Faster, easier and platform-independent: TwinCAT HMI
What does the HMI solution of the future look like? How can the all-important user interface be given an industry-spanning design in the future so that maximum operator efficiency and optimum user comfort are ensured? Today, Beckhoff is pioneering the way to the next generation of HMI solutions with TwinCAT HMI: TwinCAT now integrates the Human Machine Interface directly into the familiar environment of Microsoft Visual Studio®. Programming is unnecessary as configuration is handled with ease using the TwinCAT HMI graphical editor. As simple as the configuration is, the handling is equally adaptable: this web-based solution, which is based on HTML5 and JavaScript, acts “responsively”, irrespective of the operating system, browser and device. The powerful basic architecture makes numerous application scenarios possible: from the local panel display solution to multi-client, multi-server and multi-runtime concepts. Individual extensions can be implemented quickly via defined interfaces; the mix of standard controls and custom design elements facilitates individualization and differentiation.
Direct entry into the world of TwinCAT HMI
A good HMI must be simple, and achieving this simplicity begins with the engineering process. Through the integration of TwinCAT HMI in Visual Studio®, the graphical What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get (WYSIWYG) editor enables you to use simple controls from a toolbox, arrange them on the interface and link them to real-time variables. In addition, it is possible to assemble and parameterize user controls from the variety of simple controls, making the HMI design kit easy to expand. Ready-made HTML5 templates – like the kind that normally require design specialists – can be integrated with little effort in order to generate complex, yet ergonomic pages. Depending on experience and the application type, the HMI logic can be implemented either on the client side in JavaScript or as a server extension that offers the possibility to create extensions in high-level languages, achieving maximum intellectual property (IP) protection. The HMI automatically adapts itself depending on the respective resolution and orientation of the display hardware; for example, a page can be used for various display sizes, aspect ratios and orientations. Since the browsers are available on different hardware platforms and operating systems, TwinCAT HMI can be executed on all processor platforms without recompiling or adaptation.
Follow the link to our online showcase and discover the possibilities offered by TwinCAT HMI from Beckhoff:
Products
TE2000 | TwinCAT 3 HMI Engineering
The TwinCAT 3 HMI (human-machine interface) integrates itself into the well-known Visual Studio® development environment. Based on the latest web technologies (HTML5, JavaScript), it allows the user to develop platform-independent user interfaces that are responsive, i.e. they automatically adapt to the screen resolution, size and orientation at hand. With the graphical WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) editor, controls can be easily arranged via drag-and-drop and linked with real-time variables.
TF2000 | TwinCAT 3 HMI Server
The TwinCAT 3 HMI Server is a modular web server that provides the human-machine interface (HMI). It supports all CPU classes from Arm® to multi-core. The powerful architecture enables a wide range of application scenarios from local panel solutions to multi-client, multi-server and multi-runtime concepts.
TF20x0 | TwinCAT 3 HMI Clients Packs
The TwinCAT 3 HMI Server includes a connection to one client (browser) as standard. Optional client packages are available for establishing further connections at the same time, e.g. to a mobile device or panel. Optional packets are available for 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 25 or 100 clients. The number of supported clients is not tied to the devices employed, the HMI Server only counts simultaneous (browser) connections.
TF20xx | TwinCAT 3 HMI Targets Packs
The TwinCAT 3 HMI Server includes a connection to one controller as standard. Optional target packages for 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 25 or 100 targets are available for connecting further control systems. The HMI Server only stores the number of physical targets, based on the unique addressing. The engineering process can be more flexible and modular, and the efficiency increased.
TF2110 | TwinCAT 3 HMI OPC UA
OPC Unified Architecture is a vendor-independent communication interface for linking TwinCAT or other controllers. The extension includes the OPC UA client, which enables integration of an OPC UA server.
TF2200 | TwinCAT 3 HMI Extension SDK
The TwinCAT 3 HMI Server can be expanded modularly and flexibly via extensions. The software development kit (.NET) can be used for programming application-specific solutions (e.g. business logics, proprietary protocols). In addition, user IP (intellectual property) is protected, and existing functions can be accessed by the server (e.g. ADS, logging).
TF2300 | TwinCAT 3 HMI Scope
The TwinCAT 3 HMI Scope software oscilloscope can be used to display time sequences with high resolution. The extension enables integration of the software oscilloscope into the TwinCAT HMI and provides ready-made scope control.
TF2400 | TwinCAT 3 HMI Audit Trail
The TF2400 TwinCAT 3 HMI Audit Trail extension enables changes to the HMI operator and system events that have occurred to be securely recorded so that they can be traced chronologically. The entries are stored in a database and can be generated as a PDF report or exported in different formats (JSON, HTML, CSV). Electronic signatures allow a user to be reauthenticated with higher privileges. This product enables applications to be developed according to the provisions of FDA 21 CFR part 11, GAMP and GMP.
TF24x0 | TwinCAT 3 HMI Audit Trail Symbols Pack
The TF2400 TwinCAT 3 HMI Audit Trail extension contains 250 audit trail symbols as standard. If more symbols need to be monitored, optional packages are available with TF24x0 to increase this number. The number at the end of the package name is the number of symbols that are included (e.g. the TF2430 TwinCAT 3 HMI Audit Trail Symbols Pack 1000 has 1000 additional symbols). The total number of audit trail symbols is calculated from the sum of the individual packages.