Embodiments herein are directed to an assembly having a plurality of machines, a first programmable logic controller device and a second programmable logic controller device commutatively coupled to the first programmable logic controller device. The second programmable logic controller device includes a human machine interface having a display and displaying a plurality of user inputs. A processing device communicatively coupled to the display and a storage medium. The storage medium includes one or more programming instructions that, when executed, cause the processing device to prompt a user to select a desired program, to input a desired line speed time, and to input a plurality of line control data. The data is converted into a simulated data and transferred to the first programmable logic controller device, which causes at least one machine of the plurality of machinery to move in a predetermined manner based on the simulated data.

Various systems and methods may be used to implement a software defined industrial system. For example, an orchestrated system of distributed nodes may run an application, including modules implemented on the distributed nodes. The orchestrated system may include an orchestration server, a first node executing a first module, and a second node executing a second module. In response to the second node failing, the second module may be redeployed to a replacement node (e.g., the first node or a different node). The replacement mode may be determined by the first node or another node, for example based on connections to or from the second node.

A data collecting apparatus (10) is connected to a device (20) via a network (31, 32), and includes a collector (142, 142), a communication controller (130), and a process execution controller (110). The collector (141, 142) collects data from the device (20) based on collection setting information, converts format of the data collected, and outputs the data whose format is converted. The communication controller (130) manages an addition of the collector (141, 142), provides the collection setting information to the collector (141, 142), and outputs data collected by the collector (141, 142). The process execution controller (110) manages processing of data outputted from the communication controller (130). The collector (141, 142) is provided as plug-in software (121, 122) containing information regarding a parameter setting item for when data is collected. The collection setting information is information in which a setting value is added with respect to the parameter setting item.

Various systems and methods for implementing a software defined industrial system are described herein. For example, an orchestrated system of distributed nodes may run an application, including modules implemented on the distributed nodes. In response to a node failing, a module may be redeployed to a replacement node. In an example, self-descriptive control applications and software modules are provided in the context of orchestratable distributed systems. The self-descriptive control applications may be executed by an orchestrator or like control device and use a module manifest to generate a control system application. For example, an edge control node of the industrial system may include a system on a chip including a microcontroller (MCU) to convert IO data. The system on a chip includes a central processing unit (CPU) in an initial inactive state, which may be changed to an activated state in response an activation signal.

To read respective values as updated of a plurality of variables synchronization of which respective values is ensured while tasks are being carried out in a multi-tasking manner, a PLC 10 reads respective values as updated of variables A to C in such a manner as to complete reading the respective values as updated of the variables A to C during a time period from (i) a time point of a start of a single instance of a cycle of a task which cycle is shortest to (ii) a time point of an end of the single instance of the cycle.

Various systems and methods may be used to implement a software defined industrial system. For example, an edge control node of the industrial system may include a system on a chip including a microcontroller (MCU) to convert IO data. The system on a chip includes a central processing unit (CPU) in an initial inactive state to receive an activation signal from, for example, an orchestration server, and change to an activated state in response to receiving the activation signal.

A process control system includes a PC that is to be connected to a redundant network. The PC comprises a virtualization unit, and a real-time communication unit configured to operate as a separate process independent of the virtualization unit.

A method of operating a refinery including at least one coke drum coupled to a coker fractionator. A pump characteristics curve is provided for a fractionator bottom pump coupled to the coker fractionator comprising a net positive suction head required (NPSHr) curve as a function of a pump flow rate. Fog computing utilizes the pump characteristics curve along with at least one sensed input parameter including a real-time value for the pump flow rate to control the fractionator bottom pump to dynamically control a column pressure (Pc) in the coker fractionator. A reduction in Pc is obtained that reduces an available NPSH (NPSHa) which lessens a difference between the NPSHa and the NPSHr.

A switch mode power supply unit having a plurality of output channels and a web interface for connection to a communications network, where the switch mode power supply unit includes a real time Ethernet controller which is connected to a control of the switch mode power supply unit and is equipped as a web server such that a plurality of operating parameters of the switch mode power supply unit can be set and/or displayed in real time via the web interface such that the switch mode power supply unit can be configured and monitored via the communications network, while ensuring that any changes to the configuration are immediately effective.

The EIP Protocol Converter System is a system that facilitates integration of laser or dot peer marking systems into factory automation networks using the standard EtherNet/lP (EIP) protocol. Built-in support for the EIP protocol greatly simplifies the PLC programming task, and lowers the cost of integrating the marking system into factory operations.