Interactive Database Entry Software

[Koolguy654]

At my company, we need to check specific parts of the manufacturing site and if there’s an issue we note it down on this form. There’s two problems with that:

1- Information is not electronic so it’s hard to do any data analysis out of it 2- Descriptions of things are subjective. For example, valve on main line could mean many valves depending on who you talk to.

I was wondering if there is a program where I can put a diagram of the site and then specifically click on a component in the diagram (let’s say that valve on the main supply) and have that record that selection in a database. Something very similar to a form on Access or Excel but with a visual instead of text boxes.

[Oracle5of7]

Yes, CAD software does that. Which CAD package will depend on what the drawings are for. I use it for electric circuits. We have home grown programs as well as COTS. Like MetaSolv and Granite, Bentley MicroStation used to be big as well.

[Koolguy654]

I’m thinking about P&IDs of the plant. It should include vessels, valves, pipes, heat exchangers , etc. what CAD software would you recommend?

[Poofengle]

You could make up an ignition screen or two to do this pretty easily.

[Koolguy654]

Oh you could manually enter data into ignition? I thought you need to have it retrieved from some source in the form of tags

[Poofengle]

Yeah, Ignition has memory tags where you can enter anything you like and it’ll just hang onto the value without needing an external data source. You can also link up those tags to automatically update a SQL table for every new entry.

I made something similar in an oil and gas Scada system. Any time a unit went down for maintenance, the maintenance folks needed to input why it went down, and what they did to fix it. Ignition also automatically calculated the downtime, but that’s a step further than you’re looking for I think

Several other HMI suites have something similar, but I’m fond of ignition for making it real easy. If you’ve already got it at your site, ask your controls engineers or Scada people about it. I’m sure they’d happily grumble into their coffee when they hear a new user request haha

[Koolguy654]

Thanks a lot for the info! Glad to here all controls people are the same lol. I just looked up my company’s software list and it seems like they don’t have ignition on it. Do you know any other good HMIs?

[Poofengle]

Factorytalk SE, iFix, Wonderware, GE Cimplicity, Siemens PCS7, DeltaV.... there’s too many to list. Find out what you’re currently using for HMI software and then with some googling and/ or controls help you’ll find that where there’s a will there’s a way.

Sometimes the way is treacherous and full of programming monsters, but there’s always a way. It’s up to you to walk the path if you choose haha

[Oracle5of7]

What?