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Vocabulary in technical processes is specific and requires fundamental definitions for clarity
Program - Code written by the programmer, using a software package, to instruct the operations of the device and transfer information to the machine and HMI. Software - A proprietary software package provided or purchased with the PLC, computer, drive or programmable device. Typically, software is owned by the PLC or drive company, and license is granted to the programmer to create a programs. Firmware – A specialized program imbedded in the device, provided by the manufacturer. Firmware instructs the electrical device how to act and coordinates internal operations between hardware and software; programmers rarely alter this program.
Operating programs fall into three Ownership categories: Program ownership retained by Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) The machine’s OEM must be involved in any software problem, repair or change Machine Owner’s Ownership, with programs and subroutines transferred from OEM to the owner The machine owner controls the program, and maintains staff, or representative, to repair, or modify program and electrical processes. Purchase of the PLC’s software is needed to change or download programs. Downloaded extracted PLC program is maintained by the machine owner Independent of program ownership, the program is extracted from the PLCs and transferred to the owner. This copy is available to restore the PLC to its current state and returns a machine to service; but typically will not permit changes to program operations. |
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Vocabulary and Ownership Definitions |
