Andreas Schüller

PandIX — Exchanging P&I diagram model data

The P&I diagram (P&ID) shows the product flow structure and the functionality of a process plant. These data are a central base of the downstream control engineering and maintenance processes. We present a model to store these data electronically. Furthermore, the model allows a simple, formal, and unambiguous exchange of P&ID information. It is a bridge between significant information gaps through the information flow between process plant engineering and control engineering. The model is designed in a simple, formal, and unambiguous way. It allows an explicit access to the structural and functional information of the plant. Via this access, the downstream engineering processes can be supported by automatic assistance functions and self-configuration tools. A PandIX model can be created via an XSL transformation, which creates a CAEX file out of a vendor-specific XML file.

Business processes and technical processes a comprehensive meta model for execution and development

The interaction between business processes and technical processes is getting more and more important. Throughout this paper, we present how concepts that are used in automation technology can be transferred into concepts that are suitable for use in business process modeling, too. An important aspect is the description of the procedures which have to be executed. In contrast to technical systems, humans as executing agents can, but do not have to follow predefined procedures due to their ability to use their knowledge to work independently in different situations. In a second part, the paper discusses the generation of business processes by project business processes on a meta model, and provides a reference model for a project business layer model.

Agile standardization by means of PCE Requests

Standardization of data models in automation industry is a tedious, time-consuming and multidisciplinary process. The absence of a successfully standardized and established data exchange methodology for PCE (Process Control Equipment) Requests as the most informative capsule of data is an unsolved gap between process and control engineering tools. This contribution describes the first application of a novel and agile standardization method, applied by means of PCE Requests. In the result, within 10 month, leading CAE tool vendors and users of engineering tools have developed a detailed standard electronic data model of the PCE Request, as well as prototype exporter and importer for process and control engineering tools. Consequently, the bidirectional data exchange of PCE Requests between multiple software tools in various disciplines have been successfully demonstrated at the NAMUR Annual General Meeting 2014.

Model based synthesis of automation functionality

Abstract The article demonstrates the advantages of meta-model-based solutions for multi-aspect automation tasks. Multi-aspect tasks require solutions that consider information of multiple system aspects simultaneously. In todays practice, these aspects are maintained in different tools which make implicitly use of tool-driven system models. In contrast, we propose to prioritize the models in order to facilitate the handling of multi-aspect automation tasks. The article exemplifies this idea by introducing typical automation and engineering models and illustrates their utility in a use-case example.

Ein Referenzmodell zur Prozedurbeschreibung

Zusammenfassung Eine Prozedur beschreibt allgemein den Verfahrensablauf zur Realisierung eines bestimmten Prozesses. Operativ beschreibt sie den geplanten Steuerungsablauf für eine gegebene Systemumgebung in mehreren Schritten mit entsprechenden Übergangsbedingungen. Die Beschreibung der Prozeduren erfolgt heute typischerweise mit speziell auf die Anwendung zugeschnittenen Sprachen. In diesem Beitrag wird angeregt, ein gemeinsames Metamodell der Prozedurbeschreibung zu entwickeln. Ein solches Metamodell trägt wesentlich zur Standardisierung der Prozedurbeschreibung bei. In dieser Arbeit werden generische Konzepte vorgestellt, auf denen ein Metamodell der Prozedurbeschreibung aufgebaut werden kann.

On the engineering design for systematic integration of agent-orientation in industrial automation

In todays automation industry, agent-oriented development of system functionalities appears to have great potential for increasing autonomy and flexibility of complex operations, while lowering the workload of users. In this paper we present a reference model for the harmonious and systematical integration of agent-orientation in industrial automation. Considering compatibility with existing automation systems and best practice, this model combines advantages of function block technology, service orientation and native description methods from the automation standard IEC 61131-3. This approach can be applied as a guideline for the engineering design of future agent-oriented automation systems.

A cybernetic approach to create real-time optimized supply chains

Globalization causes many challenges for companies in the branch of industrial production. The Project Business Layer Model uses a cybernetic approach as one step to deal with this problem. The central elements of this model are Business Processes which describe activities, tasks, and work steps to create products or services. Business Processes can be used to enable real-time optimization of the supply chain in a company and between different companies. The supply chain management incorporates static as well as dynamic influences on a Business Process. This includes the comparison of Result Templates with educt requirements, the handling of external suppliers, the influence of the change of an engineering tool and the orientation of the supply chain.

Geschäftsprozesse und technische Prozesse

Zusammenfassung In diesem Artikel stellen wir ein Ebenenmodell vor, mit dem Prozesse in Unternehmen strukturiert werden können. Die Trennung zwischen Prozeduren, ausführenden Einheiten und Prozessen ist in der Automatisierungstechnik ein verbreitetes Mittel. Dieses Konzept wird auf Geschäftsprozesse übertragen. Die Modellstruktur führt zu einer stärkeren Verzahnung zwischen Geschäftsprozessen und technischen Prozessen, wie sie im Rahmen der Industrie 4.0-Initiative gefordert wird.