Logical View

An automation system usually needs an organized hierarchy of controller systems to function and usually including the following items:

Item Call out# Description
HMI At the end-user top level, the Human Machine Interface is where the operator can monitor or operate the system. It is usually composed of a AKI panel.
Communication HMIClosed "Human-machine interfaces " Also known as computer-human interfaces (CHI), and formerly known as man-machine interfaces, they are usually employed to communicate with PLCs and other computers, such as entering and monitoring temperatures or pressures for further automated control or emergency response is linked to the middle layer via a non time critical communication system (e.g. ModbusClosed ModBus is a serial communications protocol and is now the most commonly available means of connecting industrial electronic devices. ModBus is often used to connect a supervisory computer with a remote terminal unit in supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. Versions of the ModBus protocol exist for serial port and Ethernet (it is widely used with TCP/IP over Ethernet) TCP protocol on EthernetClosed Ethernet is a large, diverse family of frame-based computer networking technologies that operate at many speeds for local area networks (LANs)).
PLC Programmable Logic Controllers is a digital computer used for automation of industrial processes, such as control of machinery on factory assembly lines. It is used to synchronize the flow of inputs from (physical) sensors and events with the flow of outputs to actuatorsClosed A mechanical device for moving or controlling a mechanism or system. An actuator typically is a mechanical device which transforms an input signal (usually an electrical signal) into motion and events.
Motion Engine There are two Motion Engines available: Pipe Network and PLCopen.
The Motion Engine implements different motion algorithms and functions to create, access and delete pipes, pipe blocks and axes. It also provides a set of Functions and Function Blocks that IECClosed "International Electrotechnical Commission" IEC is a not-for-profit, non-governmental international standards organization that prepares and publishes International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies 61131-3 applications can use to control the behavior of these algorithms.
Fieldbus The fieldbus is the way to connect instruments in a plant design by linking the PLCClosed "Programmable Logic Controller" A Programmable Logic Controller, PLC, or Programmable Controller is a digital computer used for automation of industrial processes, such as control of machinery on factory assembly lines. Used to synchronize the flow of inputs from (physical) sensors and events with the flow of outputs to actuators and events to the external systems.
I/O Input/Output refers to the communication between your automation system, and the outside world.
Drive A Drive is an electronic device that provides power to a motor or servo.
Motor At the bottom of the control chain is the motor which actually does the work.

Summary

Click on an item to display its summary.

Color Legend Description
Blue Cell Belongs to KAS
Green Cell Kollmorgen products
White Cell Third parties
Blue Text Click on the item to display more info next to the table.
SCADA
ERP
PLC
HMI
Communication
Soft PLC
I/O Engine
Motion Engine
Operating System
Fieldbus
I/O
Drives
Motors
Feedback
Gear Boxes
Mechanical Elements

Figure 2-7: Logical Architecture Hierarchy

A Human-Machine Interface is usually employed to communicate with PLCs for further automated control or emergency response
PLCs usually have built-in communications ports. These communication links are often used for Human-Machine Interface devices such as AKI panels.
A Programmable Logic Controller is a digital computer used for automation of industrial processes, such as control of machinery on factory assembly lines. It is used to synchronize the flow of inputs from (physical) sensors and events with the flow of outputs to actuators and events
For synchronizing axes that are linked to an external source (motor), the provides the capability to define the motion in 2 different ways: Pipe Network or PLCopenCollapsed.
The FieldbusCollapsed is the industrial network system that controls the motion. Communicating frames requires high performance and reliability to ensure real-time distribution
Inputs are the signals or data received by the automation system, and Outputs are the signals or data sent from it.
A Drive is an electronic device to provide power to a motor or servo
Motors are mostly used when circular motion is needed, but can also be used for linear applications by transforming circular to linear motion with a bolt and screw transducer. Some actuators, however, are intrinsically linear