Secondary HMI article is interesting

Below is a link to an article about using HMI's not only as operator interfaces but data collection and manipulation devices.

The article suggests that Handheld HMI's would be good  for these applications.
I personally think hand held devices require too much battery/recharging maintenance, get broken too easily and have a magic way of disappearing. All of the mentioned benefits of Secondary HMI's can be found in panel mounted displays as well. An MT8070iE unit or even an MT8050iE unit would fit in many of these applications.

Here is alink to the article...
http://www.controleng.com/single-article/secondary-hmis-capture-data-help-integrate-manage/cb72d2f1c216f136ad1d4f788693214d.html

Pleasant reading!

Recent Reading

Hi all,
I read some interesting articles regarding HMI from other people's blogs.
Here are the links. Worth checking out before starting a new HMI project.

http://www.controldesign.com/articles/2014/interface-interference-in-the-machine-operating-world/

http://www.controldesign.com/articles/2014/think-like-an-industrial-operator/

Hope you are enjoying your summer.

Hey! I got cut off!

A common reported problem:
I downloaded my project and my text is cut off at the end.

This usually happens when the HMI uses it own default fonts instead of the ones used to develop the project. Some things to try/check out.
1. Be sure the font box is checked when downloading a project.
2. Be sure the font box is checked when compiling a project.
3. Be sure there is a "font" sub-folder in the EB8000 folder and that you have security clearance to get to it. (...\EB8000\font)
4. Be sure all of the text was actually entered in the project to begin with.

Operator Interface: Time to Move to Digital Panel Meters?

 Here's an article about replacing DPM's with a PLC and Operator Interface. This is definitely a good option when the application has multiple DPM's required.
Interesting reading...
Operator Interface: Time to Move to Digital Panel Meters?

Web Resources Available

Having problems with EasyBuilder downloading? Creating Buttons? Making a Trend? Something else?
Sometimes we overlook the many sources of information that are on the internet.
Many of these procedures are available on YouTube. If you don't like reading the help file, or find manuals difficult to understand, try searching YouTube for videos of EasyBuilder Procedures.
Here is a link for Downloading through Ethernet...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEdXsmzXxSg
 Some YouTube Search words:
Weintek
Easybuilder
Easybuilder Pro
Rohtek Automation
Maple Systems

New Software, old PC's

Recent complaints indicate that some new  HMI software revisions are having problems with older Windows operating systems, such as WinXP. Not everyone is thrilled with Win7 and Win8 will probably just add to the frustration. Microsoft has made some attempts to quell backward compatibility problems.

I have run into complaints about some KEP EasyBuilder8000 drivers not working on WinXP machines. They just don't show up on the driver list even though they are in the installed folder. The problem is old DLL's in the WinXP system. Upgrading them to the newer DLL versions corrects this problem. I suspect the DLL upgrade will also cure many other problems WinXP users are experiencing with new software.

Here is a link to get the DLL upgrade from Microsoft.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5555

Project Design Matters!

I recently read an article online about HMI project design and its impact on the workplace. Many ideas were floated around in the article. But something that always puzzles me is that articles like this rarely consider good project ideas that have been around for years. Ideas that make Operator Interfaces easy and intuitive to operators. 

Simply go to the Internet and see how websites are designed. They are slick and easy to navigate. They are eye catching and present information in immediate and simple fashion. They are made for the everyday person including children!

The article is followed by a series of advertisements for various HMI manufacturers. If you would like to read it yourself, follow the link below....
Operator Interfaces Show the 'Big Picture'