Learning Path - Control Engineers
Target Audience
Control
Overview
FrameworX serves diverse professionals across the industrial automation spectrum. This guide provides tailored learning path for Control Engineers you focus on the most relevant features and capabilities for your role. Each path includes specific tutorials, exercises, and real-world scenarios designed to accelerate your proficiency.
Learning Path For Control Engineers
Your Profile
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automation professionals with experience in PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA systems
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focusing on reliable control, operator interfaces, and field device integration.
Learning Objectives
By completing this path, you will:
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- Connect and configure industrial devices
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- Design effective operator interfaces
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- Implement alarm management strategies
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- Create control logic and calculations
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- Build trending and historical displays
Week 1: Foundation
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Day 1-2: Device Communication
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Exercise
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1:
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Driver
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Selection
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- Navigate to Designer → Devices
- Review available drivers:
- Allen-Bradley
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- (EtherNet/IP)
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- Siemens
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- (S7)
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- Modbus (TCP/RTU)
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- OPC UA
- Document which drivers match your PLCs
Lab: Connect to Allen-Bradley ControlLogix
- Create Channel:
- Protocol:
Allen-Bradley ControlLogix - Connection:
Ethernet - Timeout:
3000ms
- Protocol:
- Add Node:
- IP Address:
Your PLC IP - Slot Number:
0
- IP Address:
- Import Tags:
- Use automatic tag import
- Map to UNS namespace
- Verify Communication:
- Check status indicators
- Monitor update
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Afternoon: Configure Your First PLC
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- rates
Day 3-4: HMI Design Fundamentals
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Standard
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Display Layout
| Code Block |
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???????????????????????????????
? Header (Title, Time, Alarms) |
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?
??????????????????????????????? |
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? |
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?
? |
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Main Process Graphic |
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|
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?
? |
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(P&ID representation) |
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|
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?
? |
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?
|
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??????????????????????????????? |
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? |
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Navigation |
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Bar |
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?
??????????????????????????????? |
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Exercise: Build Motor Control Faceplate
- Create new symbol "MotorControl"
- Add elements:
- Status indicator (Running/Stopped)
- Start/Stop buttons
- Speed display (if VFD)
- Fault indicator
- Local/Remote mode
- Link to Motor UDT
- Test in runtime
Day 5: Alarm Configuration
Alarm
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Priority Matrix
Priority | Range | Color | Response Time |
|---|
Consequence |
|---|
Critical |
1-200 |
Red | Immediate | Safety shutdown | |
High |
201-400 |
Orange | 10 minutes | Process upset | |
Medium |
401-600 |
Yellow | 30 minutes | Efficiency loss | |
Low |
601-999 |
Blue | Next shift | Maintenance required |
Lab: Configure Process Alarms
Tank
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Level
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Alarm Configuration:
Alarm | Trigger | Priority | Deadband | Delay On | Delay Off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HiHi | 95% | 250 | 2% | 5 sec | 3 sec |
Hi | 85% | 400 | 2% | 5 sec | 3 sec |
Lo | 15% | 400 | 2% | 5 sec | 3 sec |
LoLo | 5% | 250 | 2% | 5 sec | 3 sec |
Week 2: Advanced
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Topics
Day 1-2: Control Logic Implementation
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Pump Control Script Example
| Code Block | ||
|---|---|---|
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public void PumpControl() { // Read process values float tankLevel = @Tag.Tank01.Level; float setpoint = @Tag.Tank01.Setpoint; bool pumpAvailable = @Tag.Pump01.Available; // Control logic if (pumpAvailable) { if (tankLevel < (setpoint - 5)) { @Tag.Pump01.StartCmd = true; @Tag.Pump01.Speed = CalculateSpeed(tankLevel, setpoint); } else if (tankLevel > (setpoint + 2)) { @Tag.Pump01.StartCmd = false; } } // Alarm generation if (!pumpAvailable && tankLevel < 10) { @Tag.Alarms.LowLevelNoPump = true; } } private float CalculateSpeed(float level, float sp) { |
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float error = sp - level; return Math.Max(30, Math.Min(100, error * 5)); } |
Day 3-4: Trending
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Creating Effective Trends
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Configuration
Trend Setup Parameters
Component | Configuration |
|---|---|
Time Axis | Real-time |
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(last |
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hour) |
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, Historical (date |
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range) |
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, Resolution (1 |
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sec |
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- |
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1 |
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day) |
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Y-Axes |
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Primary (0-100%) |
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, Secondary (0-150°F) |
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, Auto-scale |
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option |
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Pens | Multiple process values with distinct colors |
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Exercise: Build Trending Display
- Create new display "ProcessTrends"
- Add trend object
- Configure 4 pens for related process values
- Add time navigation controls
- Include data export button
Day 5: Performance Optimization
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Optimization Guidelines
Area |
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Technique |
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Benefit | ||
|---|---|---|
Scan Rates | Match process dynamics | Reduce network load |
Display Updates | Limit animations | Improve client performance |
Alarm Deadbands | Prevent chattering | Reduce alarm floods |
Script Efficiency | Avoid loops in expressions | Lower CPU usage |
Control Engineer Toolkit
Essential Components Library
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Standard Component Library
Motors
- Motor_Simple
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- (On/Off)
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- Motor_VFD
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- (Variable
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- Speed)
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- Motor_Reversing
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- (Forward/Reverse)
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Valves
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- Valve_OnOff
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- Valve_Control
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- (Analog)
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- Valve_3Way
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Process
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Equipment
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- Pump_Centrifugal
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- Tank_Level
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- Heat_Exchanger
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Instruments
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- Transmitter_Analog
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- Switch_Digital
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- Controller_PID
Communication Quick Reference
PLC |
|---|
Type |
|---|
Protocol |
|---|
Default Settings | ||
|---|---|---|
Allen-Bradley | EtherNet/IP | Slot 0, RPI 100ms |
Siemens | S7 TCP | Rack 0, Slot 2 |
Modbus Devices | Modbus TCP | Port 502, Unit ID 1 |
Schneider | Modbus TCP | Port 502, Holdings |
Omron | FINS | Port 9600, Node 1 |
Troubleshooting Guide
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Issue | Check | Solution |
|---|---|---|
PLC won't connect | IP address, subnet | Verify network settings |
Tags not updating | Point mapping | Check addresses match PLC |
Alarms flooding | Deadband, delays | Adjust alarm settings |
HMI slow | Graphics complexity | Simplify animations |
Trends gaps | Historian settings | Check storage configuration |
Certification
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Available Certifications
| Certification | Target Audience | Prerequisites | Exam Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| FrameworX Certified Developer | All paths | Basic training | Configuration, displays, basic scripting |
| FrameworX Control Specialist | Control Engineers | FCD + experience | Advanced control, PLC integration |
Next Steps
Continue Learning
- Hands-On Practice - Build sample projects
- Community Forum - Join discussions
- Advanced Training - Specialized courses
- Certification - Validate your skills
- Real Projects - Apply knowledge
Resources
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Path
FrameworX Control Specialist
- Prerequisites: FrameworX Certified Developer + control experience
- Focus Areas: Advanced control logic, PLC integration, alarm management
- Format: Online exam + practical project
- Duration: 4 hours
Additional Resources
- Device Configuration Guide
- HMI Design Standards
- Alarm Management Best Practices
- Control Logic Examples
- Community Forum - Devices Section
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