HMI product review

An assortment of new products was introduced into the automation and controls marketplace recently. Included are a single-board computer for critical applications, a signal tower, and two operator interface products for the PlantWeb architecture.

By Control Engineering Staff September 11, 2003

An assortment of new products was introduced into the automation and controls marketplace recently. Included are a single-board computer for critical applications, a signal tower, and two operator interface products for the PlantWeb architecture.

MLB-7910 high-performance embedded single-board computer from Arista Corp ., designed for critical applications that require 24/7 reliability. Platform is tailored for network requirements with a Pentium 4 CPU and five LAN ports on board. Built-in IDE interface supports two enchanced IDE devices, including the Ultra DMA 33/66/100 mode with a data transfer rate up to 100 MB/sec. Board supports all popular operating systems including DOS, embedded Linux, Windows 95/98/2000/NT, NT embedded, and CE.

Kompact 36 LED signal tower from Werma Signaltechnik is designed for small machines and devices. Unit features a compact 36 mm diameter, is available in 2- or 3-tier versions, and offers either cable or plug connections to allow two or three defined statuses to be signaled with only one signal device. Non-modular, completely assembled towers last up to 50,000 hours and can be operated via a PLC control system. Get more information from Norstat Inc .

DeltaV Operate and DeltaV Interface products for RS3 and PROVOX components from Emerson Process Management are designed to ease the transition to the PlantWeb digital plant architecture. Delta V Operate products let customers use the DeltaV operator workstation in place of their existing operator stations. DeltaV interface products provide a way to replace PROVOX and RS3 controllers with DeltaV controllers. Existing wiring remains as-is to minimize installation time.

For more information, go to www.easydeltav.com/solutions and www.easydeltav.com/repository/news/transition.pdf

—Jeanine Katzel, Senior Editor, Control Engineering, jkatzel@reedbusiness.com