A handheld man-machine interface that allows pneumatic/electrical I/O to be verified as it is built, before PLC installation, can substantially speed machine building.
Festo has introduced a handheld man-machine interface for its CPX family of pneumatic and electrical I/O terminals that can substantially speed machine building. Whereas testing the I/O normally has to wait until the PLC or control system is installed, the new CPX-MMI terminal provides instant visibility and control to commissioning and service technicians. Users can force pneumatic valves and electrical I/O to verify correct assembly, set parameters such as debounce times and fail safe states, and run diagnostics.

These powerful facilities allow a machine's I/O to be tested and proven good before the control system is fitted, avoiding common system integration issues that can arise during the typical sequential automation commissioning process.

As CPX-MMI uses the wireless mark-up language (WML) standard, and downloads details of the I/O from the host Festo PLC - via the local bus on the I/O module or a fieldbus network - no software or programming of any kind is required to use the terminal.

The low-cost tool - which costs just GBP 220 - provides a keypad and 7-line LCD display in a compact form-factor that can be held and used with one hand.

Four arrow keys and three function keys, plus clear-text messages, provide a soft-key driven user interface that is intuitively easy to understand.

It works with modular CPX valve and I/O terminals - which are compatible with all the major field buses, and may be populated with pneumatic valves from the Festo Midi, Maxi, MPA or CPA families.

During automation commissioning, CPX-MMI allows users to enter Monitoring/Forcing, Diagnostics, Parameter Setting, Fail Safe configuration, and Module Data modes of operation.

These modes make the terminal equally suitable for routine maintenance or repair, giving quick access to the current diagnostic message and an error log that stores the last 40 events.

Following investigation of an issue, users can enter Parameter Setting and/or Monitoring/Forcing modes as applicable, to verify correct operation or diagnose a fault.

Because CPX has its own bus structure, these control and diagnostics facilities are provided down to the individual I/O channel.

'This terminal gives OEMs a powerful means of overcoming many of the system integration problems that are a common cause of delays in machine building and commissioning,' says Jacqui Reid, Product Manager at Festo GB.

'Its diagnostics facilities and error log also make it a valuable aid for Total Productive Maintenance schemes - helping users to spot trends and opportunities for improvements.' Password security is built into the terminal, to ensure that only authorised personnel are able to use the device's powerful facilities.