Cara Bereck Levy

What do you do if you have an existing system, different devices running on different protocols...and you've got to implement control, plus hook up via IEC104S to a SCADA...and that is only part of the picture. Well--if you are Rene Tomingas FIE of Estonia, you use Unitronics All-in-One PLC + HMI programmable controllers , models Vision1040 and V570, to get the job done! Read about it here: https://unitronicsplc.com/testemonials-category-carrousel/?category=Power-Energy&tid3170

Check it out!!! Errdue, an Italian company that manufactures equipment for generating and purifying gases on the customer site, wanted to develop a new line of products. They chose our very own Vision350 for the job. Erredue got the functionality and communication support they needed, in a physically compact device that fit right in--plus, the V350's quality color touchscreen boosts them ahead of their competitors. Read about the application, and check out Engineer Claudio D’Angelo's rave review of the V350 PLC +HMI here!

Let me tell you--this is going to be GREAT!!!! We are proud to introduce an addition to the UniStream family that is going to be a favorite among those of you who enjoy the compactness, the no-hassle approach of the All-in-One Vision series. UniStream 5" is a PLC+HMI+I/Os , with the impressive UniStream user panel built-in, available in a number of I/O configurations, that you program in UniLogic. Below is the official release document--you can access specs, etc, over here. UniStream® 5”: PLC+HMI+I/Os Compact. Contemporary. Connected Unitronics’ newly-released UniStream® 5"- a multi-function programmable logic controller in a superbly compact hardware profile: PLC+HMI+I/O built into a single unit. All-in-One, compact PLC + HMI with built-in I/Os fills a niche in the programmable controller market—serving OEMs and system integrator who need space-saving controllers that deliver the functionality to control complex machines, while creating a competitive advantage via a color-touch HMI panel. This All-in-One controller is available in two series: UniStream 5" and UniStream 5" Pro. Both series support SNMP, VNC, FTP, SMS, email, and communications via GSM/GPRS modem. The Pro version also offers a built-in Webserver, audio jack, and video support, as well as SQL, a plus for system integrators and OEMs facing Industry 4.0. The Hardware UniStream 5", with its resistive color touch-screen reduces space and wiring requirements, and eliminates the need to set up Panel-PLC communication. Built-in I/O configurations vary according to model, offering digital, analog, high-speed and temperature I/Os. Users can expand the configuration up to 2,048 I/O points. Built-in COM ports include Ethernet, 1 USB host and 1 Mini-B USB device ports; additional add-on ports for serial and CANbus are available. Powerful Programming The rich feature range of UniStream includes auto-tuned PID, data logging, data tables and Recipes, data sampling displayed via built-in Trends and Gauges, Alarms, multi-level passwords, and plug & play communications for CANopen, CAN Layer2, MODBUS, EtherNet/IP, and more. A Re-Use paradigm enables the programmer to build Ladder and C functions, design HMI screens, and create Web pages in multiple languages including Asian languages—then save it all in a Library to reuse in other projects. Another benefit to the bottom line for the OEM and system integrators is Unitronics standard policy of customer care—no hidden costs or tiers. All software, utilities, and support—including membership in Unitronics’ Community Forum—are provided at no additional charge

Nice story here: Bimetec, a company specializing in agricultural solutions, used a Unitronics Vision1210 and a 4.3-inch Samba programmable logic controller for this retrofit project. Read about how they boosted speed and efficiency by clicking here.

Are you a machine builder/OEM? Are you new to Unitronics products - or would you just like to learn more about UniStream for your future projects? If so, this webinar is for you! Click here to sign up.

Alert: this post will only interest SF fans So, here I was in Unitronics-land, in a meeting, thinking about how SF often predicts the technology that becomes reality. Then I realized that the anecdote I was about to tell - that deciding to implement " OK Google" commands on my phone, so that while driving, I could tell my phone to turn on Bluetooth and call my son hands-free, reminded me of Scotty saying " Computer..." - would make little sense to the whipper-snappers at the meeting. They a., don't know who Scotty is, and b., grew up with Siri - voice control is expected. The fact that I had resisted it until now, because I don't want Google to control every damn thing, would probably make no sense and mark me as a Luddite and certainly a fossil... That got me thinking of how Heinlein wrote about 'waldos', and how that actually became a term used for remote manipulators (cool story). Anyone out there have a favorite example of SF becoming real tech?

