MBLogic
for an open world in automation
MB HMI - Intro
MB HMI is a Human-Machine Interfaced (HMI) based on standard web technologies. This allows both local and remote HMI systems to be created using what has become today's standard for machine interaction - the web browser.
MB HMI is used to provide the web based HMI to the MBLogic automation server, and the primary documentation for it is provided there (see the link to "MBLogic" on the above menu). This page simply provides a overview of the technology.
Standard Web Technologies:
MBHMI is based on the following web technologies:
- HTML (Hyper Text Mark-up Language). HTML is the basis of virtually every web page, and is used as the foundation for MBHMI screens.
- Javascript. Javascript (not to be confused with Java) is the common scripting language for web pages, and is used by MBHMI to control the display of data and to exchange data with the server.
- SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) - SVG allows high quality interactive graphics to be embedded directly into web pages, and is supported by almost every modern web browser. SVG is used by MBHMI to provide the graphical elements to displays.
- CSS, JPEG, PNG, JSON - Since MBHMI is based on standard web technolgies, it can take advantage of the display elements which people have come to expect in a modern system.
- MB-HMI Protocol - A JSON (Javascript Object Notation) based open communications protocol. This protocol was developed to provide a simple and reliable means of communications with low overhead and high level functionality.
Building Web Pages:
Drag and Drop Graphical HMI Development
The graphical portion of the HMI can be created using the Inkscape vector graphics editor.
The provided graphical widgets (push buttons, pilot lights, etc.) can be used as is and animated, or you can draw your own custom graphics and animate those, or mix both methods together.
HMI Graphical Widgets:
A great many graphical and HTML HMI widgets which continuously update themselves live on the screen are available using standard web technologies. Here are some examples of what is provided with MBHMI. Any graphic may configured to be in any colour. The colours shown are examples only.
See more examples of the HMI graphical widgets here.
Cascadas Protocol:
The Cascadas protocol is an open protocol designed for use with HMI systems. MB-HMI makes use of the Cascadas protocol to deliver easy to use communications with high level HMI features.
Read more about the Cascadas protocol here.
Browser Compatibility:
Since MB-HMI is based on web standards, it is compatible with most modern web browsers. See examples of MB-HMI running on a selection of different browers and operating systems here.