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Cara Bereck Levy

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Blog Entries posted by Cara Bereck Levy

  1. Cara Bereck Levy
    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
     
  2. Cara Bereck Levy
    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.
     
  3. Cara Bereck Levy
    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

  4. Cara Bereck Levy
    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.

  5. Cara Bereck Levy
    If you haven't checked out the Unitronics Youtube for awhile, you may want to check out our UniLogic Tech Tidbits Playlist. The most recent Tidbit shows you how to create your own, reusable HMI Custom Controls.
    After you create a control, you can drag and drop it from the Solution Explorer, export/import it between projects as .uluce files, or add it to the Library.  You can also define tags that are local to a specific Custom Control, these tags will be exported/imported along with the control.
     
    It's all in the link below!
     
  6. Cara Bereck Levy
    Hello - welcome back! The holidays are over, the New Year is here.
    Here at Unitronics headquarters, we are at work, setting up our development Road Map for 2017.
    As Unitronics users, you know that we pride ourselves on listening to our user community.
    And so, we ask you:
    What would you like Unitronics to develop in 2017?
    You can post suggestions to this blog, PM me, or email me at cara.levy@unitronics.com.
    Here is a summary of Unitronics major developments in 2016, many of which were the results of user requests – so, without further ado, I hereby present:
    The 2016 Unitronics Roundup!
    First, Hardware:
    New Samba models
    Samba now offers the TA22 configuration in 3.5", 4.3", and 7" screen sizes.
    ·        SM35/SM43/SM70 J-TA22 comprise 12 digital inputs, configurable as 1 hsc/shaft-encoder, 2 analog/digital, 2 thermocouple / pt100 inputs, and 8 pnp plus 2 analog outputs.
    ·        SM70-J-RA22 offers a 7" screen and the same inputs as the TA22; the outputs comprise 4 relay and 4 npn outputs.
    New Jazz models
    ·        JZ20-T20HS offers 6 digital, 2 analog/digital, 2 analog, 3 high-speed inputs, and 8 transistor, plus 5 high-speed outputs supporting PWM via hardware configuration.
    ·        JZ20-R16HS offers the same inputs, plus 6 Relay Outputs.
    UniStream additions
    UniStream welcomed new I/O Modules:
    ·        UIS-WCB2 Wide I/O comprises two temperature and 2 analog inputs, 2 analog outputs, and 10 digital inputs, 10 digital pnp outputs including 2 high-speed outputs.
    ·        Slim temp module UIS-4PTKN Comprising 4 RTD inputs that support PT1000/NI1000.
    KNX connector
    UniStream supports a KNX to MODBUS Gateway device, available as GW-KNX1.
     
     
     
    Our Remote Operator mobile app for the Vision™ and Samba™ series, a major user request, was released in 2016—here are links for Apple and Android:
    https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/unitronics-remote-operator/id1063107386?mt=8
    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.unitronics.remoteoperator&hl=en
     
     
     
     
     
    Here are some of the features we added to UniLogic in 2016:
     
    User Access Control (UAC)
    Security
    UAC enables you to require users to log in via the HMI application, and restrict access to HMI elements, including whether an element is visible or enabled.
    SQL Connectivity
    ·        Access SQL databases via IP address or Hostname
    ·        Build SQL Queries and execute them via Ladder functions
    ·        Connect Data Tables to SQL databases and transfer data
    HMI Screen to Web Page
    Click to convert existing HMI Screens to Web Pages.
    Reusable HMI Custom Controls
    Create your reusable HMI Custom Control, drag and drop it from the Solution Explorer, export/import it between projects, and add it to the Library.
    Hardware Interrupt: UID-0808THS
    A new Scenario, Measure Length, supported by the UID-0808THS module, allows you to implement length measurement via hardware-based interrupt.
    HMI File Selector Browser
    Enable your operator to select files from an SD/DOK/memory stick, store the Path and Name of the selected file in a Data Tag.
    Video Streaming Widget: RSTP
    Allows you to provide the RSTP url in the format required by your particular application and device.
    HMI Indirect Images
    Display indirect images hosted on the SD card or DOK.
    HMI Trends: FIFO
    Display a Trend as Standard or FIFO.
    HMI email Configuration Widget
    Your users can add recipients in the To, Cc, and Bcc fields of an e-mail via the HMI keyboard.
    Web Server –  new features
    ·        Trends: view Trend graphs via web browser.
    ·        mailto fields, and a new widget enable your users to add recipients in the To, Cc, and Bcc fields of an e-mail via the HMI keyboard.
    ·        A new Web Data Tables Widget allows a user to view, edit, and enter data via web browser.
    Print to pdf
    The Tools tab on the UniLogic ribbon offers Print Project, enabling you to print your Hardware Configuration and Ladder Modules.
    Data Tables
    ·        New Functions: Convert .CSV to UDTF, UDTF Count counts number of columns and rows
    ·        email .csv files as attachments.
    MODBUS
    You can now run Modbus via Serial COM Module/USB ports
    Ethernet/IP
    ·        Explicit Messages support for both Scanner and Adapter in addition to I/O (Implicit) messaging.
    ·        Scanner Node support doubled, from 16 to 32.
    DNS Resolver
    Ladder Function: resolves a server IP address from its host name.
    UID-0808T
    Advanced Functions
    New functions for counters, Immediate Reset + new Scenarios
    UniLogic
    Advanced Layout
    Pin/unpin, undock and float pane options. If you use two monitors, float panes onto different monitor screens.
    USB keyboard support
    Just plug a keyboard into the UniStream USB port.
    Alarms - Additions
    ·        Language Localization for French, Russian, Polish, Finnish and Czech.
    ·        Alarm History Widget
     
