Interface panel for real-time operational access

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Nov 26, 2004

The G306 operator interface panel is the latest addition to the powerful G3 HMI Series.

The G306 operator interface panel is the latest addition to the powerful G3 HMI Series.

The Model G306 touchscreen panel features a 5.7in 256-color QVGA Ultra-STN LCD with 320 x 240 pixel resolution, and a five button keypad for on-screen menus.

The G3 HMI Series is the first to offer up to five communications ports and a built-in gateway to web-enable any device connected to the panel.

This unprecedented capability delivers remote access, monitoring and virtual operation - either via company LAN or the Internet - facilitating real-time operational access and data logging from a remote PC.

"Legacy devices communicate with their own protocol", said Jesse Benefiel, Product Manager.

The G3 HMI is the first to feature an integrated protocol convertor that allows it to function as a centre point of data gathering, converting disparate protocols while relaying all the data to a remote location".

"This makes the G3 an ideal tool to collect and move data, or control multiple devices including PLCs, PCs, drives, PID controllers and others, from anywhere in the world", added Benefiel.

As with all G3 panels, the G306 arrives standard with a 10Base-T/100Base-Tx Ethernet port, USB connection, 4Mbyte of onboard Flash memory, integrated web server, Type I /II CompactFlash card reader, and one-click, MS-Excel compatible data logging activation.

One RS422/485 port and two RS232 ports are standard (expandable to five) and each port is format and baud rate programmable up to 115,200baud.

G3 HMIs also feature popular and innovative options such as the ability to communicate to GPS receivers for positioning and tracking, plus GSM/GPRS modem support for alarm notification via e-mail and SMS text messages, as well as pass-through programming of PLCs and other devices remotely.

The G306 HMI joins the G303, G308 and G310 operator interface panels, which start as low as US $599.

Each G3 HMI model is configured via Red Lion's powerful and intuitive Crimson 2 software at no extra charge.

The feature-packed, user-friendly software includes an extensive library of device drivers to quickly establish communications between the G3 and virtually any device, integrated web server, drag-and-drop data mapping and "virtual panel" that mirrors the HMI display to any web browser.

Crimson 2 also features a comprehensive symbol library with a selection of over 4000 industrial and manufacturing images including pushbuttons, tanks, motors and machinery - plus over 60 other categories - allowing users or OEMs to easily add professional-quality graphics to G3 display pages.

The software supports Russian, Thai, Korean, Chinese and any other language supported by the Unicode character set so OEMs can use a single database to customise the device for multiple geographic markets.

The software is downloadable and freely available, with free upgrades and support by Red Lion.