Students often ask questions like when working on a project for their company that requires a touch screen, they want to choose a Weicon touch screen but are unsure which model to select. Here’s a brief response to such queries.
In fact, selecting a touch screen should be based on a comprehensive consideration of your needs, control requirements, on-site environment, costs, and other factors. There are several key points for selecting Weicon touch screens; you can start by considering these points to see if they meet your touch screen usage needs.
Key Points for Selecting Weicon Touch Screens:
1. Consider size: what size screen is needed, 7 inches or 10 inches, etc.
2. Whether there is an Ethernet communication interface or USB interface.
3. Consider the types of interfaces supported by the touch screen, such as RS232/RS485 interfaces.
4. Whether it has universal protocols, which allows compatibility with different brands of PLCs and other instruments.
5. Check for external protection, such as whether it can operate normally in high dust and electromagnetic interference environments.
6. Check the operating temperature and humidity that the screen can withstand.
7. The overall structure of the product and the method of installation.
8. Whether the touch screen can support your system and application software.
Additionally, you should consider whether this control project prioritizes meeting the main functions of the touch screen; or if it is a choice based on price while still meeting the same functions; or if it is a choice when the functions are similar and the prices are not far apart.
First: Prioritize Meeting Main Functions
What is the interface of the instruments communicating with the touch screen? Is it RS232 or RS485, or does it need to support multiple communications, requiring both RS232 and RS485? In this case, you need to find a touch screen that corresponds to your instrument.
For example, suppose this project requires communication control between a Siemens S7-200 PLC and a touch screen, and it also needs to display inverter parameters on the touch screen. Both the PLC and the inverter use the 485 port; how should you select the model?
For this control requirement, where the touch screen needs to communicate with multiple devices, you must first consider the types of interfaces supported by the touch screen. In your control, the Weicon touch screen must communicate with both the Siemens S7-200 PLC and the inverter, and both devices use the 485 port. Therefore, when selecting the touch screen, you must choose one that supports RS485 on both COM ports.
For instance, the TK6071iP has one RS232 port and one RS485 port, while the MT6051iP can support both RS232 and RS485 on one port and RS485 on the other. Thus, you should choose the MT6051iP model of the touch screen.
The above considerations are based on the priority of meeting the main functions, which corresponds to point 3 in the eight selection points: consider the types of interfaces supported by the touch screen, such as RS232/RS485 interfaces. When selecting a touch screen, we should first choose one that meets the main functions of our control project, and the other aspects can be selected based on the previously mentioned eight points.
Second: Choosing Based on Price While Meeting the Same Functions
Suppose there are three touch screens that meet your general needs, but their prices differ. Would you choose a touch screen that only meets the basic requirements, or one with additional features? A touch screen that only meets basic needs will typically be lower in price, while one with extended features will be more expensive. When selecting, you must consider whether you are focusing on the cost of the current project or whether the touch screen can be used for future projects as well; this is a matter of perspective and whether future plans are considered.
For example, if only cost is considered, you could choose the TK6071iP touch screen. If you plan to use this touch screen in other projects in the future, you might opt for one with extended features.
Third: Choosing When Prices Are Similar but Functions Are the Same
When several touch screens meet your general needs and their prices are similar, you should compare which additional features you prefer. Do you prioritize the processor, the memory, or the external design?
The above are the selection tips for Weicon touch screens summarized by the editor. I hope my answers can help you in selecting touch screens. (Original from Jicheng Training, Author: Cai Huixing, unauthorized reproduction is prohibited, violators will be prosecuted.)
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