Release
Notes
2.0 (SP4A)
File:
ReleaseNotes_204A.doc
Version: 2.0.4A
Date:
October 2001
Printed in Germany
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
B. Braun Biotech International GmbH
Schwarzenberger Weg 73-79
D-34212 Melsungen
Tel. +49 (5661) 71-0
Fax +49 (5661) 71-3702
Hotline +49 (5661) 51369
http://www.bbraunbiotech.com
e-mail:bbi.info@bioscipro.com
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MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
•2
Contents
About Release Notes
5
MFCS/win Shell
5
Acknowledging alarms.............................................................................. 5
Updating MFCS/win configuration .......................................................... 6
Shutting down ........................................................................................... 6
System Info ............................................................................................... 7
Operator Service
9
Batch related actions .............................................................................................. 9
Batch initialization.................................................................................... 9
Finishing batches .................................................................................... 10
Batch management process .................................................................................. 11
Batch directory........................................................................................ 11
Filtering criteria ...................................................................................... 12
Layout Options........................................................................................ 13
Maintenance............................................................................................ 14
Plotting
16
Basic tasks............................................................................................................ 16
Commands............................................................................................... 16
Extras menu commands .......................................................................... 16
Option dialog .......................................................................................... 17
Plot elements ........................................................................................................ 18
Batch directory........................................................................................ 18
A plot window......................................................................................... 18
Using Templates ..................................................................................... 20
Plot setup................................................................................................. 21
Modifying plot properties .................................................................................... 22
Plot setup properties................................................................................ 22
Curve properties...................................................................................... 24
Creating Comparison Plots .................................................................................. 25
Configuration of Calculations
28
Edit Formula Form.................................................................................. 28
Editing Formulas of running batches...................................................... 29
Users
30
Access rights ........................................................................................................ 30
Print
32
Print Configuration .............................................................................................. 32
Sample Data Manager
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
35
•3
Introduction.......................................................................................................... 35
General .................................................................................................... 35
Database Locking.................................................................................... 35
Basic tasks............................................................................................................ 36
Commands............................................................................................... 36
File menu commands .............................................................................. 36
View menu commands............................................................................ 36
Options menu commands........................................................................ 37
Context menu commands........................................................................ 37
Double click command ........................................................................... 37
Window menu commands....................................................................... 38
Help menu commands............................................................................. 38
Entering sample data values................................................................................. 39
Batch directory........................................................................................ 39
Sample data table .................................................................................... 39
Sample Identification .............................................................................. 40
Adding new values.................................................................................. 40
Correcting values .................................................................................... 41
Deleting values........................................................................................ 42
Exporting values ..................................................................................... 42
Off-line calculation .............................................................................................. 43
Definition of off-line calculations........................................................... 43
Performing the calculations .................................................................... 43
Load Configuration
44
Introduction.......................................................................................................... 44
General .................................................................................................... 44
MFCS/win Kernel Modules
47
Modules................................................................................................................ 47
Data Storing, MFCSSTO ........................................................................ 47
Change History
48
Change History Form........................................................................................... 48
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
•4
About Release Notes
The MFCS/win Release Notes contain information that either is missing in previous versions of the
MFCS/win manuals or news about MFCS/win Service Packs. Service packs include improved versions of
the MFCS/win software modules for the actual MFCS/win release. They usually are free of charge if
downloaded from the BBI homepage from the Internet (http://www.bbraunbiotech.com).
MFCS/win Shell
Acknowledging alarms
If an unwanted event occurs, the system can activate an alarm. A typical cause of an alarm is a variable
value going beyond the allowed limits (low or high).
Depending on the alarm type and configuration, the Shell may display a pop-up window that informs the
user of what is happening. By pressing the ‘Ack’ button, the user can acknowledge the alarm. He can
also enter a short note about the situation. Of course, acknowledging an alarm is not enough; the actual
reason for the alarm must still be corrected.
Since version 2.0 SP2 this pop-up window will also be displayed from the MFCS/win shell at
workstations without starting the utility MFCSWMS.EXE before. The utility “MFCSWMS.EXE is no
longer needed.
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
•5
Updating MFCS/win configuration
The command ‘Update configuration’ can be used to tell the system to recreate its data structures from
the database. This operation is needed when MFCS/win configuration has been changed in the
Configuration Management module MFCSCMA.
When receiving a configuration update command, the system recreates its own internal data pool and asks
all the MFCS/win server modules to recreate their data structures.
Please consider the necessity of this function before using it. The operation is safe, but it causes a
considerable amount of data processing. In addition, all server modules will have a short break in their
operation and therefore, a short break in data storage will occur.
It is possible to perform ‘Update configuration’ while users are logged in the MFCS/win server from
other MFCS/win workstations and while MFCS/win client modules are active on the MFCS/win server.
Shutting down
The ‘Shutdown’ command is used to shutdown the whole MFCS/win system. Use this operation with
care. A shutdown will stop any currently active data storage.
Note that the Exit command can be used to close the Shell program only.
