Industrial Communication Guide

1.6. TYPES OF AUTOMATION SYSTEMS

Process automation • Focus: regulating processes

• Previously purely PCS-based (process control system), nowa- days also PLC-based at small to medium levels of complexity in some cases • Due to the usually very decentralized structure, these are referred to as Distributed Control Systems (DCS) • Captures sensor data every 100 ms – several seconds • Essentially automation of process-related operations and chemical reactions such as mixing, heating, separation or synthesis • A distinction is drawn between continuous, discontinuous and campaign production • Process descriptions, manufacturer specifications and formu- las are used instead of parts lists and work schedules .

In industrial automation technology, a distinction is made between production and process automation:

Production automation • Focus: controlling processes • Is PLC-based as standard (program logic control) • Captures sensor data every 10 to 100 ms • Is subdivided into serial and individual production • Here, end products are created from numerous raw materials, materials and externally procured parts • Numerous production and assembly processes are frequently required • Production processes are described using work schedules (speci- fication of production and assembly stages) and parts lists (show- ing which individual components a product consists of)

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