While it is not describe in Intools Tutorial document, this post tries to describe how to prepare I/O List using Intools. Once Intools main instrument index view has been established, I/O list document can be prepared with less effort. Through instrument index browser in Intools, we can do filtering to obtain a list showing only instrument tag number which has an I/O point.
To make I/O list document completed, there might be fields which specifically related to I/O list details which should be added to the browser view. Fields such as Logic Descriptor, Signal Type, etc can be added to the list as necessary.
The following instruction provides step-by-step of how to prepare I/O list using Intools. It is assumed that the tag number and its major details especially I/O type have been populated in main Instrument Index view.
1. Open Instrument Index Browser
2. Expand “Instrument Index” Folder
3. Click “Instrument Index Standard Browser”
4. Click “Add View”
5. Type “I/O List” in view name field and SAVE
6. Click Style
7. Click “Edit”
8. Check the box under column view for field which will be shown in I/O list view.
9. There are spare fields named UDF_CXX which can be used as custom field such as logic descriptor, signal type, etc if necessary.
10. Save
Filtering in Intools browser module
11. Expand the I/O List View
12. Click “Filter”
13. Click “Edit”
14. Select “IO Type Name” in Field Name
15. Select “not null” in Operator
16. Save
Step 14 and 15 will filter the index and shows only the tag number which has an I/O.
17. Right Click on I/O List view and select “Open View”
The next step is filling the details through instrument index module.
Note:
a. Make sure the tag numbers connected to control system has I/O Type name been filled during populating the data base in the main instrument index view, otherwise it will not appear in the I/O list due to filtering.
b. Other details which related to control system information such as rack number, slot number and I/O channel number may be added if these information provided by control system vendor.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Intools I/O List Preparation
Intools Instrument Index Field Configuration
This post regarding instrument index field configuration can be a supplement to Intools tutorial. In Intools instrument index module, there should be one main view which shows major fields pertaining to the tag number. This main Intools Instrument Index view should consists of but not limited to Tag No, instrument type description, Loop No, service description, P&ID No, line/vessel No, location, I/O type, control system, maximum calibrated range value, minimum calibrated range value, set point, engineering units, manufacturer, model number and applicable reference document. This main view will be used for editing the tag number details.
In Intools, fields which will be shown in instrument index can be configured under browser module. The configuration should be set in the beginning of the project. However, new field can be added anytime in the middle of the project.
The following is the step-by-step instruction how to create/set Intools instrument index view:
1. Open Instrument Index Browser
2. Expand “Instrument Index” Folder
3. Expand “Instrument Index Standard Browser”
4. Expand “Default View”
DEFAULT VIEW which has already been exist can be used..
5. Select “Style” under Default View
6. Click “Edit”
7. Check the box under column view for field which will be shown on instrument index view.
8. There are spare fields named UDF_CXX which can be used as custom field such as applicable reference document (layout drawing number, etc), remarks, etc if necessary.
9. Save
The next step is of course populating the data base with tag numbers and its details through instrument index module.
If this main Intools instrument index view has been established, it would be easier to generate other documents such as I/O list, Procurement List, etc by creating a new style and performing filtering and adding more field which specifically related to the documents.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Intools (Smartplant) Administrator Responsibility
The job description of Intools (smartplant) administrator may vary among each company. Some company assign the intools administrator to the system engineer while some others assign it to instrument engineer. In applying a vacancy for intools administrator, one should make sure the details and limit of the responsibility.
The complete skills for Intools administrator shall encompass the following subject:
- Understanding of database (oracle, MySQL) installation and connecting the database to Intools also maintaining the database such as regular back-up, exporting/importing huge number of data, merging two database, etc.
- Understanding of project and its structure to create database in proper manner in accordance with project requirement.
- Understanding of instrument subject to neatly manage data of instrument type, numbering, assignment (such as specification form).
The first point is usually expertised by system engineer while the late two proficiencies are possessed by instrument engineer. It is recommended to conversant all of the above skills, however both system engineer and instrument engineer are broad subjects. So to make it works either having all the above skill or assign one system engineer and one instrument engineer with their own expertise combined with clear battery limit of responsibility.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Signal Fails to Propagate on Wiring System
Some users might encounter the problem that a signal of one tag number does not propagate during making a wiring connection from one panel/device to another panel. Instead of showing the tag number itself, the wiring is indicating “SPARE” (or default cable name), see below picture. This condition mostly occurs because the wiring connection is not made sequentially form the left to right or vice versa. 
The following is steps how to rectify this problem:
1. Klik on the screw on the terminal strip. The dialog box will open, then select the signal that we want to assign.
2. Now the signal name appears on the wiring connection.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Device Panel and Field Run Wiring in Intools
Intools provide feature for wiring works, such as creating wiring diagram for junction box or cabinet, loop diagram and cable schedule. The interesting thing is once you create a wired instrument tag number such as transmitter, switch, solenoid; Intools will automatically generate the device panel and its field run cable if you have defined the setting previously. This setting is done on instrument type setting section.
However some engineers often forget to set it in the beginning and just realize that the cable is missing when working in wiring and after creating the tag number in Intools. Rather than creating and renaming a single cable under the wiring module, it is preferred to rectify the instrument type and then generate the device and cable via index module to eliminate some issue in the future which is related to wiring works and loop diagram generation.
The following step describe how to re-generate device panel and cable if you have created the tag number:
1. Go to instrument type section
Open instrument index module >> Action >> Instrument Type..
2. Click profile on the selected instrument type
On Wiring and Control System Tab, make sure the "include wiring", "control system" and Default device panel is properly filled
3. Go to instrument index browser
Open instrument index module >> Browse >> Right click on the selected tag number >> Select Generate Device Panel and Cable
If you want to learn from the beginning, Intools tutorial module complete with step by step instruction is available along with the Intools installer.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Data Sheet Works in Intools with Limitied Number or License
Smartplant Instrumentation (formerly known as Intools) requires license like any other software. During execution of a project, the number of licenses used within a project may vary from only one license up to tens of licenses. If cost becomes major concern and the budget is limited, the number of licenses could be reduced by the following tricks. However this trick is only applicable for data sheet work which is prepared by more than one Instrument engineer. This trick could not be applied to other works such as wiring, loop, hook-up.
This procedure needs Intools External Editor, a freeware that can be downloaded in Integraph website. Please note that the version of Intools External Editor shall be compatible with that of Smartplant Instrumentation.
One engineer will be assigned as the Intools operator for exporting the blank specification sheet, the other Instrument engineers shall fill in the specification sheet (data sheet) using Intools External Editor without using Intools software. Once it is completed, the Intools operator shall import it back to Intools.
The following is the procedure of this work:
Exporting specification sheet (creating .isf files) – by Intools operator
Filling detail data in specification sheet using Intools – by Instrument engineer
Importing specification sheet – by Intools operator
Summary: This method allows the progress of data sheet preparation work to be faster even if only one license is available. Instead of using Intools with many licences, by using one license only, the Intools operator does export and import the files to be filled by multiple Instrument engineers using Intools external editor.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Split window in Intools instrument index browser
Put the cursor on the left corner of the table. Click and drag to the right as required.
Now we have split window and filling each field is easier.
Read More..
