Key points
FDT 3.0 expands its “human-centric” graphical UI experience to support browser and mobile solutions for real-time, remote data access as part of modern manufacturing best practices
In today’s rapidly evolving industrial environment, smart manufacturing means responding in real-time to meet changing demands and conditions on the plant or factory floor, in the supply network, and in customer requirements. This approach is about utilising data that tells us “what to do” and “when to do it.”
However, smart manufacturing cannot happen without harnessing all the important data, functions, business rules, and communication capabilities of a given device.
Human-machine interfaces (HMIs) are used to optimise an industrial process by digitising and centralising the user interface of operational device and network data. Once devices and controllers are connected to an HMI, it can act as a gatekeeper for both communications and data.
In terms of communication, it can control access to and from the devices and controllers on the machine or system. The HMI can also store the data, protect it, and make sure it’s only distributed to authorised personnel.
Visualising Device-Specific Data
For intelligent industrial operations, FDT® technology is recognised as the de-facto, data-centric integration standard allowing any device to connect, communicate and exchange data with any host system independent of the network or platform used.
The FDT Device Type Manager™ (FDT/DTM™) and the FDT hosting environments are central components of this solution. The FDT DTM is the smart device driver providing the graphical User Interface (UI) and Business Logic (BL) application software that defines the customised parameter profiles and capabilities included in each instrument.
The DTM encapsulates all device-specific data, functions, and business rules, such as the device structure, its communication capabilities, internal dependencies, etc.
The device DTM UI visualisation plugs right into the FDT hosting HMI environments such as FDT Desktops for single-user applications or FDT Server platforms for multi-user applications. This offers a standardised integration and HMI approach.
In the past, most of the FDT architecture was centred on device DTM UI visualisation through FDT Desktop HMI applications. However, over the years, the technology has evolved to meet market demands for a more distributive, platform-independent architecture for Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Industry 4.0 (I40) applications.
With the release of FDT 3.0, the standard now offers device visualisation via a distributive, FDT Server cloud-based solution natively integrated with the OPC Unified Architecture (UA) and Web servers.
The new FDT Server platform empowers Web Services, providing new HMI access points to device-specific data through any standard browser or mobile device—on any computing platform.
These developments have enhanced the overall user experience with a standardised device DTM Web UI, optimising visualisation of device data and supporting implementation of remote monitoring and control capabilities within industrial plants and factories.
Along with release of the FDT 3.0 Server solution, the new generation of FDT 3.0 device DTM Web UIs combine the best features of traditional HMI solutions with the utilisation of modern, open-source hardware, software, and networking technologies to support new business model opportunities such as mobile solutions, apps and more.
These DTM Web UIs enable automation developers to implement state-of-the art functionality such as touch-capable virtual keyboards, touchpads, and mouse-and-keyboard solutions.
In addition, a set of frameworks to integrate dynamic variables employing HTML5 and JavaScript technologies allows for less writing of code and more functionality.
Taking a Uniform HMI Design Approach
The user interface design for measurement and control applications has critical importance within modern manufacturing operations, as it merges operator behavior and machine communication to deliver the best “human-centric” UI experience possible.
A crucial part of the overall FDT solution is a standardised device DTM UI Style Guide that simplifies the HMI dashboard by organising all the device functions for any instruments connected within a FDT Desktop or FDT Server hosting environment.
The Style Guide organises information to allow for an easy-to-use dashboard environment for facility operators where they can obtain a snapshot view of the health of all devices, including NE 107 Status symbols.
In addition, the Style Guide addresses lifecycle maintenance practices such as commissioning, diagnostics, and troubleshooting for all devices—ensuring a single, standardised HMI for improved asset management.
Device DTM UI style guides are available for each version of the FDT standard, giving instrument vendors the ability to offer a standardised UI built into their DTM. Use cases for the style guide have evolved over the years in response to changing industry demands.
With the latest FDT 3.0 version, the FDT DTM Style Guide was completely revamped to offer a standardised DTM Web UI based off modern HTML 5 and JavaScript.
This expands DTM UI access to browsers and mobile devices in FDT Server environments with a built-in web server and delivers standardised Web Services features for all connected devices.
For example, FDT DTM Web UI Style Guide conformance is required for a standardised/uniform approach for FDT 3.0 DTMs—all major navigation and information points are required to be presented in the same fashion, no matter the manufacturer, device or application. This is especially important with new mobility solutions being deployed in industrial facilities.
Optimising Smart Device DTM Development
Thanks to advances in FDT technology, automation instrument suppliers can innovate their business models to incorporate new, web-based capabilities such as browser, mobile and app access to device data.
FDT’s standardised DTM Web UIs are responsive by design for any major browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Safari). They also offer touch screen functionality for mobile devices such as laptops, smart phones and tablets of any brand (e.g., Apple, Android, Chromebooks, etc.).
For smart device DTM developers, the creation of DTM Web UIs is simplified using a modern development environment—FDT 3.0 DTM Common Components, DTM Style Guide, Help Files and Sample DTMs.
They can still offer their customers an HMI they are used to with previous versions of the FDT standard, but now with much more functionality supporting best practice workflow initiatives that are important to their applications.
From a vendor perspective, the new FDT 3.0 DTM Style Guide drives digitalisation while helping to reduce development effort and maintain interoperability. It establishes a graphical format for creating a standardised interface for DTMs that is already embedded and accepted in the industry.
This supports ongoing industry efforts to adopt contemporary approaches such as cloud, distributed architectures, edge devices, etc. Suppliers can also “future-proof” their product R&D programs and achieve greater flexibility by moving to current, standardised development platforms.
All of these enhancements eliminate the need to be trained to use different UIs employing the proprietary code of the supplier and device. Vendors can continue to customise their DTM functions and profiles to be compatible with the simplest to the most complex devices utilised in process, hybrid or discrete applications.
Conclusion
FDT technology was founded on standardising seamless integration of any device with any host while simplifying the HMI with uniform and consistent displays. FDT has now evolved to meet next-generation needs with a standardised, cross-platform server environment, empowering Web browser-based, mobile-friendly interfaces supporting remote data access and worker mobility applications as part of current smart manufacturing practices.
