Batch-management software boosts controller

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Feb 19, 2002

Eurotherm has updated and improved its novel Visual Supervisor multifunction control and display product.

Eurotherm has updated and improved its novel Visual Supervisor multifunction control and display product.

Version 3.1 offers a number of significant additions and improvements over previous versions, including powerful new batch management and logging facilities, which will meet the FDA's 21CFR11 requirement for electronic storage of process records.

Visual Supervisor has proved to be one of Eurotherm's most successful control products since its introduction in July last year.

The combined process controller, data logger, setpoint programmer and interactive touch screen display has been widely specified across a diverse range of industries and applications.

The new operating software incorporates an optional batch manager application, designed to allow an operator to control (ie load, start, hold, restart, abort) a batch, and monitor its progress from standard displays.

Up to four batches can run simultaneously, each batch being identified by either a unique number (automatically generated) or a batch ID entered by the operator.

Each batch can be configured to include up to six operator entry fields such as job number, charge number, customer name, product type and order number.

The application can also be configured to automatically start and stop batch logging whenever a batch process is started or finished.

In this case a detailed batch log file is created at the end of each batch with a unique ID.

Besides logging process values, the logging feature within batch manager can be configured to include alarm and event messages, as well as operator notes with full time/date information.

It can also track any changes to specific parameters in the database made from user screens.

The batch log files are available in a "tamper proof" format.

This is a very powerful feature for regulatory industries such as pharmaceutical, chemical, heat treatment etc, and will meet the requirements of 21CFR11.

Other system enhancements include support for barcode readers and magnetic card scanners.

Information entered automatically from barcodes or magnetic cards can be used in a variety of ways including automatic login, loading of appropriate recipes or recipe parameters, providing product or part ordering information for batch logs, or even initiation of actions within the system database.

Version 3.1 can also generate and display custom-designed "panel messages", requiring an operator response via up to four buttons within the panel displayed on the touch screen.

Similarly, a "panel dialogue" can also be generated, which requires immediate operator response.

Panel dialogue is intended for critical operator input, which is needed before the operation can progress and before any other screen navigation can occur.

The new software incorporates an introduction application, consisting of a suite of five "new user" screen-based tutorials designed to help new users get started.

The tutorials cover important operating issues such as security and access, creating new applications, data logging and developing setpoint programs.