Introduction and Objective
This document will guide you how to generate EcoStruxure Hybrid DCS (EHDCS) application model by extending capabilities of PES2Excel2PES software tool.
The PES2Excel2PES software will generate the XLS file so you can create, modify or delete object instances within the spreadsheet. This XLS file is then being converted to XML file and then finally the XML file is being imported by EHDCS to create the application model.
The XLS file of PES2Excel2PES software is pre-formatted hence you don’t have flexibility to modify the columns or add other columns for information purpose. Its format is not user friendly to customer who may interest to see the list of equipment and its related interlocks.
Having said that, the idea here is how to fill the XLS file of PES2Excel2PES automatically with information listed in another XLS file that have more flexibility, and user friendly. This XLS file contains high level information and can be used also as a functional description summary. This XLS file is called XLS FD in this document.
This document describes how to create the XLS FD that will automatically copy the instrument/devices configurations in the XLS FD into the XLS of PES2Excel2PES by utilizing VBA Macro. This document comes with an attachment of example XLS file with macro code shows how the translation can be performed. You just need to define configurations of your model in high-level description environment of XLS FD spreadsheet then converting your document to XML by using PES2Excel2PES. Finally, you can import the XML file within HDCS environment to create your EHDCS application model automatically. However, you may need to do some manual refinements afterwards.
This bulk model generation is purposed to simplify and reduce development time of application that has too many objects (instances) but their configuration is standardized and similar. For instance, your application needs more than 20 motor objects that are similar and some group controls that are similar and standardized as well. Some examples of application that may suit this bulk generation model are cement finish mill, belt conveyor application, water pump application, etc.
Having said that, this bulk generation model can not help you too much in developing an application that is not standardized and have too many customization logics. Some examples of application that may not suit to this document are utilities load-shedding application, furnace power control, etc.
Following are some characteristics of application that may suit to this bulk generation model.
- Has multiple and similar objects (motor, valve, switch, pump, analog IO, digital IO, etc)
- Has standardized sequence.
- Has modular function.
Kindly be noted that EHDCS 2019 does not support PES2Excel2PES hence this document is not applicable for EHDCS 2019. However, the EHDCS 2019 already comes with built-in export-import features to and from CSV formatted file that you can utilize.
You must ensure that you have the latest PES2Excel2PES software installed on your machine. If you have doubt on this, please contact EHDCS customer support.
You are required to have knowledge of applications or tools below in order to follow this document correctly. However, general guidelines are still provided for whom want to learn about this topic without have knowledge below.
- EHDCS template usage.
- PES2Excel2PES Software Tool.
- Microsoft Excel VBA Macro.
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Schneider Electric.
