Redundant Server:
A second server license is optionally provided for automatic
standby.

User Work Stations (Clients)

One client is included with a server license and additional
clients are optionally available.

Batch, Image and SPC modules are optional.

 Grafik: Maitz, Druck: Weitzer & Partner GmbH 2001
presented by

EUROPE NORTH AMERICA

automationX M&R AUTOMATION CANADA, INC.
Software for Industrial Automation GmbH 202 - 1050 West 14th Street
Teslastrasse 8 North Vancouver, B.C.
A-8074 Grambach/Austria V7P 3P3
Tel: (+43) 316 / 4000 - 300 Tel: (604) 983-8728
Fax: (+43) 316 / 4000 - 39 Fax: (604) 983-8563

e-mail sales@automationx.com e-mail office@mnrcan.com

http://www.automationx.com

automationX Brochure V4.5-E © 2000 automationX Software for Industrial Automation GmbH, all rights are reserved