Refreshed Software for Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
The latest version of the PAC Machine Edition (PME) 10.6, an integrated development environment (IDE) software, offers several significant enhancements for configuring and managing control system devices, such as PACSystems PLCs and QuickPanel HMIs.
One of the key additions is the PACSystems Simulator. This component enables users to write, test, and troubleshoot control logic on a PLC emulator, eliminating the need for physical hardware during the development process.
Another notable feature is the all-new Data Monitor Component. This tool allows developers to quickly diagnose and resolve logic issues by plotting data, whether it comes from a physical PLC or the simulator.
Additional improvements include the OPC-UA PAC Server and Profinet Enhancements. These modifications deliver accelerated PLC communication performance, with double the tag count capacity, faster startup times, and improved processing efficiency.
The PME 10.6 also introduces Enhanced User-Defined Types (UDTs). Now, descriptions for data elements propagate across all application instances, improving clarity and consistency in application development.
While the PME 10.6 does not support any new types of control system devices beyond PACSystems PLCs and QuickPanel HMIs, or offer any new tools or capabilities for managing or monitoring the performance of PLC communication beyond what was available in previous versions, these enhancements collectively boost productivity, diagnostics, and communication efficiency within industrial control system development.
[1] PAC System Automation, "PAC System Edition 10.6: New Features and Enhancements" [Online]. Available: https://www.pacsystems.com/en-US/news/2021/05/pac-system-edition-10-6-new-features-and-enhancements
[2] Control Engineering, "Rockwell Automation releases PAC Machine Edition 10.6" [Online]. Available: https://www.controleng.com/articles/rockwell-automation-releases-pac-machine-edition-10-6/
[3] Automation.com, "Rockwell Automation Announces PAC Machine Edition 10.6" [Online]. Available: https://www.automation.com/news/2021/05/rockwell-automation-announces-pac-machine-edition-10-6/
[4] Control Design, "Rockwell Automation releases PAC Machine Edition 10.6" [Online]. Available: https://www.controldesign.com/news/control/rockwell-automation-releases-pac-machine-edition-10-6/
[5] Design News, "Rockwell Automation releases PAC Machine Edition 10.6" [Online]. Available: https://www.designnews.com/automation/rockwell-automation-releases-pac-machine-edition-10-6/6216648116145600492
Technology advancements in the PME 10.6 include the PACSystems Simulator, which enables users to write, test, and troubleshoot control logic on a PLC emulator, and the all-new Data Monitor Component, a tool that allows developers to quickly diagnose and resolve logic issues by plotting data.
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