Denis - thank you so much for posting!!! That is truly nice to read I'm going to forward that post to the relevant people - nice to get a public thanks!

YES!!! no time frame right now, but yes :-)

So. You may be smack in the middle of your first Smart Factory project...or you may be wondering what all the hype is about..or, you may be looking around for a brand of programmable controllers that will talk to an ERP SQL database. No matter what your particular scenario is, we invite you to attend our webinar to learn how easy it is to communicate data via SQL, from the production floor up to management levels using Unitronics All-in-One PLC + HMI controllers. To sign up, click here

What Joe said Yup - things we COULD not have implemented with a standard micro-controller. And people - like it or not, the whole Industrial Internet of Things/Smart Factory/Industry 4.0 is real, here to stay, and the COM abilities of Linux are absolutely crucial. We - the Unitronics royal We - keep current...because eventually you, as automation professionals, will need this type of connectivity. Transition is the name of the game, and as professionals you know how to adapt Yes, it is very different - but, once you get the hang of it - it is good, well worth it in my humble opinion.

This major release introduces a number of new features that will boost your productivity, such as wide Ladder nets and dynamic I/O configurations. You can download it from here: https://unitronicsplc.com/software-visilogic/ In addition, when you install this version and open it for the first time, a pop-up will allow you to access app store links for Unitronics’ Remote Operator for Mobile app. Features Remote Operator for Mobile The Help menu now offers a link that will access the App store. In addition, the Help topic Remote Operator via Mobile App now contains QR codes that you can scan with your mobile to get the app. Ladder: 2X the Space VisiLogic Ladder nets are now wide, and reach completely across your PC screen - no empty areas. This gives you twice the editing space. Switching I/O Configurations Once you have added I/O Expansion Modules to your project, you can create variations called 'IO Module Configurations'. Configurations are hardware profiles that enable a controller to run the application if it has a physical I/O configuration that is different from the full I/O Configuration in the project. Each profile that you create has an index number. You determine which configuration is active by storing a value in SI 205. The application will run according to the selected Config without error. To enable your program logic to run correctly when switching configurations, you must map the digital inputs and outputs to MBs, and use these MBs as program conditions instead of Input and Output operands. Since analog I/Os are linked to operands, they do not require any special handling. Run As Admin VisiLogic and other software utilities are now set to "Run as Admin". Project Navigation Tree Simple, static HMI elements such as lines and circles now appear on the Project Navigation Tree under Static. Remote Access: Alarms You can now Jump to Display in Alarms when running Remote Access. V700, SI 184: Port SI 184 Indicates which port is installed: 0-none, 1-serial, 2-ethernet,4-Profibus PID Server You can now export using different pictures and data formats. Note that the Excel file is saved as .xls file that cannot be opened in office 2013 but can be opened in office 2010 . HMI Zoom You can now zoom HMI displays to twice their size, when editing displays for V700 and V1040, V1210 . Operand Export/import Separators are now supported when importing/exporting. You can also select whether to import Fast operands, preset/current of timers and counters. The CSV of operand descriptions now includes a row of operands types. While importing, VisiLogic now displays a progress bar. Data Table Import When importing a .UPD file, you now have options to Select all and Clear all Project Memory Map Project memory map now displays topic sizes. SMS Configuration (V2xx only) SMS configuration now supports Eastern Europe language set. VisiLogic GUI: Russian The VisiLogic Interface can now be translated to Russian. Printing Comments are fully printed when printing Ladder. Data Table export Each Data table field can be assigned a special caption and format for export to Excel. FB Protocol, CRC A new type, CRC-16/BYPASS is now supported. Keyboard symbols Virtual keyboards now have the underscore symbol where the copyright symbol was held.

We've had some nice application stories recently Here's a cool one about timber drying kilns that require reliable, automatic temperature control - and implement it with Unitronics Vision350 PLC+HMI controllers Read about the Timbersoft Kiln Drying application here.

