http://www.controleng.com/ en http://www.controleng.com/typo3conf/ext/tt_news/ext_icon.gif http://www.controleng.com/ 18 16 TYPO3 - get.content.right http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Tue, 21 May 2013 07:00:00 -0400 http://www.controleng.com/industry-news/single-article/multi-touch-panel-pc-for-rugged-applications/575ef6be75f4ef793e67277ec60ca8bb.html The TPC-1840WP from Advantech is a widescreen multi-touch panel PC specifically designed for... Advantech’s TPC-1840WP is an 18-in. widescreen multi-touch panel PC specifically designed to provide easier operation and boost productivity in manufacturing control environments, building automation, and other HMI applications. The TPC-1840WP features a widescreen ratio of 16:9. The multi-touch capabilities, provide even greater control and viewing of information shown using Advantech’s SUSIAccess and WebAccess management software. Several third-party partner HMI/SCADA software packages have been tested on this panel with excellent results, the company said. The TPC-1840WP uses an AMD dual-core processor with independent graphical processing unit which provides support for Microsoft Windows 8 and DirectX11 so it can handle more complicated and detailed graphics. Advantech www.advantech.com  See other HMI products from Control Engineering.]]> Information Control New Products HMIs and Operator Interfaces Industrial Networks Motors and Drives PLCs and PACs Sensors Process Instrumentation SyndicationType: Product Release SyndicationSource: CFE Media (in-house) Mon, 20 May 2013 17:06:00 -0400 http://www.controleng.com/industry-news/single-article/build-os-neutral-mobile-interfaces-for-automation-monitoring-control-applications/9aa6042db560099898d8bd3c76ebfe7d.html Opto 22 groov is a new system for building simple, effective web-based interfaces to monitor and... “groov” is Opto 22’s new system for building simple, effective Web-based interfaces to monitor and control systems and equipment using computers and mobile devices. Using only a Web browser, groov allows fast design and deployment web-based automation, monitoring, and control applications that work on most computers and mobile devices regardless of operating system (OS). It allows mobile, visible, accessible, and simple screen development.
Opto 22 calls groov a “human device interface” (HDI) instead of a human machine interface (HMI) because it takes the regular HMI in a different direction: towards the tablets, smartphones, and other mobile devices that have become part of home and professional lives. Opto 22 developed groov with HMI best practices in mind, including those defined by the “High Performance HMI Handbook,” providing the tools to build high-performance, intelligible information and control screens. The new system is not intended to directly replace an HMI, but to augment HMI systems by making important information easily available on almost any mobile device or large, flat-screen HDTV, mounted high for monitoring key performance metrics (KPIs) or other parameters. Totally new software “This is unlike anything being offered,” Benson Hougland, Opto 22 vice president of marketing and product development, told CFE Media. All software is included, accessible via any browser, without plug-ins, without downloads, no per-user licenses, no tag limits, with nothing else to buy or install, Hougland explained. “This make software as easy as possible to use; groove Build has pre-drawn touch-screen-enabled gadgets,” Hougland said. Screens are distributed via an HTTPS URL with secure sockets layer (SSL) encryption. Prior attempts to mimic operator interface screens in a browser have been poor, Hougland explained, with limited scalability. This system uses HTML5 to scale graphics, buttons, labels, images, live video, trends – everything – to the screen size. The only software needed is a browser. On the development page for the software, another tab allows tweaking or reordering to optimize gadget location with screen shape, but scaling works fine, even without changes, as a demonstration showed. “Application development can be done quickly and is fully scalable, from large-screen high-definition television to an iPod Touch in kiosk mode, operating as a light switch,” Hougland said. It eliminates programming, reprogramming, and server commissioning and deploys changes automatically. App optimizes performance on smart phones and tablets groov View apps for iOS and Android control how groov browser-based operator interfaces are displayed on smartphones, tablets, and other devices. The free groov View apps are an optional part of the larger package. Using the groov View app instead of a browser visually simplifies the interface on a mobile device by displaying it full screen and without browser menus. This option focuses the user's attention on the operator interface screen by removing navigation buttons, favorites, and the URL bar visible in most mobile device web browsers, and makes a groov interface function like a native app for that operating system. The groov View app includes options to leave time and other device information visible at the top of the screen as well as to switch between the views-desktop or handheld-developed for the operator interface. User access to the operator interface can be password protected. The groov View app is ideal for OEMs and system integrators using an iOS or Android device as the operator interface to their systems or equipment. When used on iOS devices like the iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad, and iPad mini, the iOS operating system can be configured to limit the user to using only groov View for iOS. Generally referred to as "kiosk mode," iOS's Guided Access feature lets an administrator restrict the iOS device to a single app, disable the hardware buttons, and keep the device from sleeping, effectively providing a low-power, low-cost, wireless, touchscreen operator interface locked down for an intended use only. Product features The product consists of an Opto 22 groov: - Box – Industrially hardened appliance that interfaces with Opto 22 control systems and runs the groov web application. - Build – Web application’s mode for creating a groov project (the interface). - View – Web application’s mode for running a groov project in any modern web browser. - View for iOS – iOS app for groov View (optional). - View for Android –Android app for groov View (optional). Version 1 will be available in April for use with SNAP PAC controllers, and version 2 with OPC connectivity is expected this summer, Hougland said. Pre-orders will be taken starting March 13. - Mark T. Hoske, content manager, CFE Media, Control Engineering, Plant Engineering, and Consulting-Specifying Engineer, mhoske@cfemedia.com. www.groov.com  www.opto22.com  - This article was originally posted Feb. 28, 2013, with information from Opto 22 and updated May 14 by Peter Welander with additional information about groov View apps for iOS and Android.]]> System Integration Information Control Process Control Machine Control Sustainable Engineering Manufacturing IT Slider Homepage Item - CTL HMIs and Operator Interfaces New Products Industrial Networks Mon, 13 May 2013 22:33:00 -0400 http://www.controleng.com/industry-news/single-article/app-for-operator-interface/2723eaaaae7b090e567dcf99f204a397.html the groov View app is available for Android and iOS interfaces and is designed for OEMs and system... groov View is available for Android and iOS platforms and controls how groov browser-based operator interfaces are displayed on smartphones, tablets, and other devices. The groov View app instead of a browser visually simplifies the interface on a mobile device by displaying it full screen, which focuses the user's attention on the operator interface screen by removing navigation buttons, favorites, and the URL bar visible in most mobile device web browsers. The groov View app is ideal for OEMs and system integrators using an iOS or Android device as the operator interface to their systems or equipment. Opto 22  www.opto22.com ]]> Innovations SyndicationType: Product Release SyndicationSource: CFE Media (in-house) SyndicationSource: Manufacturer - Opto 22 ArchivedSyndication: Industrial Networking (Wireless Ethernet Sensor Networks Fieldbus IoT) Syndication: Control Methods (PID Advanced Process Control) Syndication: System Integration System Integrators HMIs and Operator Interfaces New Products Industrial Networks Wed, 08 May 2013 14:30:00 -0400 http://www.controleng.com/industry-news/single-article/isa-s88-system-reduces-batch-device-task-development/8461d4616d24cb6b6d2ec0ac9e257726.html New S88-based process control system from ECS Solutions simplifies and speeds up device... S88 Builder from ECS Solutions allows batch processors to pre-configure process devices such as valves, pumps, variable drives, or tanks, and then configures these devices into specific operating tasks such as mixing, flow control, heating, cleaning, and so on. The company says that S88 Builder provides a configuration process that is easier, more accurate, and faster than conventional programming devices and tasks, resulting in project development reductions up to 90% compared to custom programming. This capability lowers the total cost of ownership for a process control system by minimizing initial development costs, reducing time-to-market for new products and reducing waste and downtime. The S88 Builder configuration system is based on the ISA-S88 standard that defines best practices for control operations at batch processing plants. The goal of ISA-S88 is to provide standard terminology and consistent sets of concepts and models for batch manufacturing plants and batch control. These concepts and models are the foundation of the S88 Builder process. This process includes a Studio that contains various modules to configure devices and tasks on a PC and then loads those profiles onto a PLC or PAC. The S88 Builder engine provides the runtime execution of those profiles on the controller. It incorporates faceplates and objects tools installed in an HMI to provide operator interface capabilities including task status, alarms and task management. For now, this platform is designed specifically for Rockwell Automation PLCs, PACs, HMIs and batch management software. Systems for other brands of hardware and software are under development. ECS Solutions www.s88builder.com www.ecssolutions.com Peter Welander, pwelander@cfemedia.com]]> Process Control HMIs and Operator Interfaces SyndicationType: Press Release - Commercial (Advertising) Syndication: Batch Manufacturing ArchivedSyndication: Controllers (PACs PLCs IPCs Loop Controllers DCS Relays Embedded Controllers) Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:54:00 -0400 http://www.controleng.com/industry-news/single-article/products-used-in-unified-robotics-platform-for-packaging/c006dbcb85d374ae78623fd1448a2bf6.html Rockwell Automation programmable automation controllers (PACs), I/O modules, motors, servo drives,...

