HMI panels Web-enable up to five serial protocols

April 2004 Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services

Micropower Instrumentation is offering Red Lion Controls' G3 HMI Series - a family of operator panels that offer up to five communication ports, as well as next generation software and a built-in gateway to Web-enable virtually any device. This delivers remote access, monitoring and virtual operation - either via company LAN or the Internet-facilitating realtime operational access and data logging from a remote PC.

"The G3 HMIs feature the most on-board communication ports of any HMI available, and let you Web- and network-enable many different types of hardware using their integrated Ethernet port," said Mike Granby, Red Lion President. "For the first time, remote users across the LAN or around the world can communicate with and control multiple devices including PLCs, PCs, drives and PID controllers." Granby added, "Now OEMs can make complete integration of their machines a reality, with a low-cost HMI panel that offers remote access, multidevice data acquisition and logging, as well as event triggering - even automatic posting of logged data to a Web page."

All G3 HMIs feature an integrated gateway that converts any attached device's serial protocol to on-board 10Base-T/100Base-TX Ethernet. A built-in USB port provides data exchange with a connected PC, and CompactFlash support allows virtually unlimited data storage, free from battery concerns. One RS422/485 port and two RS232 ports are provided as standard, and each port is operable at up to 115 200 baud. One each RS232 and RS422/485 ports are available with an optional card, enabling up to five comms ports per G3 HMI.

The 8" G308 and 10" G310 HMIs are resistive analog touchscreen terminals featuring 256-colour VGA displays, integrated programmable membrane keypads, and 8 MB of on-board Flash memory. The G308 measures 207,8 x 262 x 56 mm and features seven programmable keys, while the larger G310 measures 241,3 x 325,8 x 56 mm, features eight programmable keys, and has a sunlight visible outdoor version available.

Each G3 HMI model also includes Red Lion's powerful and intuitive Crimson 2 software at no extra charge. Crimson includes an extensive library of device drivers to quickly establish communications between the G3 and virtually any device, integrated Web server, drag-and-drop data mapping and a 'virtual panel' function that mirrors the HMI display to a remote PC. If a specific device driver does not exist, Red Lion will write the driver and provide it free-of-charge.

Further reading:

Cables and wires for food and beverage
LAPP Southern Africa Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
The strict hygiene regulations for handling foodstuffs stipulate particularly complex requirements for electrical components. The cables and accessories used must withstand a wide range of chemical, thermal and mechanical loads, and also function perfectly at all times in refrigerated and damp rooms.

Read more...

---

Redefining mobility for fibre cabling
Legrand Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
As data volumes rapidly increase globally, specialists need to take an urgent look at IT and network infrastructure, with a particular focus on vital equipment like servers, racks and fibre cabling. The Legrand team believes that advanced fibre cabling solutions, which have been developed to simplify deployment, lower costs, improve performance and enable greater densities, will efficiently meet future capacity demands.

Read more...

---

Eight ways temporary solder mask is used for electronic assembly
Testerion Editor's Choice Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
While it is most used to mask open vias in a wave soldering process, operators find all kinds of creative ways to use solder mask to solve process challenges.

Read more...

---

High-speed data transmission
Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
Data protocols are constantly evolving to enable interoperability and reliable transfer of increasing amounts of data at the highest speeds between more and more connected devices. To address this technological challenge, Fischer Connectors is expanding its platform capabilities to meet the most demanding connectivity requirements for high-speed data transfer.

Read more...

---

Seven habits of highly efficient PCB designers
ASIC Design Services Editor's Choice Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Design habits that expedite design completion, improve design quality, and enhance productivity are instrumental to highly efficient PCB design. This article lists what designers can do to succeed.

Read more...

---

Robust Ethernet cordset cables
Turck Banner Southern Africa Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
Turck Banner offers a product range comprising a wealth of different connectors and cables, including over 115 000 connection technology solutions with differing degrees of complexity.

Read more...

---

Purchasing made effortless
Seven Labs Technology Editor's Choice Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Seven Labs Technology transforms procurement with effortless purchasing, every time. Aligning themselves as the partner in procurement, they make sure that every purchase counts by streamlining the process, making it the smart and easy way to purchase.

Read more...

---

What you need to know when you start using hydrogen as your fuel source
Parker Hannifin - Sales Company South Africa Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
OEMs are taking a more serious look at hydrogen options. Although much of the market is still focused on the potential of battery-powered vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles offer a viable supplement that is better suited for longer ranges and faster refuelling.

Read more...

---

Circor Solutions: Pioneering thick film circuit manufacturer in SA
Editor's Choice Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Circor Solutions is the last remaining thick film circuit manufacturer in South Africa and provides electronics for military applications and precision electronic circuitry.

Read more...

---

Case study: Pratley products a winner for on-the-go repairs
Editor's Choice Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
When Wessel Bosman drove across Africa in 2016 in a Ford F250, little did he realise he would end up stranded in a remote location and in extreme temperatures, following a gasket head problem.

Read more...

---