     

  7. Cara Bereck Levy
    This was an excellent year - a year of growth - for the Unitronics community. We now number over 20,000 members!
    I can back this up with hard statistics for 2016:
    We welcomed over 3,000 new members to our user forum… …who made 2,100 posts … in 526 new topic! We all benefit from forum members who devote big blocks of time to helping others. These people put a lot of effort into writing detailed answers to questions and aiding others in trouble-shooting their applications.
    This year, three of our top posters from 2016 were again top contributors to the Unitronics community. 
    Our top UniGuru MVPs for 2016 are:
    Joe Tauser Barry Lanier (forum name: Flex727) Ausman In recognition of their fine work, the profiles of our MVPs will be marked with a new icon for 2016:
    In recognition of their fine work, the profiles of our
    MVPs will be marked with a new icon for 2016:

    Our most valuable commodity is, always, time—to volunteer that time to help other people using your expertise is truly worthy of respect--thanks to you all!
    Youtube Channel
     The official Unitronics Youtube channel, https://www.youtube.com/user/UnitronicsWebinars is growing. In 2016, our top video clips were the:
    Webinar: HMI Tricks and Tips for VisiLogic, with over 8,000 views:  
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MwhQkdbC6s PLC Training: Introduction to UniLogic, HMI + PLC Application Software, with over 6,000 views: 
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV30MkDQYPk WEBINAR: Unitronics Vision -  CANOpen, also with over 6,000 views:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIkBJ4NheCc  
    Media -  We're in the NEWS!
    Unitronics was featured in a number of trade magazines in 2016—if you missed these articles, check 'em out now!
    IEN, Industry Interview feature:
    How Will Industry 4.0 Influence the Future of PLCs?
      IEN feature article. Hardware Division
    Benny Magrafta, Unitronics R&D Manager, Software Division, was extensively quoted:
    HMI checklist: What to consider when shopping for an HMI solution
      IEN - Industrial Products in Spotlight
    IEN featured an application based on the UniStream PLC + HMI, 10.4, a project done for Djurdjevic is a meat production company based in Serbia
    Is it possible for an automated system to run so efficiently you forget it’s there? We are proud to continue to bring you Unitronics true All-in-One value: our complete range of automation products and software from the pioneers of the PLC + HMI controller, backed by Unitronics unparalleled sales and tech support.
    Enjoy them in 2017!!
     
     
  8. Cara Bereck Levy
    New
    Application
    Story
    **** Starring Samba in the role of theater grip! ****
    People--high cool factor here
    ------------------------------------------------------
    Compact, Cost-Effective Samba PLC+HMI Opens Creative Avenues for Local Theater!
    “Motion Control with Unitronics PLCs has allowed us the freedom to reach for new heights of visceral creativity while expanding our technical innovation in a fast and cost-effective manner”.
    Summary:
    The Eagle Theatre in Hammonton, New Jersey partnered with Unitronics’ distributor, Bayview Bearing and Supply, to introduce innovations to a regional theater. Using a Samba PLC with 3.5” color-touch HMI and onboard I/O, the theater implemented a simple motion control application for their set pieces. Since the initial installation, the Eagle Theatre has expanded the application, creating more complex moving sets that greatly enhance the mood and themes of their productions.
    Full story:
    The Eagle Theatre in Hammonton, New Jersey is South Jersey’s only year-round professional Equity theatre. They are dedicated not only to bringing great theater to the region, but also to bringing innovation to their productions.
    To achieve those goals, the theater decided to add moving elements to their sets for one of their productions. Three screens needed to descend at a consistent speed, but at different times. The team at the Eagle Theatre initially tried to use electric winch packages, but these were slow and too noisy to use during a performance. With only one week until the show opened, the theater reached out to Bayview Bearing and Supply, a Unitronics distributor, for help.
    Bayview Bearing was able to solve these issues by implementing a Samba all-in-one PLC with 3.5-inch color-touch HMI.
    They worked with Jared Smith, a contractor with Deerfield Electric, who built the panel and installed the unit. The Samba controlled Vacon 20 VFD’s (Variable Frequency Devices) and World Wide Electric Gear Motors in order to move the set pieces. Each of the moving pieces was assigned a virtual button on the Samba; these buttons raised and lowered the screens, while also displaying their current position. Not only did the new system work beautifully, Bayview Bearing was able to get it up and running with enough time for rehearsals with the new system before the show opened.
    Not only was this particular performance a success due to the Samba, working with PLC control has created new options for the Eagle Theatre moving forward. Ted Wioncek III, Co-Artistic Director at the theater, explains “motion control with Unitronics PLC’s has allowed us the freedom to reach for new heights of visceral creativity while expanding our technical innovation in a fast and cost effective manner.”
    In fact, the Eagle Theatre has already expanded the motion control application to other shows. For one production, the entire set shifted constantly, with the walls moving in and out independently of each other. A major theme of the show was misdirection, so the moving set was used to reinforce that theme within the physical space the characters interact with. As Ryan Mayer of Bayview Bearing explains, this isn’t a typical motion control application, “this is automation technology meeting the art community and producing fantastic results.”
    To learn more about Bayview Bearing and Supply, visit them online.
    To learn more about the Eagle Theatre, visit them online.
  9. Cara Bereck Levy
    Have you checked out our YouTube channel recently? We posted these new UniLogic how-to videos:




