In, out, and about HMI: Waterproof mouse, protection for LCDs, panel-mount terminal, firmware upgrade

An interesting array of HMI products is among new offerings to the marketplace this month.

By Control Engineering Staff May 12, 2005

AquaPoint waterproof mouse from Ikey Industrial Peripherals works well in harsh environment settings.

An interesting array of HMI products is among new offerings to the marketplace this month. They include an optical, waterproof mouse from Ikey Industrial Peripherals ; cost-effective glass lamination for LCDs from White Electronic Designs Corp .; a panel-mounted graphic terminal from QSI Corp .; and a firmware upgrade for panel-mounted message displays from Rockwell Automation . Here are some details about each and links to more information.

AquaPoint waterproof mouse from Ikey Industrial Peripherals is a NEMA 4X device with a sealed, industrial silicone overlay and robust polycarbonate frame. Optical technology lets it function on most surfaces; smooth-surface buttons make it easy to clean. It features solid-state engineering and is available for either USB or PS/2 applications.

Glass lamination technology from White Electronic Designs Corp. uses a specially formulated silicone material to improve optical performance.

Panel-mount version of Qterm-G55 human-machine interface (HMI) from QSI Corp. uses graphics and a keypad to interface with the user.

Max-Vu technology and process from White Electronic Designs Corp . accomplishes glass lamination cost effectively on active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCDs). An optically matched window bonded directly to the AMLCD using a specially formulated silicone material is said to improve viewability and enhance environmental performance. The process is intended for applications that require high contrast in high-ambient light and in extreme environments such as outdoor navigation, GPS systems, and embedded control systems. Benefits of the bonding material include minimized contamination from dust or dirt particles that can degrade the end product and reduced susceptibility of fog and moisture.

Panel-mount version of Qterm-G55 human-machine interface (HMI) from QSI Corp . is the latest addition to the Qlarity family of graphic terminals. Rugged terminal uses graphics and a keypad to interface with the user. It can be equipped with two EIA-232, 422, or 485 serial ports, Ethernet 10Base T, or a Power-over-Ethernet (IEEE 802.3af) interface. It features a 320 x 240 pixel, color LDC and is viewable in most lighting conditions. It uses an object-based graphic terminal programming language called Qlarity to facilitate easy design of a control panel interface or stand-alone application.

Firmware upgrade to Allen-Bradley InView P22R message displays from Rockwell Automation supports alphanumeric variables to simplify bar-code reading.

Firmware upgrade to Allen-Bradley InView P22R message displays from Rockwell Automation includes independent line control that allows different information to appear on two message lines at the same time. Messages can be programmed for each line, allowing multiple employee groups to view pertinent data simultaneously, improving communication efficiency on the plant floor. Visible from up to 25 ft away, the panel-mount display can be integrated with larger displays to deliver messages plant-wide as well as to specified locations. The upgrade supports alphanumeric variables to simplify bar-code reading.

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