MTP Library for Modular Automation

Industry

Industrial Automation / Life Sciences

Scope

Modular Automation / PLC Library Development / MTP Standard (NAMUR) / Object-Oriented Programming

Timeframe

3 months

  • 1

    OT Engineer

  • 1

    Project phase

01

CLIENT

A global leader in science and technology, operating across Life Science, Healthcare, and Electronics sectors, requiring advanced standardization for its global automation assets.

02

BUSINESS NEED

The client required a unified library based on the MTP (Module Type Package) standard. The objective was to simplify programming processes and significantly reduce the costs associated with the development and deployment of new automation systems across different production sites.

03

CHALLENGE

To help our client achieve its goals, we overcome the following challenges:

  1. MTP Standard Implementation

    MTP Standard Implementation

    Adopting and implementing the strict MTP standard from NAMUR within the existing automation infrastructure.

  2. Object-Oriented Programming

    Object-Oriented Programming

    Shifting the traditional PLC programming approach towards a more efficient, object-oriented methodology.

  3. Testing Environment Setup

    Testing Environment Setup

    Creating a dedicated environment for rigorous testing and simulation without requiring physical hardware.

  4. System Scalability

    System Scalability

    Designing a system that prioritizes future growth and adaptation without requiring significant reinvestments in new technology.

04

SOLUTION

We developed a modern, standardized PLC library that enables rapid, modular, and scalable programming for laboratories and industrial systems.

  • Unified MTP Library
    • Developed a comprehensive library compliant with NAMUR MTP standards, facilitating the rapid creation of modular automation skids.
  • Extensive Testing & Simulation
    • Performed multi-application simulations and tests to ensure the library's reliability across various production scenarios.
  • Closed-Code Documentation
    • Delivered fully documented, secure code in the form of a closed library for long-term maintenance.
  • Agile SAFe Methodology
    • Utilized the Agile SAFe framework for project execution to ensure alignment with stakeholder demands and evolving requirements.

Transforming traditional automation into a modular, MTP-compliant ecosystem required a fundamental shift in how we think about PLC code. By implementing object-oriented programming and a virtualized testing environment, we didn't just build a library - we created a scalable engineering asset that allows our client to deploy new production modules faster and with significantly lower risk.

Krystian Maskulanis

Industrial Systems Engineering Lead

Technology used

MTP Standard (NAMUR) PLC Programming (CODESYS) Object-Oriented Automation OPC-UA Connectivity SCADA/Aveva System Platform Java (SpringBoot)

05

OUTCOME

The implementation provided a future-proof foundation for modular manufacturing. By decoupling the process logic from specific hardware through the MTP standard, we enabled the client to achieve true vendor independence and seamless interoperability across diverse production sites. This strategic shift not only optimizes operational costs but also significantly accelerates the Time-to-Market for new products, allowing for rapid reconfiguration of production lines in response to shifting global demands.

  • Engineering Efficiency
    • Drastic reduction in time required to program new automation skids.
  • Cost Reduction
    • Lower development costs through the reuse of standardized, pre-tested MTP objects.
  • High Scalability
    • Ability to adapt and grow production lines without significant reinvestments in new core technology.
  • Improved Quality
    • Adherence to international standards and rigorous virtual validation prior to deployment.

06

IMPLEMENTED SOLUTION

  1. Core MTP Library

    Core MTP Library

    Developed a centralized library in CODESYS containing standardized blocks for all process equipment (valves, pumps, sensors), fully compliant with VDI/VDE/NAMUR 2658.

  2. Object-Oriented Framework

    Object-Oriented Framework

    Built an architecture where each physical module is represented as a digital object, allowing for easy "instantiation" of new equipment without writing new code from scratch.

  3. Automated MTP Export

    Automated MTP Export

    Integrated tools to automatically generate MTP files, which act as "drivers" for the Process Orchestration Layer (POL), ensuring seamless communication between different vendors' hardware.

  4. Simulation Layer

    Simulation Layer

    Implemented a twin-logic system within the PLC, allowing the library to switch between "real-world" and "virtual-test" modes for instant validation.

  • 1

    OT Engineer

  • 1

    Project phase

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