HMI Approaches Commodity Status (Part 2)

This is the second installment of our roundup covering HMIs, look for the third installment in late February.

Beckhoff

HMI Matches Controller

Scalable HMI options match a range of controllers using TwinCat software. For small systems, customers can use any Modbus, Modbus TCP, or serial-compliant HMI hardware. In the mid-range, customers can use any HMI hardware on the CE or XP embedded controller. An InduSoft CE runtime, which is programmed using InduSoft Web Studio is available, as well as .NET CE for HMI programming using Visual Studio, for the repeat high-end programmer who doesn't want to pay for tag counts and runtime licenses. Beckhoff Automation; 952/890-0000; www.beckhoff.com

Dolch

Tough Touchscreen Computer

RuggedTouch and RuggedTouch Plus industrial touchscreen displays and workstations survive harsh and hazardous environments, including high-pressure caustic washdowns. Both have a Intel Pentium III 1.2GHz processor, 30GB hard drive, and 256MB of RAM. Options include 12, 15, and 18-in. LCDs, and bezels in stainless steel for NEMA 4X, and black powder coated steel for NEMA 4 and NEMA 12. Dolch; 877/347-4929; www.dolchpr.com

Stealth Computer

Tough Touchscreen Monitor

Model SV-2100 Industrial Grade 21-in. LCD monitor is enclosed in a NEMA 4/IP-66 steel housing that withstands water, dust, and dirt intrusion. It is available with resistive and surface acoustic wave (SAW) touchscreens, runs resolutions up to UXGA (1600x1200 pixels) with both analog and digital input sources, and has 250 nits of brightness and a contract ratio of 500:1. Stealth Computer, 905/264-9000; www.stealthcomputer.com

Red Lion Controls

Text/Graphical Panel Reaches Out

The G303 text/graphical panel has five serial communication ports, which can be configured to communicate with most PLCs, motion controllers, and PID controllers. It has a 10/100BaseT Ethernet port, which can be used for remote communication and web diagnostics. Configuration databases can downloaded via the RS-232 programming port or the USB port. An outdoor unit is available that features a sunlight visible display and a UV-rated overlay. Red Lion; 717/767-6511; www.g3panels.com

Advantech

SCADA/HMI Over the Web

Enhancements to AStudio 5.1 SCADA/HMI software include Microsoft .NET and Windows XP compatibility, and support for the OCX version of OLE controls. The software also has a WebLink OPC server, direct-dial modem support, and e-mail file attachments. This allows e-control and e-monitoring from outside the plant via network or dial-up connections, using standard web browsers. Plant personnel can track alarms by getting e-mail warnings and checking the web page. Advantech; 513/742-8895; www.advantech.com

QSI

Terminal Takes Power from Ethernet

The QTerm-G70 graphics terminal combines power and data on the same CAT5 Ethernet cable, eliminating the need to run 115- VAC power to devices on a wired LAN. The terminal has an object-based programming system that makes it easy for an OEM to design a simple control panel interface or a complete standalone application. The software uses predefined objects and allows OEMs to edit or define custom objects. Screens are developed on a PC then downloaded to the terminal via its Ethernet interface. QSI; 801/466-8770; www.qsicorp.com

Mettler Toledo

Connectable Scale Plugs In to Networks

Internet-enabled Jagxtreme weigh scale connects via TCP/IP and Ethernet to LANs, WANs, and enterprise systems. It has a built-in web server that allows product configuration, diagnostics, and maintenance from remote locations via the Internet. Setup changes can be made from anywhere using tools already on PC. The scale also connects to PCs and other local devices via ordinary common cables. It is available in pedestal, panel-mount, and harsh environment models. Mettler-Toledo; 614/438-4511; www.na.mt.com

Phoenix Contact

Control Panel/PLC

The CP3xxT-Studio-IB Control Panel combines the functions of a PLC and an operator panel in one unit. Software includes Windows CE operating system, Entivity's Studio flowchart software, a common OPC tag database, and PanelWorX software. Runtime versions of both software packages are pre-installed and pre-integrated. Models are available with 6, 10, or 12-in. screen sizes. All have bright TFT color touchscreens, built-in device-level master, and a 10/100BaseT Ethernet port for networking. Phoenix Contact; 800/586-5525; www.phoenixcon.com.

Siemens E&A

Local Color

Simatic MP 270B for local HMI machine operation and monitoring applications has a 5.7-in. TFT touch display with a resolution of 320x240 pixels and 256 colors. Configured with new WinCC flexible engineering software, the display is based on Windows CE, offering PC-like capabilities combined with rugged and compact hardware. Options include OPC-Server for vendor-independent communication, Sm@rtService for remote maintenance via Internet or intranet, and Internet Explorer for viewing HTML web content. Siemens Energy & Automation; 800/964-4114; www.sea.siemens.com

Schneider Electric

A Bundle of Display

Magelis XBT-G touchscreen terminals come in screen sizes of 5, 7, 10 and 12 in., with a compact footprint and Ethernet connectivity for customers seeking a bundled PLC-HMI solution. It features a comprehensive dynamic object library that reduces configuration time, openness to web technology with scripting in Java, and Ethernet, Modbus, and Uni-Telway connectivity. VijeoDesigner configuration software, compatible with Windows 2000 or XP, is used with the whole range of Magelis XBT-G terminals. Schneider Electric; 888/SQUARED; www.schneiderautomation.com.