C-More EA9 HMI Series Panel Define Custom Keypad

The C-More HMI Panel software uses popup system default keypads. I recently was asked to enlarge the keypad to make editing easier.
C-More EA9 HMI Series Panel Define Custom Keypad
We will now look at enlarging the existing system default keypads. This is especially good with touch screens over 10 inches. We will also look at how to define a custom keypad for the C-More HMI. Let’s get started.


Previously in this C-More EA9 HMI Panel series, we have done the following:
System Hardware
Unboxing and Review Video
Powering the Unit Video
Installing the SoftwareVideo
System Setup ScreensVideo
First Program
Establishing Communication and Updating Firmware Video
First Program Video
Panel to PLC and PLC to Panel SettingsVideo
Common Screen MenuVideo
Simulate ProjectVideo
Object List ShapesVideo
Object List ButtonsVideo
Object List IndicatorsVideo
Object List EntryVideo
Object List Meters and GraphsVideo
Object List BitmapsVideo
Object List RecipeVideo

Watch the video below to see how to enlarge the default keypad on our C-More EA9 HMI Panel. 

Display Large Key Pad on the C-More EA9 Panels

Call up the Panel Manager by selecting it under the Setup on the Function tab of the Navigation window. Alternatively, you can use the main menu | Setup | Panel Manager…
C-More EA9 HMI Series Panel Define Custom Keypad
The panel manager window will now be displayed. Locate the option for Display Large Key Pad On Panels and check it.
C-More EA9 HMI Series Panel Define Custom Keypad
Select OK to close the panel manager window.
C-More EA9 HMI Series Panel Define Custom Keypad
When the numeric entry keypad is displayed, it will appear much larger. This will help operators in seeing and accurately change the values.

Changing the Keypad on the C-More HMI

Using the existing program that we have been developing in this series, select the Object Entry page. (6)
C-More EA9 HMI Series Panel Define Custom Keypad
Double click on the NumericEntry1 to call up the Numeric Entry window.
C-More EA9 HMI Series Panel Define Custom Keypad
Under Keypad setting of this page, we can select the keypad that we would like to use with this entry. System Default EA9 is the default selection. Select the preview button.
C-More EA9 HMI Series Panel Define Custom Keypad
The Keypad Preview window will now display to show you what the keypad will look like on the screen. Hit the X in the top right corner to close this window. Hit the OK on the Numeric Entry window to close this window.

Custom Keypad – C-More EA9


C-More EA9 HMI Series Panel Define Custom Keypad
Under the Screen tab in the Navigation window, select the Define Keypad icon.
C-More EA9 HMI Series Panel Define Custom Keypad
The Keypads in the HMI will all be now displayed. We will modify EA9 System Default 1.
C-More EA9 HMI Series Panel Define Custom Keypad
Click on the EA9 System Default 1. Right-click on the screen and select Copy Screen. Ctrl+C can also be used to copy the keypad.
C-More EA9 HMI Series Panel Define Custom Keypad
Right-click again on the screen and select Paste Screen. Ctrl+V can also be used to paste the keypad.
C-More EA9 HMI Series Panel Define Custom Keypad
Pasting the keypad will automatically default to a new keypad. The default name is User Define Keypad 1.
C-More EA9 HMI Series Panel Define Custom Keypad
The keypad can now be modified to the look and functions that you want in the HMI. In our case, we will increase the size and colour of the keypad. Our logo will also be displayed in the upper left corner.
C-More EA9 HMI Series Panel Define Custom Keypad
Here is the finished keypad. Save the HMI program.

Add Our Custom Key Pad to the Object Library


HMI Programming Software EA9
Adding our keypad to the object library will allow us to use this keypad in other programs that we may write.
Select our User Define Keypad 1. On the main menu | Edit | Select All. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + A. This will copy the keypad that we have just created.
HMI Programming Software EA9
Right-click on the custom keypad and select Object -> Library…
HMI Programming Software EA9
We can now name our keypad. Custom Keypad will be our name in the Object Library window. In this case, we will select Save Tag(s). This will keep our tags to the system tags that we have already programmed. Select OK.
HMI Programming Software EA9
Our Custom Keypad will now appear in the Parts List when the Library is selected under the Object List.

Selecting our C-More Custom Keypad


HMI Programming Software EA9
Select the Numeric Entry 1 on our Numeric Entry page 6 of the HMI. We can now change the Keypad to User Define Keypad 1.
C-More EA9 HMI Series Panel Define Custom Keypad
Running the HMI software and selecting the Numeric Entry will now display the custom keypad that we have programmed.

Download the  C-More program here.

Watch the video below to see the Define Custom Keypad in action on our C-More EA9 HMI Panel. 

C-More EA9 Panels from Automation Direct

https://www.automationdirect.com/adc/shopping/catalog/hmi_(human_machine_interface)/c-more_touch_panels_ea9_series
C-More – Graphic Panel (EA9 Series) User Manual and Quick Start Guides
https://cdn.automationdirect.com/static/manuals/ea9userm/ea9userm.html
EA9-T10CL C-More Specifications
https://cdn.automationdirect.com/static/specs/ea9t10cl.pdf
C-More EA9 Programming Software (Current Version V6.42)
https://support.automationdirect.com/products/cmore.html
This software will enable you to program all of the C-More EA9 HMI units. It includes a simulator for your application.

Next time we will look more at the object list alarms that we can use in the C-More HMI Panel.

Watch on YouTube: C-More EA9 HMI Series Panel Define Custom Keypad


If you have any questions or need further information please contact me.
Thank you,
Garry



If you’re like most of my readers, you’re committed to learning about technology. Numbering systems used in PLC’s are not difficult to learn and understand. We will walk through the numbering systems used in PLCs. This includes Bits, Decimal, Hexadecimal, ASCII and Floating Point.

To get this free article, subscribe to my free email newsletter.


Use the information to inform other people how numbering systems work. Sign up now.

The ‘Robust Data Logging for Free’ eBook is also available as a free download. The link is included when you subscribe to ACC Automation.


Leave a Comment