ABB has launched a brand new automation structure known as Automation Prolonged, designed to assist industrial operators improve their management programs whereas avoiding expensive shutdowns and large-scale gear replacements.
This system builds on ABB’s put in base of distributed management programs (DCS) and goals to offer a structured path for firms to undertake newer digital applied sciences – together with synthetic intelligence, superior analytics, and Web of Issues connectivity – with out interfering with mission-critical operations.
Industries equivalent to power, chemical substances, mining, and utilities are underneath rising stress from unstable markets, cybersecurity dangers, regulatory calls for, and workforce modifications. ABB says its new method permits operators to modernize step by step whereas preserving present infrastructure.
Operators will proceed utilizing established ABB platforms equivalent to ABB Skill System 800xA, ABB Skill Symphony Plus, and ABB Freelance, whereas introducing extra applied sciences over time.
Peter Terwiesch, president, ABB’s Automation enterprise space, says: “In industries we serve – many working giant and sophisticated infrastructures that ship important sources – our prospects depend on modernization with out disruption.
“Automation Prolonged delivers precisely that: bringing future-ready capabilities into the programs they know and belief, with safety and interoperability on the core.”
Separating management from digital innovation
On the heart of Automation Prolonged is an architectural mannequin that separates essential management capabilities from newer digital purposes.
The management surroundings is described as a “software-defined area” liable for sustaining deterministic efficiency in important processes.
Alongside it sits a securely related digital surroundings, the place superior purposes – together with AI and machine studying instruments – can assist decision-making with out altering confirmed management buildings.
ABB says this separation permits firms to deploy new capabilities at scale whereas decreasing operational threat.
Open and modular structure
The automation ecosystem is constructed round an open and modular framework meant to assist interoperability throughout industrial programs.
In line with ABB, the structure incorporates applied sciences equivalent to Open Platform Communications Unified Structure (OPC UA) and cloud-native infrastructure utilizing containerization and modular providers.
These instruments are anticipated to allow capabilities equivalent to anomaly detection, situation monitoring of essential belongings, upkeep optimization, and extra environment friendly engineering workflows.
ABB additionally plans to offer a unified lifecycle service mannequin to assist deployment, administration, and long-term system efficiency.
Modernization with out alternative
Massive industrial services usually hesitate to exchange management programs due to the potential for downtime and operational disruption. ABB positions Automation Prolonged as an alternative choice to so-called “rip-and-replace” upgrades, permitting operators to increase the lifetime of present belongings whereas including digital performance.
The corporate says the method is meant to ship larger scalability and agility whereas sustaining strong efficiency in environments the place reliability is important.
