Advantages
What are the advantages of MTP?
The central promise of MTP (Module Type Package) is a significant reduction in time to market (TTM). Decentralized automation with modular plants opens up new paths to greater flexibility and cost-effectiveness. However, individual customer requirements as well as different control and supervisory systems often represent an obstacle to modularization, since they cannot be adequately mapped by modular architectures without the use of uniform interface definitions, as offered by MTPs.
Process plants are not flexible enough to allow short-term adjustments and changes. Control systems cannot automatically recognize the plant modules. There is a lack of semantics by which control systems can assign functions and tasks to the modules. As a result, the advantages of the modular structure are cancelled out by the additional work involved in integrating the modules. This is exactly where the MTP comes in.
The process graphic shows the steps on the way to smart "Process Equipment Assembly" (PEA)
Advantages of Turck solutions
Turck's decentralized automation solutions break down rigid hierarchies by equipping machine modules with autonomous decision-making capabilities. This significantly relieves the central controller and reduces the wiring effort, resulting in a significant cost advantage. In addition, minimized wiring means a reduction in potential sources of error and therefore maintenance costs. With its portfolio, Turck can offer a wide variety of MTP solutions for end-to-end modularization in production.
Turck´s compact edge controllers can control machine modules such as skids, for example fermenters or stirring bars, fully autonomously. Not only the control tasks of the edge controllers are programmed in Codesys, but also the pre-processing and filtering of the data. This effectively reduces the data flow to the cloud, which also offers a security advantage in addition to the positive effects on bandwidth. The globally proven, manufacturer-independent Codesys system platform allows the use of different fieldbus/Ethernet protocols in one automation system.
The Edge Controller generates the MTP file based on Codesys. It is then stored and installed in the Process Orchestration Layer (POL). The instructions are communicated via the industry standard OPC UA, which is supported by a large number of devices from different manufacturers. The MTP can be used to quickly integrate PEAs (Process Equipment Assembly) into modular plants. It thus provides the basic prerequisite for end-to-end modularization in production, allows rapid commissioning and thus enables plug and produce.
With its extensive IP67 range, Turck enables the construction of completely cabinet-free solutions, both in safe and hazardous areas. The BL20 I/O system is also an IP20 solution for use in safe areas. The highly available IP20 excom I/O system can be installed either in Ex zones 2 and 1 or in the safe area.
- Fast commissioning
- High flexibility
- Uniqueness
Fast commissioning
Turck's Edge Controller decentrally and autonomously controls the sequence of individual modules. The multibus-capable PLC offers standardized and optimized control sequences of the individual components. This means that the IP67 components can reduce wiring and commissioning time and the system can be easily expanded. The Turck solution can also be easily integrated into the NAMUR Open Architecture (NOA) through parallel data access to Turck multi-protocol components.
Increased flexibility
Regardless of whether a plant module is to be used in Ex zone 1 or 2 or in the safe area, Turck has suitable solutions in its range for every application scenario.
Unique
With the Edge Controllers, Turck currently offers the only fully decentralized IP67 solution for hazardous environments on the market.