Allen-Bradley ControlLogix PAC provides an integrated platform for motion and machine control, and one programming environment accessible to operators via an Allen-Bradley PanelView Plus operator interface.

Allen-Bradley Kinetix multiaxis servo drives allow easy speed and position adjustments, and fast product changeovers.

Allen-Bradley GuardLogix safety system provides safety and standard control in one package, and simplifies integrating robotics into a production line.

Allen-Bradley Guardmaster safety relays provide compliance with global safety standards when integrating robots into machines.

Allen-Bradley PowerFlex drives with safe-off function reside on the same EtherNet/IP network as other components for simplified machine design and production line operation.

The Logix Control Platform manages robot kinematics and synchronizes separate tracking, handling, and vision systems. It includes an Allen-Bradley 1756-L72 ControlLogix controller with a SERCOS (Serial Real-time Communications System) interface motion module. End users can easily share production information across all equipment through one EtherNet/IP network. EtherNet/IP, an ODVA Ethernet protocol, uses the same TCP/IP protocol suite that is used for the Internet, with the open connectivity and global acceptance of standard Ethernet and the real-time performance and security of fieldbus networks. Cama Group engineers can link optical character recognition and optical character verification vision systems to the Rockwell Automation products in the robotic cell via EtherNet/IP. The system uses Allen-Bradley Kinetix 6000 and Kinetix 6500 servo drives, which help eliminate the need for a dedicated motion network and allow users to support high-performance drives, I/O, smart actuators, and any other EtherNet/IP-connected device on a common network. In addition, Allen-Bradley PowerFlex drives with safe-off function reside on the same EtherNet/IP network for simplified machine design and production line operation. The Allen Bradley MP Series Low Inertia servo motors fit compact space requirements while meeting the demands of the high-performance motion system. The Rockwell Automation team conducted a safety risk assessment and implemented an Allen-Bradley GuardLogix integrated safety system, which allows for safety and standard control on one platform, alleviates complicated hardwiring, and reduces engineering time. The system is compliant with global safety standard EN ISO 13849-1. As part of the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture system, the GuardLogix PAC uses the same configuration, networking, and visualization environment. An Allen-Bradley PanelView Plus human-machine interface provides operators and maintenance personnel with visibility to all machine events—including safety events. Allen-Bradley Guardmaster safety relays manage safety on smaller, individual machines with the robot system. Allen-Bradley, ControlLogix, GuardLogix, Guardmaster, Integrated Architecture, Kinetix, MP-Series, PanelView, and PowerFlex are trademarks of Rockwell Automation Inc. EtherNet/IP is a trademark of ODVA. - Mike Wagner is global segment business manager for packaging at Rockwell Automation. Edited by Mark T. Hoske, content manager, CFE Media, Control Engineering and Plant Engineering, mhoske@cfemedia.com.]]> New Products HMIs and Operator Interfaces Industrial Networks Motors and Drives PLCs and PACs Sensors Process Instrumentation Plant Safety and Security May SyndicationType: Product Release Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:02:00 -0400 http://www.controleng.com/industry-news/single-article/current-loop-panel-readout-devices/5207290b3aaf5792aa3b520d3ecb3e1f.html If you’re still using moving-needle analog panel meters, Otek offers more modern alternatives that... Companies that are still using analog panel meters as displays with 4-20 mA instruments can replace those legacy devices with a readout that does not require external powering. Otek’s LPD series bar meters offer tri-color LEDs in straight-line or circular arrangements along with numerical values. Some models can be inserted in the same circuit as an analog meter with no wiring modifications. Others in the larger Otek product line that are externally powered can send loop power to the field device or send process data on to a larger control system. Otek says these new options are available due to advances in consumer electronics. “Handheld technologies have created a demand for ultra-low-power