The following message will be displayed after using the shutdown command.
If the ‘Shutdown’ is used, while users are logged in from a workstation (MFCS/win network version),
then the following message will appear on the MFCS/win server.
If the “Yes” button will be chosen, then the shutdown will be done and the logged in user can continue
working offline. The Operator Service program is no longer available in off-line mode.
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
•6
System Info
Press the command “System Info” from the MFCS/win Shell to get more information about the
MFCS/win system.
The layout of the information differs in relation whether it is a MFCS/win server or a workstation.
It informs about the following topics:
Topic
MFCS/win Server Information
Name
Node_ID
Version
Serial Number
Process Units
Recipe according ISA S88
Network
MFCS/win directory
MFCS/win Workstation Information
Name
Node_ID
Version
API Version
Mapped MFCS/win directory
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
Meaning
Computer name of the MFCS/win server
MFCS/win node id of the MFCS/win server. Number
that will be generated during installation. (1...16)
MFCS/win version and service pack information
Serial number of the MFCS/win server
Maximum number of process units (fermentors)
Indicates whether the MFCS/win license includes recipe
system according ISA S88 or whether it is “not
available”
Number of users, if it is a network license or “not
available” for single user version
Path to the MFCS/win directory
Computer name of the MFCS/win workstation
MFCS/win node id of the MFCS/win workstation.
Number which will be generated during installation (20
...64)
MFCS/win version and service pack information from
workstation
MFCS/win API version from workstation
Mapped MFCS/win directory on
•7
MFCS/win Server
MFCS/win Workstation
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
•8
Operator Service
Batch related actions
Most actions needed to handle an existing batch are available from the operator interface. This includes
starting and stopping of a batch as well as visualization and controlling of the batch process via the recipe
editor.
In the MFCS/win Light version, batch initialization and the recipe editor on operation level are not
available.
Batch initialization
To start a defined batch on an available process unit, open the batch display and press the
button for the desired process unit.
Now all defined batches, which are available for this process unit, are shown. Select a batch and accept
the selection by selecting the entry “Init Batch” from the popup menu available via the right mouse
button.
Since 2.0 SP2, the batch initialization is no longer performed from the operator service program. OPR
only sends a message to the module MFCSS88C.EXE (recipe execution manager) that is doing all
necessary actions. That means that the batch setup from a server and workstation is now much faster than
it was before. During batch initialization the status of the batch will be set to “Starting”. Normally a batch
stays in status “Starting” only for a few seconds.
If the recipe execution manager is busy, then the message “waiting for response from recipe module...”
will be shown.
In case of a high workload the OPR can continue before the recipe execution manager has finished his
tasks. In this case the following message appears.
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
•9
When the recipe execution manager has initialized the batch the status changes to ‘running’. If after
several minutes the status displayed is still “Starting”, please inform your system manager.
Finishing batches
Open the batch display and press the
coming next, select the entry ‘Finish’.
button for the desired process unit. In the popup menu
The batch finish function will stop the data collection from the corresponding process unit and copy all
the configuration data from the configuration database into the batch database. After the batch is
finished, you can still use the Sample Data Manager or Notebook to enter data manually into the batch
database. In the batch directory, the batch status will be changed to ‘Finished’.
Since 2.0 SP2, the batch finish is no longer performed by the operator service program (OPR). OPR only
sends a message to the module MFCSS88C.EXE (recipe execution manager) that is doing all necessary
actions. That means that the batch finish from a server and workstation is now much faster than it was
before. During batch finish the status of the batch will be set to “finishing”. Normally a batch stays in
status “Finishing” only for a few seconds.
If the recipe execution manager is busy, then the message “waiting for response from recipe module...”
will be shown.
In case of a high workload, OPR can continue before the recipe execution manager has finished his tasks.
In this case the following message appears.
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
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Batch Management
Batch management process
Batch directory
The Batch directory function is a view to the Batch directory database. It can be invoked either from the
Directory menu or from the toolbar. Selecting the Batch directory will display a list of all batches ever
stored on the selected MFCS/win server.
Each entry of the Batch directory includes the name and description of the batch, path to the database file,
dates and times of creation, age synchronization, finishing of batch, supervisor name, and batch status.
Possible values for the batch status are:
Defined
Starting
Running
Finishing
Finished
Closed
Corrupted
Deleted
Batch is defined.
Batch initialization is in progress.
Batch is running.
Batch finish is in progress
Batch has been finished.
Batch has been closed (no write access).
Batch is not in a valid condition. Use the maintenance function to repair the
batch.
Batch has been deleted from the hard disk.
The Batch directory allows certain sorting mechanisms, such as sorting according to the batch tag,
supervisor name, batch status, process unit, and creation date. Furthermore, you can invoke filters to
show only specific groups of batches in the batch directory.
Several MFCS/win servers can share a common batch directory. In this case defined and running batches
are only shown for the MFCS/win server you are logged in.
