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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

Overview

FrameworX serves diverse professionals across the industrial automation spectrum. This guide provides tailored learning path for Control Engineers you focus on the most relevant features and capabilities for your role. Each path includes specific tutorials, exercises, and real-world scenarios designed to accelerate your proficiency.

Learning Path For Control Engineers

Your Profile

...

PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA systems.

...

This guide navigates you through FrameworX documentation for device connectivity, operator interfaces, and

...

process control.

Learning Objectives

By completing this path, you will:

  • ? Connect and configure industrial devices
  • ? Design effective operator interfaces
  • ? Implement alarm management strategies
  • ? Create control logic and calculations
  • ? Build trending and historical displays

Week 1: Foundation for Control Engineers

Day 1-2: Device Communication Mastery

Morning: Understanding FrameworX Drivers

Exercise 1: Driver Selection
1. Open Designer → Devices
2. Review available drivers:
   - Allen-Bradley (EtherNet/IP)
   - Siemens (S7)
   - Modbus (TCP/RTU)
   - OPC UA
3. Document which drivers match your PLCs

Afternoon: Configure Your First PLC

Lab: Connect to Allen-Bradley ControlLogix
??? Step 1: Create Channel
?   - Protocol: Allen-Bradley ControlLogix
?   - Connection: Ethernet
?   - Timeout: 3000ms
??? Step 2: Add Node
?   - IP Address: [Your PLC IP]
?   - Slot Number: 0
??? Step 3: Import Tags
?   - Use automatic tag import
?   - Map to UNS namespace
??? Step 4: Verify Communication
    - Check status indicators
    - Monitor update rates

Day 3-4: HMI Design Fundamentals

Creating Operator Displays

Standard Display Components:
???????????????????????????????????????
? Header (Title, Time, Alarms)       ?
???????????????????????????????????????
?                                     ?
?     Main Process Graphic            ?
?     (P&ID representation)           ?
?                                     ?
???????????????????????????????????????
? Navigation Bar                      ?
???????????????????????????????????????

Exercise: Build Motor Control Faceplate

  1. Create new symbol "MotorControl"
  2. Add elements:
    • Status indicator (Running/Stopped)
    • Start/Stop buttons
    • Speed display (if VFD)
    • Fault indicator
    • Local/Remote mode
  3. Link to Motor UDT
  4. Test in runtime

Day 5: Alarm Configuration

Alarm Philosophy Implementation

PriorityColorResponse TimeExample
Critical (1-200)RedImmediateSafety shutdown
High (201-400)Orange10 minutesProcess upset
Medium (401-600)Yellow30 minutesEfficiency loss
Low (601-999)BlueNext shiftMaintenance required

Lab: Configure Process Alarms

Tank Level Alarms:
??? HiHi Alarm (95%) - Priority 250
??? Hi Alarm (85%) - Priority 400
??? Lo Alarm (15%) - Priority 400
??? LoLo Alarm (5%) - Priority 250

Settings per alarm:
- Deadband: 2%
- Delay On: 5 seconds
- Delay Off: 3 seconds
- Auto Acknowledge: No

Week 2: Advanced Control Topics

Day 1-2: Control Logic Implementation

Script Development for Control Engineers

csharp

// Example: Pump Control Logic
public void PumpControl()
{
    // Read process values
    float tankLevel = @Tag.Tank01.Level;
    float setpoint = @Tag.Tank01.Setpoint;
    bool pumpAvailable = @Tag.Pump01.Available;
    
    // Control logic
    if (pumpAvailable)
    {
        if (tankLevel < (setpoint - 5))
        {
            @Tag.Pump01.StartCmd = true;
            @Tag.Pump01.Speed = CalculateSpeed(tankLevel, setpoint);
        }
        else if (tankLevel > (setpoint + 2))
        {
            @Tag.Pump01.StartCmd = false;
        }
    }
    
    // Alarm generation
    if (!pumpAvailable && tankLevel < 10)
    {
        @Tag.Alarms.LowLevelNoPump = true;
    }
}

private float CalculateSpeed(float level, float sp)
{
    // PID calculation or curve
    float error = sp - level;
    return Math.Max(30, Math.Min(100, error * 5));
}

