FactoryCast HMIIn the 1990’s, Telemecanique pioneered the use of web technologies in the industrial automation arena. Web-based PLC diagnostic tools gave rise to the first on market web-enabled PLC (FactorycastTM). Your PLC holds your HMI application as a web site, giving you easy intranet access to your process information from wherever you are.
Web technologies have moved on radically since then. With a rapidly growing installed base we are constantly developing our solutions in line with evolving technologies and Web standards.
New generation Factory Cast HMI now also includes support for SOAP/XML Web services, which allows for direct data exchange between the PLC and upstream business software.
Other features of new generation FactoryCast HMI include :
- Customisable Web space for user application
- In-built PLC diagnostics pages, with data and graphic editors
- PDA support
- Extensive library of Java graphic applets for display of PLC data
- Direct transmission of emails
- Active Web Pages (ASP like technology), for rapid live data display using only HMTL
- Direct data logging to remote database (eg. MS SQL, Oracle, mySQL)
- Recipe data in XML format
More About FactoryCast HMI
Factorycast HMI is a key component within our Transparent Ready strategy. Our on-going program of providing Ethernet connectivity and web enablement to our automation, control and electrical distribution products and solutions.
Factorycast HMI Web based HMI solutions comprise of an active web server module which resides physically as a module in a PLC rack (Premium or Quantum ranges). (FactoryCast Gateways offer similar functionality, but are open to other 3rd party devices).
The web HMI application runs autonomously without having any impact on the PLC operation.
Your HMI could be a traditional panel mounted HMI PC, a laptop PC, a portable hand-held PC (PDA), or any device able to run a standard web browser software.
Benefits
Simplicity
SimplicitySimple and familiar HMI visualisation via any standard web browser.Rapid and reliable system updates and expansion – changes to the HMI application are immediately available to any users, with no need for client-side re-configuration.Ready-to-use diagnostic web pages are available for immediate use
Openness
Based on Open web technologies, which are undergoing rapid development, Factorycast HMI benefits directly from other 3rd party technology developments. No lock in to proprietary solutions.
Lower Cost
Visualisation can be achieved using low cost thin client PC hardware, or even mobile pocket PCs and PDAs.No run-time software licence costs – just use any web browser software on as many clients as you require.
Flexibility
Add additional clients any time without affecting system performance (Server to client communication is optimised with the use of a Publish/subscribe protocol)
Reliability
The Factorycast HMI application resides on-board a robust, secure PLC module, built for continuous operation in a harsh industrial environment, and is not affected by PC virus. Suitable levels of security are provided with IP address filtering, read-only defaults and tiered password protection.
Availability
The Factorycast HMI module has direct access to up-to-date PLC data at its’ source, thus eliminating data duplication errors prevalent in solutions using intermediate data storage.
Performance
Active server technology, allowing the HMI application to run, and continue to log data, send emails etc., even if the all clients are disconnected. This active autonomy means that the PLC’s performance and it’s scan time are not affected by the operation of the HMI.