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
• 11
Filtering criteria
You can apply certain filtering criteria to restrict the batch list items on the batch directory. To specify
the filter you can specify the batch tag, supervisor name, batch status, process unit and creation date.
Batch tag and supervisor fields can include wildcards (%). The batch status field can either have one
keyword (like ‘Finished’) with or without the NOT prefix or a list of keywords connected by OR.
Creation date includes two fields, which use the ‘from date’ and the ‘to date’ to specify filtering.
For example, the above filtering criteria would display all the batches whose names includes the
characters ‘Docu’ and that have not been deleted from the hard disk.
In this example all running and all finished batches started from the user MFCS on or after the 01-Apr2000 on the process unit Biostat C of the MFCS/win server BBI0127 are shown.
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
• 12
Layout Options
You can change the layout of the batch directory view. For up to ten columns you can define the column
contents and width.
The following items are available:
Tag
P. Unit Id
P. Unit Tag
Descr.
Database Name
Database Directory
Status
Creation Time
Created by
Start Time
Started by
Age Sync.
Age Sync. by
Finish Time
Finished by
Supervisor
Eq.Class
N Id
Node Name
Tag of the Batch
Id of the process unit the batch is/was running on
Tag of the process unit the batch is/was running on
Batch description
Name of the database used for storing the batch data.
Directory in which the batch database is stored.
Batch status
Date and time of Batch definition.
Name of the user who has defined the batch.
Date and time of Batch initialization.
Name of the user who has initialized the batch.
Date and time of Batch synchronization.
Name of the user who has synchronized the batch.
Date and time of Batch finishing.
Name of the user who has finished the batch.
Name of the user responsible for the batch.
Name of an equipment class if used.
Id of the MFCS/win server node
Name of the MFCS/win server node
The layout of the batch directory view is user and module specific. This means user changes in the layout
of the directory view in the batch management does not change his layout of the batch directory view for
plots and sample data management. In addition it dose not change any layout of the batch directory view
for other users.
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
• 13
Maintenance
The maintenance function may be required for clean up after computer system crash (power failure,
unstable network connection…).
The function Clear blocked Process Units frees up the selected process units.
If a batch was active during the upgrade of your MFCS/win system to version 2.0 this batch is no longer
available in the online system. Use the function Stop unknown Batches to set the status from running
to unknown.
Since the batch was not finished it is not possible to plot or make a report of the
collected data!
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
• 14
Initialization and finish of a batch are triggered by the user (on a MFCS/win workstation) but performed
by background modules on the MFCS/win server. If it is not possible to bring these actions to an end, the
batch status remains ‘starting’ or ‘finishing’. The function ‘Reset starting/finishing Batches...’ sets the
status of the batch to defined or corrupted.
If during batch finish not all tables are copied to the batch database you can use the function ‘copy files
for corrupted Batches’ to repeat the copy process.
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
• 15
Plotting
Basic tasks
Commands
A command is an instruction to the plotting module to tell it to do something. You can choose commands
either by clicking toolbar buttons with the mouse or selecting them from the menu. All toolbar
commands can be done with the menus, but not all menu commands are available on the toolbar.
Menu commands are activated from the menu bar shown on the top of the main window. The menu bar
contains the following menus:
File menu
View menu
Template menu
Extras menu
Window menu
Help menu
The toolbar includes buttons for most frequently used actions. To see a description of a button, place the
mouse over it, and after a short while a tool tip will appear below it.
Extras menu commands
The Edit menu offers the following commands:
Copy
Refresh
Cyclic Refresh
Option
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
Copies the contents of the active window and puts it on the
clipboard.
Refreshes the plot (reads new points from a running batch).
Repeat refresh of the plot in a fixed interval. Cyclic refresh is
only available under the following conditions:
logged in online
running batch
scale mode auto or fixed length is selected or the end
date is in the future
the refresh will be done for the active window only
Change the interval for cyclic refresh (0.1 min ... 60 min)
• 16
Option dialog
Via the option dialog you can change the interval for cyclic refresh.
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
• 17
Plot elements
Batch directory
The batch directory is the starting point of the Plot module. Select one ore more items and initiate the plot
creation via double click, context or file menu. See chapter MFCSBMA/Batch management
process/Batch directory for details about the batch directory.
A plot window
A plot window is a window showing one or many (up to ten) plots at a time. A plot is a collection of data
for one batch/variable combination. All properties stored by the Storage Manager or the Sample Data
Manager can be plotted for each variable.
alarm marker
operator message
marker
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
• 18
Each plot window contains the following elements:
title
remark
time range
legend
curves
y-axis
Configurable title
Optional remark
time range for the plot
Optional legend
up to ten curves
Either a common y-axis or one y-axis for each curve either
on the left or on the right side
x-axis
time axis
data cursor
If you click with the right mouse button in the curve area a
data cursor indicates the point with the next x-value of the
selected curve. You select a curve by clicking on it with the
left mouse button. The x and y values for the indicated point
is shown in the status bar.
alarm marker
Indicates value and time of a variable going out of
range
Indicates value and time of a variable returning to a
normal range
operator message
Indicates
time
of
an
operator
message
marker
If you click with the right mouse button at the marker
the operator message is shown in the status bar
You can create unlimited number of plot windows, all active at the same time. Of course, normal resource
limits of the operating system will put some upper limit to the number of open plot windows.
