Advanced control with the latest technology
Simplify engineering, commissioning, maintenance, and fieldbus management with Freelance – ABB’s compact Distributed Control System.
Trusted in industrial plants for more than 30 years, Freelance is designed to make life easier for engineers and operators. It’s swift to set up, with an intuitive operator interface and built-in fieldbus management for complete visibility and control. Discover seamless performance and rapid troubleshooting with a DCS that’s straightforward to maintain, back up and expand when needed.
Enhance processes with automation. Increase uptime with redundant control. And save time and money with a scalable DCS that gives you the flexibility to upgrade on your terms.
Benefits of our distributed control system
Freelance makes your life easier. It’s user-friendly, reliable, robust and efficient. Learn more about the benefits of our scalable DCS and how it can improve your processes.
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Easy to use
Set up in five minutes, learn fast with Quickstart Tutorials and engineer, commission, back-up, maintain and expand with ease.
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Reliable and available
Be confident in your system and the data you get from it. Freelance DCS brings 30 years of field-proven expertise for reliability and trust.
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Save money
Reduce maintenance costs and increase productivity. The easy-to-use DCS has a small footprint and works on any PC – for savings in training, installation engineering and commissioning.
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Future-proof
Meet the demands of a rapidly changing, digitalized industrial world, with future-proof new technologies continuously integrated into this forward-thinking, scalable DCS.
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Less downtime, more resilience
Enjoy continuous, uninterrupted operation, with options for scalable redundancy at all levels including I/Os, fieldbus modules, fieldbus lines, network and controller.
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Seamless compliance
Meet regulatory requirements for your industry and location with a series of features that support the validation procedure, including encrypted log and trend data.
System overview
overview
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Operator level
<p>Freelance operations (DigiVis) provides the human-machine interface (HMI) functionality. It has the ability for operation, process monitoring, archives and logs, trends, and alarms. It runs on a simple PC environment under Microsoft Windows. This system allows you to stay continuously tuned with essential information while analyzing other data, such as progress of a sequential function chart or trend archives. This is because it supports dual-monitor operation.</p>Engineering level
<p>Freelance engineering station is used to configure and commission the system, including the operator interface. Usually, this system is run on portable equipment, such as laptops, which allows configuration both in the office and on-site.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p>Process level
<p>The process level controls the functions of the controllers. Open-loop and closed-loop control functions are processed in the controllers, which communicate with actors and sensors in the field. A Freelance system can consist of between one and several controllers. You can extend it with different types of I/O units. Or you can configure your system as fully redundant, creating a backup for uninterrupted operations via Ethernet.</p>Elements of our scalable DCS solution
By product
System
The Freelance DCS provides both, operator level and process level. The operator or HMI level contains the functions for operation, process monitoring, archives and logs, trends and alarms. Open-loop and closed-loop control functions are processed in the controllers, which communicate with actors and sensors in the field.
Operator interfaces
If you're looking for the perfect operational fit, the Freelance DCS supports several HMI solutions. Between Freelance operations (formerly DigiVis), 800xA operations and Generic OPC, take a look to see what suits your needs. Or, read on to learn more about our offerings.
Engineering
This easy and intuitive engineering tool provides configuration of all plant objects, ranging from process graphics to field devices and Controller function blocks of the entire plant.
Controllers & I/Os
Build a compact, easy-to-engineer, and reliable DCS platform. From the PLC-like AC700F for small applications to the powerful AC900F series for more demanding processes, all controllers support redundant networking without extra complexity or special hardware.
Safety
For projects that require a fully segregated safety concept, Independent HI interfaces seamlessly with our Freelance, ControlMaster or Symphony Plus (Harmony and Melody) systems, our heritage (Advant, MOD300) technologies, and our third-party control systems or PLCs.
Batch management
Whatever your requirements, we offer different solutions for batch managements. Read on to find out more about Freelance Formulation and 800x A Batch Management below.
Information Management
To make the right decisions in today‘s rapid and competitive business environment, you need all the decision support you can get. Freelance provides basic and advanced Information Management functions.
Fieldbus
Discover certified field devices for Freelance DCS, supporting multiple fieldbus types with reliable integration and continuous certification of ABB and third-party devices.
- By product