$200 7” Touchscreen

[steves0118]

Goal:
We were looking for a cost effective HMI to add to 10 simple machines. We came up with a 7" touchscreen that cost under $200 + a 3D printed bezel running AdvancedHMI software.  A 10” screen could be upgraded for an extra $56. We added Modbus RTU to several of these screens for communication with an Allen Bradley 440C-CR30-22BBB safety controller for $51.

Limitations / Reliability:
We consider this to be a troubleshooting HMI. The components have not been tested for reliability, so we do not rely on it in a production environment. The first Wintel PC we tried failed after 4 hours. We promptly exchanged it and haven’t had a problem since.

Installation:
Installation takes ( 5/32” holes, (1) 1-1/4” hole, an Ethernet cable, mounting the DC-DC converter, and splicing the power adapter. To power the PC without opening the enclosure a remote power button must be soldered to the PC circuit board.
Parts list:
$109.90 Wintel PC - www.amazon.com/dp/B06W2LWQKC
$69.99 7" HMDI Touchscreen - www.amazon.com/dp/B015E8EDYQ
$7.99 24V to 5V DC/DC Converter - www.amazon.com/dp/B00BWLP88A
$5.00 Ethernet Cable
$3.16 Power Button - http://www.newark.com/multicomp/r13-502ma-05-b/switch-pushbutton-spst-3a-250v/dp/03P2487
$1.16 2-Position Terminal Block - http://www.newark.com/te-connectivity-buchanan/1546670-2/terminal-block-barrier-2-position/dp/43M0165
( Machine Screws
(1) 7/8" Grommet
(1) 3D printed bezel

Options:
$125.99 10” Touchscreen - www.amazon.com/dp/B01M7RRBUT
Modbus RTU Communications with an Allen Bradley 440C-CR30-22BBB:
  $26.99 Keyspan USA-19HS USB to Serial Adapter - www.amazon.com/dp/B0000VYJRY
  $23.95 Imitation Allen Bradley 1761-CBL-PM02 - www.amazon.com/dp/B007J2U4ZS

Version 2 (In Development):
We had to use a different supplier for the PC and Touchscreen for this project.  The Touchscreen seems better, but more difficult to install.  PM me if you want the Inventor files.
$138.99 Tronsmart Windows 10 PC - www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA35256N7317
$84.95 Adafruit 2396 7" Touchscreen (resistive) - www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Adafruit/2396/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMsMyYRRhGMFNhv3KS%2f24HHdw36yTQDZ4FY%3d
$13.99 Right angle HDMI Cable - www.amazon.com/dp/B010LIJDD0/
$4.80 USB Cable - www.amazon.com/dp/B00NH13S44

Here is a link to the Inventor files for the bezel: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/n6fd18irw85qm03/AADycKxvRwcSTjoqAniG178ca?dl=0

[timryder]

This is awesome... im thoroughly impressed. I have a product line I'm looking at putting a tiny pc and AHMI on for use.  This gives me a huge kickstart!

Thanks

[Archie]

The one thing I discovered about the Wintel PC is the power supply is of very low quality. It only took a few power cycles to kill my first one. Once I replaced it with an industrial grade 5V power supply, it has worked flawlessly.

The other thing to note about the WinTel is that it cannot be set to power up automatically after a power outage, it requires you to hold the power button for a few seconds.

There is a very close equivalent to the WinTel that is currently being evaluated to be sold in the main AdvancedHMI web site. It operates on a 12V power supply and also can power up automatically.

[steves0118]

Archie, I would be interested in purchasing one of your mini PC's as a beta tester.  PM me with a price and availability if you are interested.

[Archie]

Archie, I would be interested in purchasing one of your mini PC's as a beta tester.  PM me with a price and availability if you are interested.

At the moment I only have 1 of them that was used for preliminary testing. In 3-4 weeks I should have more to be used for tests in harsher environments. The target price for these is going to be about $125USD

[billerl]

Archie,
Did anything ever come of this? I built a smokehouse for personal use and currently have to take my laptop out to it, and I think this maybe within my budget.

[Archie]

This lost priority to make way for some big projects. Maybe it will be picked back up in January or February.

[lucianodipaolo]

Hello I apologize to resume post of 2017, I want to ask a question: I normally use the weintek hmi and when there is a power blackout they always restart normally, this system with mini pc and AHMI how it behaves when there is a blackout? I'm sorry for my elementary english ..
p.s. congratulations for this beautiful forum

[Archie]

this system with mini pc and AHMI how it behaves when there is a blackout?

This depends on how you set it up. I always create a shortcut to the exe file and put it in the startup folder.

[MajorFault]

Hardware starting and software starting is two different things. You can easily make software start automatically. Hardware is different, but usually you can use bios settings to start hardware when power is restored.

[lucianodipaolo]

thanks for the answers, then I think the right thing to do is to put an ups and through the serial port the mini pc (visual basic) understands when there is no more power and the same visual studio will start the procedure auto-off .. I hope then I have to make sure that when the power returns the pc will restart by itself