APF modules

Material management

The material management module combines management of material master data and material batches.

Material master data management supplies the material properties for the automation system (AS) and operator stations (OS). An OS editor is available for creating, editing and deleting material master data. Material master data can be loaded and compared manually or automatically over an integrated interface.

The material batch properties are available to the AS and OS. An OS editor supports creating, editing and deleting material master data. Material batches can, however, also be created or deleted by the automation system. Material batch data can be compared or loaded either automatically or manually.

Parameter management

The parameter management module supplies the parameter data for the AS and OS. It has an OS editor for editing the parameter records, as well as an interface for loading and comparing data. The current parameter record can be displayed in a special faceplate. The parameters can be normalized or recalculated in the faceplate.

Order management

The elementary task of this module is to manage the orders (order data records) in an order list. The orders use the previously defined parameter sets in the form of a recipe. The orders can be created and controlled via defined interfaces using the OS or AS. The creation and control of orders from the IT level can be implemented on a project-specific basis.

Integration in SIMATIC BATCH

For mores sophisticated recipe control, APF can be used together with SIMATIC BATCH instead of with parameter control. APF automatically matches the materials (including material classes/types) with the material master data of SIMATIC BATCH. For further processing in SIMATIC BATCH, the orders can be separated into individual batches in an "Order Creation Dialog". Using the SIMATIC BATCH OCX controls, is it easy create OS images for batch operation.

Order Creation Dialog

Vertical integration

With the APF runtime interface, batches with parameters can be created, released and started in SIMATIC BATCH by means of scripting. These actions can also be triggered by process interrupts or by external systems.

Storage location management

The "Storage location management" APF module coordinates the plant storage locations. This includes tasks such as:

• Comparison of required and actual values for the storage locations
• Posting and clearing materials and material lots (including partial quantities)
• Rapid identification of storage locations in accordance with various selection criteria

Archive management (for material, parameter and order management)

In the archive management module, archive data records are created, updated or deleted using function blocks in the AS. The archive data records can be automatically exported and saved, e.g. time-controlled.

APF Engineering Tool

APF Engineering Tool

The APF engineering tool is used to define project-specific data set structures for the APF modules for material management, parameter management, order management and archive management which are then saved in user archives, for example:

• Material classes and their properties
• Material types
• Material lot characteristics
• Parameter set properties

Access from the automation system to the user archive is supported by AS function blocks generated and interconnected by the user specifically for this purpose. Preconfigured display objects (process displays and faceplates) allow the configured data to be operated and monitored during process control.