microprocessors,” says Dr. Otto Fest, president of Otek. “LEDs are made continually better and brighter. Integrated circuits are designed to run faster and at lower voltages. These advances have reached a point where robust digital instrumentation can work interchangeably with old analog meters, powered simply by the current loop. Brighter, color-changing displays, several digits of precision, DCS/SCADA interfacing, you name it—the benefits of a digital control panel don't have to be a nightmare to realize.” OTEK Corporation www.otekcorp.com Edited by Peter Welander, pwelander@cfemedia.com]]> Process Control Information Control HMIs and Operator Interfaces Process Instrumentation SyndicationType: Press Release - Commercial (Advertising) Syndication: Process Manufacturing Syndication: Process Instrumentation Process Sensors (Temperature Pressure Level Flow) Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:26:00 -0400 http://www.controleng.com/industry-news/single-article/drives-and-motion-accelerator-toolkit-wizard/2d2b124fdde65fd2d881f7b51867caa4.html Rockwell's DMAT now has a system development wizard designed to simplify the machine-design process... Rockwell Automation has launched a system development wizard for its Drives and Motion Accelerator Toolkit (DMAT) that simplifies the machine-design process. In fact, the wizard has the ability to save OEMs up to 90 percent of the time required to select, configure and troubleshoot an integrated drives and motion control solution.  The DMAT wizard guides users through each step of selecting and programming a drives and motion solution. The proactive interface prompts users for input with questions about their machine requirements, such axes of motion, torque and speed. Based on the users responses, the software presents them with a choice of motor and drive combinations for a variety of load, transmission, and application types. Once the user selects preferred components, the DMAT will produce a bill of materials.  The toolkit also provides a beginning set of CAD drawings, wiring diagrams, panel layouts, and automatically pulls proven code from the DMAT library into a project file so users have preconfigured controller, network, drives and initial system program logic. The toolkit will also provide a custom set of instructions to quickly adapt a starting HMI application.  Eliminating much of the time associated with routine tasks in drives and motion system design can reduce overhead costs and speed time to market. The system development wizard makes drives and motion system design simple enough that engineers with less experience in drives and motion system design or programming can successfully design a system and produce the initial logic and HMI application.  Finally, DMAT will also run diagnostic tests to troubleshoot potential problems with the system and provide suggestions on how to fix any issues found, all before physical prototyping begins. Rockwell Automation www.rockwellautomation.com  See other motor and drive hardware and software from Control Engineering.]]> Machine Control Manufacturing IT New Products HMIs and Operator Interfaces Industrial Networks Motors and Drives PLCs and PACs Sensors Process Instrumentation SyndicationType: Product Release Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:33:00 -0400 http://www.controleng.com/industry-news/single-article/programming-software-reduces-engineering-speeds-commissioning/02ff40ffc471ff73d497502799db4ff9.html At the 2013 Hannover Messe, Siemens showed its Simatic Step 7 Professional V12 programming... At the 2013 Hannover Messe, Siemens showed its Simatic Step 7 Professional V12 programming software. The company said its “most comprehensive engineering software shortens time to market.” Siemens Step 7 Professional is “the ultimate engineering tool for configuration and programming for all Simatic controllers,” the company said. Simatic WinCC Basic also is included for simple visualization tasks with Simatic Basic Panels. Step 7 V12 software, serving every phase of the production life cycle, enables:

• Reduced engineering times thanks to innovative programming language innovations, integrated functions and graphical configuration
• Fast commissioning with efficient error localization with integrated system diagnostics, real-time trace and high-performance online functions
• Short downtimes with easy remote maintenance and diagnostics with Web server and teleservice
• Investment security with reusable components, libraries, and compatibility.