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
• 19
Using Templates
The second property page called Templates can be used if you have saved previous plot settings as
templates. By clicking to a suitable template name in the Template list box all the settings of the template
will be used.
The Variables list box is presented only to give you detailed information about the template. When you
select a template, it will present the names (tags) of all the variables defined in the template.
A template includes all the variable selections, settings from the Plot Setup page, and the changes made
to plot properties on-line.
The plot module of MFCS/win Version 2.0 supports template for history and for comparison plots.
Templates for a comparison plot can be stored only if a common variable tag / property pair is used for all
curves. If you use a template created form a history plot for a comparison plot, the first variable tag /
property pair is used for all selected batches. All other properties are used in the same way for history and
comparison plot. If the number of batches exceeds the number of curves in the template the properties of
the last curve are used multiple times.
Templates can be stored system wide or user specific. Via the filter checkbox you can limit the presented
templates to system wide templates and/or your own templates.
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
• 20
Plot setup
The third page of the property sheet is called Plot Setup. With this dialog you can change appearance of
the plot window.
Fields 'Title' and 'Remark' can be used to enter descriptive information for the plot window.
With the table showing the 'Age offset' you can shift the start of each curve by giving individual offsets.
If you don’t want to see every stored point, you can choose multiples of the deadband used for storing.
The group x-axis can be used to define the start and end points of the x-axis. You can specify the Scale
type and the units used for the x-axis. The following Scale types are supported:
Auto
fixed start
fixed length
fixed
The Plotting module itself determines the start and end points
according to the data found from the database.
You specify the start point. The Plotting module determines the
end points according to the data found from the database.
You specify the length of the plot. The Plotting module
determines the end points according to the data found from the
database and calculates the starting point.
By entering a start or end point manually you can define points
of your own interest.
If you select the check box 'Common Y-Axis', all the curves in the plot window will share the same y-axis
Otherwise, every curve will have its own y-axis. Note that the x-axis is always common for all the curves.
The check box 'Show Legend' is used to enable or disable the legend (description of the different line
types).
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
• 21
Modifying plot properties
The most plot properties are on-line changeable. This is done via two dialogs, the Axis property dialog
and the plot setup dialog.
Plot setup properties
Via the tool bar or by double clicking above or below the plot area you open the plot setup dialog.
The following properties can be changed via this dialog:
General
Title
Title line of the plot. The title can be aligned either at the
left or right border or centered. Use the
button to specify the font via the Text Parameter dialog:
Remark
Time Range
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
Second title line (remark). Similar to the title, alignment
and font can be changed. If no text is entered for the
remark, this line is omitted.
Third title line. Batch’s name plus start and stop date of
either the Batch or the selected time range. Similar to the
title, alignment and font can be changed. This line is not
available for comparison plots.
• 22
Legend
X-axis properties
Scale
Min
Max
Length
Time Unit
font
Ticks
Grid
The plot con contain
- no legend
- a legend without deadband info
- a legend with deadband info
Via the
button the font used for legend can
be changed. The maximum width for the legend is half of
the plot window. If the legend does not fit in this region,
the font size is automatically reduced.
Scale type Auto, fixed start, fixed length or fixed.
Start age, changeable for Scale type fixed and fixed start.
Stop age, changeable for Scale type fixed.
Length of the plot, changeable for Scale type fixed length.
The time unit can be minutes, hours or days.
Via the
button the font used for x-axis and
x-axis title can be changed.
You can specify the steps between the major ticks and the
number of minor tick between the major ticks. If you
change the time unit the steps recalculated based on the
time range.
You can show a grid at major and minor ticks. Use the
buttons to change the line parameter for the grid
lines.
Y-axis properties
Common
alignment
font
Grid
If you select common, only the y-axis of the first curve is
shown. It is not possible to de-select this option later.
The y-axis titles can be aligned either at the left or right
border or centered.
Via the
button, the font used for all y-axis
and y-axis title can be changed.
You can show a grid at major and minor ticks of the first yaxis. Use the
buttons to change the line
parameter for the grid lines.
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
• 23
Curve properties
The following dialog is used to view and change curve and y-axis properties. It is activated via the tool
bar or by double clicking on a y-axis or a curve.
If you have more than one curve, you can use the combo box at the top to select the desired curve. If you
activate the dialog by double clicking, then the curve you have clicked on is selected.
You can specify the range, the steps between the major ticks and the number of minor ticks between the
major ticks. The y-axis can be drawn at the left or right side of the curve. If the curve does not contain
zero values, it is possible to have a logarithmic y-axis.
You can activate markers for alarms and for operator messages.
