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Role-specific learning path for device connectivity, operator interfaces, and process control

Next → Control | IT | Operations | System Integrators


Learning Topics

Control engineers work with PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA systems. This guide navigates you through FrameworX documentation for device connectivity, operator interfaces, and process control.

Core Responsibilities:

  • Field device integration (PLCs, RTUs, instruments)
  • Operator display development
  • Alarm management and historian configuration
  • Control logic implementation

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Excerpt

Understand the Platform and Modules:

  • Platform Overview - review the entire section. For Technology, focus only on your areas of interest.
  • Modules - review the Solution Lifecycle and the modules in your area of interest.

Learn by doing:


Connectivity - Devices Module

Explanation of concepts and architecture, understanding the platform.

Home Start | NextPlatform | Tutorials | How-to | Reference | Connectors | CasesResources

Your Quick Start Guide

Control engineers need to connect devices, build operator interfaces, and manage alarms. This path guides you through FrameworX documentation specific to your role.

Week 1: Foundation & Connectivity

Day 1-2: System Overview

Start Here:

  • [First Solution - 5 min] - Build working demo
  • [Solution Center Tutorial] - Project management basics
  • [Designer Tutorial] - Your main workspace
Day 3-5: Device Connection

Essential Tutorials:

  • [Devices Connection Tutorials] - YOUR PRIMARY FOCUS
    • Start with Modbus or your specific PLC type
    • [Connect to a Modbus Device Tutorial]
    • [Connect to a MQTT broker Tutorial]Import tags directly from PLCs
  • [Add Tags to UNS Tutorial] - Organize imported tags
  • [Cisco IR1101 Container Tutorial] - If deploying to edge routers

Quick Reference:

  • [Connectors Library] - Find your PLC driver
  • [Devices Module (Reference)] - Detailed configuration

Week 2: Operator Interface

Build HMI Displays

  • Connectors Library] - Browse 100+ native drivers

By PLC Brand, Connectors:

  • Allen-Bradley → [AB Rockwell ControlLogix Connector]
  • Siemens → [Siemens S7 Devices Connector]
  • Modbus → [Modbus Master Connector]
  • Codesys → [Codesys PLC Handler Connector]

Operator Interface Development

HMI Display Creation

Core LearningCore Tutorials:

  • [Displays Design Tutorials] - CRITICAL PATH
    • Canvas displays for [Design Canvas Displays Tutorials] - P&ID graphics
    • Dashboard displays for KPIs
    • [Design Dashboard Displays Tutorials] - KPIs
    • [Add Symbols to Displays Tutorials] - Reusable components
  • [Layouts and Navigation Tutorial] - Multi-screen navigation
  • [[Runtime Tutorial] - Test your displays
Design Guidelines:

Display Types

  • [Creating Canvas Displays vs DashboardsHow-to Guide] - Choose display typeProcess diagrams
  • [ISA-101 HMI Standards] - Industry best practices

Week 3: Alarms & Data

Alarm Configuration

  • Creating Dashboard Displays How-to Guide] - Responsive layouts

Industrial and Business Operations Modules

Alarm Management

Required Learning:

  • [Alarms and Audit - Trail Tutorial] - Complete alarm setupConfiguration basics
  • [ISA-18.2 Alarm Management] - Follow standards

Historical Data

  • Alarms Module How-to Guide] - Detailed procedures
  • [Alarm Areas Example] - Organization strategies

Data Historian

Tutorials:

  • [Historian Module TutorialsTutorial] - Time- Configure series data logging
  • Build trending displays from logged data

Week 4: Advanced Integration

Control Logic & Calculations

Select Based on Need:

  • [Scripts and Data Enrichment Tutorial] - For complex logic
  • [Datasets SQL Query Tutorial] - If integrating with MES/ERP
  • [Python and .NET Integration Tutorial] - For custom algorithms

Production Reporting

  • [Reports Generation Tutorial] - Shift/batch reports
  • [Security and Compliance Tutorial] - User permissions

Technology Options for Modern Control

Edge Computing

For Remote Sites:

  • [Cisco IR1101 Container Tutorial] - Deploy in routers
  • [MQTT Broker and Client Tutorial] - Lightweight protocol

Advanced Analytics

  • [TrendChart Control Reference] - Real-time and historical trends
  • [Historian Export to CSV Example] - Data export

Control Logic

  • [Scripts Module Tutorial] - Automation logic
  • [Scripts Expressions Reference] - Simple calculations
  • [Scripting Code Library] - Pre-built functions

Advanced Technologies

Edge Computing

Optional Enhancement:

  • [Edge AI with ML.NET Tutorial] - Anomaly detection
  • [Edge AI with MCP Tool Tutorial] - AI assistance

Your Typical Workflow

  1. Connect PLCs → Devices Connection Tutorials
  2. Import Tags → Add Tags to UNS Tutorial
  3. Build Displays → Displays Design Tutorials
  4. Configure Alarms → Alarms and Audit-Trail Tutorial
  5. Setup History → Historian Module Tutorials
  6. Test System → Runtime Tutorial

Skip These (Not Your Focus)

  • Business logic heavy tutorials (unless needed)
  • Web development topics
  • Database administration

Quick Links by PLC Brand

Allen-Bradley Users:

  • [EtherNet/IP Connector]
  • [ControlLogix Tag Import]

Siemens Users:

  • [S7 Protocol Guide]
  • [TIA Portal Integration]

Modbus Devices:

  • [Modbus TCP/RTU Setup]
  • [Register Mapping Guide]

Common Control Engineering Tasks

TaskTutorialReference
Connect PLCDevices ConnectionConnectors Library
Build Motor FaceplateDisplays DesignSymbol Library
Configure Tank AlarmsAlarms TutorialISA-18.2
Create TrendHistorian TutorialTrending Guide
Add Start/Stop LogicScripts TutorialControl Examples

Need Help?

Can't Connect? → Check [Device Troubleshooting] Display Issues? → See [HMI Optimization] Alarm Floods? → Review [Alarm Rationalization]
  • integration
  • [MQTT Tutorials] - IoT protocols

Modern Protocols

  • [OPC UA Client Connector] - Client implementation
  • [OPC UA Server Connector] - Server functionality
  • [MQTT Client Connector] - MQTT integration

Quick Task Reference

Common TaskTutorial/How-toReference
Connect to PLC[Devices Connection Tutorials][Devices Protocols Reference]
Import PLC tags[Solution Import Tags Reference][UNS Tags Reference]
Build motor control[Displays Symbols Reference][Symbols Control Reference]
Setup tank alarms[Alarms Module How-to Guide][Alarms Items Reference]
Create trends[Historian Module Tutorial][TrendChart Control Reference]
Add control logic[Scripts Module Tutorial][Scripts Tasks Reference]

Recommended Learning Schedule

Week 1: Connect devices → Import tags → Verify communication
Week 2: Build displays → Create symbols → Test visualization
Week 3: Configure alarms → Setup historian → Build trends
Week 4: Add control logic → Implement calculations → Complete project


Resources & Support

Documentation:

  • [Devices Module Reference] - Complete driver details
  • [Displays Module Reference] - Display configuration
  • [Alarms Module Reference] - Alarm system details

Examples:

  • [Process HMI Example] - Complete HMI project
  • [Andon Dashboards Example] - Production monitoring
  • [OEE Calculation Example] - Performance metrics

Community:

  • [Getting Help] - Support options
  • Technical Tuesday sessions on Discord

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