C-more® Touch Panel Programming Software and Cables [go to cables]

C-more® Programming Software

The C-more programming software (EA-PGMSW) is a user-friendly, Windows-based graphical editor for configuring all C-more operator interface touch panels. The C-more configuration software provides a powerful set of tools for developing applications and makes HMI touch screen panel setup and programming quick and simple. The C-more software package offers a complete set of control panel objects including pushbuttons, selector switches, pilot lights, text and numeric data displays, bar graph displays, static and dynamic bit-mapped images, and more. Despite all of its features, the C-more programming package is very easy to understand and to use. The simple operation of this programming software allows users to quickly develop operational HMI screens for the C-more panels.  

C-more Online Help included with the C-more software provides as much information as possible about the C-more HMI Software. C-more Online Help eliminates the need for a printed manual by offering a help file that covers, in as much detail as possible, all major areas of the software.  In addition, this Online Help includes other information on the C-more panels and has cross references for replacement and upgrades of other panels.  

Online HELP

One of the most important features of the C-more programming software is the availability of online help. You can access the help topics by clicking on the Help Menu on the Main Menu Bar and searching the topics. You may also access the help particular to the object or function of a dialog box by clicking on the Help button located on the bottom of the box.

The C-more Online Help included with the software is intended to provide as much information as possible about the C-more operator interface software. Typically software help files are designed to be a quick reference and summary of a complete printed manual. C-more Online Help eliminates the need for a printed manual by offering a help file that covers, in as much detail as possible, all major areas of the software. In addition, this online help includes other information on the C-more panels and has cross references for replacement and upgrades of other panels.  

C-more Programming Software Screen Elements

Visit the software section of c-more.automationdirect.com for a full overview of features and to download a demo.

C-more Programming Software Functions

Some of the outstanding functions now available in the new C-more touch panel programming software include the following.

Built-in Panel Simulation

The built-in project simulator allows you to view your C-more project on the PC screen exactly as it would appear on the HMI panel; and to test all your screens before downloading the project to the panel. You may simulate your entire project at any stage of development. In the simulate mode, you can use your cursor to change screens, turn on/off switches, change values and immediately see the effects on your project. The simulator can save hours of programming time. You could get started on your program before the panel even arrives, or develop and test the screens before you program the PLC.

Overlapping Objects (No Touch Cell Limits)

C-more uses an analog touch overlay to eliminate touch cell limitations. In the past, objects had to be sized and positioned to touch cell boundaries. Now, C-more has unlimited object scaling and location options. C-more also supports overlapping objects to give you more flexibility in screen layout and allow you to place more objects on a screen.

Event Manager (Save PLC memory - let the panel do the work)

In addition to standard alarm functions, C-more has a powerful Event Manager that lets you save PLC memory and programming time by letting the panel do the work. The fill-in-the-blanks Event Manager lets you configure C-more to automatically respond and execute actions triggered by an event (such as an alarm). The C-more event manager can log data to/from the PLC, transfer data to the Web, send a status email to remote locations , sound a message or alarm, and much more.

User Libraries (Objects, Screens, Graphics)

C-more software allows you to take any object or grouped object and save it in the User Library. You can also save the tags that are associated with the project so you don't have to re-enter tag name data. You can save custom objects, graphics, entire screens, even audio sounds and messages. The Custom object library can be accessed from any project you have on your PC. Reuse your work on current or future projects….Save time!

Built-in Animation

Animation brings the machine to life on the panel and makes the process more easily understood by the operator. The power of new features in C-more animation objects lets you easily create dramatic live-motion representations of your machine or process on-screen. Five types of animation are supported including straight line, scribble path with up to 64 points , rotate, change size, and multi-state bitmap.

Multiple Source Recipes

C-more allows you to create a recipe sheet with up to 100 recipes, each with 100 values. Recipe source values can be edited by the operator, saved and written to the destination with the touch of an icon.  The operator editing feature can be disabled if desired.

C-more Fonts

10 typefaces with hundreds of font sizes are available. Bitmap fonts from your PC can also be used .

