By Jeremy Pollard

Columnist Jeremy Pollard reviews Industrial Gadgets Pro Version 1.0 Build 136 from Software Toolbox Inc.

PRODUCT SPECS:
Name: Industrial Gadgets Pro
Version: Version 1.0 Build 136
Vendor: Software Toolbox Inc. (www.softwaretoolbox.com)
Application: Visual Basic HMI Graphics
Price: $500-$995 US for development licence (Run time is free)


Operators, designers, production and maintenance people can all agree that a well-developed HMI system can provide accurate and fast response to a problem, as well as quick access to control components of the process.RSView32, Wonderware, iFix and Cimplicity are all vendor-supplied HMI's that cost an arm and a leg, and for good reason. Their graphics are smart, cool and functional, and the database interaction has tools to make your job easier for larger projects. However, run-time distribution costs can be restrictive for an OEM - a reality with any distributed application where copies are installed on multiple PCs.

Visual Basic (VB) has long been an alternative for OEMs with the resources to develop their own HMI application, but graphics have rarely been up to snuff, relative to the vendor packages. Thankfully, this is no longer the case.Industrial Gadgets from Software Toolbox, Inc. allows any VB developer to use eye-pleasing graphics to create stunning pages with functionality, realism and a big "cool" factor. While it may not have all the devices and symbols that you are looking for, it will provide a great foundation for your HMI applications.
The original use for an HMI was to replace pushbuttons, lights, displays and the like. It has expanded to include process flows, pictorial representations and access to information with a two-click limit. This product makes it happen.

I looked at the demo VB project first, to get an idea of how the graphics look. Wow! This allows a designer to look like a hero to the floor guys and the budget crunchers. Ease of use must have been a priority when this concept was designed.

The core of the gadgets allows for the creation of screens using buttons, lights and switches. Meters, sliders and data displays are also part of the basic series. Motors, pumps, pipes, valves and custom gadgets form the "Pro" collection.

Once installed, the gadgets are easily accessed in the VB development environment, and the three required ActiveX controls are registered. When you go to the components tab in VB, you will find them under Industrial Gadgets Library 1, Industrial Gadgets Library 2 and Industrial Gadgets Pro. By including these in your VB project, the gadgets show up in the Controls pane, typically on the left side of the environment. From this pane, you can drop individual gadgets onto your form, or select the gadget control to get to the Pro series of gadgets, and any custom gadgets that you may have purchased or developed.

When I use a new software offering, I normally start with the help file to see if there are any nuggets of information to aid in the use of the product. Well, I wasn't disappointed. The help file is full of interesting information, although some of the links didn't take me to the intended spots. The general layout is
typical, but I found the collapsing of the tree when I selected a new topic annoying.

The gadgets can be used with any ActiveX container such as RSView32, and they are also compatible with VB6 and .NET environments. The help file is awesome in guiding the user through the steps of integrating these components into third-party applications. Also, you can see which gadgets are included with the package. This bird's-eye view can provide a great head start when designing, since you know which tools are in the box.

A couple of interesting tidbits I found were the enumeration capabilities to identify certain object properties such as blink speed. You can use "plDoorOpen.blinkspeed=BlinkFast," and the BlinkFast speed is determined from the enumeration in the module. All devices that use the blink speed value will then use the same value.
Some of the graphics in the controls are bitmaps, so they appear very grainy if you make them bigger than the optimal size. The screen resolution of your target machine may affect the way your screen looks, so it's best to keep the resolution at the default size or smaller.

Pushbuttons, lighted pushbuttons, pilot lights and selector switches are in the lineup for standard industrial type interfaces. They look and feel just like a panel-type device. To configure a pushbutton, for instance, you drop the button gadget onto the form, access the properties and select the button type. Two- and three-position selector switches have dynamic switch knobs, which provide interface as well as feedback in the single control.

Most devices are available with or without a legend plate, with three lines of text available for device descriptions. Where these devices shine is in their developer configurable properties. The pushbutton can be maintained, toggled, reverse momentary (stop button) and, of course, normally open (NO) momentary. Lights can be blinking fast/medium/slow with different on/off colours. It makes for easy coding, but be aware that the maintained property is not retentive when the application is restarted.

When the properties window is displayed, and another control is clicked, the properties window updates with the new controls data, so it's easy to check all of the controls on the form.

The Pro in the gadget lineup is truly cool. This is where the motors, valves and so much more can be found. The animation of these gadgets allows for a highly active screen with very informative graphics. All of the Pro gadgets are presented in a tree view. Note that some of the gadgets I had, such as the conveyors, are demo
gadgets and are not included in the Pro package. Once the Pro gadget control is placed on the form, right click and choose properties. You are then presented with available gadgets and any custom gadgets you may have purchased. Clicking on the gadget gives you the picture, options and configuration screen for that control. Nothing could be easier!

Take the butterfly valve. You have the choice of flow direction, material in the valve, reverse or direct acting, and alarm settings where you can set analogue or discrete alarm points. Remembering that all of these devices are controlled programmatically, the dynamics can be created to provide a highly professional display. While I would have liked to see a wider selection of devices, I suspect that as these gadgets move forward, variances of the standard devices will be included.

A downloadable demo is available at www.softwaretoolbox.com. You have to try it!


Jeremy Pollard is a 25-year veteran of the industrial automation industry. He has worked as a systems integrator, consultant and an educator in the field. Jeremy can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .