Planning Automatic Batch / Lot Detection

The batch trigger as well as batch identification is often driven by the control system. Planning for automatic batch detection starts with auditing the available signals that can be used to determine when a batch has been started and stopped, what the product of the batch is, and potentially when each phase of the batch is active.

Phase information is often used to filter process data, and otherwise trigger calculations related to a batch.

Preparing the Control System for Automatic Batch Detection

  1. Establish the rule that defines when a batch has started or stopped.

  2. Establish the rule that defines the product code of the batch.

  3. Determine the behavior of the available signals. Do they pulse or hold value? When does the product code change relative to the batch start or end? How is phase indicated and when does it change.

  4. Where timing is critical, supplement logic in the control system to latch in trigger values, or control the sequencing of events firing to give the Plant Applications event models enough chance to recognize the event and collect data around that event.

  5. Collect all signals into the historian at the appropriate resolution.

See Also