HMIs: B&R expands visualization, development options

HMI hardware supplier integrates Wonderware, Simulink software

By Renee Robbins February 4, 2010

Automation products vendor B&R Automation has partnered with software suppliers Invensys Wonderware and The Mathworks to deliver integrated solutions.

With its participation in the "Powered by Wonderware" program, B&R has expanded its offerings in the field of visualization software. The automation hardware supplier is now providing Windows CE based HMI devices, such as the powerful Power Panel PP320 and the two Panel PCs PPC300 and PPC700, with preinstalled InTouch Compact Edition software from Wonderware.

For users, this means Power Panel and Panel PC devices are delivered ready for operation. Wonderware performs an extensive certification process on all device types before they are released. The unique combination of software and hardware also guarantees user-friendliness and makes the HMI simple to integrate into existing systems. The Panel PC 700 with an Intel Atom N270 processor is an especially powerful hardware platform able to handle the most demanding visualization tasks.

As model based development methods proliferate, a key factor for their usefulness and efficiency is the use of universal tools. In cooperation with The Mathworks, B&R has introduced B&R Automation Studio Target for Simulink, which includes development models constructed in the Mathworks Simulink simulation environment and implemented on the B&R industrial controller at the push of a button.

The open architecture of the automation tool and the seamless integration of the code generator B&R Automation Studio Target for Simulink make for efficient incorporation of models into the entire automation project. Developers profit from the synergy between the products from B&R and The MathWorks, without having to spend time and effort to make them interact properly.

A particular advantage of model-based design and automatic code generation is the fact that, once simulation models have been created, they can be reused and updated. This helps users develop future machine generations at a relatively low cost, and sustain interdepartmental know-how over the long-term.

B&R USA is based in Atlanta.
– Edited by Renee Robbins, senior editor
Control Engineering News Desk
HMI, Operator Interface, SCADA news from Control Engineering
PLCs, PACs, Programmable Automation Controllers news from Control Engineering