VisiWinNET

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VisiWinNET
Basic data

developer INOSOFT GmbH
Current  version 6.5.4
(2015-06-08)
operating system Windows and Windows CE
category HMI / SCADA
License proprietary
German speaking Yes
inosoft.com

VisiWinNET is a process visualization system from the manufacturer INOSOFT GmbH from Hiddenhausen . It is used in an industrial environment as a machine-level HMI system and as SCADA software. All typical functional features of this type of software are supported (process connection, language switching, alarms, trends, user administration, logbook, ...). The VisiWin product family has been marketed in Germany since 1995, the current VisiWinNET variant has been available since 2003.

System structure

Like most process visualization packages, VisiWinNET consists of a design environment for developing the interfaces and a runtime environment. A special feature of VisiWinNET is the integration of the development system in Microsoft Visual Studio . The programming languages Visual Basic .NET and C-Sharp are supported . VisiWinNET provides controls and a class library. Programs for comparable use cases usually have a self-contained development system with the possibility of storing scripts in proprietary syntax. Another special feature is the support of WPF graphics with Microsoft Expression .

The VisiwinNET runtime system is intended for use as a single-user and client-server application and can also run on embedded systems . The system is based on the .NET Framework for the entire PC platform with the Microsoft Windows operating system and the .NET Compact Framework for Windows CE . For the connection to the control of the machine and for the transfer of data z. The industrial standard OPC is supported, for example in ERP systems .

Areas of application and distribution

The software is mainly used in automation technology. Typical users are mechanical engineering companies that manufacture series or special machines. A special focus is in the area of packaging technology and there also in applications where an approval by the American FDA is required. VisiWinNET and its predecessor products are represented worldwide in production plants that manufacture things such as tires, cigarettes, CDs / DVDs, injection molded parts, toys, foils, pipes, medicines, food, packaging, automotive parts, textiles and so on. Current examples can be found in the textile industry, in concrete block plants and in the ImRoNet research project of the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Engineering and Automation (IPA), the University of Karlsruhe and partners from industry.

Marketing as an OEM product means that the development software is also available worldwide.

The classic area of ​​application of such an application extends from minimally equipped embedded systems to large applications on server operating systems. In the lowest sector, it will often not be possible to use it because there are not enough resources available here.

Emergence

VisiWin was first marketed in 1995 as the successor to VisiPro, which runs under MS-DOS . This system ran under Windows 3.1 and was already integrated in Version 3 of Visual Basic Classic . A first 32 bit version was available from 1996 with Visual Basic 5. This was followed in 1998 by VisiWinStudio, the first multi-user VisiWin. The classic Visual Basic was replaced in 2002 by Microsoft Visual Studio with .NET technology. The change also brought the new name VisiWinNET. This software has been on the market since 2003. In 2005 a new version was presented with VisiWinNET 2005. It is based on Visual Studio 2005 (and now in 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2013) and the .NET Framework.

System requirements

Because of the dependency on .NET , software created with VisiWinNET always requires the .NET framework as the associated runtime. For this, at least Windows XP is required on the PC. At least the Compact Framework 2.0 is required under Windows CE. The minimum requirement here is Windows CE version 5 or higher. CPU types other than x86 and Strong ARM are only supported on request.

Limitations by the .NET Compact Framework

Windows.Forms is used as the basic technology for creating the graphical user interface. Since this class library in the .NET Compact Framework does not have any more complex layout managers such as the GridBagLayout known from Java, HMIs that have been created once are not scalable. Changing the resolution or the size of the font used (e.g. to switch to touch operation) does not lead to an automatic rearrangement of the UI elements. For this reason, the manufacturer has retrofitted a functionality that scales the screen pages to different resolutions.

System-related features

Different ways with partially existing overlapping of functionalities are implemented. There are various ways of linking the data flow of input and output elements (e.g. a slider and a bar graph):

  • via internal logical event including the definition of conditions
  • by internal variable via a data channel
  • via C # or Visual Basic program code
  • via mapped, external variable and an additional PLC

The manufacturer takes into account the use of two development environments here. One is for programmers. In the other environment, users use the configurability. The user of the programmable version can work in different ways to the user of the other environment. A clear definition of the interfaces is necessary in order to keep the project clear and maintainable.

Licenses

VisiWinNET is a commercial product. Duration and development are chargeable.

swell

  1. Product listing Open Automation / VDE Verlag
  2. Functions of the manufacturer's website
  3. Integration of manufacturer side
  4. WPF graphics manufacturer's website
  5. ^ Membership page of the OPC Foundation
  6. OPC and driver support on the manufacturer's website
  7. ↑ User reports on the manufacturer's website
  8. ↑ Technical article textile machine with user interface in a special design
  9. ↑ Technical article Application Computer & Automation
  10. project ImRoNet Fraunhofer Institute, University of Karlsruhe and partners in industry Computer & Automation
  11. VisiWinNET as an OEM product ( Memento of the original dated November 18, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. at the Lenze Group @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.lenze.com
  12. Product history manufacturer's website ( Memento of the original from November 18, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.inosoft.com

Web links