Creating Projects – How to Create Lamps and Save Projects in GT Designer3 for Mitsubishi GOT HMI

Indicator lamps are critical in Human-Machine Interface (HMI) design, providing visual feedback to operators regarding the status of systems and processes. In GT Designer3 for Mitsubishi Electric’s Graphic Operation Terminals (GOT), lamps can be configured to display real-time information, from basic on/off states to complex multi-color alerts. Alongside lamp creation, understanding the project-saving process ensures your configurations are secure and accessible for future modifications. This guide walks you through creating lamps and saving projects effectively in GT Designer3.

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The Role of Lamps in Mitsubishi GOT HMIs

Lamps on an HMI interface offer quick, visual indicators that communicate system statuses, warnings, and alerts. By configuring these visual elements, operators can immediately assess machine status or detect anomalies without needing to interpret detailed data. Lamps can display various colors and blink patterns to represent different conditions, enhancing the usability and responsiveness of the HMI.

Common Types of Lamps in HMI Applications:

• Status Indicators: Show on/off status, such as motor running or stopped.
• Warning Indicators: Change color to warn of deviations, like temperature nearing a critical threshold.
• Error or Alarm Lamps: Flash or display specific colors (e.g., red) to indicate an active fault or safety issue.
• Mode Indicators: Show operational modes, such as “Auto,” “Manual,” or “Maintenance.”

Step 1: Adding and Configuring Lamps in GT Designer3

In GT Designer3, lamps can be easily added to screen layouts and customized based on operational requirements.

Adding a Lamp to the Screen Layout

1. Open the Screen Layout: In GT Designer3, open the screen layout where you want to place the lamp.
2. Select the Lamp Tool: From the toolbar, select the lamp or indicator tool.
3. Position the Lamp: Click on the desired location within the screen layout to place the lamp. You can drag to adjust its position and resize as needed.

Setting Basic Lamp Properties

Once the lamp is positioned, configure its appearance and behavior to provide intuitive feedback to operators.

• Labeling: Assign a label to describe the lamp’s function, such as “Motor Status” or “Overheat Warning.”
• Size and Shape: Adjust the size and shape of the lamp to make it easily identifiable. For critical indicators, use larger, more prominent lamps.
• Color: Set an initial color based on the default state of the equipment or process (e.g., green for normal operation).

Step 2: Configuring Lamp States and Behaviors

Lamps can display multiple colors, blink patterns, and state-based behaviors to provide detailed visual information on system statuses.

Defining Lamp States and Color Indicators

Lamps in GT Designer3 can be set to display specific colors based on the state of connected devices or system variables.

1. Access Lamp Properties: Right-click on the lamp and select “Properties” to open the settings menu.
2. Set Color Conditions: Define different colors based on conditions. For example:

• Green for normal operation
• Yellow for warnings or pre-alarms
• Red for faults or critical conditions

1. Link to Device Address: Assign a PLC or device address to the lamp so it changes state based on the device’s data or status. This address controls the lamp’s color and behavior in real-time.

Configuring Blinking and Dynamic Effects

To draw attention to specific conditions, configure the lamp to blink or flash in response to certain statuses.

• Enable Blinking: In the lamp’s properties, enable blinking for high-priority statuses. For example, set the lamp to blink red for critical faults.
• Set Blink Speed: Define the blink speed (fast or slow) to adjust the urgency conveyed by the lamp. Fast blinks are typically used for critical alerts.
• Intermittent Patterns: Configure intermittent patterns for states that require attention but are less urgent, such as system maintenance alerts.

Step 3: Organizing Lamps on the Screen Layout

An organized layout improves usability by grouping related lamps and making critical indicators easy to locate.

Grouping Related Lamps

Arrange lamps with similar functions in clusters to make monitoring more intuitive.

• Functional Clusters: Group lamps by function, such as placing all machine status indicators together and all safety indicators in a separate cluster.
• Color Coordination: Maintain consistent colors across related lamps (e.g., all status lamps are green when running), improving clarity and preventing confusion.

