Emerson has announced the release of PAC Machine Edition (PME) 10.6, the integrated development environment software used to configure and manage control system devices, including PACSystems PLCs, QuickPanel HMIs and more.
This update is the latest and most advanced version, elevating the user experience with a significant leap forward in capabilities, including simulation, data monitoring enhancements, optimised connectivity and programming efficiency. For any PACSoftware users who are out of support, if they reinstate primary support before 1 April, 2025 they will receive 75% off of the list price.
PACSystems Simulator is a newly incorporated component, empowering users to easily write, test and troubleshoot control logic on a PLC emulator. This can be done before purchasing new control hardware to speed development and ensure the correct selections are made. The Simulator is seamlessly integrated within PME and is easy to set up, and fast to enable with just one button. Users benefit from the ability to continuously test code throughout development, minimizing risks and accelerating project implementation.
An all-new data monitor component empowers developers to quickly diagnose and resolve logic issues using plotted data, whether the data is sourced from a physical PLC or the Simulator. With advanced configuration options for visualizing and analysing data in a modernised display, and the ability to save and retrieve monitor configurations, users can gain insights into system dynamics, detect root causes of anomalies rapidly and uncover trending conditions.
A new high-performance OPC-UA PAC Server accelerates PLC communication performance for visualisation and other client applications, with double the tag count capacity, faster startup speeds, and improved processing efficiency. Similarly, PROFINET enhancements provide more efficient configuration and operation - with additional diagnostics - for communication with intelligent field devices, such as I/O, sensors, variable frequency drives (VFDs) and more.
PME 10.6 incorporates significant improvements for data handling. Enhanced User-Defined Types (UDTs) now propagate data element descriptions across all application instances, ensuring consistency, while saving configuration time.
End users, systems integrators (SIs) and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) can easily upgrade to PME 10.6 to access the PACSystems Simulator, enhanced data monitoring, optimized connectivity, and more. These features benefit automation system designers with shortened development time, increased visibility, better consistency, and improved performance.