With intuitive and efficient features, Siemens Step 7 V12 connect to the Siemens Totally Integrated Automation Portal offering programming transparency, intelligent user navigation, and straightforward workflows with functions such as drag and drop, copy and paste, and AutoCompletion to make work much quicker and easier, the company said. It has IEC-661131-3 programming languages, powerful editors, and high-performance compilers with structured text (SCL), ladder diagram (LAD), function block diagram (FBD), statement list (STL), programming sequence controls (GRAPH). Option packages S7-SCL, S7-GRAPH, S7-PLCSim, system documentation, and TeleService family from Step 7 V5.5 are already integrated in Step 7 Professional V12 and do not require additional licenses. Holders of the software update service Step 7 Professional receive Simatic Step 7 Professional V12 automatically. - Edited by Mark T. Hoske, content manager, CFE Media, Control Engineering, and Plant Engineering, mhoske@cfemedia.com. ONLINE See Siemens Step 7, Safety advanced V11 See other Siemens Hannover Fair developments]]> New Products HMIs and Operator Interfaces Industrial Networks Motors and Drives PLCs and PACs Sensors Process Instrumentation Share on PE New Products SyndicationType: Product Release Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:23:00 -0400 http://www.controleng.com/industry-news/single-article/simulation-and-modeling-software/d670dc2472b1e5b6aad1db58e231395a.html MSC Software’s Adams and Easy5 Simulation software models and simulates motion control systems to... In the past, Armor found it difficult to model the complicated mechanisms and motion control systems involved in roll coating. This challenge was overcome with the use of Adams and Easy5, which enable control systems to be integrated into mechanical system simulations to optimize system performance. Adams, the world’s most widely used multibody dynamics simulation software, automatically formulates and solves the equations of motion for kinematic, static, quasi-static, and dynamic simulations. Easy5 is a graphics-based software tool used to model multi-domain dynamics systems characterized by differential, difference, and algebraic equations such as digital and analog control systems. Integration is accomplished with the Adams interface block in an Easy5 model that provides inputs from Easy5 into Adams and vice versa. An Adams model of a machine defined the rolls as cylinders and added connections between them to represent the gearing in the machine. It included material properties of the PET web and friction between the web and the rolls based on physical measurements. Easy5 simulated the proportional–integral–derivative (PID) closed-loop motion controller. “I found it very easy to define both the physical and control model with Adams and Easy5,” Hubert said. Hubert began his simulation efforts on a machine whose performance he felt left considerable room for improvement. Running virtual experiments with Adams and Easy5 also eliminated the cost of downtime on production machines. Hubert said, “Coupling Adams, MSC’s multibody simulation solution, with Easy5 turned out to be the ideal way to model our roll machines and control systems.” - Chris Baker is the product manager for Adams and Easy5 at MSC Software Corp. Edited by Mark T. Hoske, content manager, CFE Media, Control Engineering, mhoske@cfemedia.com. ONLINE Also see related article with more application information and photos below: Simulation software boosts machine productivity]]> New Products HMIs and Operator Interfaces Industrial Networks Motors and Drives PLCs and PACs Sensors Process Instrumentation SyndicationType: Article SyndicationSource: CFE Media (in-house) ArchivedSyndication: Machine and Motion Control (Pneumatic Hydraulic Electric) Robotics Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:17:00 -0400 http://www.controleng.com/industry-news/single-article/remote-panel-connections-up-to-100-m/b0c137c9d6f3753aa5be196ae977f7f8.html At Hannover Messe Beckhoff presented its CP-Link 4, new connection technology for remote panel... Beckhoff CP-Link 4 was shown at 2013 Hannover Fair. It is new connection technology for remote panel operation over distances as far as 100 m from the industrial PC, the company said. Video signals, USB, and power are transferred via a standard CAT 7 cable. Cable and assembly costs are reduced. Using CP-Link 4, the Beckhoff CP29xx-0010 multi-touch built-in panels and the CP39xx-0010 multi-touch panels for mounting arm installation can be operated up to 100 m away from the PC. It transfers digital visual interface (DVI) and USB via a CAT 7 cable. The CU8802 CP-Link 4 sender box is connected to the PC via DVI and USB, or else the C9900-E276 PCIe module for CP-Link 4 is installed in the PC. Power supply for the control panel also can be provided via the CP-Link 4 display link. The CU8803 CP-Link 4 sender box is used instead of the CU8802 or the PCIe module. The control panel remains unchanged. The CU8803 sender box provides power to the control panel via the CAT 7 cable, which also transfers DVI and USB. The power supply socket of the panel is not used.  - Edited by Mark T. Hoske, content manager, CFE Media, Control Engineering, and Plant Engineering, mhoske@cfemedia.com. ONLINE See also information on Beckhoff Automation CP-Link 3. Beckhoff Automation PDF describes other recent introductions and products.]]> New Products HMIs and Operator Interfaces Industrial Networks Motors and Drives PLCs and PACs Sensors Process Instrumentation Automation Engineering SyndicationType: Product Release SyndicationSource: CFE Media (in-house) Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:49:00 -0400