    Our channel, UnitronicsWebinars, offers videos and recorded webinars on a variety of subjects. These playlists may be helpful to some of you:

    These are short videos, just a few minutes long. Each simple how-to shows how to accomplish a single task, such as displaying Chinese on the HMI screen.



    These are 'tech tidbits' for UniStream and UniLogic.
    Happy viewing!
  10. Cara Bereck Levy
    We've had some new Application Stories submitted recently. I'm posting two stories and a video here--visit our site to see them all!
    If you are interested in submitting your story, contact us at Usa.sales@unitronics.com for details.
    Story 1 - Waterplay® Aquatic Play Pad Uses V130-33-R34 to Bring New Life to Communities
    Waterplay® Solutions Corp. provides premium aquatic recreational features world-wide. They needed a PLC with a built in HMI that could meet their specific programming and space requirements.
    Unitronics' V130-33-R34 was the perfect solution to their specific needs.

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    With thousands of installations world-wide, Waterplay® Solutions Corp. has provided their customers premium aquatic recreational features since 1987. Offering a variety of innovative products that are designed to turn any space into an exciting attraction, Waterplay® responds directly to their customer needs; including aquatic play features, slide activity centers, waterslides urban water features, and water management solutions.
    With one particular project Waterplay® was working on in Texas, they had an aquatic play pad that had a very small area where a PLC controller could be placed. In their existing line of controllers they were using at the time, they specifically needed a digital output to control a relay, and the particular manufacture they were using did not have a PLC with high enough rated built in relays to operate the valves that they used. As a result, they were on the search for a PLC with an integrated HMI. The controller need the following operations either built in or programmable to meet their requirements:
    Programming requirements:
    · Start/stop time for the week
    · To be able to have the system on/off for each day of the week
    · Receive an input from the field to start a sequence
    · Log number of activations/per day and downloadable
    · Automatically open/close each output
    · To have internal relays that can operate a solenoid valve that requires 0.41 amps of in rush current (0.25 amps holding)
    · Relatively easy to program with minimal cost for software
    · Field reprogrammable with a flash card
    Physical requirements:
    · To be able to fit in a 6 x 10 inch space
    · Multi line graphic interface
    · Expandable without taking up additional space, or using minimal additional space.
    "The Unitronics V130-33-R34 was able to reach these requirements and more." Said Carney Neave of Waterplay® Solutions Corp. "The controller was very easy to program and customize for our application. The staff and tech support of Unitronics are very efficient and knowledgeable”
    Unitronics is proud to be a part of Waterplay's role in bringing the joy of water to people and communities. "We do more than build aquatic play features. We’ve helped turn crime-ridden downtown parks into family attractions." Says Neaves. "We’ve given new life to abandoned community facilities, bringing kids back to play in them. We work with you to create environments that promote exploration and discovery, fostering imaginative, interactive play."
    Story 2 - MSI Tec Uses Vision570™ to Control the City of Tucson's Natural Gas Engine Well Pumps
    MSI Tec needed to replace inadequate controllers for the City of Tucson's natural gas engine well pumps. Their main requirements were: Improved screen readability, remote connection to the customer's SCADA system, historical data availability, and an easy to use interface.
    Unitronics Vision570™ was chosen and met each of their requirements and more.


