Visual Vigo puts operator control on a PC

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jul 5, 2001

Version 5.0 of the Vigo Fieldbus Management software features Visual Vigo, a Windows based application program (Scada functionality), used to visually present and provide operator control

Proces-Data - manufacturer of P-Net Fieldbus based automation equipment since the mid eighties, has recently released version 5.0 of their Vigo Fieldbus Management software.

In addition to a number of improvements to make it even easier to build and manage Fieldbus systems, and to configure Fieldbus nodes, the Vigo installation package now also includes Visual Vigo.

Visual Vigo is a Windows based application program (Scada functionality), used to visually present and provide operator control of process plants, factory automation, building management systems, etc.

on a PC.

The PC can be connected on-line locally, or remotely via a LAN, direct Modem access or Internet connection, through the Vigo Fieldbus management system and the P-Net Fieldbus.

A process plant is presented by using one or more Work floors, where machines and instruments can be placed.

The operator is able to "walk" through the factory by opening "doors" to the different work floors and departments of the Factory.

The various machines and instruments can be opened for studying internal details.

Visual Vigo is based on an object-oriented principle, where Visual Vigo components can contain other Visual Vigo components, each of which can contain other components etc.

Visual Vigo components are placed on the work floors, and can be used to illustrate a complete working area, an individual machine, the internal details of a machine, an actuator, a sensor, a control function, a value, a set point, a data recorder etc.

Visual Vigo components can take different states, which can also be controlled by the operator.

These states can be represented by using a set of chosen images, and if required, include sounds and visual effects.

The images could originate from a picture from a camera or a scanner, be generated by any standard drawing program or computed by Visual VIGO components.

Multimedia effects are based on standard.avi and.wav files generated by the user or chosen from a variety of prepared sources.

If required, Help information can be generated by the designer using standard text preparation facilities and associated with a particular component.

Features: Ease of use for designers as well as operators.

Visual Vigo runs within the Vigo environment, and as such, Visual Vigo components can inherit the functionality of Vigo.

Visual Vigo components can be customised by system integrators.

Visual Vigo components can be developed by third parties, and added to existing systems without compilation.

The principle of using the right-hand mouse button in Vigo, where a selected channel or variable shows a menu with the relevant tools or properties, is the same in Visual Vigo.

Certain components provide facilities for data logging, with table and/or chart display of real time and historical trend data.