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
• 24
Creating Comparison Plots
The batch directory is the starting point of the Plot module. For comparison plots, it is necessary to select
more than one batch item from the batch directory list. This is done, like the Windows standard in the
following way:
•
•
•
holding down the control key (keyboard key CTRG) permanently
make batch selection with the left mouse key as usually
if all batches are selected than click with right mouse key to open the pop-up menu "Batch Open"
and click with the mouse on it to open the plot setup window.
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
• 25
The list "Batches" will contain all before selected batches. Make the variable selection for the data
comparison.
To change the time axis for one specific batch an offset can be specified. Therefore select card "Plot
Setup" and configure the values in field "Age offset" before starting the plot.
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
• 26
After clicking the button "Ok" the plot main window will show the data belonging to the selected
variables and batches.
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
• 27
Configuration of Calculations
Edit Formula Form
You can define a new formula either by simply typing it in the corresponding field on the “Edit Formula”
form or using the mouse by pressing the function and number buttons, and selecting input variables from
the selection lists. If you want to type in the formula with the keyboard, you must ensure that the variable
names, properties, functions, and operations are spelled correctly.
Please enter a description about the calculation to the field “Description”.
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
• 28
Editing Formulas of running batches
If a running process unit is selected in the “Configuration Management”, then the following message
appears. If you want to edit a formula for future batches on this process unit, then choose “No”. Make the
changes and the next time a batch is started on this process unit, the changed formula will be used.
If only the formula of a running batch shall be changed, press the button “Yes”. Then it is possible to
change the formula for the running batch only.
Remark:
If a common batch directory will be shared between different MFCS/win servers, then it is only possible
to change formulas of running batches of the MFCS/win server where the used shell is connected as
MFCS/win workstation.
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
• 29
Users
Access rights
The following table summarizes the access rights needed for MFCS/win operation.
Module
Action
Shell
Update
Shut down
Observe
Change variable status
Change setpoints
Change controller mode
Change controller status
Change PID parameters
Change alarming
Acknowledge Alarms
Operator Message
Synchronize Age
Init batch
Finish batch
Start / Stop operations
Start / Stop phases
Add / modify / delete operations
Add / modify / delete phases
Observe Offline Data
Print Offline data
Edit offline data
Calculate offline data
Export data (Excel file *.xls)
Observe Batch Directory
Change Filter and sorting, Layout
Define
Copy / Move / Delete / Close
Edit batch notes
Observe Report
Read Template
Write Templates
Average Data
Print Report
Operator Service
Sample Data Management
Batch Management
Reporting
Export Data
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
read
write
Config.
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
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• 30
Module
Action
Plots
Observe Plot
Print Plot
Read Template
Write own Template
Delete own templates
Write System templates
Delete System template
Export Data
Observe Configuration
Print Configuration lists
Configure MFCS/win system
Configuration Management
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
read
write
Config.
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
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X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
• 31
Print
Print Configuration
Use the button ”Print“ from the main form of ”Configuration Management“ (MFCSCMA) to start the
“Print Configuration” menu of your MFCS/win system. Select the desired list / report from the Print
Report selection list and select the process unit for which the selected list shall be printed.
The upper part of the selection list is process unit dependent. The middle part of the selection list is
process unit independent. If one of these items will be selected, then the process unit selection list will
become invisible.
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
• 32
Print Report
Process Unit Variable List
Description
Lists all ”Cyclic Variables“, ”Controllers“, ”Digital Variables“,
”Off-line Variables“, “Constants“ and “Events“ for the selected
process unit.
Process Unit I/O List
List of all variables which are related to the process unit, sorted by
input channel. Beside all BBI control units the following control
unit types will be considered (ADI 1020, Adi 1030, MND, OPC,
NBB)
Process Unit Storage List
List of all variables which are configured in the storage list for the
specified process unit.
Process Unit Input Test List
Generates the Input Test List for the selected process unit.
Process Unit Output Test List
Generates the Output Test List for the selected process unit
Process Unit Input Test List Empty Generates the I/O Test List for the selected process unit without
filling in variable names. The variable names can be specified
manually to be very flexible.
Offline Calculation List
List of all off-line calculations for the specified process unit.
Offline Calculation Short List
List of all off-line calculation for the selected process unit without
the description.
Online Calculation List
List of all on-line calculations
Online Calculation Short List
List of all on-line calculations without the description.
Recipe List (Drawings only)
Prints all configured recipes (Drawings of operations and phases )
To print a single recipe, the print function from the menu
“Configure / Recipe” should be used
Recipe List
Prints all configured recipes (drawings of operations and phases and
the contents of the phases): To print a single recipe, the print
function from the menu “Configure / Recipe” should be used.
Equipment Class List
List of all defined equipment classes for recipes.
