Expanded PLC support

Maple Systems has expanded its PLC support to more fully integrate its HMIs with controllers from Allen-Bradley and Siemens. Maple Systems’ newest release of EZware includes the ability to utilize tags with Allen-Bradley controllers in such a way that they can be named with descriptive text the programmer chooses rather than having tag names based on PLC memory addresses. This means that your Maple HMI can work with an Allen-Bradley controller without changing the coding of the controller itself. That allows users to place a Maple HMI into an established Allen-Bradley process without disrupting the existing controller program. In addition, cryptic names for variable tags can be replaced with more appropriate nomenclature, which allows users to create descriptive tags that are more meaningful to their unique automation process. Also added into the new software are 26 new communication drivers. Included is a protocol for the new Siemens S7-1200 PLC. And with a total of 170 different protocols supported, the Maple HMI grants users flexibility with the brands they want to deal with. This upgrade also includes 67 other operational enhancements that expand the capabilities of the HMI. In addition, Maple announced that four of its HMI products have just been UL listed for the U.S. and Canada. They include the 5.6-inch HMI5056N, the 4.3-inch widescreen HMI5043N, the seven-inch widescreen HMI5070TH, and the 10.2-inch widescreen HMI5100T.