Chapter 1
Introduction
RexHMI covers all tools and libraries necessary for creating human-machine interfaces (visualizations) for the REX control system. There are three different types of visualization the WebWatch, the WebBuDi and the one created by RexHMI Designer.
- WebWatch(Chapter 2) is an auto-generated HMI from the RexDraw development tool during project compilation. It has similar look, attributes and functions as the online mode of the RexDraw development tool. The WebWatch is a perfect tool for instant creation of HMI that is suitable for system developers or integrators. It provides a graphical interaction with almost all signals in the control algorithm.
- RexHMI Designer(Chapter 3) creates a standard SVG file with the RexHMI extensions. The RexHMI Designer is a great tool for creating graphical HMI that is suitable for operators and other end users.
- WebBuDi(Chapter 4), which is an acronym for Web Buttons and Displays, is a simple JavaScript file with several declarative blocks that describe data points which the HMI is connected to and assemble a table in which all the data is presented. It provides a textual interaction with selected signals and is suitable for system developers and integrators or may serve as a fall-back mode HMI for non-standard situations.
All the tools result to the HTML5 web page served from the internal REX web server. The HMI can be accessed using desktop, tablets and also mobile devices. Recommended web browsers are Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.
Usually the HMI is downloaded to the target device using HMI block in the exec.mdl file. In the project directory create exec.mdl file (or use predefined templates from the Start-up wizard). Add the HMI block to the executive, set the IncludeHMI parameter and then enable WebWatch visualization (GenerateWebWatch parameter) or create your custom one. Once configured the visualization is downloaded using Compile and Download function in the RexDraw design tool to the target device. The HMI is accessible from the internal server of the target device for example at http://127.0.0.1:8008/hmi.
The HMI uses HTML, CSS3, JavaScript and WebSockets.
For the special cases user can create its own HMI based on the JavaScript and custom HTML or SVG components. For that purpose the REX.HMI function library is available. Chapter 5 describes all functions with parameters.
[Previous] [Back to top] [Up] [Next]