Process Unit List
List of all defined process units
Control Unit List
List of all control units, which are configured for the complete
MFCS/win system. Beside all BBI control units, the following
control unit types will be considered (ADI 1020, Adi 1030, MND,
OPC, NBB)
Interface List
List of all defined interfaces
Alarm Block List
List of all defined alarm blocks
Display List
List of all configured displays
User List
List of all configured users
Change History
Report of “Change History“
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Print Report
Complete Configuration (short)
Complete Configuration
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
Description
Prints the complete configuration (Process Unit Variable List,
Process Unit I/O List, Process Unit Storage List, Offline
Calculation List Short) for the selected process unit.
If “All Fermentors” will be selected, the process unit independent
lists will be printed too (On-line Calculation List, Process Unit List,
Control Unit List, Interface List, Alarm Block List, Display List,
User List)
Prints the complete configuration (Process Unit Variable List,
Process Unit I/O List, Process Unit Storage List, Off-line
Calculation List) for the selected process unit.
If “All Fermentors” will be selected, the process unit independent
lists will be printed too (On-line Calculation List, Recipe List,
Equipment Class List, Process Unit List, Control Unit List,
Interface List, Alarm Block List, Display List, User List, Change
History).
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Sample Data Manager
Introduction
General
In fermentation, not all parameters can be measured on-line. Some values are results of off-line analyses
from samples of the process unit contents. These values have to be manually typed into the system, and
they can be entered both at runtime of an actual fermentation or after the fermentation has finished.
Usually samples are taken in fixed time periods and all parameters are evaluated from the same sample,
for instance, biomass concentration, product concentration, etc. The results are stored together with the
date and time the sample was taken. However, the time when the results are available may differ for the
different parameters.
Variables that store data of off-line values are called off-line variables and they are handled by the
Sample Data Manager (MFCSSDM). Besides the value, these variables have a time stamp.
In addition, it is possible to calculate off-line values by using other off-line data or a mixture of off-line
and on-line data as input parameters. The calculations are configured in the same way as cyclic
calculations but unlike cyclic calculations, they are process unit specific.
Off-line data of both entered and calculated values are stored in the Off-line Data table of the Process
Database.
Database Locking
In network environments it is possible that more than one user is working with MFCS/win at the same
time. To avoid conflicts by entering sample data, the sample data manager has a built-in database locking
mechanism. The first user that opens the sample data manager becomes the only user with write access.
Any other users, who start the manager later on, may only have read access rights. In this case, a message
will appear to inform the user about this situation.
In this case all functions in the sample data manager are disabled and all cells are locked.
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Basic tasks
Commands
A command is an instruction to the Sample Data Manager to tell it to do something. You can choose
commands either by clicking the toolbar buttons with the mouse or selecting them from the menu. All
toolbar commands can be done with the menus, but not all menu commands are available on the toolbar.
Menu commands are activated from the menu bar shown on the top of the main window. The menu bar
contains the following menus:
File menu
View menu
Option menu
Window menu
Help menu
The toolbar includes buttons for the most frequently used actions. To see a description of a button, place
the mouse over it, and after a short while a tool tip will appear below it.
File menu commands
The File menu offers the following commands:
Open
Close
Save
Export
Print
Page Setup
Print Setup
Exit
Reads the sample data table for the selected batch and shows
them in a separate view.
Closes the sample data table.
Saves the sample data table to the database.
Exports the sample data table as an Excel worksheet.
Prints the sample data table.
Changes the page layout.
Changes the printer and printer settings.
Exits Sample Data Manager.
View menu commands
The View menu offers the following commands:
Batch directory
show or hide the batch directory
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Options menu commands
The Options menu offers the following commands:
Recalculate
Add Sample
Refresh Batch
Performs all off-line calculations.
Creates a new sample row inside the sample data table.
Refreshes the batch info. (Especially the batch age for running
batches)
Context menu commands
Depending on the view, the Context menu offers the following commands:
Batch directory:
Batch Open
Reads the sample data table for the selected batches and shows
them in separate views.
Sample data view:
Edit Cell
Delete Cell
Delete Row
Delete Column
For stored values invoke the Edit Dialog
Invoke the Delete dialog.
Deletes a whole sample.
Deletes all values in a whole column
Double click command
A double-click on a batch directory item reads the sample data table for the selected batch and shows
them in a separate view.
If you double-click on a cell in the sample data view containing a stored value invokes the edit dialog.
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Window menu commands
The Window menu offers the following commands, which enable you to arrange multiple views of
multiple documents in the application window:
Cascade
Tile
Arrange Icons
Window 1, 2, ...
Arranges windows in an overlapped fashion.
Arranges windows in non-overlapped tiles.
Arranges icons of minimized windows.
Goes to specified window.
Help menu commands
The Help menu offers the following commands, which provide you assistance with this application:
Index
Using Help
About MFCSSDM
MFCS/win Release Notes 2.0.4A
Offers you an index to topics on which you can get help.
Provides general instructions on using help.
Displays the version number of this application.
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Entering sample data values
Batch directory
The batch directory is the starting point of the Sample Data Manager. See chapter Batch
Management/Batch management process/Batch directory for details.
When you start the Sample Data Manager the first time, then the filter Batch Status: running OR finished
is used for the batch directory.
