Design of a remote control system based on Cimplicity 6.1 software
2026-04-06 07:21:19··#1
Abstract : This paper takes the Shenyang Foundry Park boiler monitoring system as the research background, introduces the remote monitoring system based on Cimplicity 6.1 configuration software, and details the configuration of the login screen selection, graphics property settings, operation screen settings, client browser configuration screen, and other methods of configuration via the Internet. Keywords: Cimplicity 6.1, configuration, Internet 0 Introduction With the rapid development of network communication technology, computers can not only control local devices, but also control remote devices via the network. The development of the internet has progressed alongside the deepening of its applications. In the past few years, many new networks have become familiar to people based on their applications. Remote control is a technology where one computer (the controlling end/client) controls another computer (the controlled end/server) or device over a network. Here, "remote" doesn't literally mean far away; it generally refers to controlling a remote computer or device via a network. However, most of the time, remote control refers to remote control within a local area network (LAN) or the internet. When an operator uses the controlling computer to control the controlled computer or device, it's as if they are sitting in front of the screen of the controlled computer or device. They can launch applications on the controlled computer, access files, and even use external printing devices (printers) and communication devices (modems or leased lines, etc.) to print and access the internet, just like using a remote control to adjust the volume, change channels, or turn the TV on and off. 1. Control System Design and Implementation For remote control, both the host computer and the controlled computer must be connected to a network, which can be a LAN, WAN, or the internet. Some software can also use a direct cable connection via the computer's COM or LPT port for remote control. Secondly, both parties must use the same communication protocol. In most cases, remote control software uses TCP/IP for communication, while some can use SPX or NetBIOS protocols. However, these protocols cannot achieve remote control over WANs or the internet. Most software requires both parties to have valid IP addresses and the software must know the exact IP address of the controlled computer. This makes remote control of computers behind firewalls almost impossible, although remote control software capable of penetrating firewalls has emerged. Currently, there are two different approaches to computer monitoring of heating systems: one is a centralized monitoring method; the other is a collaborative monitoring method with a central control center and field stations. In the former method, control is centralized in the host computer, and the field workstations only have testing instruments and actuators. Their function is limited to parameter acquisition and uploading; they lack automatic control decision-making capabilities. This method has poor flexibility; localized failures can easily affect the overall normal operation, and communication system failures can cause significant impacts. The second method is an automated control system where the boiler's automatic adjustment and decision-making functions are completely "decentralized" to the field workstations. The central control room, or dispatch room, is only responsible for monitoring the operating parameters of each workstation and modifying the set parameters when necessary. If the entire heating network is networked, it can also regulate the total heat supply, total circulation volume, and heat dispatch. This method is more flexible, has a smaller impact from failures, and can meet the requirements of "individual heat metering" users for variable flow operation of the heating system. The entire control system consists of a monitoring computer in the main engineering station and two engineering station monitoring computers. The engineering station, or dispatch room computer monitoring system, is responsible for receiving, storing, and displaying data from each field station for operators to view and generate reports. The main engineering station can send control commands or modify parameters to each field station when necessary. Personnel at both the engineering station and the main engineering station can make modifications from any location with network access. 2. Introduction to Monitoring Software GE configuration software Cimplicity Machine Edition 6.1, developed by General Electric, is a configuration software used for quickly constructing and generating computer monitoring systems. It can run on various 32-bit Windows platforms based on Microsoft. Through the acquisition and processing of field data, it provides users with solutions to practical engineering problems in various ways, including animation display, alarm handling, process control, and report output, and has wide applications in the field of automation. Its innovation lies in the fact that intermediate variables used by the PLC program and the host computer program are automatically generated by macro programs in Excel spreadsheets and imported into the Cimplicity Machine Edition software, eliminating the need for manual input of each variable. It features display functions, alarm handling, historical trend functions, database storage, motor protection, and manual/automatic switching functions. 3. Software Configuration: 3.1 Login Screen Selection: In Workbentch, select Project -> Properties. Add the WebView option in Options. You will then see the WebView operation in Workbentch. Double-click WebView to enter the WebView configuration interface. Double-click "create web page": You can select any monitoring screen (cim file) as the homepage. See Figure 1. [align=center] Figure 1 Login Interface Settings[/align] 3.2 Graphic Attribute Settings: Under the Broadcast Session menu, select the "add" button to define the graphic size, refresh time, user, and password, etc., as shown in Figure 2. [align=center] Figure 2 Graphic Attribute Settings[/align] 3.3 Run Screen Settings: Under the WebView menu, double-click the "start" button as shown in Figure 3. [align=center] Figure 3 Run Screen After Configuration[/align] 3.4 Client Browser Screen: On the client machine, open IE or Netscape and enter the URL address—http://ServerName (or IP address). You will then see the monitoring screen as shown in Figure 4. The buttons on the screen are still operable, just like on-site. The chief engineer's station and authorized personnel at the engineer's station can access the on-site screen and make modifications and parameter settings through the Internet from any point. [align=center] Figure 4 Login Interface: [/align] While remote control allows for convenient manipulation of remote computers, it can also pose security risks. Once a remote computer becomes a server, anyone who knows its IP address can send control commands to it from other computers on the network. Since the controller has almost complete control, all resources on the controlled computer are unprotected, potentially leading to very serious consequences and major accidents. Therefore, remote control software must have a robust security verification mechanism. Typical control software uses password verification and other authentication methods to determine which computers are legitimate control terminals. Only commands issued by legitimate control terminals will be executed by the server; otherwise, they will be rejected, thus ensuring a certain level of security. This project uses username and password verification. The login interface requires a correct username and password. Each button press requires the correct username and password; otherwise, no action can be taken, and no data can be modified. 4 Conclusion This paper takes the boiler monitoring system of Shenyang Foundry Park as the research background and introduces the application of a remote boiler monitoring system based on Cimplicity 6.1 configuration software. It utilizes the powerful data processing and graphics capabilities of industrial control computer configuration software, the strong anti-interference ability and suitability for industrial sites of PLCs, and the speed regulation performance of frequency converters. It integrates advanced automation technology, computer technology, communication technology, fault diagnosis technology, and software technology, and features high reliability and easy maintenance. References: 1. GE Fanuc Automation Technical Training Center, CIMPLICITY. 2. GE Fanuc Automation Technical Training Center, PLC Maintenance with CIMPLICITY ME Logic Developer. September, 2002. 3. GE Fanuc Automation Technical Training Center, Open Solution, Jun, 2003. 4. Zeng Yi et al. Design and Maintenance of Variable Frequency Speed Control System. Shandong Science and Technology Press, 2004.2. 5. Sun Hongcheng, Weng Weiqin. Process Control Engineering Design. Chemical Industry Press, 2001.3.