Hello to all those willing to offer a helping hand! I have a project where I need to incorporate Solidworks animations or "3D" models of machine assemblies into an AB Panelview Plus 700. The ultimate objective is to provide troubleshooting guidance for a labeling machine that frequently experiences faults from sensors and other issues. The customer has a high turnover rate and is seeking a user-friendly way for operators to easily identify and resolve any faults that may occur. Currently, the HMI for the machine includes an alarm banner on the main display that appears when a fault arises, listing the names of active faults only. Additionally, there is a "Fault Screen" with navigation buttons for all machine faults in a table format. When a fault is active, an indicator appears next to it, and the operator can press the navigation button to access the specific fault's screen, which includes a description of the issue, how to resolve it, and a visual representation of the fault location or device. Similar to how the office printer has 3D animations for clearing paper jams, it would be beneficial for Rockwell to have a similar feature. Although the concept is straightforward, I am new to this and would greatly appreciate any helpful suggestions or tips from others who have experience in this area. Thank you for any assistance offered.
I have experience working with various HMI interfaces, utilizing static images controlled through display settings. The graphic artist responsible for 3D rendering would create screen shots in different colors to represent various states, including green for running, light grey for off, and red/yellow for alarm/fault. This method required managing multiple static images to control the display effectively.
I have successfully used video tutorials on PVs for maintenance and troubleshooting in the past. If you are able to convert SolidWorks files into a PV-compatible format, it could work. However, PV does not support native SolidWorks file formats. Based on my personal experience, it may not be worth the effort. Operators tend to rely on trial and error for troubleshooting and are unlikely to spend time reading or viewing SolidWorks diagrams. We stopped creating videos and online manuals as they were not being utilized.
Thank you for your response, Jeff. I truly appreciate it. I was hoping to avoid going down that route, if possible. The labeling machines I design are versatile and cater to various product and label combinations, each requiring a unique design based on their physical characteristics. This means that different machines are needed for different products seen in a typical grocery store. If I want to incorporate this feature in future designs, I won't be able to reuse static images from one machine to the next. I am exploring options such as a potential SolidWorks ActiveX widget or a hidden FactoryTalk feature known only to industry experts.
In a discussion, robertmee mentioned experimenting with using video guides on PVs for maintenance and troubleshooting, specifically mentioning the challenges of incorporating Solid Works file formats. However, based on personal experience, it was found to be ineffective as operators tend to rely on trial and error rather than consulting diagrams or guides. The decision to discontinue videos and online manuals was made due to low usage. It seems that others echo the sentiment that investing time in these methods may not be worthwhile. I fully empathize with the frustration of having to create videos for each assembly and its variations. Despite the potential benefits, the skepticism remains about the effectiveness of such initiatives. It is understood why the decision was made to halt these efforts, even though the pressure to implement them persists.
To enhance your screen, include a Text object. Within the properties dialog box, choose the Insert Variable radio button. Opt for the string data type from the dropdown menu and click the ellipsis button to select your specified string tag from the tag browser. This simple step will help customize your screen with relevant information.
I think it's a fantastic idea to incorporate 3D animations for troubleshooting. It's clear that a more interactive and visual approach would be helpful for your operators, especially given the turnover rate. I don't have an extensive experience with Solidworks, but from what I know, one solution might be to create the 3D animations in Solidworks and then convert them into video files (avi, mp4, etc.). You can then incorporate these videos into the AB Panelview Plus 700. However, you may also need to consider the memory limit of your HMI terminal and balance the quantity and quality of animations accordingly. Hopefully, others will be able to offer more specific advice or share their experiences too.
This sounds like a challenging yet fascinating project! You might want to look into FactoryTalk View Studio, which can incorporate active-x controls and has compatibility with a range of 3D files. You could potentially create your animations in Solidworks, export to a compatible file type, then integrate it into your HMI system. One challenge might be fitting everything into the AB Panelview Plus 700's relatively small screen. You might have to balance the complexity and detail of your animations against clarity and ease of use. Also, remember to make sure your customer's system is capable of handling the increased demand on resources these animations may require. Good luck!
From your description, it seems like Rockwell's FactoryTalk View Studio ME could be a viable solution. It allows for ActiveX controls, so you should be able to embed interactive 3D animations from Solidworks. While I haven't used this exact combination before, I've seen success with similar implementations. Regarding your animations, make sure to keep them concise and user-friendly, showcasing the actions needed to resolve the issue step by step, just like a tutorial video would. You may also want to consider adding a simple troubleshooting guide, perhaps incorporating a flow diagram type setup for navigating faults. This way, even an operator with minimal experience can navigate and potentially resolve the common faults.
That sounds like a really interesting project! Integrating Solidworks animations into your HMI is a fantastic idea to enhance user experience and troubleshooting. You might want to start by exploring how to export your Solidworks models as 3D formats compatible with your AB Panelview Plus 700. It could also be useful to create a storyboard of common faults and their visual representations before delving into the animations—this ensures clear communication and helps you stay focused on the most frequent issues. Don’t forget to consider user feedback from the operators; they might have insights into what visuals would be the most helpful for them during troubleshooting. Good luck, and let us know how it goes!
Hey there! Your project sounds really interesting, and I can certainly see how 3D animations could enhance troubleshooting for the operators. One suggestion would be to start by creating basic animations in Solidworks that clearly illustrate common faults, like sensor misalignment or jam issues. Afterward, you can export these animations as videos or images to incorporate them into your HMI screens. Another idea is to create interactive models that allow operators to zoom in or rotate the assembly for a closer look at the faults. It might also be helpful to survey the operators to find out which issues they face most frequently, so you can prioritize those in your designs. Good luck, and don’t hesitate to ask for more tips as you go along!
That sounds like an exciting project! Integrating SolidWorks animations into your HMI can definitely enhance the user experience and make troubleshooting more intuitive. Have you considered using a combination of interactive 3D models and step-by-step guides to make the troubleshooting process even more seamless? You could link specific animations to the fault alerts, so when an operator selects a fault, they could see a visual representation of the issue and the suggested steps to fix it, similar to those printer animations you mentioned. Additionally, incorporating feedback from the operators might also help you refine the interface to ensure it's user-friendly! Good luck, and feel free to reach out if you need help with specific aspects!
✅ Work Order Management
✅ Asset Tracking
✅ Preventive Maintenance
✅ Inspection Report
We have received your information. We will share Schedule Demo details on your Mail Id.
Answer: - Answer: To include Solidworks animations or 3D models in the AB Panelview Plus 700, you can export the animations as video files and then integrate these videos into the HMI interface as visual guides for troubleshooting faults.
Answer: - Answer: You can create a fault screen with navigation buttons that provide a table format listing of all machine faults, along with indicators for active faults. Each fault screen can include a description of the issue, steps to resolve it, and a visual representation of the fault location or device.
Answer: - Answer: You can design a user-friendly interface on the AB Panelview Plus 700 that includes 3D animations or visual representations of fault scenarios, similar to how office printers have visual guides for paper jams. This can help operators quickly identify and resolve faults on the labeling machine.
Join hundreds of satisfied customers who have transformed their maintenance processes.
Sign up today and start optimizing your workflow.