PLC+HMI = HMC

Maple Systems has introduced a revolutionary new product called the HMC (Human Machine Controller). The HMC is cost effective, efficient, and compact, combining an HMI and PLC into one unit. Simply put, HMC=HMI+PLC.

With customizable I/O, the HMC accepts up to five plug-in I/O modules with varying configurations of digital and analog inputs and outputs. Choose a 3.5-inch or a 5.7-inch touchscreen display, each equipped with six function keys adjacent to the screen.

One software application is used to program both the graphic interface and the ladder logic resulting in improved performance and efficiency. Besides offering a stand-alone solution, the HMC can integrate with an existing system serially and supports many popular communication protocols.

The HMC’s durability and performance are backed up with a Class I Division 2 rating as well as cULus, NEMA 4, CE, and RoHS certifications.

Video capabilities in graphic HMIs

Maple Systems has just released a powerful new Graphic HMI video capability that could revolutionize the control and monitoring processes of automation.

No longer are HMIs limited to still imagery or primitive animations. From general surveillance of your plant to capturing important process imagery when alarms or triggers occur, you can now integrate both live and recorded video into your HMI application. And this imagery can then be stored on a removable device (SD card, USB Drive), and then later reviewed for analysis.

Video integration with HMI applications offers exciting possibilities. You can connect a camera to your Maple HMI to view or record live video of your process in NTSC or PAL formats. For more coverage, you can connect two different cameras to the HMI, and import video on two different channels.
So as an example, you could aim one camera on an entire bottling machine while another camera records close-ups when a bottle is incorrectly filled. You can even capture video when the viewing windows are closed — freeing you up to utilise another screen of your HMI application — even though video is being recorded.

Maple's Video Feature works hand in hand with the Maple Media Player for functional image review. And it's easy to integrate the Media Player into your HMI application and take advantage of numerous audio/visual capabilities.

With the Media Player you can incorporate video tutorials for operational procedures, show important messages, exhibit crucial warnings, display advertising, utilize as an analysis tool for quality control, or customize the feature to work for your unique control challenge.

The media player has several functions for reviewing footage including: Forward, Reverse, Play, Pause, Zoom, Next, Previous, and a Volume Adjustment. Beyond functionality, the Maple Media Player can be customized to match the look, feel and design of your application. Supported file formats include: mov, mpg, mp3, wmv, flv, avi, and wav.

New open platform HMI

New open-platform HMIs Offer SCADA versatility, web-based features, and UL certification

Maple Systems has released two new UL-listed Touchscreen Open HMIs — 7 and 10 inch high-resolution widescreens that run a pre-installed version of Windows CE. These units fit the bill when you need more capability and versatility than a standard HMI, but don't need or have the budget for a full-scale industrial panel PC.

The 16:9 widescreen high-resolution displays of these new additions offer 30 percent more viewing area than the 4:3 standard screens of similar size. That means 30 percent more room for applications, graphics, text, and buttons etc. And the clarity of those graphics is augmented by the 800 x 400 pixel screen resolution, the 65 thousand colors of the LED display, and the RISC processor that handles graphic rich applications — like Maple's powerful SCADA software — Web Studio.

Windows CE is more affordable and requires less ram than XP, and so with 128 MB of Flash Memory and 64MB of DRAM, the 400 MHz 32 Bit RISC Processor hums right along and ensures quick application response times.

With enhanced connectivity, these innovative Open HMIs come with an Ethernet Port, USB Ports, three Serial COM Ports, an SD Card Slot, and an Audio Jack. With this enhanced connectivity and the resident web browser of Windows CE, these new arrivals grant you the versatility and capability that you would normally find in units costing thousands more. And the hardware can be enhanced by connecting an external keyboard, mouse, printer, printer, and external speakers etc.

With their preloaded web browser, Ethernet connectivity and optional Web Studio Software, these Open HMIs are fully capable of remote data entry, remote monitoring, and scenarios that require support for multiple devices. And of course the operating system means you have software options far beyond the proprietary configuration software of a standard HMI.

Sleekly designed but durable these units are CE certified, RoHS Compliant , and UL listed for both Canada and the US. Because of that durability and reliability, these units can withstand operation in temperatures ranging from 32 degrees to 113 degrees Fahrenheit (0 to 45 degrees Celsius), and they operate in a non-condensing relative humidity range of 10 to 90 percent. In fact, they can even withstand the rigors of water jet spraying when properly installed into a NEMA4 rated panel

In addition, these quiet fanless models draw only 12 watts of electricity, so they produce less heat than a full-scale industrial panel PC. As a result they do well in tight spaces or sealed environments where the airflow needed for a panel PC's cooling fan would be more restrictive. As an additional bonus, the lack of a cooling fan eliminates the damaging dust and particulates that would otherwise be drawn into the circuitry.

Touchscreen graphic HMIs

Maple Systems has just added two new Touchscreen Graphic HMIs to its family of OIT products. The new HMI5043T is a compact 4.3 inch 16:9 widescreen model with a very affordable price of US$390.00, and the HMI5104TH is a larger 10.4 inch high-resolution unit with a price of only US$1290. This pricing is two thirds less than comparable units from Maple's major competitors, yet these units offer equal and better capabilities and performance.

