Unified Cause-and-Effect Matrix for Industrial Plant Control Code
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to efficiently orchestrate control logic for industrial plants that contain both modular and non-modular parts, particularly in partly modular plants, due to the difficulty in integrating service-based and instrument-based control logics.
Innovation Solution
A method using a cause-and-effect matrix to define both instrument-based and service-based control logics, enabling a single-view tool for combining traditional process logic with service orchestration, allowing for the creation of control code that integrates both types of logic in a graphical and intuitive manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate tools are used for service-based and instrument-based control logic, then each tool can be optimized for its specific type, but the engineering process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges service-based control logic and instrument-based control logic into a single cause-and-effect matrix interface. This allows engineers to define both types of control logic in one unified tool rather than switching between separate tools, reducing engineering complexity while maintaining the ability to properly handle both modular and non-modular plant components.
2Reliability
If separate tools are used for service-based and instrument-based control logic, then each tool can be specialized, but the engineering time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The unified cause-and-effect matrix combines service-based and instrument-based control logic definition into a single interface, eliminating the need for engineers to switch between multiple tools and reconfigure settings. This integration significantly reduces engineering time while maintaining proper handling of both control logic types.
3Productivity
If a single tool is used for both service-based and instrument-based control logic, then engineering efficiency improves, but the tool must handle greater complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The cause-and-effect matrix is designed as a universal interface that can handle both service-based control logic (for modular plant parts) and instrument-based control logic (for non-modular parts) within the same tool. This multi-functionality allows the tool to adapt to different control logic types without requiring separate specialized tools, thereby improving engineering efficiency.
4Manufacturing precision
If automation engineers create all control logic, then precision and correctness are ensured, but the process becomes slower and more resource-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables non-automation engineers to independently create and configure control logic using the intuitive cause-and-effect matrix interface. The graphical nature of the matrix allows users without specialized automation expertise to define control logic accurately, reducing dependency on automation engineers and accelerating the control code creation process while maintaining sufficient precision for the application.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of generating control code for an industrial plant comprises: defining control logic for controlling the industrial plant by editing a cause-and-effect matrix provided by an engineering tool, wherein the defining comprises defining both instrument-based control logic and service-based control logic using the same cause-and-effect matrix; and generating the control code for controlling the industrial plant on the basis of the defined control logic.