Glossary · System coordination, integration and orchestration
Mode coordination
Also known as: Operating-mode coordination
German: Betriebsartenkoordination
In industrial automation, mode coordination is the alignment of the operating modes of several machines or units, so that combinations of modes across a line or plant are permitted, consistent and safe, for example preventing one machine from running automatically while a neighbor is in setup mode with an operator inside.
- System integration
In one sentence
Mode coordination aligns the operating modes of several machines or units so that mode combinations across a line are permitted and consistent.
Example
When the palletizer is switched to setup mode, the line controller stops the infeed conveyor and blocks automatic mode on the stretch wrapper that shares the fenced area.
How it applies
- Engineering: Define a matrix of allowed mode combinations for all machines in a line or shared area. Combinations that affect people in a Shared safety zone must be handled by safety-rated functions, not only by the standard coordination logic.
- Commissioning: Test each mode change on each machine and check the reaction of the neighbors, including restarts after a mode change.
- Operation: Operators need clear indication of the mode of each machine and of why a requested mode is blocked.
- Documentation: Describe the permitted mode combinations, the selection procedure and the effects on neighboring machines in the operating instructions. Keep terminology identical to the HMI labels.
Mode coordination vs. operating-mode management
Operating-mode management handles the modes of one machine or system: selection, authorization and transitions. Mode coordination works across machines and ensures that their modes fit together.