    Unitronics distributor, MSI Tec, was put to the task of designing a panel to control natural gas engines at the City of Tucson’s (population >500,000) well pumps. The control panels would need to be installed at 43 sites around the city. The cost per engine and shaft can be greater than $400,000. Rapid changes in RPM can cause a large column of water to shift up and down quickly and become a very expensive jackhammer, so the importance of a robust and reliable controller for these control panels was a necessity. The previous controllers that were used had screens that became increasingly difficult to read after a couple of years, which is why they needed to be replaced with a controller that had improved readability. Other necessary requirements were the ability to remotely connect to the customer's SCADA system, historical data availability- to diagnose possible causes of any issues that may arise- and an easy to use interface.
    "The Vision570™ was selected because of its ideal size, color touch screen, and terrific feature set for the price." Said Matthew Cronin of MSI Tec. The Vision570™s are mounted in un-insulated panels outdoors.
    Tucson’s high temperature frequently climbs above 110 degrees (the record is 117 degrees), and the low often drops below freezing (the record low is 6 degrees). In the three years the panels have been installed, there have been over 250 days with the temperature above 100 degrees. Meanwhile, humidity ranges from an average low of 5% in June to an average high of 75% in July. The high quality of Unitronic's touch screens allowed them to be resilient to the temperature and sun exposure. "The temperature was so hot that we couldn’t keep our computers running for more than 10 minutes…in the shade. In order to update the stations, we used cars with air-conditioned seats. We had to leave the cars running the entire day to keep the air and the seats cool enough for the laptops to not lock up. Even if there were multiple PLCs at a single station, we still had to go put the laptops in the car for a few minutes between each code download to keep the laptops running. Despite this excessive heat, the Unitronics kept running without a problem. And they continue to do so to this day.” said Cronin.
    Using Unitronics’ Modbus TCP functionality and a cell modem, Tucson Water’s SCADA system is able to communicate with each well site individually. They are also able to use the V570's SD card functions to write data out every 1-120 minutes depending on user settings- which aids in problem diagnosis. The Unitronics V570 also provides an elegant and reliable 5.7” touch screen for a comparable price to the customer's previous 2-line display system. Utilization of the touch screen system allowed for significantly easier interfacing.
    “After the systems were all installed, an upgrade was requested. They systems are not networked, so this required an onsite code change to approximately 40 stations…in July. Interesting hurdles were experienced during this upgrade, but none of them were because of the Unitronics." Said Cronin. "The Vision570 was the most cost effective solution for this application. By combining low cost I/O, communications, PLC functionality, and an HMI in a single package, Unitronics delivered more capability for less money. Because Unitronics is an all-in-one solution, programming is very rapid because no time is spent trying to get the HMI to “talk” to the PLC. This system required a diverse combination of analog inputs and outputs, digital inputs and outputs, and high speed pulse outputs. Unitronics had a flexible and affordable set of I/O cards to accomplish this."
    Video --This very cool app story features the SABCO Commercial & Home Beer Brewery

  11. Cara Bereck Levy
    This past year, 2014, was a stellar year for Unitronics. Not only did we introduce products to round out existing lines, we launched a brand-new line of PLC + HMI touch-screen controllers, Samba.
    Samba, with its beautiful display, on-board I/Os , fine feature range, and highly competitive price was snapped up by small machine manufacturers, showing impressive sales volumes from day 1.
    In addition to the great market response, our Samba was nominated for—and won—the prestigious Engineers’ Choice award.
    This was also a great year for the Unitronics community. Check out some cool statistics for 2014:
    - We welcomed 5,713 new members to our user forum…
    -…who made 2,113 posts in 467 new topics…
    - …that were viewed 132,568 times!
    In addition to our Unitronics support team staff, there are some fine forum members who devote a great deal of time to helping others, writing detailed answers to questions and helping people trouble-shoot their applications.
    Our top UniGuru MVPs for 2014 are:
    Joe Tauser
    Simon Webb
    Barry Lanier (forum name: Flex727)
    Ober Yela (forum name: HighTech)
    In addition to his activity on the forum, Ober has posted a number of videos featuring Unitronics products—check them out on his channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/oberyela/videos

    To show our appreciation, the profiles of our MVPs will be marked with a new icon:

    It is no small thing, when time is your most valuable commodity, to use that time to help other people benefit from your expertise – kudos to you all!
    Okay—without further ado, please join me—here it is, the Unitronics’ 2014 Roundup!
    Our Industry Awards
    I am proud to note that this is the third year in a row that Unitronics’ products were honored to receive a Control Engineering Engineers’ Choice award—and this year, we won in one category, and received an honorable mention in another!

    Samba, All in One PLC + HMI received the Engineers’ Choice Award in the category: Hardware—Integrated HMI Controllers.
    UniLogic Studio, the unified environment for UniStream hardware and communication configuration, Ladder, and HMI applications, received an Honorable Mention in the category: Software — HMI.

