Hey there! I am currently working on a project that involves utilizing an Allen-Bradley 1769-L30ER v31 along with a Panelview Plus7 v11. One of the key features of this project is an AOI that monitors the operational time of equipment and sends a notification when a specific maintenance interval is reached. To accommodate changes in equipment, I am looking to empower the plant manager to customize the names of these preset maintenance intervals directly on the HMI interface. For instance, they could rename "Grease Bearings" to "Change Gearbox Oil." My concern is whether this customization process is feasible or if it will pose more challenges than benefits. Alternatively, I could assign generic names like "TMR Scheduled Maintenance 1 and 2," but that may require the manager to maintain a separate legend or schedule. (For added context, the project involves a farmer-operated feed mill.) Any advice on this matter would be highly valued.
I may need some clarification on your explanation, but I'd like to offer my input. Are you storing the message in the PLC as a string or using a multi-state indicator to read an integer datatype for the message text? To achieve your goal, consider creating an array in the PLC as shown in attachment 68239. This array can be used by an alarm configuration page on the HMI to display each reason as text, along with a string input box for editing the Maintenance Reason (see attachment 68238). If you need more information or clarification, feel free to ask. Additionally, you can use a similar method to adjust timer values for maintenance alarms, allowing for flexibility in changing equipment and maintenance schedules. By using variables and mathematical conversions, you can easily modify trigger durations and write commands to the PLC for each alarm.
Baxterr expressed some uncertainty about fully understanding the explanation but offered a contribution. The query was whether the message is stored as a string in the PLC or if a function like a multi-state indicator is used to read an integer data type from the PLC to determine the message text. To achieve the desired outcome, creating an array in the PLC is suggested. This array can be utilized in an HMI alarm configuration page to display each reason in text, along with a string input box for editing the Maintenance Reason. Additionally, a similar process can be applied to adjust timer values that trigger maintenance alarms to accommodate changing equipment and schedules. Using variables in timers instead of fixed numbers, mathematical conversions can be made between milliseconds, seconds, minutes, and hours, with write commands sent to the PLC for each alarm trigger duration adjustment.
I want to express my gratitude for your suggestion, as it really pinpointed the issue. After running a test application, I was pleased to see that it performed exactly as I had envisioned.
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Hi! It seems like a great idea to make the HMI interface more customizable as it would make the system much more user-friendly. Given that operators at a farmer-owned mill may not have much technical expertise, naming intervals to correspond with the exact maintenance task can avoid confusion. However, it's also essential to consider the complexity of adding that customization feature. AOIs are not inherently designed for this and modifying it might introduce multiple points of failure. If you have the resources, you might consider working on a custom-made HMI screen where names could be adjusted easily. But if this is too complex, the generic approach with a separate maintenance schedule might be a better fit and could be improved with clear labeling and documentation. But remember, the success of this largely depends on how tech-savvy your Plant Manager is and how well documented the system is.
Hi! It's an interesting problem you are facing. While customization would undoubtedly improve the system's intuitiveness, the complexity therein could pose challenges. However, user-friendly systems tend to be successful in the long term, especially in a scenario like yours involving a farmer-operated feed mill where knowledge of specific engineering terms might not be universal. Perhaps you could consider a hybrid system, where there are standard "Maintenance 1, 2, 3,..." options, but with an additional feature that allows for custom labels if needed. The custom labels could appear in a sort of tooltip or additional comments section. This way, the plant manager isn't burdened with remembering what each timer does, and you limit the potential for confusion or error during programming.
In my experience, giving the plant manager the ability to customize interval names directly on the HMI could actually be beneficial, providing a greater level of transparency and simplifying things on the operational level. However, you might want to consider precautions like limiting the number of characters that can be entered to prevent any discrepancies during communication. Additionally, you might also want to keep a centralized location—which can be accessed by both you and the plant manager—for recording any changes. This is just to ensure that everyone is on the same page when certain maintenance intervals have been renamed.
That sounds like a really interesting project! Allowing the plant manager to customize maintenance interval names right on the HMI could definitely enhance usability, especially in a dynamic environment like a feed mill. However, you might want to consider how easy or intuitive that customization will be for them. If it’s not straightforward, it could lead to confusion or errors down the line. Maybe you can implement a simple template system where they just have to select from a set list or use some user-friendly input method to help streamline the process. This way, they can still personalize the intervals without losing track of what each one refers to. Just a thought!
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Answer: 1. Can I customize maintenance interval names directly on the HMI interface using Allen-Bradley 1769-L30ER v31 and Panelview Plus7 v11? - Yes, you can empower the plant manager to customize the names of preset maintenance intervals directly on the HMI interface, allowing for flexibility in naming conventions.
Answer: - Customizing maintenance interval names enables the plant manager to align the intervals with specific maintenance tasks or equipment requirements, enhancing clarity and ease of monitoring.
Answer: - While customization offers flexibility, it is essential to ensure that the process is user-friendly and does not introduce complexities that outweigh the benefits of personalized naming conventions.
Answer: - Yes, assigning generic names like "TMR Scheduled Maintenance 1 and 2" is an option, but it may require the manager to maintain a separate legend or schedule for clarity and reference.
Answer: - Customizing maintenance intervals can enhance equipment monitoring and maintenance efficiency, empowering the plant manager to tailor maintenance notifications to specific tasks and equipment components in a farmer-operated feed mill setting.
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