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Written by ProTek
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Tuesday, 16 March 2010 07:07 |
This is one project completed early last year using the Visual HMI Development Environment. There are currently 9 plcs on two networks that we communicate using an opc server. One network is an ethernet network, while the other is a proprietary serial radio network using spread spectrum radios running at 900mhz. I currently have 7 systems similar to this one with multiple layers of security and remote access available for those customers who wish it. Two of those 7 are with a different HMI software and one will be migrating at their next license upgrade to the Visual HMI based system.
Key selling points are:
1. The size of the files. Most HMI development packages are interpreted language systems who does not use completely compiled programs. Visual HMI uses fully compiled programs, typical program size is between 1 and 2 megabytes.
2. Open source supporting software. I use mysql for all of our databases. I use a commercial sendmail program, but there are a number of open source ones available. I also use a commercial opc server for comms outside of the included protocols.
3. Easy for developer to make offline changes that just require upload of main file and restart of program. The small file size also makes for remote development ease.
4. A fully compiled program means that it will be more difficult and much more expensive for your customer to jump ship to a different provider. |
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 16 March 2010 07:14 |
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Written by Aaron Lee
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Wednesday, 04 February 2009 00:38 |
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Visual HMI is a product of ARSoft International out of Le Mans France. In Europe and in many countries this software is available under the Visual I/O Name. For the US market ProTek and ARSoft have decided that a different name may be more descriptive of the product. Hence VisualHMI was born.ProTek Services is the exclusive master distributor in the US. ProTek is a leader in control system design and software in the Four Corners of the United States. We are based in Fruitland, NM and our website can be found at www.protekservice.com. ProTek is the first line technical support provider for the US market. We will be attending trade shows during the coming year to provide demonstrations of the software and its capabilities. ProTek will be helping ARSoft to make product changes in accordance with customers needs and will also be offering multiple grades of technical and programming support. At this time any sales or technical questions can be sent using the support link above or calling ProTek at 505-516-0605.ARSoft Internantional is a French company based in Le Mans. All software development and top line support are handled from their office.
ProTek Services
PO Box 479
Fruitland, NM 87416
ARSoft International
1 Impasse René Lebrun
ZAC de Monthéard
72000 LE MANS - France |
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Last Updated on Friday, 06 February 2009 04:06 |
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Written by Aaron Lee
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Sunday, 10 August 2008 06:30 |
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Visual HMI is an extremely powerful integrated development environment for producing Human Machine Interface Software. |
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 04 February 2009 04:02 |
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Written by Aaron Lee
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Wednesday, 04 February 2009 03:33 |
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Visual HMI is a development tool for generating Man/Machine interfaces applications running on a PC compatible computer. Visual HMI integrates a real-time engine allowing executing programs written in Grafcet, ladder (with Visual PLC) and high-level language. Programs written in Grafcet and Ladder by Visual PLC are the companion tool for automation applications. Visual HMI can connect PLCs thanks to communication specifics drivers or by its OPC client interface (see OPC Settings in main menu of Visual HMI). To insure a permanent dialog, these programs are executed in back task. You can also use threads.
Visual HMI is made up of two parts :
A parameter part, placing graphics objects (Circle, Buttons, trends etc.) set up them through dialog boxes. A second part is pure programming. In this part you can program specific actions, these action can't be predefined in simple dialog boxes. Visual HMI integrates the ARSOFT compiler. It is extremely fast. Generated application is entirely compiled. Visual HMI does not need any other tools (like VBA) for the development or the execution of your applications. Visual HMI generates executable files (.EXE) including most other necessary files, which simplifies installation.
The programming language is the Pascal language. This one allies power and simplicity. About 1000 intuitive functions are available in programming mode. This language is used to create high-level symbols, which you can place in your editor toolbox. Visual HMI allows the constitution of an application including one or several screens called Forms. Every form can contain graphic elements (Circles, Buttons, Curves).
Expert mode:
By double clicking on every graphic element, a dialog box appears. For every element, Visual HMI lists its possible features (ex: a button can be simple, toggle, associated to a key etc.).
Program mode:
For cases which cannot be foreseen in expert mode, the programmer can use the programming mode by selection of the graphic element then a click right with the mouse and choosing programs item in the floating menu. A program editor with syntaxes colouring enables the user to write program code associated to the graphic object. This code is compiled automatically ‘on the fly' by the ARSOFT compiler integrated into Visual HMI.
Drivers for PLCs:
Due to the various experts, you will be able to define dialogues under various protocols (Modbus, TCP/IP, SysmacWay, MPI Siemens Etc). These drivers use variables defined in the Visual HMI editor. These drivers are executed only in the real-time engine, allowing communications with maximum possible fluidity whichever programs are running in the foreground(at user level). For other tasks you can also use the "threads library". The final project is compiled so the application you develop is deliverable as an executable file (EXE), including all the necessary files. The additional files can be added manually into the executable. |
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Last Updated on Friday, 06 February 2009 04:03 |
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