With the rapid advancement of computer technology and industrial automation, the wide variety of control equipment and process monitoring devices found on factory floors has made traditional industrial control software unable to meet the diverse needs of users. Before the concept of "configuration" emerged, engineering and technical personnel had to write programs to accomplish a given task, which not only involved a large workload and a long cycle time but was also prone to errors and could not guarantee project completion deadlines.
What is configuration?
The concept of "configuration" first appeared in industrial computer control systems, such as DCS (Distributed Control System) configuration, PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) ladder diagram configuration, and human-machine interface generation software, which is referred to as industrial control configuration software. With the emergence of distributed control systems (DCS), the concept of configuration began to gain widespread recognition among production process automation technicians.
Configuration, known in English as "Configure," translates to "configuration," "setting," or "adjustment." Configuration refers to the process of using tools and methods provided by application software to complete a specific task in an engineering project. In simpler terms, it involves users assembling software functions in a manner akin to "building with blocks" to achieve their desired functionality. This approach is now also referred to as a "what you see is what you get" (WYSIWYG) visual development method.
What is a configuration diagram?
Once you understand what configuration is, you will also understand what a configuration diagram is. Simply put, a "configuration diagram" refers to an interface configured using application software (configuration tools) through a "building block" approach, which monitors the status information of devices/systems in a graphical manner and enables control of devices/systems via the configuration diagram.
Main functions of configuration diagrams
Visual management: Complex device or system information can be displayed in a graphical format, enabling operators to understand and manage the system more intuitively.
Real-time Monitoring: Through an intuitive graphical interface, it displays the real-time status, parameters, and data of devices or systems, enabling operators to comprehensively understand the current operational status, quickly identify abnormal conditions, and take timely measures.
Operational Control: Through the configuration diagram, operators can perform operations such as device startup/shutdown, parameter adjustment, and mode switching to achieve remote control of devices or systems.
Configuration design software
Configuration software is essentially a development tool or development environment used to design monitoring systems. It encapsulates the common components of monitoring systems and provides a user-friendly development interface and simple usage methods through flexible and diverse configuration methods (rather than programming methods). It addresses the issue of generic functionality in control systems. Its pre-configured software modules can easily implement and complete various functions at the monitoring layer. These software tools are generic-level tools that can rapidly establish monitoring functions for industrial automation control systems through flexible configuration. Configuration software is widely applied in fields such as machinery, automotive, petroleum, chemicals, and water treatment.