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Issue link: https://rock.epubxp.com/i/142549
AUTOMATION ENERGY PlantPAx Automates Procedures, Enhances Visualization The latest release of the PlantPAx process automation system from Rockwell Automation allows compa‐ nies across multiple industries to im‐ prove operator effectiveness with automated procedures, enhanced vi‐ sualization and new skid‐integration capabilities. The system's new sequencer tool en‐ ables companies to easily automate process procedures, perform system modifications, and sequence actions directly through human‐machine in‐ terface (HMI) faceplates. If a process change is necessary or an abnormal event occurs, a user with the appro‐ priate login privileges can modify the sequence directly from the HMI screen, rather than waiting for a con‐ trol system expert to modify the pro‐ cedure code. "The new PlantPAx sequencer tool eliminates the need for custom‐coded configurations to automate proce‐ dures for continuous processes," said Jason Wright, PlantPAx product man‐ ager, Rockwell Automation. "It's intu‐ itive, user‐friendly interface helps operators see and understand the in‐ formation they need, and makes pro‐ coupling are capable of transmitting up to 56,000,000 lb.‐in. (6383 kN‐m) torque. The MAX‐C WB is ideal for use in drivetrains for ID/FD fans, torque converters, marine gears, drill rigs, crushers, kiln drives, mill pinions, ship thrusters, centrifugal compressors and feed rolls. The MAX‐C coupling consists of an outer sleeve with a bladed ID, an inner flex hub with bladed OD, and resilient drive blocks that fill cavities formed when the sleeve and hub are mated. www.rockproducts.com cedures repeatable and easier to track." The PlantPAx system further extends operator effectiveness with a compre‐ hensive HMI toolkit for effective dis‐ play design and enhanced standards‐based alarming. This allows the operator to focus directly on the process itself, reducing system down‐ time and incidents. The latest Plant‐ PAx system also features an enhanced independent workstation (or network station) that offers companies more flexibility in plant design – especially when integrating best‐of‐breed skids into multiple plants worldwide. "There is an industry trend to leverage process skids for quicker line and plant expansion to help reduce time‐ to‐market," Wright said. "However, in‐ tegrating these process skids into a traditional distributed control system (DCS) can create complexities and in‐ crease costs. In fact, for a traditional DCS, integration accounts for 50 to 60 percent of the project costs for end users." For example, skid integration often re‐ quires custom data‐mapping or dupli‐ The special Wedge Block cavity design formed by the blades is filled with in‐ compressible elastomer blocks with a Shore "A" hardness of up to 80, allow‐ ing tailoring of the block compound for hardness, chemical resistance and temperature resistance. The blocks typically last five years or more and are easily replaced, which makes the coupling "like new." The MAX‐C design is also "Fail En‐ gage." If an elastomer block fails for any reason, the coupling will briefly cated code on the DCS. This is not the case with the PlantPAx system – the skid‐based controller can be added as a native controller to the system. En‐ hanced independent workstation ca‐ pabilities help reduce the cost of integration by allowing the skid to share common infrastructure re‐ sources, such as user accounts and se‐ curity settings, without losing application independence. This allows companies to leverage the specific ap‐ plication expertise of multiple skid vendors while providing a consistent operator experience. These features further enhance the PlantPAx system, which integrates process control, power, information and safety together into one infra‐ structure. Combined, these reduce the total cost of ownership, and enable a highly distributed and cost‐effective system. Rockwell Automation, www.rockwellautomation.com transmit torque through the metal‐to‐ metal contact of the interlocking blades which would allow the user to immediately power down the equip‐ ment in a controlled manner. The MAX‐C withstands wet, gritty and hot environments. Emerson Industrial Automation, www.emersonindustrial.com ROCKproducts • JULY 2013 29