Making a SPLASH!

I have been asked, "How do you make a Splash screen?"
A Splash screen is a window that comes up before the project starts. It may show a graphic, a logo, company information or some combination that introduces the project to the user. After a few seconds, the Splash screen disappears until the next reboot or start up.

Here is a simple sample splash screen project. It shows the Splash screen for about 10 seconds. A progress bar shows the timing. A "Skip" button allows the user to bypass the wait. The background graphic is on a separate window which is designated as an underlay window for the Splash screen. A PLC Control object is used to change the window.

Click on the above screen shot to download the compressed project.

Don't know about compressing projects? Use the EB8000 Tools menu command Compress/Uncompress... to Compress a project with all of its libraries or Uncompress a project and add its libraries to your library directory. This is the best way to send a project to someone. (If you want to send a project to me, please compress it first.)

Some Catch-Up Work

Sometimes little things slip through the cracks. Sooner or later, they come back to bite you! So here goes, some things that need a little attention.

1. KEP sells thumbwheel switches that have PCB's attached to the back. The PCB's have screw terminals. This makes wiring much easier as typically, thumbwheel switches are sold with solder tabs. The switches come with a mounting plate that make installation easier. The part numbers start with TWTB or TWSTB. The TWTB/TWSB datasheet had some wrong/conflicting dimensions on it. Find out more about this product and get the new datasheet here.

2. My previous post promised a new datasheet for the new MMI8104H. Here it is! This is a new lower cost 10.4", 800x600 pixel display interface with all of the great features of the other MMI8000 Series Operator Interfaces. Start saving now!

3. The latest version of EasyBuilder8000, Version 3.45, had few minor bugs. A service pack has been relaesed for this version. It is available here. Just unzip and copy the files into the EB8000 folder. The V3.45 17JUN10 software on my website has already been updated to include the service pack updates.
Updates include:

Software Bug fixes:
1. Fixed: HMI crashing when using LB9062 frequently (open hardware setting dialog).
2. Fixed: Direct windows not able to close after changing base windows.
3. Fixed: When changing PLC driver, Device types are not able to transfer to the same Device type names correctly.
4. Fixed: Converted project from EB500 to EB8000: Alarm messages are able to display in Alarm Bar/ Alarm Display objects.
5. Fixed: HMI crashes when using “while＂command in Macro.
6. Fixed: Objects in Direct Windows are able to decompile correctly.
7. Enabled: When Programming PC has more than one Network interface card, EB8000 is able to download project by using the name tab “Search" function.
9. Enabled: The “PLC NO RESPONSE＂ is displayed on both Master and Slave HMI's when PLC is disconnected.

New Features:
1. The Watch address function in Event Log is able to export information to EXCEL file.
2. The SetData and GetData in Macro can be used with PLC in Slave mode.

New Drivers:
1. CROUZET CD12 driver is available.
2. [MO-TECH] MO-TECH driver is available.

Corrections to Drivers:
1.[Mitsubishi QJ71] Mitsubishi QJ71 driver supports [Batch Read Command] for improving communication speed.
2. [Mitsubishi Q02U (USB)] Fixed Mitsubishi Q02U (USB) driver can read (0x10) correctly.
3. [SIEMENS S7/200] SIEMENS S7-200 (VD any address) driver is able to use in Slave mode.

More information coming as I catch with more details that have been left behind.

New Unit Released Soon (don't give me a hard time)

In this economy people are becoming more frugal than ever about automation equipment. KEP intends to keep its prices low for its HMI products. But this also means offering new HMI's with lower prices.
And that is news how?
We recently released the MMI6056 (5.6" display) and MMI6070H (7" display) units. Their lower prices were due to the removal of the Ethernet circuitry. For those who do not use Ethernet to PLC communications, these units are ideal.
But what about the larger 10" plus units? What are we doing about them? Tell me something new please.
Thanks for your curiosity! Actually, we are going to release a new 10.4" unit soon. The unit has a 10.4 display with 800x600 resolution.
Hey! wait a second! Don't we already have a unit like that in the MMI8104XH!
Why, yes, we do but it is a little pricey with its Full instruction set CPU. It is more like a full PC. So, we are coming out with this new unit that has a RISC processor (same as the MMI8100). The simpler configuration allows us to sell it at a lower price.
Like how low?
The same as the MMI8100.
No way!
Way! Datasheet to be posted soon.