ch112-14-a operator workplace - revb

800xA Minerals Training

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Chapter 14 Operator Workplace

TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 14 Operator Workplace .................................................................................................................................................... 1

14.1 General Information........................................................................................................................................................... 2 14.1.1 Objectives ................................................................................................................................................................... 2 14.1.2 Legend ........................................................................................................................................................................ 2

14.2 Operator Workplace........................................................................................................................................................... 3 14.2.1 Application Bar........................................................................................................................................................... 4 14.2.2 Display Area / Display Bar ......................................................................................................................................... 4 14.2.3 Status Bar.................................................................................................................................................................... 4

14.3 Navigation ......................................................................................................................................................................... 5 14.3.1 Highlighting an Object................................................................................................................................................ 5 14.3.2 Left Clicking on Buttons and Objects......................................................................................................................... 6 14.3.3 Right clicking on Buttons and Objects ....................................................................................................................... 7 14.3.4 Display Navigation ..................................................................................................................................................... 8 14.3.5 Application Navigation Bar ........................................................................................................................................ 9 14.3.6 Faceplate Navigation for Object Control .................................................................................................................. 11 14.3.7 Operator’s Notes ....................................................................................................................................................... 12

14.4 Configure a New Operator Workplace ............................................................................................................................ 13 14.4.1 How to Configure the Workplace Layout................................................................................................................. 14 14.4.2 How to Configure the Application Bar ..................................................................................................................... 15 14.4.3 How to Configure Alarm Bands ............................................................................................................................... 17 14.4.4 How to Create Shortcuts for the Application Bar ..................................................................................................... 19 14.4.5 How to Setup Date & Time ...................................................................................................................................... 20 14.4.6 How to Configure the Status Bar .............................................................................................................................. 21 14.4.7 How to Create Hot Keys ........................................................................................................................................... 22

14.5 Aspect Filter .................................................................................................................................................................... 25 14.5.1 Using Aspect Filters.................................................................................................................................................. 25 14.5.2 How to Create an Aspect Filter................................................................................................................................. 26

14.6 Startup Settings................................................................................................................................................................ 29 14.6.1 How to Set the Default Workplace ........................................................................................................................... 29 14.6.2 How to Set the Full Screen Mode ............................................................................................................................. 30 14.6.3 How to Hide the Task Bar ........................................................................................................................................ 31 14.6.4 How to Set the Startup Display................................................................................................................................. 32 14.6.5 How to Set a Default Aspect Filter ........................................................................................................................... 34 14.6.6 How to Define an Auto Startup ................................................................................................................................ 35

14.7 Dual Screen Workplace ................................................................................................................................................... 37 14.7.1 Operating System Settings........................................................................................................................................ 37 14.7.2 Workplace Layout Setting ........................................................................................................................................ 38

CH112-14-A Operator Workplace - RevB

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14.1 General Information

14.1.1 Objectives

On completion of this chapter you will be able to:

• Describe the workplace areas

• Navigate within the workplace

• Create and assign alarm bands

• Configure the application and status bar

• Define startup settings

• Describe how to set up dual-screen workplace

14.1.2 Legend

< > Indicates a key name.

| Indicates when you go from one menu to a sub-menu.

Bold Indicates a menu name or an option in a menu, or file structures

“ “ Indicates dialog box buttons, tabs, instructions etc.

Indicates start/explanation of student activity


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14.2 Operator Workplace

There are some pre-defined workplaces that are installed with the 800xA system. One is the Engineering Workplace which we have used extensively throughout this course. The other pre-defined workplace is the Operator Workplace.

Operators have their view of the plant that makes it easy to operate it, and application engineers have their view that makes it easy to configure a model of the plant.

NOTE! We will mainly use the traditional one screen interface to the Process during this lesson.

The purpose of the operator workplace is to present data to operators and to provide for input of data by the operators. Operator input includes selection of screens but also control actions sent to the controllers using the mouse and keyboard.

The template Operators workplace is shown below, prior to a full configuration.

Typically, user-defined Operator Workplaces are configured based upon the needs of the user. And there is no limit to the number of custom Operator Workplaces that can be configured.