    Unitronics Product Launches
    Samba, available in 3.5, 4.3, and 7”, was not the only new product line launched in 2014.
    Vision™: our award-winning series of powerful PLC + Color-touch HMI controllers, welcomed additional offerings:
    Vision430™, a new line comprising a beautiful LED 4.3” wide graphic touch-screen.
    Currently available in 9 models, the V430 offers an expandable I/O configuration with a broad range of digital, analog, high-speed, and temperature I/Os, USB programming and serial ports, and a CANbus or Ethernet port option.
    Vision1210™ - Black, an elegant, big-screen model with a flat, black fascia and an NEMA4X/IP66/IP65 rating—excellent for applications that require a powerful, flexible controller with a big screen that matches the spray & wipe requirements of the food and beverage industry.
    The EXF-RC15 -a stand- alone, remote I/O Module that brings you high-Speed I/O plus PWM/PTO.

    The UniStream™ platform is our completely modular PLC + HMI controller for large-scale machine applications. This 2014 Engineers’ Choice award winner also broadened its range:
    UniStream 15.6" HMI panel – big and elegant, this LED touch-panel gives you 1366 x 768 resolution and a 16M (24-bit) color range.
    You can snap up to 5 Uni-I/O modules onto the back of the panel, integrate up to 2048 local & remote I/Os – and communicate with third-party devices via a broad range of CANbus and IP protocols, including EtherNet/IP.
    Uni-I/O™ modules can be snapped to a panel or hooked up via Expansion adapters. New modules include a thermocouple module and new analog options, plus a new line of space-saving, densely-populated ‘wide’ I/Os.
    Expansion Adapters are now available in more lengths, from: 125cm up to 3000cm.

    Our Jazz line is the PLC + textual HMI + onboard I/Os that replaces “smart relays” with a real PLC—for the same low price. Two new models were launched in 2014:
    JZ20-T10: 6 Digital Inputs, 4 Transistor Outputs
    JZ20-T18: 6 Digital, 2 Analog/Digital, 2 Analog Inputs, 8 Transistor Outputs

    Other products released to market are compatible with all of our PLC + HMI controllers:
    GSM/GPRS modem
    BACnet to MODBUS Gateway

    More than ever, Unitronics offers you true All-in-One value: a complete range of automation products and software from the pioneers of the PLC + HMI controller, backed by Unitronics unparalleled sales and tech support.
    Enjoy them in the coming year!
  12. Cara Bereck Levy
    The award-winning Vision controller series welcomes its newest member—the Vision430™. The beautiful, wide 4.3" built-in color touchscreen brings added value to any application that requires a compact PLC controller with onboard I/Os. The touchscreen and five function keys are housed in a flat fascia with an IP66/IP65/NEMA4X rating—a fine fit for the food and pharmaceutical industries.
    Each Vision430™model offers a unique onboard I/O configuration that can include digital, high-speed, and analog I/Os, including PT100/Thermocouple and weight/pressure measurement. Expansion modules enable local and remote I/O at distances of up to 1000 meters, making Vision430™ a cost-effective solution for applications up to 512 I/Os.
    Power features include 24 auto-tuned PID loops to control temperature, level, and pressure. Time-based and immediate interrupt support make Vision430™ a natural for ‘rapid response’ applications such as packaging machines.
    Built-in recipe capabilities are supported by Data Tables, which store the parameters required to control a specific process. Data Tables also enable the controller to store data logs to micro-SD card. The micro-SD card also stores application back-ups, and allows complete PLC cloning.
    Communication options include Ethernet, cellular, and industrial protocols such as MODBUS, DF1 slave, BACnet, J1939, CANopen and more. In addition, the ‘Protocol’ utility allows Vision430™ to communicate via almost any ASCII protocol. The unit can be directly accessed via mini-USB programming port, and remotely accessed using GPRS/GSM/CDMA and other IP networks for data acquisition and program download. Another major benefit is the ability to notify supervisors of critical information via e-mail and SMS, enabling real-time remote management.
    The machine operator communicates directly with the application via the resistive analog touchscreen—or remotely, via the free Remote Operator utility—which displays data, color trend graphs, and attention-grabbing alarm screens. Display options are almost endless, with more than 1024 user-designed screens supported by 12 MB of memory for images and 1MB for fonts.
    OEMs and machine builders profit from intuitive, all-in-one VisiLogic software that enables rapid hardware configuration, PLC, and HMI application programming. VisiLogic includes a full library of Drag & Drop function blocks for complex automation control tasks, such as PID, and a rich, FREE color library of industrial images.
    Produced by Unitronics, a global developer and manufacturer of PLC + HMI controllers, Vision430™ is backed by Unitronics standard policy of customer care, includings FREE software and utilities, plus FREE personalized technical support. This combines with reduced overall system costs—minimized hardware requirements, saved cabinet space, and reduced Panel-PLC –I/O wiring—to bring an excellent price-performance ratio.
    Product page is here.
    Specifications are here.
    Happy Automating
  13. Cara Bereck Levy
    Oil recycling, textiles, retrofits in the printing and packaging industries - here are some of the latest application stories submitted by Unitronics customers .
    Read, watch, and enjoy!
    Company: Aaron Oil Company Inc., USA
    Sector: Oil Recycling and Petroleum-Based Hydrocarbon Reclamation
    PLC + HMI Controller: Vision560™ + V200-18-E6B Snap-on I/O module
    Aaron Oil needed to track the amounts—and analyze the type—of liquid pumped through a collection truck during loading.
    They also needed to communicate the analyzed data in real-time to a central office for accounting purposes.
    An additional requirement was the ability to communicate with a GPS system in order to dispatch and track drivers.
    Read the whole story here.
    Watch
    .
    Company: Imapsa Automation, Guatemala & Honduras
    Sector: Packaging
    PLC + HMI Controller: Samba, model SM35-J-T20
    Imapsa was tasked with modernizing a rice packaging system. This particular machine had space limitation; as a company dedicated to providing its customers with beautiful HMI applications, Imapsa selected the palm-sized Samba™, which comprises a high-quality color touchscreen . Since speed was an application requirement, the SM35-J-T20 with its high-speed encoder inputs was an excellent fit.
    Read the whole story here.
    Watch
    .
    Company: B3Servis d.o.o, Slovenia
    Sector: Printing
    PLC + HMI Controller: Vision570™
    This company, which deals with bookbinding machines, had outdated machines that were only capable of reading 1-dimensional barcodes of up to 40 characters. These needed to be updated to support extended 2-dimensional barcodes. They needed a compact PLC with a color touchscreen able to support serial communications and Ethernet UDP—that could also log orders, production data, and generate reports. V570™ fit the bill.
    Read the whole story here.
    Watch
    .
    Company: Turkmenistan Aşgabat Dokuma Toplumu (TDT), Turkey
    Sector: Textiles
    PLC + HMI Controller: Vision130™, model V130-33-TR20
    Turkmenistan Aşgabat Dokuma Toplumu (TDT) plant comprises machines that process and size yarn preparatory to weaving, and that weave yarn into cloth for home products. Here, the application need was to collect process data and track operator efficiency, as well as to log and report alarms relating to yarn ruptures that require stopping the machine.
    All machines are monitored by SCADA.
    Read the whole story here.

  14. Cara Bereck Levy
    Hello everybody!
    In addition to the UniStream products I blogged about recently, there are other great, new products now available from your local Unitronics' distributor.
    A picture paints a thousand words--so, look below
    Remember that you will need to update your software and firmware in order to support these powerful additions to your application range.
    New Product List
    UIS-08TC: 8 Thermocouple inputs, standard size Uni-I/O Module
    ​Wide Uni-I/O modules
    - UID-W1616T - 6 isolated pnp/npn digital inputs, 16 isolated relay outputs
    - UID-W1616R offers 16 isolated pnp/npn inputs, and 16 isolated relay outputs.
    USP-156-B10 - a striking new BIG 15.6” UniStream HMI panel
    Samba - now with a gorgeous 4.3" color touchscreen plus a USB programming port
    - SM43-J-T20 with 10 Digital Inputs, 2 Digital /Analog*, 8 Transistor Outputs
    - SM43-J-R20 with 10 Digital Inputs, 2 Digital /Analog, 8 Relay Outputs
    GPRS/GSM modem kit GSM-16J
    BACnet to MODBUS gateway GW-BAC1
    And last, but not least, a sexy new black V1210V, model 1210-T20BJ, to awe your clients

    Enjoy!


  15. Cara Bereck Levy
    Here is a quick recap of the latest and greatest updates to our UniStream controller line.
    We’ve rounded out the HMI panel offerings with a big, beautiful 15.6” screen, added ‘wide’ I/O modules, and boosted your potential application range with a new thermocouple I/O module.
    There are some incredibly cool features now available: a powerful, embedded Web Server together with a drag & drop web page editor, CAN Layer 2, UniCAN, a built-in CANbus sniffer, and a UniBACnet Configurator.
    UniLogic software is now up to 1.9.19, paired with the UniStream OS version 1.9.6.
    You can read more below – or click over to the Downloads page. To access the complete Version Changes document, click here.
    Hardware
    USP-156-B10: 15.6” HMI panel
    This quality HMI panel measures 15.6”. In terms of I/O and COM module capacity, it is identical to the UniStream 10.4”.


    “Wide” Uni-I/O™
    This is a line of I/O modules that are compatible with the UniStream™ control platform. ‘Wide’ modules are 1.5 times as wide as standard Uni-I/O™ modules, and comprise more I/O points in less space. Up to two wide I/Os may be snapped onto the back of the UniStream 7”.

    Standard-sized I/Os and Wide I/Os may all be included in a single configuration.
    There are currently two modules available:
    UID-W1616T - 6 isolated pnp/npn digital inputs, 16 isolated relay outputs
    UID-W1616R offers 16 isolated pnp/npn inputs, and 16 isolated relay outputs.

