Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for operating a production plant in a production process in the manufacturing industry or the process industry by optimizing the operation of the production process, in which the efficient use of the available energy is taken into account as a further optimization variable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for coordinating two consecutive production steps of a production process including: a) devising a production schedule of a first manufacturing stage according to a first optimization target based on one or more first optimization parameters, in order to obtain a first optimization result; b) devising a production schedule of a second manufacturing stage according to a second optimization target based on one or more second optimization parameters, in order to obtain a second optimization result; c) assessing the optimization results with regard to an overall optimization target; d) modifying the first and second optimization parameters; and e) repeating the process of devising the production schedules of the first and second manufacturing stages according to the respective optimization target based on the modified first and/or second optimization parameters.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a system and method for configuring a control device in an automation system. The system including a hardware structure, and a programming tool connected to the hardware structure and the control device. The programming tool is configured to transmit a control program and configuration files to the control device, and store a control project in memory. The programming tool registers modifications of the hardware devices using software “FlexConf.ini” as modification information and sets the control device to a mode “control with flexible configuration” via a parameter “FlexControl”. The programming tool also determines a type for transmitting the modification information in the parameter “FlexControl”, and transmits the modification software with the modification information stored therein in accordance with the transmission type set in the parameter “FlexControl” to the control device.

Abstract: A painting installation for coating (e.g., painting) a workpiece, such as an elongated workpiece is disclosed. The installation and/or workpiece can be subdivided into a number of segments of a predetermined length. The painting installation can have three zones arranged next to one another and demarcated from one another. A stationary painting cubicle which has at least one painting robot, an adjoining flashing-off zone and an adjoining dryer, each being at least of the length L. The installation can also include at least one holder for transporting the workpiece along a running rail such that the individual segments successively run step by step through the individual zones.

Abstract: A method for configuring a control device for integration of intelligent electrical field devices into a control or automation system having a flexibly expandable hardware structure is disclosed. A configuration of the system is created by a device configuration tool and a system configuration tool. Device configuration data is produced in the device configuration tool from a configuration device description and from a system configuration description provided by the system configuration tool. Project-specific libraries of the logical node types for the user-programmable controller can be created by a logical node type editor. A controller configuration tool can select for the created project-specific libraries to produce device-specific configuration descriptions.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods are directed to automated performance of a plant process in a control system included in a production management system. The control system including a processor that is configured with integration model code for executing an integration model. The processor is configured to integrate various software systems by establishing a connection to an enterprise resource planning system and exchange information between the plant process and a business process such that production data are received from the processes substantially in real time and an updated status of a production order is received continuously. The integration model includes placeholders associated with variables for at least one of events, devices and plants, placeholders associated with functions to be executed, functionalities which link the variables and call up the functions, mappings of parameters between the software systems to be linked, and requests for loading information from one software system to another.

Abstract: An installation switching device includes a cutout, which is designed on a fastening side, for fastening the installation switching device to a mounting rail, a vent opening, which is disposed on the fastening side, for discharging waste gases from an arc-quenching device, and a quick fastening device which is disposed on the fastening side. The quick fastening device includes a slide, which carries a movable projection and encloses the housing at the broad sides and which can be acted on by means of a spring toward the inner space of the recess.