User/operator log...

The HMI now has a runtime user/operator log. This provides for the entry of text into a log during runtime. For example, a machine stops running. The operator can add a log entry as to why the machine stopped.

The log entries are stamped with a date/time and the current user name as well as an optional category.

The log entries can be viewed at runtime and/or only log entry is allowed. The log can be exported to a text file or printed at design time or runtime.

This is a screen shot of the configuration window.

New HMI feature...

The HMI graphic animation configuration is a very easy “point & click” feature with many options. The configuration of graphic animations does not require scripting.

Sometimes, a need arises to render graphics in such a way that no amount of “built in” animations can cover all the possible situations. In these cases the option, before today, was to use the HMI scripting engine and store scripting results in one of the internal tags. Then the graphic animations would reference the internal tag.

As of today, graphic elements provide, as one of the animations, a script animation. Built in animation and/or scripting can be used for the same graphic object.

Here is a screen shot of the script editor with a simple script:

TLS/SSL...

TLS/SSL (Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol) has become a requirement for some email providers.

Today we released a new version of the HMI with support for TLS/SSL in the “Notification” feature of the HMI. We tested the new feature against two email providers. Non TLS/SSL support remains.

Also added was a test command to use while configuring the notification feature. When the test is initiated, a test email message will be sent to the selected email address using the settings configured.

 

HMI graphic editor...

A new feature was added to the graphic editor.

Lock/Unlock

An object can be locked in place and cannot be moved or resized until the object is unlocked.

1. When an object is locked the eight selection rectangles that appear when an object is selected will be eight circles.

2. Locked objects included in a group are unlocked when the group is created. The group can be locked.

3. Objects in a locked group can be resized and moved using the "group editor".

4. Locking only applies during design time. Locking does not apply to objects during runtime.

 

Mini single pen trend...

Today we released a new graphic element for the HMI. It is a sizeable mini single pen trend. It can be used in graphic windows were the full sized trend element, and all its features, are not required. The mini trend displays the previous 2-100 seconds of any analog or digital point. The point does not need to be configured for data logging.

The trend supports 5 trend styles with attributes for grid size, grid type, colors, text settings, etc.

This is a screen capture of the configuration dialog.

Scheduler released...

The scheduler has been released, November 5, 2012. A short video has been created and posted.

Various updates 11/1/2012...

We released a minor update to the HMI today. We added more visual feedback to user buttons when pressed, added another configuration setting to the alarm panel, corrected an issue with OPC client pulse commands and corrected a broken link in a help file.

A new version of the free MODBUS ASCII slave program was released. It provides better timing on incoming message.

In work in progress; the HMI has included a task scheduler for several years and it is good for scheduling one time or recurring task. The task scheduler does not take the place of a ‘scheduler’. A scheduler, that provides start and end time triggers as well as overrides for dates, like holidays, the ability to delay a series of commands, grouping of outputs and actions, inhibits, etc..

The new scheduler should be released very soon.