Configuring a custom and effective workplace will involve many steps of configuration. Before you begin, it is best to have a good idea of the needs of the users. In the electronic documentation, 3BSE030322R4001 800xA Operator Workplace Configuration, Section 2 – Workflow, there is a good checklist of items to consider.

Application Bar

Display Bar

Display area

Status Bar


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14.2.1 Application Bar

This is the area of the workplace at the top of the screen. It is used to show information that must be visible all the time. By adding display shortcuts to it, the Application Bar can be used to achieve fast and convenient access to a number of frequently used and related displays.

The application bar has two sub areas:

Fixed Displays

This area (in our case) contains the system alarm list and a clock display. The Fixed Display area may contain other items and may be fully configured by an engineer.

Application Navigation Bar

This is situated directly below the fixed display area. It contains navigation tools for moving around the application.

14.2.2 Display Area / Display Bar

This area presents the main graphical display to the operator. It is from here that the process status may be observed.

The Display area has its own navigation bar associated with a given display. Note that while the Application Navigation bar remains fixed for the whole time the workplace is open, the Display Bar may change depending upon which display is currently being viewed.

14.2.3 Status Bar

The Status Bar occupies the area at the bottom of the operator workplace window.

It is always visible and allows the user fast access to information. It can be configured just like the Application Bar.

Fixed Displays

Application Navigation Bar


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14.3 Navigation

In most application the operator will navigate from place to place in the process using the mouse to select areas on the screen.

14.3.1 Highlighting an Object

When the cursor hovers over an object it will become highlighted. This is shown as a ‘raised’ appearance on the screen.

The cursor is near to but not over the high level switch on the vessel.

Note the difference in appearance when the cursor moves over the object. Note also that a ‘tool tip’ text appears identifying the tag name of the signal for that object.

In both the cases above the mouse has not been clicked – just moved.


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14.3.2 Left Clicking on Buttons and Objects

When a left click is performed on a button, what happens depends on the type of button. Here are some examples:

• The display changes

• A faceplate is ‘popped’ up in a separate window

• Another Windows application is launched e.g. Word, Excel

• A web page might be displayed Users may prefer to restrict access to their company’s internal web (Intranet)

In the graphical displays when a left click is performed on an object the default aspect of that object is presented.

All objects have many aspects. The engineer who configures the application will usually configure one of these aspects as the default aspect. For example a valve graphic has the faceplate set as the default aspect because clicking on a valve usually means that an operator wants to control that valve.


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14.3.3 Right clicking on Buttons and Objects

This is possibly a new but powerful feature. The right click action always pops a context menu which displays the aspects of the object that has been selected. This means that an operator may navigate easily from one aspect to another for a given object.

The aspects that will show up depend on the rights of the user logged in and on the object itself.

The aspect that appears in bold letters in the context menu is called the default aspect.


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14.3.4 Display Navigation

There are many ways to navigate in System 800xA. The workplace is configurable so any particular installation may be different in terms of what is on the toolbar, but what is shown in the figure below is typical of many installations.

Navigating from one graphic to another or from a graphic to an alarm list or trend display can be done in several ways.

Previous/Next Display

As the views are changed a record is kept.

Drop Target

This is used in association with the Aspect Browser tool (in the Application navigation toolbar).

Having used the find tool and having selected an object and an aspect of the type “Graphic Display”, the operator may drag the aspect over the Drop Target tool and the display will be changed to that aspect.

Aspect Menu of current display

Clicking on the icon navigates to the default aspect for this display. Clicking on the arrow gives a context menu from where any aspect of this display may be selected.

Previous/Next Display

History List (graphics)

Aspect Menu Display Shortcuts

Drop Target


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Aspect History List

The history list of graphics keeps track of what displays have been called so you can return to a previously called display.

References

One more way to call a graphic is to view the references for the object of interest. If the same aspect object exists in several displays, you will find a list of those displays below the option “References”.

14.3.5 Application Navigation Bar

Some of the standard features are described below.

