Factory Talk Essentials

So I am new to the automation game as a developer. Previously I was in service and learned to utilize the PLC/HMI as a trouble shooting tool and had access to the developer if I ran into issues.

I have the basics covered between the AB manuals, this website and others. i.e. I can get information from the PLC and manipulate information enough to get what I want to show up on the screen. I doubt it is the efficient way, but sometime done is better then fancy. PV has a plethora of features that may not be worth spending time of understanding, so I am looking for a little guidance.

My role requires me to do some programming, but at this point I dont have ambitions to be an expert developer, project management has more appeal to me. With that said what are 5 tool/features that I need to master to be 80% proficient? Global object seem very helpful, but I have not fallen into that rabbit hole just yet.

Thank you
- Chris

1) Definitely global objects. If you do anything large (multiple screens, etc.) these are incredibly useful. I use them for things like temperature and other analog readouts to give a uniform output for operators to see.

2) Indirect Tagging. The only reason this isn't number one is that you mentioned global objects. best example is for trending. The first application I did I made about 250 separate trends because I didn't know how to use indirect tags. Just updated that project recently and now it's at one trend.

3) Goes with global objects, but global object parameters. This is also related to Indirect tagging, I suppose.

4) Know some basic VBA code. That will let you put some basic commands into the expression fields of objects much more easily.

5) Figure out the differences between string/numeric displays and inputs and text boxes, etc. They each do slightly different things in my experience, but I haven't used them enough to have figured them out. It means I usually end up banging my head against the wall for a while.

These things said, I'm not exactly an expert, so other people will probably have better advice.

In the FTVME software, learn to love the "arrange/align" tool. You'd be amazed how much worse an HMI screen looks when things aren't lined up perfectly (in my opinion). Also, use the object properties (or double click on the object and go to the "common" tab) to easily set object sizes by pixel dimension.

UDTs and AOIs are extremely powerful in the 5000 PLC software. I'd take some time to familiarize yourself with them.

LoganB said:

In the FTVME software, learn to love the "arrange/align" tool. You'd be amazed how much worse an HMI screen looks when things aren't lined up perfectly (in my opinion). Also, use the object properties (or double click on the object and go to the "common" tab) to easily set object sizes by pixel dimension.

UDTs and AOIs are extremely powerful in the 5000 PLC software. I'd take some time to familiarize yourself with them.

Click to expand...

im more annoyed with making images for our process equipment and how complicated it seems to be. having done CAD work in the past im used have more tools/features to make pictures look pretty. maybe i need to find a way import the equipment from CAD

what are 5 tool/features that I need to master to be 80% proficient?

Click to expand...

Just what I want on my machine. An HMI designed by a person whose goal was to be 80% proficient.

Steve Bailey said:

Just what I want on my machine. An HMI designed by a person whose goal was to be 80% proficient.

Click to expand...

It appears I worded that wrong, I want to be 100% proficient in the program with 80% mastery. In my exploration of the program, there are features I dont see myself using ever, and there are features that when mastered could have a lot of usefulness. Since I am going to be self taught I was looking for some insight on where to focus my efforts that will given me the maximize the return on my efforts.

I would argue for programs like autocad/photshop/solidworks etc mastering 80% of the program would put you in the top tier of the operators due to the capabilities of the program that ultimately are never used by the masses. The other 20% is hardly ever used and you dont need to master it, you just be good enough to work through it on the rare times you need it.

A couple of resources you might find useful:

• The white papers over at Inductive Automation. Granted, they are geared toward Ignition, but there are three or four of them related to HMI design (and project design in general).
  
• The High Performance HMI Handbook