Red Lion Controls raises industry bar for HMIs with new Graphite series

August 12, 2013 10:57 am

Rugged construction and modular expansion capabilities combine with protocol conversion, data logging and web-based monitoring and controlRed Lion Controls, the global expert in communication, monitoring and control for industrial automation and networking, announced the release of its newest generation of Human Machine Interfaces (HMI) — the Graphite series of advanced operator interface panels. With all cast-aluminium construction, the Graphite series provides the industry’s first rugged HMI solution to combine a wide range of versatile plug-in modules with protocol conversion, data logging, and Web-based monitoring and control.
Red Lion’s Graphite series allows customers to easily connect, monitor and control their process in industries that include manufacturing, oil and gas, and water and wastewater. The plug-in modules enable customers to easily create a solution for today, with an option to expand to meet changing business requirements. Further, organisations will realise a reduction in development and commissioning times over traditional systems that use an HMI paired with separate I/O, PLCs and other controllers.
“We have used just about everyone’s HMIs, and Graphite is by far the best in terms of appearance and functionality,” said Pierre de Giorgio, President, BlueBay Automation. “It is the most feature-rich HMI that we have ever used. The graphics and resolution are amazing, and with Red Lion’s Crimson 3.0 software, the move to Graphite is seamless.”
Graphite HMIs are available in eight different models, in sizes ranging from7 inches to 15 inches, with sleek bezels which provide a relatively large display given their overall dimension. Both the 7-inch and 10-inch HMIs are available as sunlight visible models. Combined with Graphite’s rugged packaging, these models are ideal for harsh outdoor environments.
Offering a built-in Web server, Graphite HMIs enable users to monitor and control their application via PCs, tablets or smartphones. Text messaging and email alerts provide early warning of process issues, which helps avoid costly downtime. In addition, its built-in protocol converter allows programmers to select 13 or more simultaneous protocols from a list of over 250 to seamlessly integrate disparate devices such as PLCs, drives, barcode readers and panel meters. “The HMI has become the nexus of the machine, and Red Lion’s new Graphite series offers the highest level of protocol support to simplify even the most complex multivendor environments,” said Jeff Thornton, Director, Product Management, Red Lion Controls. “By logging performance data and critical events, customers can implement process improvements or perform fault-finding activities.”
The new HMIs are supported by Red Lion’s award-winning Crimson 3.0 software, which is included at no extra cost. Crimson 3.0 makes it fast and easy to configure protocols, define data tags, set up sophisticated applications and create an attractive user interface. Designed for ease of use, Crimson allows customers to cost-effectively standardise on one HMI for all of their machines, regardless of the PLC or drive manufacturer used.
For more information about Red Lion and its new rugged Graphite series HMIs, visit www.redlion.net/graphite