HMI for LOTS of screens and tags

[ADC Product Engineer]

I think you could choke the C-More before the BRX.

And with that said, you might try adding an EA-ECOM Ethernet module to the C-more to see if that helps any.

[EDurako]

Just a quick sidebar, not trying to steal the conversation. My question is C-more related and you all were talking about multiple displays to the same PLC, so here it goes:

Will the BX-SERIO allow me to connect 4 c-mores?
Can I get 2 BX-SERIO's and connect 8 c-mores?

I'm assuming yes, but wanted to ask before dropping the coin.

[franji1]

yes and yes
Just configure all 4 of the BX-SERIO ports as Do-more Protocol.  This is actually the default Protocol, so just set up the proper baud rate for each port.

[Bolt]

Just a quick sidebar, not trying to steal the conversation. My question is C-more related and you all were talking about multiple displays to the same PLC, so here it goes:

Will the BX-SERIO allow me to connect 4 c-mores?
Can I get 2 BX-SERIO's and connect 8 c-mores?

I'm assuming yes, but wanted to ask before dropping the coin.

Don't all but the smallest C-more's have Ethernet capabilities built in?  Wouldn't a switch and cat 5 cable be an easier cheaper way to hook it all up?

[MarkTTU]

I think you could choke the C-More before the BRX.

And with that said, you might try adding an EA-ECOM Ethernet module to the C-more to see if that helps any.

Yep, going to try that too. Stay tuned for more updates soon

[MarkTTU]

Just a quick sidebar, not trying to steal the conversation. My question is C-more related and you all were talking about multiple displays to the same PLC, so here it goes:

Will the BX-SERIO allow me to connect 4 c-mores?
Can I get 2 BX-SERIO's and connect 8 c-mores?

I'm assuming yes, but wanted to ask before dropping the coin.

Don't all but the smallest C-more's have Ethernet capabilities built in?  Wouldn't a switch and cat 5 cable be an easier cheaper way to hook it all up?

That was my through too. I'd think you could have a lot of C-more's talking to the BRX's Ethernet port without any real impact on the BRX.

[Garyhlucas]

Since Do-More has so much Ethernet functionality what I really want is a C-more-like App for an Iphone that doesn?t need the C-More hardware. Lots of PLC tasks don?t really need a local HMI as such.  We have one in our waste treatment plants. However the operators work using the C-More app more often than the local HMI. It is really great to be up on top of a tank and be able to start a pump remotely while we watch what is happening in the tank.

[Controls Guy]

Since Do-More has so much Ethernet functionality what I really want is a C-more-like App for an Iphone that doesn?t need the C-More hardware. Lots of PLC tasks don?t really need a local HMI as such.  We have one in our waste treatment plants. However the operators work using the C-More app more often than the local HMI. It is really great to be up on top of a tank and be able to start a pump remotely while we watch what is happening in the tank.

I agree that it would be nice to have it baked into BRX, but C-More has a headless unit now ($399), so presuming they've kept the remote access capability, you could use that and not waste the space or cost on a local display.

[Bolt]

The specs say that it can do remote access to the headless unit.   Other options are custom, webserver and code to the modbus addresses.  That's what I do.  But I agree, an option built into BRX would be slick.

[BobO]

We'll get a web capability in there eventually. It'll allow you to construct basic live status pages from instructions  and display to browser. Stuff just keeps getting pushed onto the stack. Working sustaining issues for the last several days. Part obsolescence is frustrating, but gotta keep stuff in production.

[Bolt]

We'll get a web capability in there eventually. It'll allow you to construct basic live status pages from instructions  and display to browser. Stuff just keeps getting pushed onto the stack. Working sustaining issues for the last several days. Part obsolescence is frustrating, but gotta keep stuff in production.

That's understandable, we'll just keep waiting (im)patiently.  Will it be a live, no refresh needed status (at defined polling intervals)?  Will we be able to access that page and use it as content in more elaborate pages generated elsewhere on the network?  Will it be any element, or just sandboxed elements?  Thanks for any info, just trying to decide how much programming effort to devote to a work around with current system or to sit and wait it out.

[BobO]

Will it be a live, no refresh needed status (at defined polling intervals)? 

Yes.

Will we be able to access that page and use it as content in more elaborate pages generated elsewhere on the network? 

Yes. Either as pages, or there is a REST API for accessing element status. Anything capable of embedding those requests will be able to pull information from the PLC.

Will it be any element, or just sandboxed elements?

Everything. Once we add true tag support, tags will also be supported via the REST API.

[Bolt]

Will it be a live, no refresh needed status (at defined polling intervals)? 

Yes.

Will we be able to access that page and use it as content in more elaborate pages generated elsewhere on the network? 

Yes. Either as pages, or there is a REST API for accessing element status. Anything capable of embedding those requests will be able to pull information from the PLC.

Will it be any element, or just sandboxed elements?

Everything. Once we add true tag support, tags will also be supported via the REST API.

All the answers I wanted to hear.  Thanks.  It'll be worth the wait!