Print Screen

If a printer has been configured than clicking on this button will print a copy of the current screen. This is a very good way of getting a record of a process situation for later discussion.


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Toggle Browser

This is a very powerful tool which can be used to explore the whole of an application and go to any aspect of any object in the application.

Object selector

If the name of an object is known it may be typed into the box followed by the return key. The display will then display the default aspect for that object.

As an operator navigates to different objects in the system, a history list of the last places visited is built up by this tool.

Display mode

This tool is used to set the display mode strategy. When views are changed the new view may either replace the existing one in the panel area or else be produced in a new window (Preserve).


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14.3.6 Faceplate Navigation for Object Control

When an object is selected, a Faceplate is automatically opened. The three sizes of faceplates each have their different uses.

Faceplate Functions

Depending on permissions you can perform different operations on a process object.


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14.3.7 Operator’s Notes

To each object the operator has possibility to create an operator notebook for notation of important events related to the object in question.

The created document is now available for reading or adding new information form any point where the object is visible.


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14.4 Configure a New Operator Workplace

All workplaces are configured in the Workplace Structure.

The general characteristics of any one workplace are aspects to the workplace object:

It is recommended to choose a default workplace which is closest to your needs, make a copy and then configure the copy.

If creating a completely new workplace, you need to create additional aspects such as ‘Application Bar’, ‘Application Bar shortcut’, ‘Status Bar’ and ’Alarm Band’.


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14.4.1 How to Configure the Workplace Layout

One of the first aspects to be configured is the Workplace Layout aspect.

1. Right-click on this aspect and select the “Config View”.

The WorkPlace Layout aspect defines pointers (Paths) to other configuration aspects for the three main parts of the workplace

2. Set the Top Band path to the Application Bar Aspect of your own workplace.

3. Repeat the procedure for the Bottom Band path to the Status Bar aspect of your own workplace.

4. Click “Apply”.

NOTE! Do not change the path in the Panel item.


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14.4.2 How to Configure the Application Bar

There are three parts to configuration of the Application Bar:

• Main Determines the overall facilities available in the application bar.

• Fixed Displays Determines which aspects are present, their size and position.

• Tool Collections Determine which tools are available to the operator for this workplace

1. Go to the “Config View” of the Application Bar Aspect. In the “Main” tab uncheck “Show Favorites” and “Apply”.

2. Go back to the Control Structure and mark your control project object. Create a new aspect of category “Alarm and Event List”.

3. Configure it to use the “Common Alarm Line” template from the library structure. Give it a new name, say “Alarm Line” and uncheck “Show Tool bar”.


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Fixed Displays

4. Now go back to the “Config view” for the Application Bar in your workplace. Delete the Web System Workplace – Alarm Line aspect from the list.

On the top is an input field named Height in pixels. In this field enter the height that the fixed displays should have.

5. Add the alarm line aspect created in the previous steps to point to an alarm line.

6. Change the Width of each aspect. Determining the “Display width in” value depends on how many other aspects you may want to add to the Fixed Displays area of the Application Bar. The total of the aspects width may not exceed 100%.


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Tool Collections

7. Add or Remove one or more tools. Each time testing the workplace to see the effect of the changes.

14.4.3 How to Configure Alarm Bands

Alarm Handling is also typically associated with the Application Bar. Many users prefer to have a fixed “mini-alarm” window at the top of the Workplace. There are also Alarm Bands or buttons that open other alarm lists. These Alarm Band aspects can be located in any structure, but typically


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The Alarm Band provides a summary display for selected alarm lists and provides a link to the corresponding alarm list display. The number on a button represents the number of currently unacknowledged alarms. The color of the button shows the highest priority alarm presented at the moment.

1. Create a new aspect of the type “Alarm Band”.

2. Select the “Config View” of the new aspect and select the Alarm and Event List aspects that you want included.

3. The new Alarm Band can then be integrated into the Application Bar.

4. The result in the Operator Workplace is shown as below.


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14.4.4 How to Create Shortcuts for the Application Bar

A Shortcut in an Application Bar or Status Bar is used to get fast access to any viewable aspect associated with a particular object.