Using Icons and Labels for Clarity

Icons and labels help clarify the purpose of each lamp, reducing misinterpretation and enhancing operator response time.

• Add Descriptive Labels: Label each lamp clearly, such as “Power On” or “Emergency Stop,” to indicate what each color state represents.
• Incorporate Icons: Use icons, like a wrench for maintenance or a lightning bolt for power status, to quickly convey each lamp’s purpose.

Step 4: Testing Lamp Functionality in Simulation Mode

Once lamps are configured, use GT Designer3’s simulation mode to test their behaviors and verify correct functionality before deployment.

Running Simulation Mode

The simulation mode in GT Designer3 lets you test lamps’ real-time response to simulated data, ensuring they behave as expected.

1. Activate Simulation Mode: Start the simulation mode to view the lamp behaviors in a virtual environment.
2. Trigger Lamp States: Simulate changes in connected device addresses to trigger different lamp states (e.g., activating a fault to test the red blink).
3. Verify Color and Blink Patterns: Ensure the lamps change colors and blink according to your configurations, allowing you to adjust any settings that need refinement.

Adjusting Lamp Settings Based on Simulation Feedback

If the lamps don’t display as intended, make adjustments in the properties menu and retest in simulation mode until the behavior aligns with your design goals.

• Modify Colors or Blink Rates: Adjust color visibility or blink speed based on simulation feedback to improve clarity.
• Reposition Lamps for Accessibility: Move lamps if they are difficult to notice or if their placement interferes with other screen elements.

Step 5: Saving Your Project in GT Designer3

Saving projects correctly in GT Designer3 ensures your work is secure and accessible for future editing, troubleshooting, or expansion.

Best Practices for Saving Projects

Following these best practices ensures project stability and future accessibility:

1. Save Frequently: Save your project regularly during design work to avoid data loss due to unexpected issues.
2. Use Descriptive Filenames: Include version numbers, project names, and dates in filenames for easy identification.
3. Save Backups: Create backup copies of projects, especially after major updates or changes, in case you need to revert to a previous version.

Exporting and Organizing Project Files

Exporting and organizing project files makes it easier to share with colleagues, back up to external drives, or archive for long-term storage.

• Export Project to External Drives: For redundancy, export copies of your GT Designer3 project to external storage or a network drive.
• Organize Files by Version: Use folders to organize project versions chronologically or by functionality, simplifying file retrieval.

Archiving and Project Documentation

Proper documentation helps future users understand your design and configuration choices.

• Create a Project Documentation File: Include descriptions of lamp functions, addresses used, and simulation test results.
• Archive Completed Projects: Store finished projects and documentation in an organized archive, ensuring that the project can be referenced or reused.

Practical Applications of Lamps and Project Management in Industry

GT Designer3’s lamp creation tools and project management features support various industrial applications by offering clear, real-time visual indicators and reliable project backups.

• Manufacturing: Lamps indicate equipment status, production stages, and fault alerts, providing operators with immediate visual cues.
• Energy Management: Lamps show power status, load warnings, and equipment conditions, helping operators manage energy flow efficiently.
• Water Treatment: Indicators track tank levels, valve positions, and filtration processes, alerting operators to any issues in water quality or flow.
• Building Automation: Lamps signal system statuses like HVAC operation, lighting controls, and security breaches, enabling facility managers to monitor building conditions effectively.

FAQs

How do I add a lamp in GT Designer3?
Use the lamp tool to click and place it on the screen layout, then customize its properties and functions according to the desired feedback.

Can I link a lamp to a PLC address?
Yes, each lamp can be linked to a specific PLC address to reflect real-time system statuses or alarm conditions.

How do I create an alarm indicator lamp?
In the lamp properties, set the activation conditions for alarms and link the lamp to the corresponding device address for alarm notifications.

What types of visual customizations are available for lamps?
You can adjust colors, shapes, labels, and add icons to enhance clarity and usability for different operational statuses.

How do I save my project in GT Designer3?
Navigate to “File” > “Save,” choose a file location, name your project, and confirm the save to preserve your work.

Conclusion