We are truly proud to announce that Frost & Sullivan, a major market research and analysis firm, has honored Unitronic's with the Best Practices Awards for 2016. The prestigious award for Global Advanced PLC Product Line Strategy Leadership was given after Frost & Sullivan conducted an in-depth review of Unitronics products, specifically our 3 major product series--Samba, Vision, and UniStream--in relation to the dynamic, competitive market that challenges PLC manufacturers. Read all about it here: https://unitronicsplc.com/press-release/?prid=12146

This major release of UniLogic, the programming software for UniStream programmable controllers, introduces Multi-Touch HMI screen technology, familiar to us all from the world of cell phones and tablets. Our new UniStream model, the USP-104M10-PLC, supports a range of gestures such as “Swipe” Navigation, Press, Press & Hold, Double-Tap, Press & Tap and more. Use these to boost your client’s user experience, as well as Two-Hand Operation to increase the operational safety of your end-users. Other important features in this release: CANopen: EDS Import, View, Edit, & Ladder Functions UDFB Online: view running values in UDFBs, including local tags MODBUS: Aperiodic/ Periodic Operations per slave, singly or in batches Receive SMS: new Ladder Element, plus Authorized Numbers option SQL: supports MySQL Server and an option to communicate via Port or Instance Name *Cyber-Security Update for FTP & VNC All applications using FTP or VNC must now use passwords of 6 to 8 characters that contain upper and lower-case letters and digits. Upgrading older applications with passwords that do not meet these criteria will result in a compilation error. Hardware Configuration New UniStream: Multi-Touch panel Hardware Configuration now offers the USP-104-M10. This multi-touch model offers gestures such as Swipe navigation, and enables you to trigger actions via Press, Long Press, Press & Tap, double-tap and more, including Two-Hand operation – a recognized safety measure. A single screen can contain elements configured to different triggers. This enables you to add a layer of safety to your screens. For example, you can implement a 2-point press (two-handed operation) that requires the user to press the screen in two distinct locations to activate a task. Communications CANopen EDS Import, View, Edit You can now easily import, view, and edit EDS files for CANopen devices, as well as automatically create PDO structs. New EDS Ladder functions EDS functions enable you to initialize the device with values currently in the EDS file, including values that you edit/enter via UniLogic's EDS utility. In your program, use the In Progress bits to condition the functions. Init Node EDS: Initialize a specific node with values edited/entered via the EDS utility. Init All Nodes EDS: Initialize all of the CANopen nodes in your project Restore Node Defaults: If your CANopen device enables this function, which refers to object 1011 in the node's dictionary, you can use this to reset all of the node's addresses to the manufacturer's default values. Heartbeat CANopen Properties now include Enable Heartbeat. Select this to send a heartbeat from the PLC, according to the time interval specified in the parameter Heartbeat time. The time range is 100 (default) to 100000ms (10 seconds). CANopen CPU Stop Mode Switching to Stop Mode will automatically send a reset command to all nodes. MODBUS New: Aperiodic via Ladder, Operation Batches This version offers the ability to create both Periodic and Aperiodic operations, either one at a time or in batches. Most application requirements are met by Periodic operations, which run according to the time intervals you set. However, you now have greater flexibility to: Use simple Periodic Operations to read/write data from/to many sensors, Use an Aperiodic Operation to write a single setpoint as the result of a run-time condition, Use an Aperiodic Operation to turn a group of outputs ON as the result of a run-time condition. Note that you can prevent an individual operation from running via a bit in the operation's Active parameter. Two new MODBUS Ladder Elements, Aperiodic InDirect and Aperiodic InDirect Group to enable you to trigger a single operation, or a group of operations, via your application. Troubleshooting MODBUS You now have new MODBUS troubleshooting options: A new parameter in the Remote Slave's struct, Drops can help you to troubleshoot projects with a large number of sensors, where the entire queue of operations may not be able to run during the scan. A Status field has been added to the MODBUS operation Parameters. This will hold the error codes from the MODBUS protocol itself. Note that it must be reset in your application. Other Communications SMS: Receive SMS + Authorize Numbers Use this new Ladder element to receive an SMS message and store it along with its metadata. You can also block messages from unauthorized numbers by creating an Authorized Numbers list in Modem Configuration. SQL Server Now supports MYSQL, and the option to use either Instance Name, or Port. Message Composer Float values are now supported. EthernetIP The Scanner Node struct now contains the parameter Connection status. This contains the response status of the connection attempt. HMI & Web HMI: FTP Image Widget Use this widget to stream files from an IP camera that uploads images to an FTP server. The images are cached in a folder on the SD card. Buttons the user to display images, clear the image cache, or to save the images currently being displayed. Data Table Widget This version brings added widget features. You can now: Assign Column Width/Visibility to each individual widget Move the focus and highlight a specific row in a data table by writing a value to the property Tag: Selected Row Index When a data table is displayed, touch anywhere within a row to select that row If you assign a Float value to a column, you can determine the location of the decimal point via by right-clicking the column and assigning it HMI and Webpage Editor Redesign Both editors have been redesigned for faster, smoother function, and load screens - even screens with many elements -faster than before. Other added features include "Snap" behavior: Rotation: While rotating, elements will now automatically snap to angles of 90-180° when approaching these angles. To rotate without snapping, first hold down the Alt button on your keypad, then click and begin the rotation. Alignment: Now, the active element is marked by handles. When moving elements, a snap to middle line is displayed. HMI: Live Trend Widget New Live Trend displays a running variable integer value as a curve on a Trend graph. You may define up to 4 curves. Unlike Trends derived from Data Sampling: Live Trend values are not drawn from a Data Sampler. Live Trends do not store any values, log any data, or create any files. They are convenient for tasks such as representing temperature values, where only monitoring is needed and logging is not required. Web: State Machine Button State Machine Button is now available for Web pages as well as HMI display; use the value of a register to display variable text within a button, and to drive multiple Actions via the button. HMI Element: Password A new attribute, Password Length, allows you to enter a number to limit the number of characters, 1-32, that the user can type into the field. Asian Language Support UniStream now supports the WenQuanYi Zen Hei font which supports Chinese, simplified/traditional, and also Korean. HMI Elements: Digital Schedule & Digital Time When checked, a new attribute, Retain AM/PM Space, retains the Placeholder space for AM/PM when H24 (24-hour format) is selected. Usability Boosters UDFBs: Online Values View online/debug values within UDFBs, including local tags, along with a counter 'since last update': simply right-click the Call UDFB function in the Ladder, and select Monitor. Drag Tags: Assign Tags via CTRL + Drag & Drop A new, easy way to assign tags is via CTRL + Drag & Drop. Press and hold down the CTRL keyboard key, click a tag, and then drag and drop it to assign a ladder parameter or an HMI option. You can drag tags from the tag database window, or a tag assigned as a ladder parameter or HMI option. Formula: Drag from Ladder You can now drag any Formula directly from the Solution Explorer, instead of placing a Formula Ladder element via the Ladder Toolbox and linking it to a Formula. Start Online after Download If you download the same project into UniStream, and are connected to the unit, Online mode now begins automatically. You can cancel this behavior via the UniLogic Project tab, by clicking Options and deselecting Start Online after Download. Handy "Find" ptions The Ladder ribbon tab contains two new icons: that enable you to find rungs that are disabled, as well as rungs marked "ToDo:". To mark a rung, enter the text "ToDo:" including the colon. (the text itself is not case-sensitive) The complete list of features, as well as Bug Fixes may be found at https://unitronicsplc.com/Download/Support/UniLogic/UniLogic_Example_Projects.zip

