12
PAC8000 Workbench Getting Started Guide
The Workbench consists of two main sections – the
Project Explorer
and the
Data
Entry Panel
.
The
Project Explorer
, located in the left-hand pane of the Workbench, provides
assistance with adding controllers, drawings, tags, modules, etc. You will browse the
Project Explorer tree to configure projects and controllers, as necessary.
Projects are defined using the menu items displayed when the Project Explorer is active.
Once created and defined, projects are displayed in the Project Explorer with three
nodes:
Project Tag Index
,
Project Reports
, and
Launch Network Configurator
.
After creating a project, project tags are defined through the
Project Tag Index
. A
project tag is a name that refers to a channel on a physical IO card. As each tag is
created, it is saved in a database allowing for subsequent data retrieval through the
report manager.
Controllers are the next project component to be added and configured. Controllers are
abstractions of the physical hardware. Once a controller is created, the following nodes
appear beneath the controller node in the Project Explorer:
Controller Modules
,
Controller Reports
,
Controller Statistics
,
Launch 8000 IO Configurator
, and
Create/Edit Discrete Control Interface
. Control
Strategy
Drawings
are also displayed
in the controller node once they have been created.
Each controller contains zero or more IO modules to which physical devices, such as
transmitters and valves, are connected. The physical hardware is configured using the
8000 IO Configurator
. Project tags that were created earlier are then linked to channels
of the IO modules.
Control logic can now be written. Process control logic is written using the
Strategy
Builder
and IEC 61131-3 logic is written using the
Discrete Control Interface
. The
Discrete Control Interface enables you to download compiled logic to a simulator.
Downloading to the simulator allows logic to be checked out before it is downloaded to
the controller. (The PAC8000 Workbench allows for downloads to the controller.)
Regardless of the download type, both the Strategy Builder and the IEC 61131-3 logic
editor support real time viewing so that logic can be viewed with data to assist in
troubleshooting.
Network information and controller diagnostic information can be viewed in either the
Network Configurator or Controller Statistics.
The
Data Entry Panel
occupies the right-hand pane of the Workbench. As specific tasks
are selected in the Project Explorer, the Data Entry Panel changes to facilitate data entry.
Each panel is specifically designed to provide intuitive and consistent data entry fields.
GE Intelligent Platforms, Inc.
September 2010