1. At your Workplace in the Workplace Structure, create a new Application Bar Shortcuts aspect.

2. Right-click and select the “Config View”. Select “Add” and create shortcuts e.g. to graphic displays, trend displays, group displays, alarm lists etc.

3. Select the Config View of the Application Bar aspect and enable the “Show Shortcuts” box.


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14.4.5 How to Setup Date & Time

The Workplace Clock Tool can be added as a fixed display in the Application Bar and shows then the current date and time. It is possible to modify the default time/date format of the Workplace Clock Tool.

1. Open the “Fixed Display” tab card again of the Application Bar aspect and add a new display.

2. Select the aspect “Workplace Clock Tool” in the Library Structure under “Screen Bar Tools”.

3. Click “OK”.

4. To setup the Workplace Clock Tool go to the object “Screen Bar Tools” in the Library Structure / Tools. Select the aspect Workplace Clock Tool and open the “Config View”.


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5. Select “Properties” and use the pull-down menus to select a Time Format and a Date Format.

14.4.6 How to Configure the Status Bar

The Status Bar is configured in much the same way as the Application Bar by clicking on the “Config View” of the Status Bar Aspect.


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14.4.7 How to Create Hot Keys

Hot Keys allows binding key combinations to invoking existing object or aspect verbs or views.

A list of predefined hot keys can be found in the electronic documentation, 3BSE030322 800xA Operator Workplace Configuration.

1. Go to the Workplace Structure and open the “Config View” of the Hot Keys aspect.

2. Click into the Hotkey column and press the key combination or function key to define the Hot Key.

3. Click the “…” button to define which aspect should be opened, let’s say an Alarm List aspect.


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4. Select the entry “Main View” to open this view if the Hot Key is pressed. Click onto the “Add” button to add the new Hot Key to the list.

NOTE! Extend the window to see the list of hot keys.


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14.5 Aspect Filter

A right click onto a Process Display on the Operator Workplace provides the operator a context menu with a lot of aspect entries right now. This is not what the operator needs. He only wants to see the aspects which are relevant for his work.

It is possible to filter out aspects from the aspect view window. This might be done to simplify the aspect view or to protect certain aspects from being modified.

14.5.1 Using Aspect Filters

All aspects for the object are viewable as there is no aspect filter being applied.

From the pull-down menu at the top of the page, you can select a pre-configured aspect filter.

With the Process Operation filter selected, the aspect view window now only has two aspects available.


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14.5.2 How to Create an Aspect Filter

It is possible to modify existing or create new filters.

1. Select the Filter Configuration icon in the Engineering Workplace.

2. From the filter Configuration dialog, select “New…”.

3. Type in a Filter name and select “OK”.


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4. In the Filter Configuration box, select the aspects that you wish to be available (to be included in the filter) from the right hand list. Click on “<-Add”.

5. When you click on “<- Add”, the aspects that were selected (highlighted) are moved from the right-hand list to the center list. When you have finished moving all of the desired aspects from the left-hand list to the center list, select “Apply”.

Only the aspects that are included in the filter (and are defined for the selected object) are visible in the aspect pane.


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14.6 Startup Settings

This session deals with the startup settings of the Operator Workplace. After a login the operator can only work with its workplace.

The Operator Workplace should:

• Be always on Top

• Run in Full Screen Mode

• Hide the Windows Task Bar

• Come up with a predefined Process Display as overview graphic

• A default Aspect Filter should be applied for operators

• Start automatically when the operator logs in

14.6.1 How to Set the Default Workplace

First of all we have to setup the default workplace for the operator.

1. Select the user group object “Operators” in the User Structure. Select one of the users and open the “Config View” for the Workplace Profile Values aspect.


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2. Click on the “DefaultWorkplace” name. Select “Local” as data source and select also the check box “Update Enable”.

3. Define the default Operator Workplace for this user in the field “ObjectName”.

From now on a login of the operator user will open the ABB University Workplace per default.

