Touchscreen HMIs support vision sensors

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Sep 13, 2006

Red Lion Controls now provides full support for Banner Engineering's PresencePlus vision sensors via the G3 Series of touchscreen HMIs.

Red Lion Controls now provides full support for Banner Engineering's PresencePlus vision sensors via the G3 Series of touchscreen HMIs.

As a result of a joint development, the Red Lion G3 Series HMIs can now conveniently allow a machine operator to deliver specific vision sensor controls while seeing exact images of the entire sensing area on the G3's bright display.

"A number of built-in features make the G3 Series ideal for integration into a wide variety of vision sensing applications using Banner vision sensors", said Jesse Benefiel, Interface and Control Product Manager for Red Lion.

"Because the G3 offers all the necessary tools built directly into the interface, operation and system-wide integration of Banner's cameras is much more convenient all via a single Ethernet connection".

Benefiel added: "Sensor positioning as well as inspection file transfer for varying batches or product control can now be done without a PC".

"The G3 touch screens can deliver many practical PresencePlus sensor controls and feedback to a machine operator", said Jeff Schmitz, Corporate Business Manager for Banner Vision Sensors.

"A machine designer can configure a G3 for specific sensor operations such as switching inspection files for different product batches, archiving and running additional inspections, uploading barcode data and displaying images of failed product".

The G3 Series features a built-in image driver that allows the integration of multiple Banner vision sensors; the G3 supports Banner's full line of PresencePlus sensors.

With its multiple-protocol Ethernet port, the G3 can connect to the vision sensor, as well as to PLCs and PCs simultaneously.

The data logger logs data at user-programmable rates with the date and time automatically recorded.

A removable CompactFlash memory card stores data into "IT-ready" CSV files that are compatible with standard office applications such as Microsoft Excel and can be downloaded remotely or synchronised with an FTP server.

With the G3's inspection file transfer capability, users are able to upload or download any inspection file they choose from the CompactFlash card to the PresencePlus sensor.

The G3's web server provides a virtual HMI that can be accessed remotely from any standard web-browser.

For added flexibility the G3 can be configured to serve custom HTML pages made with the HTML editor.

G3 models come with three serial ports as standard or up to five with the optional expansion card.

A built-in Ethernet port is also included and capable of running up to four protocols.

The G3 also converts multiple protocols simultaneously with its built-in protocol convertor - allowing seamless device communication - easily transforms sensor information to a PLC or another controller, avoiding complex communication programming.

The advanced security logger provides multi-user, multilevel password protection and also tracks operator actions and data changes.

The alarm viewer records any faults or events that may occur, all available on the CompactFlash card in CSV format.

Users can easily design and test their application using the G3's emulator and choose from over 4000 professional quality graphics to add to the display page for the most realistic HMI display available.