    UIS-08TC Temperature I/O Module
    This standard-sized Uni-I/O™ module provides 8 thermocouple inputs supporting the following input types and ranges: J, K, T, E, R, S, B, N, C, and Voltage

    Software
    Embedded Web Server + Web Page Editor
    The powerful, built-in Web Server enables multiple users to simultaneously access webpages within a UniStream controller. Web page access may be controlled by password, permitting users to view and/or edit data via any browser and from any smart phone or tablet.


    Designing web pages in the editor is as easy as building HMI pages, and requires no knowledge of HTML. The programmer drags and drops elements from the Toolbox onto the web page, and customizes them via the element properties.
    The drag & drop interface has the same look-and-feel as the HMI Editor.


    CAN Layer 2 Ladder Functions
    The CAN Layer 2 functions enable you to support any CANbus protocol, according to the CANbus V2.0 standard.
    A UniStream controller can both send and receive standard messages with 11-bit identifiers, as well as extended messages with 29-bit identifiers
    UniCAN
    UniCAN, Unitronics' proprietary CANbus protocol, enables fast data communications.Via UniCAN, a Unitronics' PLC can exchange data with up to 60 other networked PLCs.
    UniCAN Communications are determined by configuration rather than programming. Note that UniCAN also enables easy data transfer between UniStream and Vision controllers.
    CANbus Sniffer
    The embedded CANbus Sniffer enables you to easily monitor CANbus communications and boosts your troubleshooting capabilities.
    UniBACnet Configurator
    UniStream controllers now support a BACnet to MODBUS Gateway device, available as GW-BAC1.
    Use the UniBACnet Configurator, located under the new Tools tab on the UniLogic ribbon, to create a configuration file for the BACnet to MODBUS Gateway. Download this file to the GW-BAC1 in order to set up communications between a UniStream controller and BACnet slave devices.
  16. Cara Bereck Levy
    With millions of products installed worldwide, hundreds of thousands of installations, and a vibrant user forum, we decided that establishing a Developers' Market would be a highly effective way to enable individual users to impact the Unitronics' community.
    To purchase applications such as Virtual PLC Simulator for PC, UniGo SCADA for Android mobile, or marvelous graphics for HMI applications, you simply create a secure account in our on-line store located at http://www.plc-apps.com.
    If you are a developer and want to submit an app, all of the pages in the on-line store contain a Contact Us tab on the right side—click it to open the Contact form.
    Currently, applications are available for both PC and mobile.


    The Market also offers a broad range of images, which you can purchase as single images or as collections.


    We hope that you will enjoy the products that are there—and that you will add your own!
    Disclaimer
    All products presented in the Unitronics Developers' Market are 3rd party developments, and are therefore supported by the application developer.
    If you require support regarding a specific product, please contact the developer using the contact information presented with that product.
  17. Cara Bereck Levy
    Samba™ is an all-in-one palm-sized HMI + PLC + onboard I/Os.
    As a trendsetter in the field of all-in-one PLC + HMI integrated controllers, Unitronics has specifically developed Samba for applications that require PLC control, but that are limited by budget to simple text displays.
    System integrators and OEMs often develop applications that require PLC control, but that settle on simple text displays due to limited budget.
    Samba's beautiful HMI 3.5” QVGA 16-bit touchscreen enables data entry and display of variable data, including color Trend graphs and alarm screens. The HMI supports 24 user-designed screens, and up to 40 images per application.
    The integrated PLC controller offers a broad range of features including 2 auto-tuned PID loops, time-based RTC control, datalogging, recipes and more. Internal memory holds 0.5 MB of application logic, plus 512K for fonts and 0.5 MB for images.
    Onboard I/Os offer digital, analog, and high-speed functionality.
    The flat fascia and IP66/IP65/NEMA4X rating makes Samba an excellent fit for the food & pharmaceutical industries--ideal wherever spray/wipe down requirements apply.
    Samba offers a built-in RS232 port. You can add an additional RS485 serial, Ethernet, or CANbus port. Samba supports GPRS/GSM, email, SMS, as well as industrial TCP/IP protocols, MODBUS, DF1 slave, CANopen, J1939 and more—and it may be adapted to any 3rd-party protocol.

