IPC designed to bridge automation and IT

-- Control Engineering, 12/11/2003

Wago Corp. has introduced a new industrial PC with embedded PC technology—the Wago-I/O-IPC 758 Series. Wago claims this IPC integrates all standard PC functions, including network and fieldbus interfaces, to seamlessly tie the industrial/process automation and IT worlds together. According to the company, decentralized control, sub-networking with popular fieldbuses, as well as recording, analyzing, and measuring data can be accomplished easily with large amounts of data and in short periods of time.

The Wago-I/O-IPC provides flexible interfaces including 2 x USB ports, 1 x RS-232 Serial (Com1) 9 pin d-sub, DVI for graphic interfaces (HMI/OI), 2 x digital in, 2 x digital out, 2 x Fast Ethernet 10/100 Mbps, and compact flash type 1 drive. The unit can also be ordered with optional interfaces for DeviceNet, PROFIBUS, or CANopen for sub-networking tasks. Additionally, built-in LED diagnostics for power supply, watchdog, IDE, internal bus, and run/stop mode allow for easy status indication.

Using a 266 MHz Pentium processor, the Wago-I/O-IPC offers 32 MB of memory, 128 KB PLC SRAM, battery back up, and RealTime Linux or Microsoft Windows CE embedded operating system. It is programmable according to the open IEC 61131-3 standard via the Wago-I/O-PRO CAA programming tool—supporting all six programming languages. The programming tool is compliant with the CoDeSys automation alliance allowing free upgrade downloads via the web as new technology features are added.

This PC based controller is compatible with all 750 series I/O modules allowing the flexibility to interface with over 100 modular (2,4, or 8 channel) digital, analog, and special function I/O modules.

—David Greenfield, Editorial Director, Control Engineering, dgreenfield@reedbusiness.com

Computerized work management systems for utilities

With so much focus on the utility industries following last summer’s blackouts, advice on how to improve operations is coming from all corners. A new entry is a book examining computerized work management systems (CWMS), which claim to improve the work management process; reduce operating costs by improving asset availability, performance, and reliability; capture needed information in cost and work history; and enable employees to have direct access to information for better decision making.

The book, titled Computerized Work Management Systems for Utility and Plant Operations, offers the views of Roopchan Lutchman, an experienced operations and maintenance expert who is currently the leader of EMA’s Management Practices Consulting group [EMA is a management and technology consulting firm, based in St. Paul, MN.] Lutchman provides a practical guide showing how to build a business case, select a CWMS, and successfully implement it.

The book explores all typical CWMS projects and Lutchman offers advice and guidance for organizations that have used a CWMS as well as those that have a CWMS and want to squeeze extra value out of it.

The book is designed to appeal to maintenance and operations management personnel as well as shop-floor personnel who play a key role in the success of any CWMS. This approach enables personnel to identify where they are in the CWMS process and use it as a reference regardless of their starting point. Through suggestions and directions, the author shows organizations how to review their operations and implement improved practices in the areas of program driven maintenance, predictive maintenance, asset management, and total productive operations.

For more information, contact EMA at 1-800-793-1797.

—David Greenfield, Editorial Director, Control Engineering, dgreenfield@reedbusiness.com