Great Looking Objects

C- more has 4,000 Built-in Symbol Factory TM symbols. We also added some of our own. We added various shading fill effects to most of our objects, and when combined Combine this with our new fonts, you will have some great looking objects.

PID and Trending

A new PID faceplate with built-in trending helps your operator to tune PID loops. C-more also offers an improved chart recorder to support twice the number of pens and historical data logging to USB memory sticks and compact flash cards.

Alarm Information

Improved alarming features with historical alarms are now available with several formats of time and date stamp along with alarm frequency reporting. Each alarm can be configured to trigger email messages, audio messages and file transfers over the internet.

Efficient Development Tools

C- more software makes you even more productive in creating screens. Every object has been redesigned for configuration efficiency. A screen preview bar has been added so that you can see thumbnails of all your screens.

Background screens

A unique background graphic or background color can be selected for each screen you create.

Data Logging

Now collect large amounts of data or play back long historical records on trend graphs. Plug in up to two compact flash cards (full feature panels only) or a USB memory device for up to a Gigabyte of data logging storage (that's about 250 million data points!)

FTP Server

The FTP server (File transfer Protocol) lets you transfer data files between a C-more touch panel and any connected FTP compatible device (usually PCs over the Internet). Now your operator interface can collect data and pass it to the PC on your desk (and vice versa)!

E-mail

C-more supports e-mail messaging to any device connected to the Internet, from PCs to cell phones. E-mails can be initiated by the C-more Event Manager or by a simple object. Now your machine can actually call for help!

Snapshot Pictures

This feature allows you to see a snapshot on your PC of what the operator is viewing on-screen on the C-more touch panel.

Audio Out

C-more has a built-in audio output port that can be connected to an amplified speaker system. PLC events, alarms, or specific times can trigger C-more to broadcast stored audio messages to the operator or the plant floor in various languages. C-more literally talks to your operator!

Visit the software section of c-more.automationdirect.com for a full overview of features and to download a demo.

Getting Started on Your Project

Installing the software and configuring the C-more panel is simple to do. You need only the following items to successfully connect and develop a project for the touch panel:

• C-more operator panel - 6", 8", 10", 12" or 15" model
• 24 VDC power supply (min. 1.5A, switching) or the optional C-more AC Power Adapter
• Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)
• PLC communications cable - serial or Ethernet
• Programming cable - USB or Ethernet
• C-more Programming Software (part number EA-PGMSW)
• Desktop or laptop PC

With the C-more programming software and its built-in project simulator, you can start development and testing of screens even before you have the C-more touch panel or the PLC in place!

Project Transfer

You can download your project to a flash drive or a compact flash card (full feature panels only). Transferring your project to such a device offers many options. 

• Update several panels from one flash device. 
• Take the flash device out to the factory without taking the PC with you. 
• Send the flash device across the country to a remote site, or to a customer's facility.

C-more Cables

AutomationDirect offers low-cost USB cables for C-more touch panel programming and serial cables for C-more touch panel to PLC communications (we do not carry the standard CAT5 Ethernet cables that are used for the Ethernet connections).

C-more Touch Panel to PC Connections for Programming

The C-more touch panels can be connected to a PC (personal computer) in three ways:

• Connect a USB Programming Cable, (part number USB-CBL-ABxx), from a USB port type A on the PC to the USB type B programming port on the C-more touch panel
• Use an Ethernet crossover cable directly between the C-more touch panel Ethernet port and the PC Ethernet port (full feature panels only)
• Connect the C-more touch panel and PC together via an Ethernet hub or switch, and CAT5 Ethernet cables (full feature panels only)

C-more Touch Panel to PLC Connections

The C-more touch panels can be connected to a PLC in three ways:

• Connect a Serial Communications Cable, (part number EA-xxxx), from a serial port on the PLC to the serial port on the C-more touch panel
• Use an Ethernet crossover cable directly between the C-more touch panel Ethernet port and the PLC Ethernet port (full feature panels only)
• Connect the C-more touch panel and PLC together via an Ethernet hub or switch, and CAT5 Ethernet cables (full feature panels only)

NOTE: AutomationDirect EZTouch serial PLC communication cables are compatible with C-more touch panels.