PFD: Simplifying graphic displays development

Users are increasingly demanding advanced graphic displays for all kinds of devices using embedded electronics from measuring and automation system to ATMs and fitness equipment. Attractive user interfaces are a good means to create a product differentiation, but, until recently, the implementation process have been complicated and expensive. Now, with PFD (Programming-Free Display) software and hardware platforms, Beijer Electronics is launching a new concept based on their knowledge in HMI together with Hitech Electronics´ experience in LCM. PFD enables simply designed user interfaces for embedded systems. With no specific experience required, development time and costs are dramatically reduced.

PFD: Business potential at your fingertips
Compared to currently existing solutions, PFD saves considerable effort in designing user interfaces for embedded systems. The ''PFD-Designer'' is a unique and intuitive software solution which eliminates the need for LCD interface programming.

Up to now, even with dedicated GUI, it was necessary to write different graphic programs and touch-screen positions for LCD and touch-screen panels. With PFD, designers can edit graphic objects and set addresses at the same time, instead of writing different graphic programs and touch-screen positions separately. PFD Designer is remarkable for its user-friendliness. The screen-configuration software is easy to learn and to use. This ''object-oriented'' configuration tool uses a simple drag and drop system. A designer can configure their own display thanks to a vast predefined object library in an intuitive and easy-to-use environment that includes alarm handling, trends, multi-language support, macros, meters, bar graphs and scrolling texts, drop down lists, animated gif insertion, password protection, recipes and more. Objects can be dragged into another location while shapes and sizes can be changed with a mouse. PFD Designer is designed to make full use of the Windows environment.

Refer to the pictures: (top), PFD enables simply-designed user interfaces for embedded systems. (Below), Edison Yang, Product Manager PFD.

Users can immediately see their designed objects on a PC screen with their specified attributes, such as font size, color, location of objects, picture, scale, frame and so on. What a user sees on a PC screen will be the same as what is displayed on a PFD. All objects can be displayed immediately and are unaffected by the speed of data reading. Beijer Electronics has completely adopted the concept of 'What You See is What You Get' to ease the development process.

This reduces the total development cycle of programming, testing and debugging. ''As applications shift the display from text-based mono to graphical touch, the integration and programming process becomes more complex. A quickly integrated display with friendly GUI is of the highest value. PFD moves beyond traditional display; the simplified hardware structure and configured software require little hardware or programming experience to work with the graphical touch display. It is that easy! It can streamline your design process and get you to market as quickly and efficiently as possible'' explains Edison Yang, PFD Product Manager, at Beijer Electronics.

PFD integrates the TFT LCD touch panel, dual port RAM and related input & output interface. A very simple hardware interface circuit enables a connection with PFD. The interface with the customer control board (uP) is done via an 8 bit data bus. The only step required is to feed the objects and controls with a customer´s application data. To do this, addresses need to be set through the dual port memory from the customer control board to the display. The PC interface is made through RS232 port.

PFD is a performing solution which replaces the outmoded display and improves the graphical interface functionality. Furthermore, PFD can upgrade any existing LCD module: There is no need to change existing hardware. PFD supports mono, color and TFT displays from 5.7" up to 10.4" in resolution up to 800x480.

Applications include: 1) Professional devices: industrial controllers, analysis and measuring instruments, logistics and health care systems. 2) Building and home aut mation systems (such as elevator or HVAC). 3) Mass consumers devices: vending machines, steppers, ATMs or guiding systems.

Beijer Electronics in profile
Beijer Electronics HMI Products is a full-range, global supplier with 25 years of automation experience. Their HMI solutions connect people and processes, thus enabling actions, data collection and storage, and the management of information - on site or remotely.

For further information, view website: www.beijerelectronics.com   Refer to page 132

DIGISTART D2 and D3 electronic controller

DIGISTART, the new electronic controller from, LEROY-SOMER, for induction motors, integrates the latest technological changes including an optimized bypass function. Digistart is available in two ranges adapted to market requirements: 1) D2 range, 18 to 200 A compact starters; 2) D3 range, 23 to 1600 A advanced controllers.

