Extending the capabilities of Programmable Electronic Systems beyond the specification of IEC 61131-3 is a common endeavour of many software sup-pliers to better serve the needs of hardware manufacturers. The worldwide accepted safety standard IEC 61508 has been in focus since some time exactly because of these needs. For the first time now, infoteam Software, a think tank for more than 80 companies worldwide, demonstrates the seamless integration of both international standards in one Safety Related PES. This is one unique new development on display at the SPS/IPC/Drives in Nuremberg so far! For application designs compliant with IEC 61508 it is not sufficient to deliver programming tools for IEC 61131-3 somehow streamlined to the requirements of safety.
It might be helpful, but it is a short-sighted approach because it postpones all the certification work to the application programmer who then needs to prove that his application meets the requirements of the respective safety integrity levels de-manded by the certification body.It is common sense that any safety aspects need to be investigated from the appli-cation to the configuration and programming system level and finally to the lan-guage definition used to implement the safety related automation system. The ex-perience with IEC 1131-3 compliant systems shows that a focus on the language subset only will not result in a level of safety which is state of the art.
Thus the sys-tem designer also has to focus on the interactive modifications a programmer does in order to change a program written in a visual language. This led to interactive editors and incremental compilers and diversity strategies to implement faultless software. OpenPCS Automation Suite from infoteam is the only IEC 61131-3 workbench certified for Portability Level by PLCopen so far. This documents its outstanding quality and performance. Now with the Cause & Effect Chart infoteam extends its OpenPCS to serve the controller manufacturer who is looking for a complementary software package for its Safety Related Electronic System.
The combination of OEM hardware with OpenPCS/SIL gives a genuine IEC 61508 compliant controller.The adaptation of the safety software to custom made hardware includes the inte-gration of PLCopen safety function block library. The quick adaptation of the SmartPLC Safety Runtime System on the controller is supported by a- safety man-ual which associates causes with safety function blocks, operation modes, standard I/O’s and effects. The duality of safety and standard application within one automation project uses the principle of approval for integrating standard inputs with safety and reduces complexity while enforcing best practices.The IEC 61508 compliance of the OpenPCS/SIL concept was approved by TÜV Nord, a well known German certification body for safety related software.
infoteam Software GmbH
infoteam Software was founded in 1983 and now has over 60 employees who are committed to the development of software for industrial automation and medical technology.
The central focus lies on interactive programming environments for industrial controllers, robotics, building and laboratory automation as well as on firmware for control, sensor and actuator engineering and communication in the area of Embedded Control. infoteam Software is the world market leader for IEC 61131-3-compatible programming environments, the global programming standard for industrial controllers.infoteam's activities in the medical technology area focus on the development of software tools for laboratory automation as well as on automated tests and the company's professional, high-quality work guarantees the highest possible level of security in this safety-critical industry.
Patient and laboratory databases and interactive graphical visualisation systems play a major role here as does the configuration of trial and analyses sequences. Relevant experience in the implementation of international standards such as IEC 61508 and statutory regulations such as FDA CFR 21 Part 11 and IVD has been gathered in projects for safety-oriented systems and devices for radiological tests.Our customer base includes leading manufacturers in Europe, the USA and the Far East who operate in the areas of automation, medical technology, building management as well as energy generation and distribution. Infoteam Software’s headquarters are located near Nuremberg, Germany.
The Asia-Pacific sales representation is located in Beijing Haidian district, China. infoteam Software is certified in compliance with ISO 9001:2000. Further information is available under www.infoteam .
