Glossary · Engineering, integration and validation
Engineering tool
Also known as: Engineering software, Engineering environment
German: Engineering-Tool
In industrial automation, an engineering tool is software used to configure, program, simulate, commission and diagnose automation components such as controllers, drives, HMIs and networks. Integrated engineering tools combine several of these tasks in one project.
- Validation
In one sentence
An engineering tool is software used to configure, program, simulate, commission and diagnose controllers, drives, HMIs and networks.
Example
In the engineering tool, the team configures the controller hardware, writes the structured text program and downloads it to the PLC for commissioning.
How it applies
- Engineering: Engineers use the tool for Hardware configuration, programming in IEC 61131-3 languages, network setup and HMI design. Many tools also offer simulation and library management.
- Commissioning: The tool is used online to download software, monitor variables, force signals and read diagnostics.
- Maintenance: Service staff need the matching tool version to open a project; tool and firmware versions belong in the Configuration management records.
- Documentation: The documentation team can export device lists, parameter tables or cross-references from the tool and should state which tool version the instructions refer to, since menus and names change between releases.
Engineering tool vs. runtime
The engineering tool is used to create and change the application; the runtime executes it on the controller or HMI. Access to engineering tools on plant networks is a security topic: they can change running software and should be controlled accordingly.