Screen Design Software – System Setting of GT Designer3: Configuring Your Mitsubishi HMI for Optimal Performance

GT Designer3 is Mitsubishi Electric’s powerful screen design software for creating custom interfaces on Graphic Operation Terminals (GOT) HMIs. With a range of tools for designing, configuring, and optimizing screens, GT Designer3 allows operators to create user-friendly displays tailored to specific industrial applications. This guide covers the essential system settings in GT Designer3, explaining how to configure and customize your HMI for optimal performance and usability.

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Overview of GT Designer3 for Mitsubishi GOT HMIs

GT Designer3 is part of Mitsubishi’s GT Works3 software suite, providing all the tools needed to design screens, configure communication, set up system parameters, and customize the appearance of GOT interfaces. It supports various Mitsubishi GOT models, allowing users to create layouts, add visual elements, and connect their designs to data sources like PLCs and sensors.

Key Features of GT Designer3:

• Screen Layout Tools: Intuitive tools for placing, resizing, and customizing interface elements.
• System Configuration: Settings for communication, project properties, device selection, and screen resolution.
• Simulation Mode: Test screen designs and configurations in a virtual environment before deploying them to the GOT.
• Data Logging and Trend Graphs: Allows designers to incorporate data logging and trending options within screens.
• Alarm and Notification Settings: Configure alerts to notify operators of important changes or issues.

Step 1: Setting Up Your GT Designer3 Project

Creating a new project in GT Designer3 involves selecting your GOT model, configuring screen resolution, and defining the initial parameters to match your hardware setup.

Creating a New Project

1. Launch GT Designer3: Open the GT Designer3 software from the GT Works3 suite.
2. Create a New Project: Select “New Project” and enter a name for your project.
3. Select GOT Model: Choose your specific GOT model from the list provided. This selection ensures that GT Designer3 applies settings compatible with the hardware.
4. Set Screen Resolution: Confirm the resolution settings based on your GOT model. Higher resolutions provide better visuals but require more system resources.

Configuring Basic Project Settings

Once the project is created, adjust key settings to align with your hardware setup and design requirements.

• Language Settings: Choose the primary language for your project. GT Designer3 supports multiple languages, making it suitable for multilingual environments.
• Screen Orientation: Select horizontal or vertical screen orientation based on your installation setup.
• Background Color: Set a default background color to ensure a cohesive look across all screens.

Step 2: System Configuration Settings

GT Designer3’s system configuration settings allow users to establish communication channels, set up data sources, and define other essential parameters for reliable operation and data flow.

Communication Settings

Proper communication configuration is essential for linking your GOT with connected devices, such as Mitsubishi PLCs.

1. Access Communication Settings: In the project settings menu, open the communication configuration panel.
2. Select Communication Protocol: Choose the appropriate protocol for your device, such as Ethernet, serial, or USB.
3. Define Device Addresses: Specify the addresses for connected devices (e.g., PLCs, sensors) to ensure data is correctly mapped to screen elements.
4. Set Baud Rate and Data Bits: For serial communication, set baud rate, parity, and data bits according to the requirements of your connected devices.

Device Configuration

GT Designer3 enables configuration of the devices that will interact with the GOT, such as PLCs or other automation equipment.

• Select Device Type: Choose the device type (e.g., Mitsubishi PLC) that the GOT will communicate with.
• Assign Device Addresses: Link specific addresses to GOT display elements, allowing operators to see and control data in real time.
• Set Up Data Flow: Ensure data flow directions (read or write) are configured based on whether the GOT displays, controls, or logs data.

Step 3: Screen Management and Layout Customization

Screen management in GT Designer3 allows designers to organize and customize multiple screens for specific operations. A well-organized screen layout improves navigation and makes it easy for operators to access critical information.

Organizing Multiple Screens

1. Create New Screens: For each process or function, create a new screen in GT Designer3.
2. Define Screen Navigation: Set up navigation buttons to allow operators to move between screens, creating a seamless interface experience.
3. Screen Linking: Use linking to create relationships between screens, allowing for complex workflows and layered data.

Customizing Layout with Widgets and Components

GT Designer3 offers a variety of widgets, such as buttons, gauges, sliders, and graphs, that can be added to screens.

