Product category:
HMIs/Operator Interfaces
News Release from: Rockwell Automation | Subject: RSView ME
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 27 May 2004
HMI software enables "single box"
control solution
RSView Machine Edition (ME) is a powerful, PC-based HMI package for machine level or small process applications.
RSView Machine Edition (ME) is a powerful, PC-based HMI package for machine level or small process applications The latest edition of RSView ME fills the gap between dedicated operator terminals and full-scale multi-user Scada applications and, when used with a "soft PLC" control engine, enables all machine control and monitoring functions to be handled cost effectively by a single computer
Running on Windows CE, XP or 2000 industrial PCs, RSView ME is a "soft HMI" that can be operated via an integral touch screen or keypad on the factory floor to give the same look and feel as an Allen-Bradley PanelView operator terminal.
Alternatively, it can be operated via a mouse and keyboard in a control room environment as an entry-level Scada system.
In either case, the PC can also run a full range of other Windows software, including Rockwell Software RSPlantMetrics, to perform additional tasks such as machinery data logging, analysis and display.
"OEMs now only need to install and configure a single computer for all machine control, information and monitoring functions, reducing installation time and cost", says John Gooday, Rockwell Automation Software Commercial Manager.
"End users then have just one set of software and hardware to licence and maintain, cutting complexity and operating costs".
Part of Rockwell Automation's ViewAnyWare strategy, applications for RSView ME are developed using RSView Studio and can be shared across a range of other platforms, including RSView Supervisory Edition Scada systems and Allen-Bradley PanelView Plus intelligent operator terminals.
With communications based on OPC, RSView ME offers multivendor connectivity to a wide variety of other OPC data servers.
However, because it also uses Rockwell Automation's unique FactoryTalk technology, it provides greatly enhanced functionality when linked with Allen-Bradley controllers such as ControlLogix and SLC.
FactoryTalk Directory provides a common address book, which automatically enables FactoryTalk-enabled products to find and access factory resources such as data tags and HMI displays.
As a result, PLC tags created in RSLogix can be used directly in RSView ME without the need to create a separate HMI tag database.
FactoryTalk Diagnostics collects and routes all activity, status, warning and error messages generated by FactoryTalk-enabled components to a common log, enabling users to diagnose problems quickly ands easily.
Information on changes made to a system can also be saved to a central repository, enabling pharmaceutical manufacturers to create the audit trail of alterations made to production systems required for 21CFR11 regulatory compliance.
To provide the access control required by 21CFR11, RSView ME can also be integrated with the Windows 2000 Security Authentication system.
This supports either a private user list specific to RSView ME or a system-wide Windows user group list.
With RSView ME, OEMs and end users can combine the ease of use of a dedicated operator interface with the sophistication of a PC into a "single box" solution providing all control, monitoring and communication functions.
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