Networks

Connecting to your process networks.

To determine the best solution for your setup, it is crucial to assess your current network architecture in the plant. Some devices that appear to be ideal for connectivity may be hindered by firewalls that block direct access.

Existing Network

Begin by compiling a list of devices that could be potential candidates for connectivity and examine how they are connected to the plant network. For example, consider if there is a PLC that already has the data you want to capture, or if there is a SCADA or other application on a computer that has access to the data.

TilliT Wireless Network

In the scenario that you do not know much about the data the PLC or SCADA contains, then consider utilising our wireless sensors that are able to generate counts independant of you current machines. Choose from either a bottle counter, box counter, dry contact or PNP/NPN sensor. These wireless sensors communicate to a wireless gateway, from which the TilliT Edge will connect via MODBUS TCP over ethernet to read the current counts. A single wireless gateway can support up to 48 wireless part counters which are paired manually

It is important that the location of the sensor is appropriate and has a good quality connection to the wireless gateway. It is recommended that it is placed at the end of a line or asset to count the total produced goods or the count of those that were rejected.

Putting it all together

Once you know the type of datasources you are going to connect to, complete the following form to record all the information TilliT Edge will need to connect to them.

Datasource Name	Protocol	Address
e.g. Ignition	e.g. OPC-UA	e.g 192.168.2.51:62541

And now for each datasource, complete the following table to record the data tag addresses we want to read from them (the format for this depends on the datasource type). Not every TilliT Data Template needs to be used, but at a minimum you should try to record the production count and machine run/stop state.

TilliT Data Template	Asset	Address	Comment
Current production count	e.g. Depal 1	e.g. ns=1;s=[TilliT]Line1\Depal\Outfeed	e.g. Count resets at end of each work order
Current reject count		e.g. REAL/17
Machine stop state
Machine run state
Machine starved state
Machine blocked state
Machine read state
Machine complete state
Current Order Number
Current Order Status
Downtime Reason Code
Process Variable 1
Process Variable 2...