ABB Launches Advanced Industrial Process Control with Ability FIM 3.0

ABB announced the release of the latest iteration of its Ability Field Information Manager (FIM) 3.0. This digital solution provides industrial system engineers and facility maintenance crews with enhanced device connectivity and interoperability to boost productivity for process control instruments in the field. FIM 3.0 is designed to accommodate both existing and future smart factory devices to enable adaptability and digital transformation.

 

FIM 3.0 provides multiple fieldbus connectivity and facilitates the secure transmission of process control data. Image used courtesy of ABB

 

Connecting Industrial Network Nodes

Managing a fleet of field instruments in industrial settings is important for monitoring, maintaining, and optimizing industrial process control systems. Device configuration and interoperability play crucial roles in gathering real-time data to allow for insight generation and effective management to maintain the productivity of industrial systems.

The newly updated FIM 3.0 features a client/server architecture, facilitating simultaneous device management by multiple users, resulting in increased efficiency for configuring, commissioning, and maintaining field devices. The FIM server can be deployed on a server operating system, and FIM clients are installable on 800xA/S+/Freelance Engineering Workplaces, optimizing workflow processes. An additional installer is introduced to accommodate diverse server/client installation scenarios.

ASi-5, short for "Actuator Sensor Interface 5th generation," represents a networking technology utilized in industrial automation for linking sensors and actuators within a field-level network. The ASi-5, the most recent iteration, brings advancements in data transfer rates, efficiency, and compatibility with diverse devices in industrial environments. It aims to simplify wiring and improve communication between automated system devices. FIM serves as a tool to manage ASi-5 devices, accessed through an ASi-5 gateway connected via existing FIM connectivity like FIM Bridge PROFINET. This proves especially beneficial for industrial engineers by optimizing the management of ASi-5 devices.

 

Bolstering Interoperability with Greater Connectivity

FIM 3.0 offers users a broad choice concerning connectivity, spanning HART, HART IP (highway addressable remote transducer over internet protocol, and now you can see why it’s abbreviated), PROFIBUS, and PROFINET fieldbus technologies. Process automation profile 4.02 establishes a standardized collection of communication profiles and parameters designed for process automation devices. This ensures that there is interoperability and consistent communication, specifically within the PROFIBUS and PROFINET solutions.

 

Enhanced connectivity of field devices and interoperability provide greater oversight into operations, allowing for predictive maintenance and improved system efficiency. Image used courtesy of ABB

 

FIM 3.0 features OPC UA and Process Automation Device Information Model (PA-DIM), allowing data from multiple field devices to be transferred securely from the facility floor to conditioning monitoring systems in the cloud. PA-DIM introduces a standardized model for the communication between process automation devices by using a common framework for interoperability. PA-DIM provides device recognition, configuration, and management between devices from individual vendors, allowing for more straightforward setup, integration, and overall, adaptive and enhanced industrial process control.

We have explored the origins and workings of OPC UA, but here’s a summary: the operating system-agnostic framework provides vendors with a secure platform for information/data exchange. In the context of industrial automation, the standardized communication protocol ensures interoperability across devices from various manufacturers for seamless data exchange. It guarantees secure communication through features like encryption, essential for maintaining process integrity. Additionally, OPC UA's scalability accommodates diverse industrial environments, promoting flexibility and scalability in the data flow from field-level to enterprise-level systems.

 

Advanced Fleet Management

ABB's Ability Edgenius Operations Data Manager extends the functionalities of FIM 3.0 by facilitating the collection and organization of data from OPC UA, making important information easily accessible for applications on both the edge and in the cloud. With advanced fleet management capabilities, it simplifies the oversight and upkeep of field devices across various locations, contributing to improved operational efficiency in industrial processes.