Touch-screen operator panels provide HMI control

Edited by the Processingtalk editorial team May 27, 2009

The GF Vedo touch-screen operator panels from Gefran provide economical and complete human-machine interface (HMI) control for medium to high complexity automation applications.

Available in 6.5in, 10.4in, 12.1in and 15in displays, all feature the GAB (Gefran Automation Builder) - a single programming environment that combines PLC and Scada graphic page display programming, and a full complement of fieldbus expansion and peripheral ports.

GF Vedo touch-screen operator panels

Depending upon the colour display size, the graphics resolutions available are 640 x 480 (VGA, 800 x 600 (SVGA), or 1024 x 768 (XVGA).

Smaller models are available as touch-screen display only or with an integral tactile keypad for additional functionality.

The rugged and durable range is based upon 32-bit processors with a choice of RAM and solid-state DOM (DiskOn-Module) general-purpose memory.

With no conventional hard drives and no requirement for cooling fans, the GF VEDO range has no moving parts and is particularly suited to harsh and high vibration environments.

Faceplate protection is to IP65 and operating temperature range 0C to 50C.

Fieldbus interfacing connectivity options include Canopen, Modbus RTU and Modbus TCP with fixed peripheral ports for two Ethernet 10/100 Base-T, RS485, two USB, PS2, and mouse.

The operator panels can also be used in conjunction with Gefran's USB-connected TF32 keyboards, which provide additional fieldbus interconnectivity, digital inputs, input key and LED functions.

GAB is a single programming environment that combines OpenPCS PLC programming, based on the universal IEC61131-3 language, and Scada graphic page display using Java-based Visual designer software.

The company said GAB helps to ensure lower development and maintenance costs with high levels of application reliability and security.

For complete application flexibility, the GF Vedo range can include alternative operating systems, such as Windows XP Embedded or VxWorks.

Preloaded and ready-to-run applications such as GF Pack software for plastics extrusion and injection moulding can be supplied as a part of complete plastics industry machine control solutions including Gefran's temperature, process and motion controls.

The complete GF Vedo range also includes 3.5in and 5.7in combined HMIs and PLCs with PLC expansion via a built-in Gilogik bus for use with a selection of analogue and digital I/O modules, temperature and counter modules.