In, out and about HMI: New systems, terminals; upcoming forum

A number of developments in areas affecting HMIs are worth noting this month. The range of items runs from new HMI systems, touchscreens and workstations to an upcoming forum target-ing operational excellence. Here are summaries of the offerings along with links to Websites that provide more in-depth information.

By Control Engineering Staff January 15, 2004

A number of developments in areas affecting HMIs are worth noting this month. The range of items runs from new HMI systems, touchscreens and workstations to an upcoming forum target-ing operational excellence. Here are summaries of the offerings along with links to Websites that provide more in-depth information.

A new iteration of InteractX, Parker Automation-CTC ’s OEM-friendly HMI system, is now available. InteractX software runs in Microsoft Windows on any office or industrial PC and is designed specifically for machine control and OEM needs. Latest version offers additional fea-tures for Level 2 HMI platforms, which provides centralized logging and storing of data from the factory processes for real-time or future analysis. Of particular note in the new release is InteractX-to-InteractX networking, real-time data exchange using TCP/IP communications that does not require DCOM.

In other news, the company has also announced it has upgraded its PX Series PowerStation workstations to provide a bundled HMI solution for users who want higher Windows functionality along with a high-resolution touchscreen display.

As previously reported

, Parker Automation-CTC also has entered into an agreement with DVT Corp. allowing the machine vision systems manufacturer to private label InteractX HMI software. The arrangement lets DVT provide users with an integrated vision and HMI software product.

A comprehensive family of compact, rugged touchscreen HMI terminals with built-in Ethernet connectivity is the latest offering from Schneider Electric . Telemecanique Magelis XBT-G terminals come in a wide range of sizes, making them suitable for bundled PLC-HMI solutions, and they come with Microsoft Windows-based configuration software.

Features include a comprehensive dynamic object library to help reduce configuration time; flexibility and performance in architectures with Ethernet TCP/IP on board; openness to Web technology with scripting in Java; and Ethernet, Modbus, and Uni-Telway connectivity. Vi-jeoDesigner configuration software used in the entire range of Magelis XBT-G terminals is com-patible with Windows 2000 or XP operating systems. It incorporates advanced functions for maximum data processing power, speed, and reliability and includes numerous character fonts, multiple languages, logs for alarms and trend charts, and management for multiple windows with pop-ups.

Among several new offerings from HP is Workstation zx2000, intended to help engineers design and analyze large models and assemblies quickly and affordably. It features a 64-bit Intel Itanium 2 processor designed to run more instructions in a single cycle to boost effective processor speed. The new system is designed especially for tasks that require more than 2 GB of physical memory, particularly floating-point-intensive applications. With this workstation, engineers should no longer have to split most models or divide simulations into smaller pieces.

Also from HP is the nw8000 mobile workstation, which combines the power, graphics per-formance and expandability of a workstation with the mobility of a notebook. It features an Intel Pentium M processor running at speeds of up to 1.7 GHz, up to 2 GB of 333 MHz DDR RAM and ATI Mobility Fire GL T2 graphics. Models weigh as little as 6.5 lb and feature a 15-in. screen.

Best practices for driving operational excellence in all areas of manufacturing are the focus of the eighth annual ARC Advisory Group performance driven manufacturing forum. The event is scheduled for Jan. 26-29, 2004, in Orlando, FL. More than 40 leading industry visionaries will share their experiences and recommendations for creating a successful manufacturing en-terprise. Presenters from DuPont, Emerson Process Management, World Batch Forum, Rockwell Automation, Honeywell Automation & Control, Invensys Production Management, Schneider Electric, ABB Automation, among others, will speak on such topics as real-time performance management, deploying emerging technologies, cyber security, asset utilization, and more. Click here for more information or to register .

—Jeanine Katzel, senior editor, Control Engineering, jkatzel@reedbusiness.com