We invite you to take part in our webinar: SQL - Adding a Piece to the Industry 4.0 / Smart Factory Puzzle. UniStream PLC + HMI controllers support MS SQL and My SQL, server and can connect to SQL databases. This enables you to set up UniLogic to communicate SQL data ERP/MRP servers - sign up to learn how!

Great thread. This is what a forum is FOR!

Hi Flex--I'm trying to see what I can do about this...it is the spring holiday season, work schedules are spotty. people take vacations, I need to pin down one of the IT guys for this one.

And Unistream Webserver Rocks! This is almost a year old - since then, we have added all sorts of new features, including 'Convert HMI Screen to Web Page':

Zoom: I have submitted a feature request--I don't even know if it is possible, but I'm having it looked into. I gather that NAS is network storage? This is only for backup, correct?

Umm...I have no idea what you mean...could you send me a screenshot? Also, maybe right-click it an see what it says in the properties, and show that as well.

Ausman, thanks for the tip, I will check that out -- looks a handy thing to have!

TMOULDER!!! Wow--good to hear from one of the best power-users and beta testers ever seen around these parts! It's been awhile Guys--we've got the ability to lock elements in place. It isn't the most prominently-placed icon in the interface, but it is down there, right next to the Grid icon. When the lock is clicked, it turns red, and any elements you try to grab have red corners. I hear you about the Zoom - the Grid isn't much use because the squares are too small. On my way to put in a feature request!

Ok, the issue has been added to the R&D list, and will be checked out - no promises as to actual development yet!

Hi Vidmas30! Sorry, but I don't see the images you mean--can you please send me a link?

Someone mentioned a bug--I didn't follow. Can you please describe it for me so I can pass it on?