Sample data table
The upper part of the sample data window contains batch specific information, such as batch tag and
description, batch status, as well as start and stop times of the batch.
Sample data values are presented in a spreadsheet table, whose first column shows the sample
identification, the second column the dates and times, the third column sampling ages. These column
positions are in a fixed place inside the table and they remain visible even by scrolling to the right end of
the table. All further successive columns showing the actual analyzed values of probes taken at the
sampling times. In the last column, the remarks for the samples are shown.
Variables on the spreadsheet appear in the order specified for the off-line variable definition in the
Configuration Management (field ‘Order in SDM’). Calculated variables are distinguished from other
off-line variables with a reversed color (white on black) of the header in the spreadsheet. The column
width automatically is expanded in case of longer variable names.
Values on the spreadsheet are shown in different colors, according to their properties. The following
color-coding is used:
Black
Green
Blue
Red
New value, can be freely deleted and modified
Saved value, deletion and modification only with reason
Calculated value cannot be deleted or modified.
Modified value.
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Notice! All actions (add, delete, modify) are forbidden for closed batches.
Sample Identification
Usually a sample is taken at a specific time point. Therefore the sample data table includes the fields
Date/Time and Age for identification. In addition to that, the table includes a "Sample" field that is a case
sensitive unique text field. This allows for easy company wide sample identification.
Adding new values
You can add a new data row to the table simply in two ways:
by clicking on button
the tool bar
"Add Sample" from or via menu entry "Options / Add Sample".
The Sample Data Manager will open the dialogue "Add Sample" to ask for details:
You can specify the sampling time either as data and time in field "Sample time" or as Sample age in
field "Sample age". The Sample Data Manager will automatically calculate the other value depending on
the format you have entered.
You must type in the date and time using the format specified for the international setting of the date and
time in the Control Panel of your Windows workstation. If you give the batch age, you must give it as
hours, and use the number format defined in the Control Panel.
A new analysis value can be directly written in an empty cell. You must use the number format defined in
the Control Panel.
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The Sample Id field is filled in with the actual row number as default. You may use it or change it to free
text according to your sample naming convention strategy. Please consider that the field is case sensitive
and the text must be unique.
Please note:
If you have specified a sample probe once, it's not allowed to change the Date/Time, Age
and Sample Id fields, they are locked forever. In case you detect a typing error after the
sample probe declaration, you have to delete the complete sample probe and re-enter the
values again.
The remark field is for optionally use. It is shown as last column of the sample data table.
Correcting values
If a value on the sample data table has not been saved to the database (color is black) you may freely
modify it either by retyping it or by pressing the F2 key to activate the editing of the cell. Once you have
activated editing with the F2 key you can move inside the cell with the left and right arrow keys, type in
new characters, or delete parts of the cell contents. To delete the following keys can be used:
To delete
Press
Character to the left BACKSPACE
Character to the DEL
right
However, in order to validate the data storage, you are not allowed to overwrite values that have already
been saved to the database. In the spreadsheet these values are shown with green color. If you need to
modify the value e.g. because of mistyping, you can do it, but you have to give the reason for the change.
The Sample Data Manager will store both the old and the new value, and the reason for change, in the
database.
Modifying of a stored value will start when you select a cell and double-click it. Now a dialog window
will appear where you can see the old value and you can give the new value and the reason for change.
Notice! You cannot modify the sample date/time or sampling age. If you need to correct these values, you
must delete the whole row and enter a new row with new values.
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Deleting values
You can delete a single value, a whole row or a whole column from the sample data table. If you click
with the right mouse button in a cell, the context menu allows you to activate the delete dialog for either a
cell, a whole row or a whole column. In all cases you have to give a reason for the operation. For data
validation purposes, deleted values are not removed from the database, but marked as deleted, and the
reason for deletion will be stored with the deleted values.
Exporting values
You can export the whole sample data table to a file in Excel 4.0 format for further processing with
Microsoft Excel or other commercial tool. The name and path of the file can be selected in the export
data dialog.
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Off-line calculation
Definition of off-line calculations
Off-line calculations are defined in the configuration database with the Configuration Manager. They can
use properties of other off-line data and on-line data as input parameters.
The definitions of off-line calculations and calculation formulae are retrieved for running batches from
the configuration database, and for finished batches from the process database.
The actual calculation is activated either from the Options menu or from the calculator button on the
toolbar. The results from the off-line calculations are always stored in the process database.
Performing the calculations
All calculations defined as off-line calculations in the database are performed as a block in the same
order they appear in the configuration.
All stored properties of on-line variables can be used as input parameters. Input values are calculated
from two closest time points to the sample time using linear interpolation. For off-line variables, the
properties value, previous value and time difference between two samples can be used as input
parameters. The value property is not interpolated, as its sampling time must be the same as the sampling
time of the result, otherwise the input value is regarded as invalid.
The result of the calculation will only be valid and stored if all input values are valid. If calculations are
performed more than once, new results will only be stored if they differ from already stored values. In
this case the old values are marked as deleted with reason ‘recalculated’ and the new values will be stored
to the database.
