Yokogawa releases FieldMate® R3.03

In addition to displaying past diagnostic data, this latest version of FieldMate includes new functions that provide a more intuitive visualisation of pressure calibration data. Powerful new interfaces are also provided for connecting to devices that rely on non-standard protocols and connecting to host networks.

FieldMate runs on PCs and is used to configure, adjust, and manage devices in plants. With its support of a variety of digital communication standards, FieldMate can connect to and manage many different manufacturers’ devices. This is a popular software tool that has been installed on more than 10 000 systems since 2006, and Yokogawa has steadily updated it with new functions that truly make it an all-in-one maintenance solution.

The functions added in Release 3.03 make it significantly easier to adjust, check, and calibrate devices, facilitate the sharing of maintenance information by field and office personnel, and allow the connection to devices and instruments that use non-standard communication protocols.

Enhancements

New functions that make it easier to calibrate differential pressure/pressure transmitters which requires the use of the CA700 pressure calibrator from Yokogawa Meters & Instruments Corp.

Field devices must be periodically calibrated to maintain their accuracy. Differential pressure/pressure transmitters are widely used in plants, and their calibration requires skilled maintenance personnel. To calibrate a transmitter, a field engineer must apply pressure using a hand pump, measure that pressure with a pressure calibrator and a transmitter, and manually record the reading produced by the transmitter. This same procedure must be repeated at various standard pressure levels. Release 3.03 has a new function that clearly displays in real time the pressure calibrator and transmitter readings acquired from the pressure calibrator, and a new function that automatically records calibration data. With these functions, even inexperienced maintenance personnel can easily calibrate these devices.

Enhanced visualisation of historical data needed to identify device deterioration

This latest FieldMate release comes with a new function that displays previous measurements on a graph, which is useful, for example, in identifying changes over time in the adjustments needed to eliminate an offset from the zero point. Used together with a function that displays a list of diagnostic data, this can help personnel identify field devices and other types of equipment that are in need of maintenance. Previously, such assessments required a good deal of experience in analysing measurement data. Thanks to the improved visualisation of data with this new function, even inexperienced maintenance workers can accurately make these assessments.

New external interfaces

A new external interface is now available on a special order basis which facilitates connections to host systems, including those that rely on the Cloud. This allows users to easily share FieldMate-generated maintenance reports with their colleagues in the field and back at the office.

In addition, while FieldMate supports all the major communication protocols used by field devices, some plants still rely on field devices and other types of equipment that use unique, non-standard communication protocols. A new external interface is now available that enables FieldMate to connect to, and handle, data from devices that use such non-standard protocols.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/product-news/23082017/yokogawa-releases-fieldmate-r303/