Glossary · System coordination, integration and orchestration
Line controller
Also known as: line management controller, line master
German: Liniensteuerung
In industrial automation, a line controller is a control system that coordinates the machines of a production line, for example by distributing orders and recipes, pacing machines, managing line starts and stops and collecting status and performance data.
- System integration
In one sentence
A line controller coordinates the machines of a production line, distributing orders, pacing machines and collecting status data.
Example
On a beverage line, the line controller sends the format change to all machines, starts them in sequence and adjusts their speeds to the filler.
How it applies
- Engineering: The line controller communicates with machine controllers through defined interfaces, often based on standards such as PackML states. Each machine remains responsible for its own safe operation.
- Operation: Line-level HMIs show the state of all machines and the reason for line stops, which supports fast troubleshooting.
- Documentation: Line documentation should describe the line controller's functions, the interface to each machine and the procedures for format changes, line starts and stops. Keep machine names consistent with the machine manuals.
Line controller vs. machine controller
A machine controller controls the actuators of one machine. A line controller coordinates several machines through their controllers and does not normally drive actuators directly. In smaller lines, the line controller function may run on the controller of the main machine, which should then be documented as a separate function.