If you've got it, Font it.

Okay, I know it has been too long since my last post.
Below is a link for the new Fonts mentioned in my last post. These fonts can be used with the new EB8000 version 3.30 when translating older EB500 projects to the new EB8000 format.
There is even a check-box in the translation utility specifically for these fonts. Be sure the fonts are installed before using them.

Hint: If using other fonts instead, Franklin Medium Gothic is close in size to the old EB500 fonts. Other fonts make labels too big or small. Usually, text on the windows is slightly shifted so some touch up has to be done.

By the way, the keypads from old projects are kept. If the Direct windows not deleted, two keypads pop up every time a value change is attempted. There are two popular options:
1. Delete the direct windows and put the keypads in the System Parameter's General Tab. Assign them in the Numeric Input object's Data Entry Tab.
2. Leave the direct windows and trigger them with a separate Set Bit part using the old touchscreen mapped trigger addresses.

Get the Font files here
The Font files are in a ZIP file. Extract the files from the ZIP file and place them in the Windows/Font folder to activate them.

You should be ready to translate!
Get EB8000 version 3.30 here. Caution, this is a 70MB file!
UnZIP and run.

More Features, More drivers

It just keeps getting better. The new release for EB8000 V.3.30 has some new drivers and the software has some great new features.
Get the complete list of drivers: Driver Document PDF

Some new features:
1. Clicking on project compile errors take you right to the problem. No more close the compiler window and then trying to find the error. This is a big time saver.
2. History and Data files can now be backed up directly in CSV format. No need to use the CSV converter tool. Less steps to get the data into a spreadsheet.
3. The back light PLC Control object can now be used to turn on the back light if it is off. This means the PLC can turn on the back light to alert the operator when some important task needs to be done.
4. The ability to translate an older MMI project to the new EB8000 format using some special TTF fonts designed to mimic the old bitmap fonts used in EB500. I have tried this on an old project and the conversion came out almost perfect. I only had to redo the Security portion of the project. This is a huge time savings.
One thing. You will need the true type font files.
Next post I should have them up.

MMI8000 Some like it, some don't tips

MMI8000 has some internal bits to take care of what some would consider annoying issues.

THE BEEP...
Some people like the fact that the touchscreen beeps when you touch an object. The audible feedback is reassuring. For others the beep is a continual annoyance. What to do?
Use a Set Bit object with Write address LB9019, Attribute "Set OFF when window opens", no Shape and no Label to set system bit 9019 OFF. Place it on the common window or startup window.

THE CURSOR...
The pointy arrow cursor lets you know where the last touch happened, but sometimes it just gets in the way when trying to read a number or text. What to do?
Use a Set Bit object with Write address LB9018, Attribute "Set ON when window opens", no Shape and no Label to set system bit 9018 ON. Place it on the common window or startup window.

THE HMI's SYSTEM BAR (that little rectangle with the "<" sign in it in the lower right corner)...
The System bar expansion button always appears on the opening screen on power up. It goes away after the opening screen changes. But, really it is still there. If you touch the lower right corner it will pop back up. Operators can go in and look at some system parameters and pop up keypads that overlay the project running behind them. What to do?
Use a Set Bit object with Write address LB9020, Attribute "Set OFF when window opens", no Shape and no Label to set system bit 9020 OFF. Place it on the common window or startup window.
NOTE: Just a word of caution. Once the bar is hidden with this method there is no way to go in access the system settings unless you make another button someplace in your project to show it or you download another project without the Set Bit object.

I hope this helps all of the frustrated project developers out there.

New units, Old cutouts...

What do you do when a product becomes obsolete and the replacement does not fit in the same cutout? Design and layout changes from the drafting department often arrive too slow. And what about the panels that already have cutouts? And more importantly what about customers that need an upgrade?

I will have to admit that this ranks high on the annoyance scale of doing business. That is why it is nice when a manufacturer actually comes out with a retro-fit adapter plate for the new products.

As you are probably well aware the older 8" and 10" HMI products from KEP have been replaced with the new MMI8000 series units. The new 10.4" units are slightly smaller than the old 10" units. And, there is no 8" unit so the even smaller 7" unit is the replacement. Going smaller to bigger is usually not a problem. But, going bigger to smaller is.

KEP will be offering 2 adapter plates in the near future...

Adapter 1: RFZ061000, is used to fit a new 10.4" MMI8104XH or 10.2" MMI8100 into the old 10.4" MMI1500 cutout.

Adapter 2: RFZ060700, is used to fit a new 7" MMI8070H or 5.6" MMI8056 into the old 8" MMI850 cutout.
Preview preliminary datasheets here....

RFZ061000
RFZ060700