    Unitronics free VisiLogic software provides a single simple environment for hardware and communications configuration, Ladder application development, and HMI design, including a free library of industrial images. Free utilities support remote PC access and data export. Unitronics offers free technical support for all of their products, and an active user forum.
    Samba offers all the functionality system integrators need for small applications, reduces space requirements, wiring, and eliminates the need to set up Panel-PLC communication—resulting in an excellent price/performance ratio.
    For more information, go to: http://www.unitronics.com/plc-hmi/samba
  18. Cara Bereck Levy
    I've got some great news to share with you!
    Unitronics is proud to announce that UniStream has been nominated in Control Engineering's Engineer's Choice awards, in the category of Hardware: Integrated HMI Controllers.
    The Engineers' Choice Awards includes 29 categories of control, instrumentation, and automation products, revealing the best as chosen by Control Engineering's print and digital audience.
    If you would like to cast your vote, go to:
    http://ocreg.controleng.com/onecount/flexreg/displayform.cgi?g=0&form=369
    We will be running another UniLogic training webinar, this time on the subject of Timers and Actions.
    This free webinar will be held on November 13th.
    Click below to register:
    https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/269067086
    On another note, Unitronics Support is setting up training schedules for the US, 2014. We have a proposed list of cities and would like to offer you the opportunity to let us know where you would like to see training held:
    http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e8gefzt7hnhg154m/a013lhnva2ir8/questions
    Finally, I'd like to invite you to join us on our Facebook page--it's a great way to keep updated with current Unitronics news
    http://www.facebook.com/UnitronicsUSA
    Have a good week--may all your programs be perfect :-)
  19. Cara Bereck Levy
    Unitronics is proud to introduce the UniStream™ control platform, quality products that are the result of over 20 years of experience in PLC development combined with the strongest trends in automation today.


    UniStream brings you--and your customers--major benefits:
    Cut Programming Time by 50% UniLogic™ studio software means you ‘write-it-once’, creating code structures that can be used across projects.
    Save Time on System Design Easy hardware configuration process, plus effortless communications setup--COM tasks reduced to simple configuration.
    Excellent User Experience UniApps™: the library of applications that enable you to remotely monitor, debug, and edit data from PC, smartphone, or tablet—from anywhere at any time.
    Superbly Scalable Expand to meet your application requirements.
    Slash Costs UniLogic Software, Technical Support via phone and email, and access to our Technical forum— are all absolutely free.
    Your control applications will benefit from UniStream’s™ unique modularity, including:
    · Powerful, dual CPUs—that translate into faster scan time, up to 2048 I/Os, and over 2MB of operand memory.
    · High-quality HMI touch panels in different dimensions—together with an easy-to-use HMI editor for elegant screen design.
    · Sophisticated, space-saving I/Os—effortless local and remote I/O installation.
    Simple or complex, large scale or small, you can tailor UniStream™ to suit your precise application requirements: select your preferred HMI panel, snap a CPU onto its back, and then snap on I/Os to create a compact all-in-one controller. Each controller can support up to 2,048 I/Os.
    UniLogic™ Studio enables you to code Ladder, design beautiful HMI screens, and configure hardware and communications, using all-in-one software that is so intuitive that it cuts your application development time in half. UniLogic™ allows you to:
    · Build a library of user-defined function blocks and HMI screens that you can import into new projects and share with others.
    · Save significant programming by using the built-in code structures provided for hardware configuration, communications, and complex functions such as PID.
    · Speed Ladder programming with drag & drop elements that automatically snap into place, coupled with Intellisense for easy tag assignment.
    · Create HMI screens that appear as if they were designed by a graphic artist, via UniLogic’s extensive graphic library and HMI widgets.
    · Streamline data communication into an effortless configuration task that requires no programming. UniStream™ supports RS485, CANopen, UniCAN, both serial and Ethernet MODBUS.
    It is adaptable to all third-party protocols, supporting the full range of external devices such as modems, printers, barcode readers and more.
    Your user experience is greatly enhanced, first by the physically beautiful design of UniStream™, which meets the standards usually accorded to consumer products, second by the user-friendly and intuitive UniLogic. In addition, you benefit from:
    · UniApps™ - an expanding library of value-added, PLC-embedded apps. UniApps™ give users the ability to access data, edit it, monitor, troubleshoot, and debug systems locally or remotely using PCs, tablets and smartphones via VNC,
    · Personalized technical support, UniStream™ software and utilities—including updates—are free of charge, in keeping with Unitronics’ standard policy of customer care.
    In summary, the combined advantages of the UniStream™ platform result in a superior product offering of great power and flexibility that opens new markets and opportunities for you and your customers.
    To learn more, visit our Youtube channel:

    Visit the UniStream Home Page:
    http://www.unitronics.com/plc-hmi/unistream/
  20. Cara Bereck Levy
    Cast your ballot! Unitronics has been nominated for Automation World's 2013 Leadership in Automation Program. This allows automation professionals to recognize innovation, leadership and excellence among suppliers of automation software, technology and products.
    Voting is Easy: Please take a moment to help us win!
    Click here to vote:
    http://www.automationworld.com/leadership/leadership/profiles/unitronics-inc?utm_source=leadership_magnet&utm_medium=referral
  21. Cara Bereck Levy
    Unitronics is proud to announce that the V570-57-T20B-J has won the Control Engineering 2013 Engineers' Choice Award in the category of Hardware - Integrated HMI Controllers.
    The general awards page is here:
    http://www.controleng.com/events-and-awards/engineers-choice-awards/2013/winners.html
    The V570-57-T20B-J page is here:
    http://www.controleng.com/index.php?id=95&no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=82129

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