Integration with Other Systems
Although much of the data needed to populate the historical database is typically available via the Level I system, every furnace that IPACT has provided services on has required other systems to be integrated into the automation hierarchy by interfacing to Level II. IPACT has successfully interfaced many different systems into automation hierarchies, including moisture analyzers, gas analyzers, laboratory information management systems (LIMS), as well as various distributed control systems (e.g. Bailey, Foxboro) and programmable controllers.
In addition, IPACT has designed and implemented some of these "peripheral" systems and integrated them into the overall automation hierarchy. These have included a hearth temperature/isotherm monitoring system, a tuyere leak detection system, and an above-burden temperature and gas analysis system.
IPACT's Level II systems have typically been provided on DEC VAX platforms. Interfaces to other VAX machines have been implemented using DECnet and either the DEC Message Queue (DMQ) routing software or the Manufacturing Automation Queuing and Routing software (MAQ). IPACT has also interfaced VAX machines into IBM systems using the IBM LU 6.2 protocol.
Integrated Process Automation & Control Technologies