Console Configurator

With the Console Configurator application it is possible to create a visual interface between the user and the PLC in a very easy way, without programming any code, only by making drag and drop the desired control, a powerful HMI system can be created in few minutes

The communication between the console and the PLC can be bidirectional. It is possible to show messages, images, values of the data stack, to introduce numeric values by means of text boxes, command buttons or by using a function bar, all these features are communicated with the plc program.

Each program of PLC can have a different console associated, also during the program execution it is possible to load different consoles. If this function is enabled, at the beginning of the PLC the console will appear and it will show the different programmed functions.

 The application Console Configurator has advanced controls for the data representation elaborated by the PLC program or acquired by the I/O cards, for example:

Graphic Bars: to show the data stack value in a graphic bar, you can program the visualization scale, as well as some alarms, if they are overcome automatically it changes the colour programmed by the user to the red colour.

Data Charts: the data can be visualized in different types of charts (bars, lines, points, 3D, etc), for a better understanding of the processed data.

You can activate and manage up to five consoles in a simultaneous way, to do it, you must to use the VbScript language where you can choose the console controls to manage it in a very easy way.

VISUAL CONTROL

With the Console, you can use Visual Control application, distributed with EasyPLC, allows a simple webcam to be used as a system of optic recognition.

You will be able to add a  bigger quantity of resources to your PLC programs since it will be able to take photos in certain moments, to recognize elements in function of its colour, or for example, to activate a relay when the camera detects movement in the area that previously had settled down.

REMOTE PANELS VIEWERS

In certain applications it may be necessary to use an alternative display system, for example if you don't want to use your PC monitor to perform the function of HMI or other causes. The software allows two display systems that can connect to the PC USB port and can be managed directly by EasyPLC, in order to show messages, graphic information, exchange data between the PLC and the users or many other functions. These systems can be mounted directly by the users following the diagrams, with the advantage of being low cost, as used commercial standard items are available at any electronics store, or can be easily found at online resellers.

Remote panel LCD 16x2 USB Nirtec

Panel LCD 16x2 USB Nirtec scheme:


Click in the picture to zoom

The 16x2 LCD remote panel USB Nirtec is based on Microchip PIC18F4550 micro controller.
The assembly does not need external power because all components receive the necessary voltage from the USB port where the card is connected.
The LCD display used is a standard component, easy to find in any establishment of electronic components, please pay attention to connections with the micro-controller and the display, since depending on the LCD model connections can be diverse. The potentiometer connected to pin number 3 has the function to adjust the screen contrast.

The program you must record on the micro controller can be downloaded from here:
PIC18F4550 program for Remote Panel EasyPLC 16x2 LCD Nirtec

Windows will ask for this device drivers the first time you connect to the USB port of your PC. You can download the drivers from here:
Windows XP / Vista drivers for Remote Panels EasyPLC 16x2 LCD Nirtec and EasyPLC 128x64 GLCD USB Nirtec


With this model you will be able to show a maximum of 32 alphanumeric characters in two rows.



To manage this panel you must use the External Library LCD_16x2_USB_Nirtec that is available on the 4.7.3 version of EasyPLC.




Here you can download an example of EasyPLC program to manage the LCD



Remote Panel GLCD 128x64 USB Nirtec

Panel GLCD 128x64 USB Nirtec scheme:


Click in the picture to zoom

The remote panel USB 128x64 GLCD Nirtec is based on Microchip PIC18F4550 micro controller. The assembly does not need external power because all components receive the necessary voltage from the USB port where the card is connected. The graphic LCD display used is a matrix of 128 by 64 pixels and is compatible with any models that contains graphics controller KS0108 or S6B0107 or S6B0108 all from Samsung. Pay special attention to the connections of the display with the micro controller, depending on the model it may have different wiring. The potentiometer connected to pin No. 3 has the function of adjusting the screen contrast.

The program you must record on the micro controller can be downloaded from here:
PIC18F4550 program for Remote Panel EasyPLC 128x64 GLCD Nirtec

Windows will ask for this device drivers the first time you connect to the USB port of your PC. You can download the drivers from here:
Windows XP / Vista drivers for Remote Panels EasyPLC 16x2 LCD Nirtec and EasyPLC 128x64 GLCD USB Nirtec

With this model you have more graphic capabilities, as it is possible to show different types of fonts, graphics (points, lines, rectangles, circles) and bitmap of a 128 * 64 pixels resolution.



To manage this panel you must use the External Library GLCD_USB_Nirtec that is available on the 4.7.3 version of EasyPLC.



Also in the Console Configurator application a utility to create screen designs is included, import bitmaps and save them in the appropriate format for sending to the display.




Here you can download an example of EasyPLC program to manage the Graphic LCD

You can buy the PIC18F4550 micro controller with firmware of panel LCD16x2 or firmware of panel GLCD128x64 saved. Send an email to ventas@nirtec.com for more information.

Note: to use the External Libraries that allow to manage the Remote Panels from EasyPLC the registered version is needed.

HMI System

The PLC Systems must have tools to provide a graphical interface to exchange information between the users and the computer. The HMI, Human Machine Interface, that EasyPLC provides is the application Console Configurator