Better Macro's V3.42 EB8000

Making it better through improved software. Once again we have another version of EB8000 coming out. It has new features and some new drivers.

Some customers have been complaining about problems with Macro's handling 32-bit values. The new V3.42 has improved the Macro engine to handle 32-bit values easily. Also, for those like me who have been waiting for "Select/Case" macro coding, it is in this new version. This should end those long cumbersome "If/Then/Else if/Else/End if" statements. (It is hard even to abbreviate!)

For those interested in making Tags for everything, there is a new Tag sorting feature.

And if Security is of utmost importance, there is a new feature that allows password protection of the project. It cannot even be opened for editing with EasyBuilder8000 until a password is entered.

There are some more improvements as well. I recommend you download the new version and try it out. Read the Release Document in the EB8000 folder for more about the new features.

EasyBuilder8000 V3.42

ZOID Discontinuance follow up

Did you read the ZOID Discontinuance Notice? You really didn't think I would leave you without any ancillary documentation? Here are two links that should help.

A document comparing the ZOID to the MMI-220.

A document with guidelines for converting a ZOID project to an MMI-220 project.

Both the ZOIDLoader (which contains the setup software for all the ZOIDs) and MMISoft can be downloaded here or from the KEP website Downloads section.

There isn't a document for converting a ZOID project to an MMI8000 Series graphical interface. The graphical interfaces require a whole new approach to the project and would be composed with more descriptions of graphic layout than actual message transfer.
Graphical projects can run the spectrum of drawing the graphic equivalent of the ZOID on the screen to projects with additional Trend graphs, Bar graphs, Data Logging and many of the other features that make HMI's an asset to your operations.

Discontinuance Notice ZOID

The ZOID is a text based HMI designed by KEP in the late 1980's. I suppose it was inevitable. The ZOID product line had components in it that are no longer manufactured. Once KEP used up it's stock, there was no way to continue producing this product. Here is the official Discontinuance Notice.

ZOID Discontinuance notice

Please beware the ZOID products are no longer in production and no longer available.
KEP does not have any units in stock.
KEP has limited repair abilities on this product.
KEP will do its best to maintain the ability to repair the units for 5 years.

The reason for discontinuance is the inability to get components to build the ZOID. Many of the components in the ZOID were obsoleted years ago. KEP has been building from its stock pile for about 7 years. Finally those parts have run out. The components are no longer available in the market place.

The closest replacement for the ZOID is the MMI-220 product line. It fits in the same cutout and uses the same PLC communications cable as the ZOID. However, there is no utility for translating a ZOID project over to the MMI-220. The MMI-220 does not support the ZOID's Synonym (Tags) feature. It also does not have a Real Time Clock. ZOID messages can be manually entered into the MMI-200. Basically, this means the creation of a new project for the MMI-220.

A second alternative is to use a KEP graphic touchscreen unit (MMI8000 Series) to replace the ZOID. The cut out is not the same and the communications cable is different. But this will allow you to add many features to the project and give your machine a more modern look. Again this means creating a new project.

KEP thanks you for using the ZOID product. Its 20 year production has far exceeded most Operator Interfaces in the market place. It has been a mainstay in the rapidly changing world of electronic instrumentation. We are sad to see it go but look forward to newer and better products as a result of better technology.

Thank you so much for your patronage and support.