Intergraph, Yokogawa jointly developing software, DCS interface

Houston, TX—Intergraph Corp.’s Process, Power & Marine division and Yokogawa Electric Corp. recently agreed develop an interface between Yokogawa’s Centum CS 3000 R3 distributed control system (DCS) and Intergraph’s INtools lifecycle instrumentation engineering, design and operational documentation software.

By Control Engineering Staff September 22, 2004

Houston, TX— Intergraph Corp.’s Process, Power & Marine division and Yokogawa Electric Corp. recently agreed develop an interface between Yokogawa’s Centum CS 3000 R3 distributed control system (DCS) and Intergraph’s INtools lifecycle instrumentation engineering, design and operational documentation software.

The new interface will automate Centum CS 3000’s input/output (I/O) configuration by using INtools, which will accelerate project execution and get the control system online as quickly and efficiently as possible. The partners add that integrating INtools and Centum will help reduce engineering work iterations, eliminate rekeying I/O configuration data, and improve quality and reliability. The integration is scheduled to become available with INtools version 7.0 and Centum CS 3000 R3.05 in the first quarter of 2005.

In general, when Centum CS 3000 is implemented, its integration capabilities help users manage plant systems throughout a facility’s lifecycle, including operation and maintenance, upgrades, retrofits, expansions and turnarounds. Centum’s configuration is easily modified to reflect ongoing engineering changes, making automation documentation more accurate, complete and current. The resulting high-reliability configuration contributes to control system quality, safety and production efficiency.

Intergraph and Yokogawa add that integrating INtools and Centum streamlines configuration in new or existing plants. In new plants, INtools’ users first download Centum I/O card specifications and field instrument definitions from the Web to populate INtools’ engineering database. Engineers then use INtools for system design, including assigning control system tags to I/O channels, creating loops and wiring connections, and performing related tasks. Without data manipulation, I/O and device information is then transferred to Centum. In an existing plant, Centum transfers I/O and device information to INtools, and engineers then carry out the plant configuration, following the same procedure as they would in a new plant.

‘Yokogawa and Intergraph are technology leaders in their markets, and it makes business sense for both to work together to further our common goals,” says Toshiaki Shirai, senior GM of Yokogawa’s Process Automation Solutions division. “The INtools-Centum CS 3000 integration will help customers accelerate design and configuration of Yokogawa systems and get plants or expansions online sooner.’

Kevin Stanley, senior VP for Intergraph’s Americas and Asia/Pacific business unit, adds that, “As one of the oldest names in true DCS systems, Yokogawa is expanding and growing through alliances and acquisitions. The development alliance between Yokogawa and Intergraph should help provide additional growth opportunities for both companies, given Yokogawa’s large installed base and INtools’ prevalence throughout the plant engineering and operation sector.’

Centum CS 3000 R3 is Yokogawa’s flagship DCS, and features sophisticated functions and components to meet production site requirements. It’s designed to handle everything from small-scale facilities to the largest plants. Each level, ranging from enterprise to field, can be fully interconnected. As a result, it is possible to optimize the overall system, reduce site operations, increase automation, raise productivity, and boost profits.

INtools software comprehensively supports engineering, design, and documentation for a facility’s lifecycle, including instrument indexes, calibration and maintenance, specifications, process data, calculation, wiring, loop drawings, hook-ups and commissioning. INtools is the first commercial instrumentation software to support fieldbus topologies, and is reportedly regarded as the de facto standard for instrument engineering worldwide.

Control Engineering Daily News DeskJim Montague, news editorjmontague@reedbusiness.com