I am trying to find a HMI software that meets the following criteria

1) Needs to work on XP Embedded

2) Needs to talk to a Mitsubishi Q Series PLC

3) Has to be able to display a PDF or JPG file stored on the computer storage drive when a button is pushed on the HMI.

4) Has to be cost effective and easy to use. The people developing the HMI are not rocket scientist.

 

>I am trying to find a HMI software that meets the following criteria <

I have a Free software project

Download from here:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/mblogic/

Project web site here:
http://mblogic.sourceforge.net/

There are several programs included in the same package. The one you would want would be HMIServer (part of MBTools). If you pick the main download link you'll get everything.

> 1) Needs to work on XP Embedded <

Haven't tried it on that platform specifically, but it does run on normal MS Windows XP (and Linux) and it doesn't require much in the way of resources, so there is no reason why it shouldn't work.

> 2) Needs to talk to a Mitsubishi Q Series PLC <

If the PLC can do Modbus/TCP client (master) or server (slave), this should be no problem.

> 3) Has to be able to display a PDF or JPG file stored on the computer storage drive when a button is pushed on the HMI. <

It's a web based system. You should be able to display PDF files in the browser using a normal browser plug-in. JPEG files are of course supported directly in the web page. It also does text and comes with a set of graphical controls (push buttons, pilot lights, selector switches, numerical displays, gauges, etc.).


> 4) Has to be cost effective and easy to use. <

Cost is zero.

> The people developing the HMI are not rocket scientist. <

I'm not in a position to comment on them, so I can't answer this one. If they have a look at it and say they don't think they can handle it, then I would recommend trying something else. It's not going to cost you anything to have a look though.

It's a web based HMI. You run the server program (which is not very big) on a PC (that could be your XP Embedded system) and a web browser on the same or a different PC. The server can support multiple simultaneous browsers, so you can view the HMI from multiple locations without having to install and update it at each one.

The "server" program is quite small and simple and completely self contained. The server program translates web page requests into Modbus/TCP requests and there are versions for both Modbus/TCP client (master) and server (slave). The drivers are built into the server program, so there is no need for OPC servers or other external drivers.

A new version came out at the beginning of the week which makes developing HMI web pages much easier. That information isn't on the web site yet, but the details are in PDF files inside the download packages.

If you have any more questions, feel free to contact me.

 

You may also like to try Zenon from CopaData I came across this a few months ago for a small project and found it amazing!!!! would explain why BMW standardised on it worldwide, any way they do a free download that runs in demo (everything Unlocked but restarts every 30 minutes) which would be worth trying its easy to use very intuitive and full of functionality. So should go a long way to getting you running

 

Hello,

I am not sure, but I think Parker and/or Eaton have windows based PC HMIs that also have drivers for mitsubishi. Check to see if they are embedded XP or not. If you can't find it let me know and I'll try to dig through my archives from that project. I was looking at using something like this for a machine controlled by a Q series PLC and to display images from Cognex cameras. I ended up using both a Cognex display and a Mitsubishi GOT instead.

KEJR

 

take a look at Proficy iFIX Embedded -- it's cost effective and brings the entire feature set of iFIX 5.0 to XP embedded. it also comes in 7 languages and is a true client server if you want it to be. http://www.ge-ip.com/ifix_embedded

 

Take a look at the IGSS SCADA it is an intuitive no cost fully operational SCADA package.

By creating a definition with a screen button link you can browse your library and select the pdf file as a display background which enables you to have as many screens as you would want with pdf pages.

Review the free learning videos online this will be under creating definitions it gives step by step instructions.

John R. Hayes
7T America
[email protected]
www.igss.com