ABB extends distributed control system

Wickliffe, OH — ABB recently launched its long-awaited automation system built on its IndustrialITsolution. Industrial System 800xA Extended Automation encompasses functionality beyond the essential process control offered by ABB’s 800 control systems, reaching into production management, safety systems, smart instrumentation, smart drives and motor control, robotics, information management, asset optimization, and documentation. ABB reports that 800xA was installed in more than 400 locations before its scheduled release on Jan. 5.

The idea behind 800xA is to create an environment to manage one set of consistent data for single-point entry, single-point change, and reuse across the plant. ABB says data are presented in “the proper context,” so management, operations, maintenance, and engineering personnel can access information and functions relevant to them and not be exposed to information overload. As such, the company claims the 800xA database presents one source of truth for use by applications. Furthermore, 800xA doesn’t duplicate data accessed in other databases to avoid replication errors. As for connectivity to an array of devices and systems, 800xA supports FOUNDATION fieldbus, Profibus, and HART communications. An XML interface enables integration of 800xA to enterprise business systems, such as enterprise resource planning and manufacturing execution systems.

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