Industrial automation manufacturer Opto 22 has announced groov 3.1, an update to its mobile operator interface system that adds integrated image management, new image uses, and new on-screen and project options so you can create a unique operator interface that’s customized for your application. groov connects machines, equipment, and control systems with mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. With groov 3.1, industrial automation engineers, system integrators, and machine OEMs can create highly customized operator interfaces that meet their needs, including data-rich dashboards for IoT (Internet of Things) applications.
New Graphics Capabilities
Graphics features added in groov 3.1 include a new Image Indicator gadget that uses multiple images to indicate states or ranges of values. For example, four different images of a stack light could indicate a machine status of running, stopped, paused, or needing attention. Likewise, different images could indicate various tank fill levels. Another new feature is applying images to button gadgets, typically used for on/off or start/stop controls, while new page navigation links let you create custom navigation controls anywhere on the groov page.
A new Image Library in groov 3.1 manages all the graphics used in a groov project for easy uploading, accessing, and handling. When a graphic is imported into a groov project, it is added to the Image Library. During interface development, the same image can be used throughout your project, saving time and disk space. When the image is updated or changed in the library, all instances of the image throughout the project are updated as well.
These new graphics features result in a significantly more visually appealing and functional mobile interface, along with a greater degree of customization than ever before.
Customize Your Application
For OEMs, machine builders, and anyone who needs to customize an operator interface with a specific logo and color scheme, groov 3.1 project options let you change default menu and caption bar colors, freeze the menu bar, and replace the default “groov” logo at the top of the screen with your own graphic.
Additional improvements in groov 3.1 include new options to precisely adjust text size, color, style, font, and background color in gadgets; to size gadgets like LEDs smaller to achieve greater detail and density; and to select and change properties of multiple gadgets simultaneously. A new tag overview screen shows all tags in use and the events for each tag. Also, groov systems that connect to Modbus/TCP devices can now access individual bits within Modbus registers.
What is groov?
groov is a zero-programming, web-based way to build, deploy, and view effective, scalable operator interfaces to monitor and control systems and equipment using mobile devices and other computer-based systems. These operator interfaces can be viewed on almost any mobile device or computer regardless of its manufacturer, operating system, or screen size, including smartphones, tablets, PCs, and even smart high-definition televisions.
For mobile devices like iPhones, iPads, and Android-based smartphones and tablets, a groov View app for iOS and Android is available free of charge on the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. The groov View app provides a native mobile experience for operator interfaces built with groov. These interfaces can also be viewed in the mobile device’s built-in web browser.
groov can augment existing human-machine interfaces (HMIs) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems by making important information available to authorized users at any time and in any location. Users can also receive event-based email messages, for example when a connected machine or system needs attention. groov is available as either the standalone groov Box, an industrially hardened hardware appliance, or the PC-based groov Server for Windows software.
In addition to Modbus/TCP networking, groov supports OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) to communicate with a variety of machines and systems on the plant floor, including PLCs, DCSs, PACs, databases, and OPC-DA servers. groov also communicates directly with Opto 22 SNAP PAC System controllers