A 5.7" Advantech TPC HMI was chosen due to its ability to provide rich user interface, flexible device configuration and its ability to be developed in Visual Studio 2008 C#. The existing HMI interface functionality was replicated with many improvements added to utilize the benefits of the new controller.
Using the ABLink drivers from Ingear allowed for rapid implementation of the PLC communication protocols. The communication libraries built into C# allowed for straightforward development of the serial communication to the Tolomatic motion controller.
The client now has an HMI which is much easier to use than the old HMI and can be replicated to new machines in a very cost effective manner.