Day 3-4: Trending and Historical Analysis

Creating Effective Trends

Trend Configuration:
??? Time Axis
?   ??? Real-time (last hour)
?   ??? Historical (date range)
?   ??? Resolution (1 sec - 1 day)
??? Y-Axes
?   ??? Primary (0-100%)
?   ??? Secondary (0-150°F)
?   ??? Auto-scale option
??? Pens
    ??? Pen 1: Flow (Blue, Primary)
    ??? Pen 2: Pressure (Green, Primary)
    ??? Pen 3: Temperature (Red, Secondary)

Exercise: Build Trending Display

  1. Create new display "ProcessTrends"
  2. Add trend object
  3. Configure 4 pens for related process values
  4. Add time navigation controls
  5. Include data export button

Day 5: Performance Optimization

Optimizing for Control Applications

AreaBest PracticeImpact
Scan RatesMatch process dynamicsReduce network load
Display UpdatesLimit animationsImprove client performance
Alarm DeadbandsPrevent chatteringReduce alarm floods
Script EfficiencyAvoid loops in expressionsLower CPU usage

Control Engineer Toolkit

Essential Components Library

Standard Objects to Create:
??? Motors
?   ??? Motor_Simple (On/Off)
?   ??? Motor_VFD (Variable Speed)
?   ??? Motor_Reversing (Forward/Reverse)
??? Valves
?   ??? Valve_OnOff
?   ??? Valve_Control (Analog)
?   ??? Valve_3Way
??? Process Equipment
?   ??? Pump_Centrifugal
?   ??? Tank_Level
?   ??? Heat_Exchanger
??? Instruments
    ??? Transmitter_Analog
    ??? Switch_Digital
    ??? Controller_PID

Communication Quick Reference

PLC BrandRecommended DriverTypical Settings
Allen-BradleyEtherNet/IPSlot 0, RPI 100ms
SiemensS7 TCPRack 0, Slot 2
Modbus DevicesModbus TCPPort 502, Unit ID 1
SchneiderModbus TCPPort 502, Holdings
OmronFINSPort 9600, Node 1

Troubleshooting Guide for Control Engineers

ProblemCheckSolution
PLC won't connectIP address, subnetVerify network settings
Tags not updatingPoint mappingCheck addresses match PLC
Alarms floodingDeadband, delaysAdjust alarm settings
HMI slowGraphics complexitySimplify animations
Trends gapsHistorian settingsCheck storage configuration

Certification Paths

Available Certifications

CertificationTarget AudiencePrerequisitesExam Topics
FrameworX Certified DeveloperAll pathsBasic trainingConfiguration, displays, basic scripting
FrameworX Control SpecialistControl EngineersFCD + experienceAdvanced control, PLC integration

Next Steps for All Paths

Continue Learning

  1. Hands-On Practice - Build sample projects
  2. Community Forum - Join discussions
  3. Advanced Training - Specialized courses
  4. Certification - Validate your skills
  5. Real Projects - Apply knowledge

Resources by Path

ResourceControl Engineers
Priority DocsDevice configs, HMI design
Key ExamplesPLC integration, faceplates
Forum SectionsDevices, displays
Advanced TopicsCustom drivers, scripting

AI Assistant Data

<details> <summary>Structured Information for AI Tools</summary>

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  "purpose": "Provide tailored learning experiences for different professionals",
  "paths": [
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      "role": "Control Engineers",
      "focus": "PLCs, HMI, SCADA, field devices",
      "duration": "2 weeks",
      "skills": ["Device integration", "HMI design", "Alarm management", "Control logic"]
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Core Responsibilities:

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

Table of Contents
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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

Essential Tutorials:

  • [Devices Connection Tutorials] - PRIMARY FOCUS
    • [Connect to a Modbus Device Tutorial]
    • [Connect to a MQTT broker Tutorial]
  • [Add Tags to UNS Tutorial] - Organize imported tags
  • [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 Learning:

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

Display Types

  • [Creating Canvas Displays How-to Guide] - Process diagrams
  • [Creating Dashboard Displays How-to Guide] - Responsive layouts

Industrial and Business Operations Modules

Alarm Management

  • [Alarms and Audit Trail Tutorial] - Configuration basics
  • [Alarms Module How-to Guide] - Detailed procedures
  • [Alarm Areas Example] - Organization strategies

Data Historian

  • [Historian Module Tutorial] - Time-series data logging
  • [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

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