Like the new 10.4 inch unit, the 4.3 inch has an Ethernet port and VNC server that enables the user to remotely monitor and control the HMI from any location via desktop computer, laptop, cell phone or any other smart device that has internet connectivity. A vast improvement in operational logistics, this VNC remote monitoring of the Maple HMI means you can remotely control the PLCs and Controllers that command your automation process.

The 16:9 widescreen high-resolution display of the 4.3 inch model offers 30 percent more viewing area than a standard screen of similar size. That simply means you have more room for graphics, text, and buttons. And the 4.3 inch unit offers unrivaled clarity with 65 thousand sharp rich colors that show well on its high-brightness high-contrast backlit TFT display. The crispness and clarity of those graphics is augmented by the 480 x 272 pixel screen resolution on the 4.3 inch unit. The same holds true for the 600 x 800 pixel screen on the 10.4 inch unit.

Both units are enhanced with a 32 bit RISC processor, 128 MB of Flash storage and 64 MB of data memory. Connectivity of these units includes USB, Serial and Ethernet ports. Also there is support for Allen-Bradley EtherNet/IP, GE, Siemens, Omron, Modbus TCP/IP, and many more. Each unit contains an analog touchscreen with infinite touch-response points. Other important features include online/offline simulation, alarm and recipe management, data logging and sampling, true-type fonts and multiple languages with international characters.

The compact HMI5043T is ideal for OEM applications. It works well as an affordable replacement for analog controls, lights and switches; and it is well-suited for situations where logistics require a small cost-effective display with the advanced capabilities normally found in larger more expensive units. Similarly, if you need a larger display, you can acquire the 10.4 inch HMI5104TH for less than a third of the major competitors' models — yet you still get lots of features, excellent performance, certified reliability, and attentive technical support.

These Maple HMIs are able to communicate with multiple controllers using different PLC protocols — allowing for easy integration to augment an existing system. For example, let's say you want to enhance your existing plant floor with a data monitoring system for your various pieces machinery that run on several different brands of controllers. You can easily incorporate the Maple HMI to do exactly that because it can simultaneously communicate to multiple controllers even though they each have different protocols.

And like many of Maple's Graphic HMIs, the screens on both of these new products can be configured to operate in either portrait or landscape mode. That means they can be functionally mounted either horizontally or vertically — an important feature (especially for OEMs) because it allows more options for tight space considerations. Also, many controls make more sense graphically if they are set up in a vertical format. But either way, the choice is yours.

PLC support expanded

Allen-Bradley & Siemens plc support expanded

Maple Systems has just expanded their PLC support to more fully integrate their HMIs with controllers from Allen Bradley and Siemens. This important expansion in capabilities comes with their newest release of EZware.

Among the enhancements of this upgrade is the ability to utilize tags with Allen-Bradley Controllers in such a way that they can be named with descriptive text the programmer chooses rather than having tag names based on PLC memory addresses.

This is important on two levels. First, it means that your Maple HMI can work with an Allen-Bradley controller without changing the coding of the controller itself. That allows you to place a Maple HMI into an established Allen-Bradley process without disrupting the existing controller program.

Secondly and from a practical standpoint, cryptic names for variable tags can be replaced with more appropriate nomenclature. That allows you to create descriptive tags which are more meaningful to your unique automation process -- like "pumphouse7" for example.

Also added into the new software are 26 new communication drivers. Included is a protocol for the new Siemens S7-1200 PLC. And with a total of 170 different protocols supported, the Maple HMI grants you flexibility with the brands you want to deal with. This upgrade also includes 67 other operational enhancements that expand the capabilities of the HMI.

In addition, the company has announced that four of its HMI products have just been UL listed for the US and Canada. They include the 5.6 inch HMI5056N, the 4.3 inch widescreen HMI5043N, the 7 inch widescreen HMI5070TH, and the 10.2 inch widescreen HMI5100T. In addition these products are CE certified and RoHS compliant.

Remote control causes revolution!

Remote control of Maple HMIs revolutionises automation processes
In a move that revolutionizes industrial automation and process control, Maple Systems has announced a new capability in their HMIs that allows them to be remotely controlled and monitored with laptops, desktop PCs, touch pads, and cell phones like the iPhone, Droid, and Blackberry.

HMIs are the human machine interfaces used to direct the controllers that run the automation processes of business and industry. When you can access your HMI remotely, you can command your control and automation process remotely.

Maple HMIs have a VNC (virtual network computing) server that makes that remote access possible. That means you can communicate with your Ethernet connected Maple HMI via any device that has internet access and a VNC client capability.

This capability provides an affordable option for operations of all sizes to access, monitor and control their automation process from afar. The bottom line is that you are no longer tethered to your machine or your process. You can access it from almost any location.

The guy who used to travel to six different pump stations can now monitor all of them via his cell phone. The custom glass manufacturer can monitor his furnaces when he's not on site. The vineyard operator can control his grape press while harvesting away in the field. This greatly expands the freedom of the operator while providing a new universe of logistical possibilities.
Maple Systems offers several sizes of HMIs with this remote operational capability including 7", 10.2", 10.4", 12", and 15" units. These award-winning HMIs come with bright high-resolution displays with 65 thousand colors (standard and widescreen), analog touchscreens with infinite touch points; USB, Serial and Ethernet ports; and an option to configure in either portrait or landscape mode.