Setting Up A PCS7 Project With Import Export Assistant
Setting Up A PCS7 Project With Import Export Assistant
An import file is made up of rows and columns. The rows of the import file denote an
instance, or process tag, and each variable defined in the process tag type is shown as
a column header. Each row of the file can be populated with its individual parameter
values, as well as signal connections to I/O. Given the proper planning, one can even
create pre-determined connections to other charts.
Once the process tag type is defined and the import file is created and assigned to the
type, the IEA tool can be run as an import. The result is a process tag for each entry in
the import file, where the data from the import file are written to the corresponding
parameters, signals, or blocks.
After creation of process tags, there is a continued benefit available if modifications are
to be made to some or all process tags of a certain type. By viewing a project in Process
Object View, the process tag type can be used as a filter to display only the charts created
from that process tag type.
IEA also has an export feature that allows exporting of chart information from the
project back into the corresponding import files. This can be used as a backup or as
documentation of any modifications made to process tags.
Example application of
Import/Export Assistant
The following example will show the creation of process tags deployed from an analog
monitoring process tag type:
First, insert a CFC in the library of the project under Charts and include in the chart any
blocks and connections that are common to all desired instances. This simple example
shown in Fig.1 will monitor an analog value.
Second, in Plant View, right-click on this CFC and under Process Tags, select Create/Change
Process Tag Type. Here, select from the left-hand list and move any inputs or outputs to
the right-hand list that should be included in the import file (i.e. to specify the differences
between process tags). In this application, I selected input signal, range, scale, and alarm
limits, displayed in Fig.2.
When the process tag type is complete, assign it an import file (new or existing) by a
right-click on the type and selecting Assign/Create Import File under Process Tags.
Here is a new import file, shown in Fig.3, with each process tag row populated with
instance-specific information.