Economy and compactness
Use of the bypass offers significant savings: 1) 4% reduction in consumption at steady state; 2) no forced ventilation; 3) 1 to 2 ratings less for dimensioning purposes.

Its operating principle is as follows: The power electronics are used to perform start-up and thus limit the current draw of the induction motor. Then it is shunted at the end of the starting phase by the internal bypass. The control electronics are still used to protect and control the motor up to the stopping phase.

DIGISTART proposes this series bypass, thus enabling additional savings on the external contact and its implementation. The DIGISTART compactness considerably reduces the overall installation weight and volume.

DIGISTART is ideal for upgrading existing installations, and enables the linking of delta connection motors, which advantageously replace a star/delta start-up, and uses the 6 motor power supply cables. Additionally, this enables a saving of at least one rating size in controller dimensioning.

Simplicity
The intuitive DIGISTART navigator enables simple adjustment of the current ranges or limitations. The operator has immediate access to preset configurations for the pumping, ventilation and conveying functions, etc...

DIGISTART facilitates installation monitoring by enabling the user to: 1) access the time-dated log of failsafe actuation operations, events, consumption and operating conditions; 2) have traceability of parameter changes; 3) simulate operation by forcing the control-command; 4) view the input/output state; 5) manage reports on operating time, number of start-ups.

Flexibility
DIGISTART can operate with 200-440 V, 200-575 V or 690 V three-phase networks. It can also control several induction motors coupled in parallel as well as a collector ring motor. Available on D3 (ratings 360 to 1600 A), the power inputs and outputs may be installed on request above and/or under the starter, according to the layout of cables in the cabinet. DIGISTART thus optimizes installation in the cabinet. The available field bus modules are: Modbus RTU, port USB, DeviceNet and Profibus.

Perfectly mastered electronic control
DIGISTART proposes the latest electronic control technology: start-up and stopping self-adapted to load, automatic optimization of parameters by machine learning from start-ups. It also includes a slow-down curve dedicated to pumping applications resulting from 15 years of LEROY-SOMER´s experience and know-how. The possibility of operating with only two operational power units, deactivation of protection to ensure forced operation (smoke extraction, fire pump) makes DIGISTART the solution adapted to the requirements of sensitive installations.

DIGISTART offers overall protection with: 1) permanent thermal modelling for maximum motor protection (even in case of power supply cut-off); 2) failsafe actuation operations, on adjustable power thresholds; 3) control of current phase imbalance; 4) monitoring of motor temperature and the environment by CTP or PT 100; 5) optionally, failsafe actuation of the installation following earth faults as well as protection against network over- and under-voltages.

With DIGISTART, LEROY-SOMER proposes compact, economic, high performance and communicating controllers, which are better integrated into industrial installations and enable substantial savings to be made.

Emerson Industrial Automation in profile
Emerson Industrial Automation, a subsidiary of the Emerson group, is a worldwide supplier of technologies enabling improvement of productivity, quality and efficiency of its customers originating from numerous industrial domains. Its product range includes alternators, motors and electrical controls, electrical distribution and mechanical energy transport devices, as well as automaton solutions for liquids and ultrasound welding. The Emerson brand includes Appleton, ASCO, Branson Ultrasonics, Browning, Control Techniques, Kop-Flex, Leroy-Somer, McGill, Morse, Numatics, O-Z/Gedney, Rollway, SealMaster and System Plast.

For further information, view website: www.EmersonIndustrialAutomation.com

Leroy-Somer in profile
Leroy-Somer, world leader in drive systems and AC generators Leroy-Somer specializes in the design and manufacture of electromechanical and electronic drive systems for industry (asynchronous, synchronous and direct-current motors, geared motors, brake motors, electronic speed controllers and starters). Leroy-Somer is also worldwide leader in low- and medium-voltage AC generators.

For further information (UK), e-mail:uk-uxbridge@leroy-somer.com or (France) e-mail: agnes.ferrant@leroysomer.com