VMIC IOWorks 3.2 software enhances interoperability; new hardware targets speed

VMIC

By Mark T. Hoske, editor-in-chief March 15, 2001

Chicago, Ill. -VMIC (Huntsville, Ala.) IOWorks 3.2 real-time PC-based control software enhances OPC interoperability with software from Ci Technologies, Intellution, and Wonderware. The new VMIC software version and several new hardware controllers were introduced here March 6 at National Manufacturing Week.

IOWorks is IEC 61131-3-compliant and supports Microsoft Windows NT and Wind River Systems VxWorks. A typical system offers submillisecond scan times, VMIC says, for support of high-speed control and monitoring, distributed control, and machine control applications, among others.

Enhancements include an import/export engine that rapidly extracts all IOWorks tag information into ASCII files. It can import information from databases and other applications into IOWorks sequences. Local Sequence Tags allow sequences to be dragged and dropped onto other program modules. Sequences can be exported to other remote machines. Part libraries were enhanced. Program compilation times are up to four times faster than previously. The software also includes Remote Login availability for VxWorks Target/Controllers.

New VMIC hardware includes:

3U CompactPCI single-board computer (SBC), VMICCPCI-7685, with an Intel Pentium III, 850 MHz processor. It’s available in a metal, powered enclosure with a PICMG 2.1 R2.1-compliant full hot-swap backplane.

3U CompactPCI PC-based controller, VMICPCI-8420. It has seven expansion slots, is a 19-in. rack-mounted system with two serial ports, a 6.0 gigabyte hard drive, a 1.44 floppy drive, internal 320-W power supply, two USB ports, external CD-ROM drive connector and built-in Ethernet port. Options include Intel Pentium III 850 MHz processor or AMD-K6-2 3Dnow 400 MHz single-board processor or Intel Pentium 233 MHz MMX SBC.

Enhancements to its DIN-rail mountable IOMax PC, VMIOMAX-8450, now based on a 300 MHz processor with MMX technology. Measuring 6×4.5×2.25 in., it’s fanless, with 10/100BaseT Ethernet and also is available in a panel-mount version. It includes an option for a hard drive up to 1 gigabyte.