Upgrade simplifies plant design

A Rebis product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Apr 1, 2002

Rebis has released version 16 of its AutoPlant process and instrumentation workgroup software, featuring a new instrumentation and wiring module.

Rebis has released version 16 of its AutoPlant process and instrumentation workgroup (P and IW) software that features a new instrumentation and wiring module, support for the new MSDE (Microsoft Data Engine) and improved performance for Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle based projects.

"The new instrumentation and wiring module introduces Layout Designer, a new graphical user interface that provides instrumentation engineers and designers a powerful, intuitive environment for creating, defining and documenting instrumentation and control systems", said Sam Migliore, P and IW Product Manager, Rebis.

"Enhanced automated drawings include quick loop drawings and quick panel drawings in a number of popular formats including.dwg,.xls and Visio.xml.

The support for MSDE means performance and reliability comparable to the most powerful database platforms coupled with an integrated set of data management tools for the same cost as a traditional Microsoft Access based project".

Rebis P and IW version 16 provides an indispensable set of tools for creating intelligent schematics and developing and documenting the process and instrumentation details for a plant.

It includes five applications - P and ID, data manager, datasheets, instrumentation and wiring, and hookups - that use industry standard technology and documentation formats to deliver an intelligent set of deliverables for design, construction and maintenance.

The P and ID module produces intelligent plant schematics that provide a key tool for lifecycle design and documentation for process plants.

Data Manager is a powerful database tool for managing the project environment as well as storing, creating and modifying instrumentation, equipment, piping and valve data.

Datasheets is a Microsoft Excel based addon module for producing both instrumentation and equipment datasheets that manages dynamically passed process and instrumentation data between the document and the database.

The new intuitive, graphical user interface in instrumentation and wiring simplifies the process of defining connections between instruments, field and card panels as well as electrical components.

The new package also adds support for fieldbus control systems, motor schematics and single line diagrams.

The ability of the new instrumentation module to produce quick panel drawings in various formats means that users can now automatically generate complicated panel drawings with every connection in place based on database entries.

Quick loop drawings, which adapt automatically to design changes, because they are not dependent on a graphic template, can now be produced in these various formats.

The new instrumentation and wiring package also includes enhanced query editing capabilities; the ability to copy views, reports and macros from other projects; the ability to edit multiple records in a single step; and the ability to have up to 24 connection positions per instrument.

The new symbol manager in P and ID provides an easy drag and drop interface for placing and creating new components.

Other enhancements to P and ID include user customisable, right-click context sensitive menus for all components and additional error-checking features.

Field level security is now offered throughout all modules of the program as well as multiple formats for all component tag types.

There are many other improvements in Version 16 that extend across all modules.

Support is provided for AutoCAD R14, 2000i and 2002, Windows 98, NT and 2000, and Office 97, 2000 and XP.