MES 3.0

What is Sepasoft Batch Procedure?

The Sepasoft Batch Procedure system is a low-code tool for developing flexible production control in batch processing as well as procedures and automated workflows.

Developed with the standards defined in:

  • ISA88: Batch Control. See below for details.

  • ISA106: Procedure Automation for Continuous Process Operations. See below for details.

Batch Recipe Workflows

A batch recipe consists of a logical sequence of phases. Batch Procedure provides a ready set of  built-in phases for common elements of recipes and workflows; For example, timers, document phase, and e-Signature templates

You can create your own based on existing phases. See Base Phases.

You can build recipes using visual web-based editors and scale and strategize with scripting the framework and logic. Data flows can be set up for production and analysis.

Batch Procedure looks at the lowest level of work as an element to use and reuse as phases. An equipment phase is configured to communicate with the PLC on a piece of equipment. See  Interfacing BatchProcedure Phases with PLCs.

Standards and Design Best-Practices support Maintenance and Development

Tasks become naturally organized into recipe authoring and equipment phase configuration, which can bring more skills to the project as recipe authors and control systems engineers specialize in their independent roles.

The Batch Procedure process-model subdivides product definitions and recipes/procedures from the capabilities of production equipment. Doing this provides the flexibility to: 

  • Make multiple products with the same equipment.
  • Use different equipment to produce the same product.



What is a phase?

A phase is a building block. Phases can define materials, procedural parameters and equipment parameters. You can reuse building blocks across recipes and procedures.

 

Equipment Phase Parameters

  • Output Parameters:  Come from Ignition tags under a Unit and go to the control component.
  • Input Parameters:  Come from the control component and go to the Ignitions tags for a Unit in Ignition.

Batch Procedure Framework

What is ISA-88?

The ISA-88 standards are a series of standards that address batch process control. The standards were developed by the International Society of Automation (ISA) and are widely used by manufacturers and automation suppliers.

ISA-88 Summary:

  • Define a standard model for batch control systems. The model includes a process model, an equipment model, and a procedural model. The process model defines the steps that are involved in a batch process, the equipment model defines the equipment that is used in a batch process, and the procedural model defines the procedures that are used to control a batch process.
  • Define a standard data structure for batch control systems. The data structure includes information about the process, the equipment, and the procedures.
  • Widely used by manufacturers and automation suppliers because they provide a standard way to design, implement, and maintain batch control systems. The standards also provide a standard way to communicate between different components of a batch control system.
  • Adopted by a number of organizations, including the IEC and the FMEA. The standards are also used by a number of manufacturers and automation suppliers, including Honeywell, Rockwell Automation, and Siemens.
  • Shown to improve the efficiency, quality, and safety of batch manufacturing processes. The standards have also been shown to reduce the cost of batch manufacturing.

What is ISA-106?

ISA 106 is a standard that addresses the procedural automation of continuous process operations. It is based on the ISA-88 standard for batch process control, and it provides a framework for the development and implementation of procedures for continuous process operations.

The ISA 106 standard defines a number of terms and concepts, such as:

  • Procedure: A set of instructions that are used to control a continuous process operation.
  • Process step: A unit of work that is performed in a continuous process operation.
  • Equipment: The hardware that is used in a continuous process operation.
  • Control system: The software that is used to control a continuous process operation.

The ISA 106 standard also defines a number of procedures, such as:

  • Startup procedure: A procedure that is used to start a continuous process operation.
  • Shutdown procedure: A procedure that is used to shut down a continuous process operation.
  • Grade change procedure: A procedure that is used to change the grade of a product that is being produced in a continuous process operation.

The ISA 106 standard provides a framework for the development and implementation of procedures for continuous process operations. The standard defines a number of terms and concepts, and it also defines a number of procedures. The standard can be used by manufacturers and automation suppliers to develop and implement procedures for continuous process operations.