14.6.2 How to Set the Full Screen Mode

There are two Workplace Modes available:

• Windows Workplace Mode The application runs as applications normally do in Windows

• Operator Workplace Mode It is a full screen mode and the title bar is not visible. Pop-up windows are always placed on top. The Application Bar and the Status Bar can not be covered by a pop-up window.


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1. Open the “Config View” of the Workplace Profile Values aspect from the operator user object again.

2. Click on the “WorkplaceMode” name. Select “Local” as data source and select also the check box “Update Enable”.

3. Select the “Operator Workplace Mode”.

14.6.3 How to Hide the Task Bar

Per default the Windows task bar is always visible at bottom of screen, but the operator should only work in the Operator Workplace.

1. Open the context menu for the Windows task bar (right click onto the task bar).

2. Enable the option “Auto-hide” on the “General” tab card.


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14.6.4 How to Set the Startup Display

It is possible to configure the Startup Display for a Workplace or a User.

Workplace setting

Set the name “Startup Display” to the aspect of the Workplace object you want to use as Startup Display.

1. If there is already an aspect called “Startup Display”, then delete it now.

2. Go to the Functional Structure and copy the Overview Graphic Display aspect. This should be the overview from which all other views may be accessed via Aspect Links or otherwise.

3. Paste this as an aspect in your Workplace Object and rename it to “Startup Display”.

4. Open it in Graphics Builder and deploy.

The name ‘Startup Display’ is a key name. When a workplace starts up, it looks to see if there is a Process Graphic called ‘Startup Display’ in the workplace object. If it finds one, then it will automatically load this view into the panel area of the workplace.


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User setting

Configure the Startup Object in the User Profile. On start up the default aspect from the Startup Object will be displayed.

1. Select a suitable aspect e.g. Process Display and open “Properties” by right-mouse clicking. Browse to the tab card “Aspect Details” and enable the option Default Aspect.

2. Open the “Config View” of the Workplace Profile Values aspect from the operator user object.

3. Click on the “WorkplaceStartObject” name. Select “Local” as data source and select also the check box “Update Enable”.

4. Select the object that you configured in step 1.


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14.6.5 How to Set a Default Aspect Filter

We want to set the filter we just created as the default filter. All the other users like System Engineer or Application Engineer are able to set their actual filter by themselves. But the operator can not change his filter later on.´

1. Select the user group object “Operators” in the User Structure. Select one of the users and open the “Config View” for the Workplace Profile Values aspect.

2. Click on the “DefaultWorkplace” name. Select “Local” as data source and select also the check box “Update Enable”.

3. Define the default Aspect Filter for this user.


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14.6.6 How to Define an Auto Startup

If the operator user logs in, the Operator Workplace should start up automatically. We will use the auto start option of the Microsoft Windows Operating System for this purpose.

1. Login as user “Operator”.

2. Drag and drop the icon “My ePlant” in the Startup folder. Right click onto the icon, and leave the right mouse button pressed. Move the mouse into the Startup folder and unclasp the mouse button.

Next time the operator user logs in, the Startup folder is executed and the default workplace will start up.


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14.7 Dual Screen Workplace

14.7.1 Operating System Settings

To be able to use multiple monitors in the 800xA System, a client has to be equipped with additional hardware.

Open the Display Properties dialog of your operating system by right clicking on the desktop and select “Properties”.

Select the tab card “Settings”. These settings can vary depending on your graphic card.

Select the icon of the second monitor and enable the option “Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor”.

NOTE! This option is not available, if your graphic card does not support dual screens.


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14.7.2 Workplace Layout Setting

There are two ways to configure a workplace to support multiple monitors.

• Large Workplace Behave as if all monitors are one single monitor, stretching over several screens.

• Multi-screen Workplace Separate configuration for each monitor. This is the most common and the recommended configuration to use.

The difference between the two configuration options is set in the Workplace Layout aspect by marking the Large Workplace check box. If this box is unchecked, it is possible to specify the number of screens the workplace displays, and the Application Bar, Status Bar and Panel for each screen.

ch112-14-a operator workplace - revb

Documents

display navigation

new operator workplace

application navigation

workplace layout

application bar

display area display

faceplate navigation

status bar