• Drag-and-Drop Interface: Use drag-and-drop to place components on the screen, arranging them according to functionality and importance.
• Customizable Properties: Modify properties like size, color, and alignment to create a cohesive, visually appealing interface.
• Interactive Components: Add buttons for control functions (start/stop), sliders for adjustments (speed, temperature), and indicators for status feedback.

Step 4: Configuring Data Logging and Alarm Settings

Data logging and alarm functions provide historical data and real-time notifications, essential for tracking performance and ensuring safety.

Data Logging Settings

Data logging in GT Designer3 enables continuous recording of important process metrics, which operators can later review for insights and troubleshooting.

1. Enable Data Logging: Access the data logging menu and enable logging for selected variables, such as temperature or speed.
2. Set Logging Intervals: Choose the frequency of data logging, depending on how often the data changes or needs to be monitored.
3. Display Trend Graphs: Add trend graphs to screens, displaying historical data trends and making it easy to identify process anomalies.

Alarm Configuration

Alarms notify operators of any issues, such as system faults, equipment malfunctions, or threshold breaches.

• Set Alarm Thresholds: Define alarm triggers based on thresholds for specific metrics, such as high temperatures or low pressure.
• Configure Alarm Severity Levels: Differentiate alarms by severity (e.g., critical, warning) to help prioritize operator responses.
• Alarm Notification: Choose visual and audio alerts to ensure alarms are noticed quickly and resolved effectively.

Step 5: Finalizing Settings and Simulation

After configuring the system and setting up screens, GT Designer3 offers a simulation mode to test your project before deploying it to the GOT.

Testing in Simulation Mode

Simulation allows you to preview your screen design and test all settings without needing the physical hardware.

1. Launch Simulation Mode: In GT Designer3, activate simulation to preview your project on a virtual GOT.
2. Verify Navigation and Controls: Test navigation between screens, check button functionality, and confirm control settings.
3. Monitor Data Updates: Ensure that data updates correctly in real time, especially for critical metrics, to verify that communication is functioning as expected.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

GT Designer3’s simulation also provides a platform for troubleshooting and refining settings.

• Check Device Communication: If data doesn’t display correctly, revisit communication settings to confirm device addresses and protocols.
• Test Alarms and Notifications: Trigger alarms to check visibility and response, ensuring alerts work as intended.
• Adjust Layout as Needed: Use simulation feedback to refine screen layouts, such as adjusting font sizes, colors, or element positions.

Practical Applications of GT Designer3 in Industry

GT Designer3’s customization options support various industrial applications, enabling operators to create interfaces tailored to specific needs.

• Manufacturing: Customized screens track production metrics, machine status, and control settings, improving oversight and reducing downtime.
• Energy Management: Displays real-time data on power usage and generation, helping operators manage resources effectively.
• HVAC Systems: Optimized screens provide facility managers with controls for temperature, humidity, and ventilation, ensuring environmental consistency.
• Food Processing: Enables operators to monitor and adjust processing conditions like temperature and pressure, ensuring compliance with quality standards.

FAQs

What is GT Designer3 used for?
GT Designer3 is screen design software for Mitsubishi GOT HMIs, allowing users to create custom interfaces, configure system settings, and simulate their designs before deployment.

How do I set up communication settings in GT Designer3?
In the project settings, choose the communication protocol (Ethernet, serial, USB) and assign device addresses to enable data exchange between the GOT and connected devices.

Can I test my GOT project without the physical device?
Yes, GT Designer3 includes a simulation mode, allowing you to test your screen designs and settings in a virtual environment before deploying to the GOT.

What are data logging and trend graphs in GT Designer3?
Data logging records real-time metrics over time, which can be displayed as trend graphs on the GOT. This feature helps operators monitor historical data and analyze trends.

How can I configure alarms in GT Designer3?
Access the alarm settings in GT Designer3 to define thresholds, set severity levels, and choose alert types (visual or audio), ensuring operators are notified of important events.

Is GT Designer3 compatible with all Mitsubishi GOT models?
GT Designer3 supports a wide range of Mitsubishi GOT models, ensuring compatibility across different devices for various

industrial applications.

Conclusion