How to convert Excel Information into CLC files
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Products:
Aspen DMC3 Builder
Last Updated:
13-Sep-2022
Last Updated:
13-Sep-2022
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Article ID:
000100061
Article ID:
000100061
Primary Subject:
Problem Statement
This solution frames a simple but useful procedure to convert step test information collected in excel into a CLC file that can be imported into DMCplus Model, IQModel, and DMC3 Builder
Solution
To solve this issue, we will require to IQModel application. IQModel is a standard desktop application (It always gets installed when APC Desktop, Online, and Watch Server are installed) that is normally used for the development of IQ PLS model.
Additionally, it has compatibility with an Excel plug-in built for importing data in IQModel. Further information about how to use the plug-ins can be found in the following KB Article:
https://esupport.aspentech.com/S_Article?id=000099500
In this particular case, we will not use the plug-in, but the steps that will be described can be used with the plug-in approach.
NOTE: is important to take into account that to use this approach we will require to have data on all variables using the same sampling (even if the measurements are infrequent we may have to manually fix the gaps). This is important due that the sampling format can créate issues on DMC3 Builder. It does not matter if the timestamp is captured, but is important to have data in a base frequency.
1.- for this example, we have the following information in Excel:
In this case, you will notice that the timestamp column does not exist for this example. This would represent a problem for DMC3 builder since the CLC format requires the timestamp, but IQModel will help us to solve the issue.
From Excel, we will require to export the data as a text file tab-delimited. Normally this can be done by saving the file and selecting the correct extension.
2.- The next step will be to import the text file into IQModel. To do this simply créate a new Project and Select click on the Specify Data button.
3.- a small Windows will appear asking for some specifications. In this case, ignore everything and click OK. Then you will be asked to specify the data to import. For this step select the text file we just extracted from Excel.
Click OK on the File Format window.
4.- the next window will ask to select a variable as a CV for the IQModel. Nevertheless, this is not relevant to the solution. Do right-click on any variable and select Dependent then click Ok.
5.- At this point, our information has been loaded into IQModel. The next step is to extract the CLC file. Back on the IQModel interface click on the small down arrow next to Specify Data. From you will a small menú with different options.
6.- Select Input Data and you will a table with all the information we import. Notice that the first column shows a timestamp related to the current server time. IQModel créate those timestamps automatically when the timestamp is not defined on the dataset. For the dataset is important to remember that the Start time and End time (meaning when the step testing took place) are not important, but the frequency does. In this case, since we sample data on a minute basis IQModel créate the timestamps using that assumption. This will be helpful for the creation of the CLC
7.- On the tip, ribbon click on the diskette icon with the export legend
This will bring another save window in which you can specify the extension. Select CLC and save the file
8.- Finally we can test that the CLC file is Functional. You can do two things to test this. Open the CLC with Notepad and through the format make sure is in place. Or you can directly import in DMC3 builder.
Keywords
DMC3, IQModel, Dataset