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Load Configuration
Introduction
General
The Load Configuration tool is designed to load MFCS/win configurations during the installation of
MFCS/win or if new fermentors (process units) are added to an existing MFCS/win system. Therefore, a
process unit must be selected from the list. This list shows all process units from the Standard
Configuration. The MFCS/win “Standard Configuration” consists of configurations for all different kinds
of B. Braun fermentors . If you can not find your specific fermentor in the list, then choose a similar
fermentor configuration and adapt the variables to suit it (I/O channel assignment must be checked and
missing variables must be configured).
Remark:
Since MFCS/win version 2.0 SP3 it is recommended to use the tool “Transfer
Configuration”, because this tool supports the newest control unit types.
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First Configuration of a new System
If there is no “Custom Specific Configuration Disk” delivered, then the installation program has installed
an empty configuration database. In this case the fermenters and control units must be configured. Start
the Configuration Management from the Shell “Run / Configuration Management”.
Activate the function “File / Load Configuration”.
The question “Load Configuration does not support new control unit types. Use ‘Transfer Configuration’
for loading from ‘Standard Process Unit’” appears.
Press the button “Yes”.
After that the Load / Transfer Configuration form be shown.
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The following steps will only be described briefly. For further information please refer to the “System
Manager’s Handbook / chapter Configuration of Physical Devices” where the configuration work is
described in detail.
1.
Select a pre configured process unit from the “From Process Unit” selection list.
2.
Create a new Process Unit object by pressing the button “New process unit”. After the Process
Unit configuration select the new Process Unit from the “To Process Unit” selection list box.
3.
Create a new Control Unit object by pressing the button “New control Unit”. In the Control
Unit configuration form press also the button “Parameters” and configure the fields “Interface”
and “Address”. If the Control Unit configuration is finished, then select the new Control Unit
from the “To Control Unit” list box.
4.
Press the button “Select All”
5.
Press the button “Copy Configuration” to copy the configuration from the Standard
Configuration to the MFCS/win configuration (to load a configuration).
For configuration of additional Process Units perform steps 1 to 5 again.
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MFCS/win Kernel Modules
Modules
Data Storing, MFCSSTO
The Data Storing module (STO) reads the specified process values from the MRD and stores them into
the Process Data table of the Batch Database. Every value will be stored separately with a time stamp.
STO is able to store various properties of on-line variables, such as process values, setpoints, outputs,
Ctrl_status and Var_Status. Properties to be stored are configured for each process unit in the Storage list
within the Configuration Database. At the end of the batch, the Storage table of the process unit in
question will be copied from the Configuration Database to the corresponding Batch Database.
The storage strategy is event based. This means that a new value will be stored only if it has changed
more than a configured deadband since the last storing. In addition to event based storing, a back-up
storing cycle is performed in a defined backup cycle (default value 30 min). All variables that belong to
the storage list will be stored after the given backup cycle has elapsed, no matter what else has occurred.
If a batch will be defined, MFCSBMA reads the path to store the batch database from the WKST.INI file
from the section [MFCSODBC]. There the key “BatchDir_N” is used to specify the path (N = Node Id).
The default value for this path is \MFCS_WIN\DATABASE\BATCHES\
Attention:
It is recommended to store the data for running batches to a local hard disk and after the batch is finish to
“Copy” or “Move” the batch database to a network drive.
If the data of running batches will be stored directly to a location on a network server, then data will be
lost if there are problems with the network ( e.g. network is not available).
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Change History
Change History Form
If there are changes to the MFCS/win configuration and the “Exit” button of the configuration
management is pressed, then the “Change History” dialog will be displayed. Each time the
“Backup Configuration” is pressed, the „Rev No. will be automatically increased by 1. and the
sub revision starts with 0.001 again. Each time the “Exit without Backup” button the sub revision
will be incremented by 0.001.
It is necessary that a comment is written to the „Comment“ field, so that each modification of the
configuration is documented. That is the reason, why the buttons will be enabled after the
comment was written. All the comments with Rev. No. and date and time can be printed as
Change History list from the “Print configuration” menu.
Remark: It is absolutely necessary to fill in the comment, before the buttons will be enabled.
Press the „Backup Configuration“ button to make a backup copy of the MFCS/win configuration
If you do not want to backup the configuration, then press the button “Exit without Backup”.
Please note that the actual changes made in the configuration will be implemented once the
“Update Configuration” function is performed in the Shell “File” menu.
If “Backup Configuration” is chosen, then the system will save the MFCSCONF.MDB
(Configuration) databases to the \MFCS_WIN \DATABASE\BACKUP directory. Additional a new
directory will be created under \ MFCS_WIN \DATABASE\BACKUP which consists of the date
and time.
(e.g. 01091217.370 .The configuration was saved 01 / Sep / 12 at 17:37 : 0 ).
12’th of September 2001 17:37:0.
The configuration database MFCSCONF.MDB will be copied into this directory.
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