Whether in the fine chemicals industry, the specialty chemicals industry, or the pharmaceutical industry, our modular automation solutions increase the productivity, efficiency, and availability of your processing plants.
Smaller units, reuse, and fast commissioning: The idea of modular production is similar to building blocks that can be plugged together in any way that are easy to separate, and which can be flexibly combined into something else.
The foundations for modular systems have been laid in NAMUR Recommendation NE 148. In accordance with NE 148, we will support you in designing your systems right from the outset as a combination of reusable automated modules. In this way, modules are created that can be connected via Plug and Produce to extend existing systems or to create new systems.
Further information on modular production for processing plants can be found on the NAMUR website:
Uniform interface standards are a prerequisite for modular architectures. Therefore, we are driving forward the development of the MTP interface standard together with partners.
Processing modules are described functionally and the integration into superordinate automation platforms of the entire plant, such as process control systems, is simplified. Such an MTP – that is to say, the digital description of the analog module including visualization in the form of an operating image – reduces engineering work and thus the investment costs for the entire plant. To ensure cross-manufacturer functionality, the chemical industry together with automation manufacturers jointly developed the VDE 2658 standard.
Learn more about the Module Type Package (MTP) concept and the benefits for the process industry in the video from ZVEI and NAMUR. You can also find more information in the white paper from ZVEI.
The implementation of module planning must start with simplicity in engineering. We therefore provide you with a flexible module engineering tool, the MTP Designer. Create MTP-compliant modules in accordance with VDE 2658 yourself via mouse click with little engineering effort. In addition, MTP files can be imported automatically from process engineering tools.
The module engineering describes parts of a process plant and is divided into smaller function units.
Benefit from fast commissioning and configuration, since the MTP Designer automatically generates the program body for your module automation. In this process, all services as well as all automation objects are created in accordance with VDE 2658-4.
In addition to the module and system engineering, the local visualization is automatically generated on the controller based on the P and I diagram to facilitate easy handling.
At the same time the visualization is generated, all interfaces (OPC UA tags) are defined for later data transmission.
The MTP function block library conforms to the VDI/VDE/NAMUR 2658 MTP standard. The library contains interfaces for field devices, for local visualization systems, and for the integration of the modular system into the superordinate Process Orchestration Layer (POL for short).
We provide you with preconfigured function blocks to enable you to implement the programming of modular systems as simply and cost-effectively as possible.
Download the MTP function block library from the PLCnext Store now:
In the description file generated via MTP Designer, the interfaces are also described formally in accordance with the VDI/NAMUR standard VDE 2658-3.
Programmers of the process control system thus have access to all the necessary information at an early stage: A representation of this visualization as a derivation from the P and I diagram as well as all interfaces that are required for the transfer of the necessary data.
We have joined forces with X-Visual Technologies GmbH, Semodia GmbH, ABB AG, and WOtten Consulting to create a cross-trade cooperation. Together, we will demonstrate end-to-end, vendor-independent module engineering from process engineering right through to automation via a proof-of-concept.
The export and import of the MTP across the different applications was realized error-free and in compliance with standards right through to the simulated module operation. The workflow created in this way offers potential for reducing manual effort, avoiding errors at handover points, and at the same time significantly shortening the time-to-market of modular systems.
The expert discussion during the Phoenix Contact Dialog Days Edition Process Automation will discuss the opportunities, benefits, and costs of modularization. Joining us will be Jens Bernshausen, NAMUR Working Group Chair “Modules/Plug and Produce”, Christian Brehm from Seepex, and Claus Votknecht from Phoenix Contact.
Package units, skids, and other system modules are assembled in the same way as building blocks via Plug and Play
Time-to-market, sustainability, and digitalization are important requirements to stay competitive in the face of increasing competition. A solution: Modular systems that can be interconnected and used flexibly.
Find out more about how Evonik is gaining initial practical experience with prototypes in a pilot plant at the Marl Chemical Park in our UPDATE innovation magazine.
