OMAC releases PackSoft Application Library standard

Research Triangle Park, NC—The Open Modular Architecture Controls (OMAC) Users’ Group reports that it has released its PackSoft Application Library (PackAL) standard.

By Control Engineering Staff May 17, 2005

Research Triangle Park, NC— The Open Modular Architecture Controls ( OMAC ) Users’ Group reports that it has released its PackSoft Application Library (PackAL) standard.

The standard reportedly is ready for implementation and testing, and is being distributed as a technical paper. It includes graphical timing diagrams that describe the performance of function blocks; function block control inputs and naming conventions for easier programming and handling; and the addition of the PackML State Machine Function Block as an interface standard to State Machine implementations. Other topics covered include best practices on implementing applications; generic function blocks for machine-to-machine communications; a compliance declaration section; and the new PackAL logo.

“This standard will give users more transparency in machine programming, debugging and maintenance, and allow users to move toward standardized ways of exchanging information between machine module controls,” says Gerd Hoppe, Beckhoff Automation’s CTO for North America.

OMAC adds that PackSoft’s developers will continue to develop the document further. The group intends to issue a future version with improvements, user feedback, and alignments with future PLCopen standards presently in draft status.

OMAC is an affiliate organization of ISA , the Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society, and works to collectively derive common solutions for technical and non-technical issues in the development, implementation, and commercialization of open, modular architecture control technologies, and to facilitate the accelerated development and convergence of industry- and government-developed OMAC technology guidelines to one set that satisfies common use requirements.

OMAC has about 500 member representatives from end-user companies, OEMs, technology providers, and integrator companies. It presently operates three working groups: packaging machinery, manufacturing infrastructure, and machine tool.

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