Research Triangle Park, NC (2 May 2006) -- The ISA-SP88 committee has announced it is beginning work on Part 5 of the widely used ISA 88 series of standards. The Part 5 standard, to be entitled "Modular Concepts for Automated Control Systems," will define methods for developing a library of automation control components that can be supported by automation vendors for all types of manufacturing. "The components that we want to specify will provide a base of commonly used automation functions that encourage modularity and define common methods for component interaction in batch, continuous, and discrete manufacturing," said ISA-SP88 chair Dennis Brandl, President of BR&L Consulting.
"Our goal is to provide standard terminology, command and control functionality, a way to describe and identify each modular component, a method for exchanging component definitions, and a method for intercommunications between components," said Dave Chappell of Procter & Gamble, who will serve as the Part 5 Working Group chair. Proposed tasks for the Part 5 Working Group include:
- Refining the ISA 88 models for automation across all types of manufacturing.
- Refining the definitions in ISA 88 Part 1 that relate to coordination control, recipe procedural control, equipment procedural control, and basic control.
- Developing method/approach that will guide the development of a library of automation components which can be supported by all automation vendors to provide a common base of functionality.
- Developing physical models that support the concepts of this standard and can be used to clearly communicate the concepts and approaches for batch, continuous and packaging.
- Refining the definitions of modes to support use across all of manufacturing, and identifying the use of a "Mode-Matrix" as many types of manufacturing use that description.
- Inclusion of any PackML guidelines which are consistent with ISA 88 Part 5.The Working Group, currently recruiting volunteers, will meet 16-18 May in Cincinnati, Ohio.
This will encourage and support a layered and hieratical architecture that provides modularity and common methods for the automation modules to interact with one another.
This model will encompass the control module, equipment module and unit layers in the ISA 88 physical model.
Founded in 1945, ISA is a leading, global, nonprofit organization that is setting the standard for automation by helping over 30,000 worldwide members and other professionals solve difficult technical problems, while enhancing their leadership and personal career capabilities.
Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, ISA develops standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; and hosts the largest conference andexhibition for automation professionals in the Western Hemisphere.
