UniOP ePALM10 Handheld Human Computer Interface

UniOP ePALM10 Handheld Human Computer Interface

In modern industrial automation, fixed operation panels have been widely used in various types of equipment, but many scenarios require operators to monitor and intervene near the equipment or during the movement of the production line. Exor's ePALM10 handheld HMI was born for this purpose. It combines the powerful features of the UniOP family with the portability of handheld devices, equipped with a graphic display screen, multifunctional keyboard, emergency stop button, enable switch, and multiple communication options, making it an ideal mobile terminal for factory workshops, large machinery, assembly lines, and other occasions. This article is based on the official product manual and provides a comprehensive analysis of the technical features, operating instructions, connection methods, and attachments of ePALM10.

Product Overview and Core Highlights

EPALM10 is a handheld HMI with a sturdy polyamide shell, featuring excellent impact resistance and environmental adaptability, designed specifically for harsh conditions in industrial sites. Its core highlights include:

High visibility display screen: 120 × 64 pixel transparent monochrome LCD, which can display content clearly even under strong light, supporting up to 8 lines x 20 characters of text.

Rich keys: 27 key keyboard with tactile feedback for comfortable operation.

Industrial bus connection: Ethernet and Profibus DP versions are optional to adapt to different network environments.

Safety function: Hardware emergency stop button (hard wired), enable switch (2 or 3 positions), meeting safety control requirements.

Large storage: 512 KB flash user memory, supporting recipe, alarm, and event recording.

IP65 protection: The front panel is dustproof and waterproof, suitable for harsh environments.

Software compatibility: Programming with Designer 6, supporting over 130 communication drivers, multiple languages, macro editing, and more.

Detailed explanation of technical specifications

2.1 Display and Operation

Display screen type: Translucent monochrome LCD, resolution of 120 × 64 pixels, effective display area of 66 × 33 mm, LED backlight (adjustable brightness).

Contrast: Software adjustable.

Button: 9 function keys, 18 system keys, a total of 27 keys, with tactile feedback.

LED indicator lights: 20 user programmable LEDs, 5 system LEDs (used to indicate power, communication, faults, alarms, etc.).

2.2 Memory and Data

User memory: 512 KB flash memory, used to store applications, fonts, and images.

Recipe memory: 16 KB, supports storage and transmission of recipe data.

Alarm/Event: Up to 1024 alarms, 256 historical event lists.

Real time clock: Hardware RTC, backed up by CR2430 lithium battery. Replacing the battery will result in the loss of retained data.

Battery: 3V 270mAh lithium manganese battery, user replaceable, model CR2430.

2.3 Electrical and Environmental

Power supply voltage: 18-30 VDC, typical current 300 mA @ 24V.

Fuse: Automatic overcurrent protection, no external insurance required.

Working temperature: 0~50 ℃.

Storage temperature: -20~+70 ℃ (compliant with EN 60068-2-14).

Humidity: 5-85% RH (non condensing, compliant with EN 60068-2-30).

Vibration/shock: 10~57 Hz 0.075 mm peak, 57~150 Hz 1G; Compliant with EN 60068-2-6 and EN 60068-2-27.

Protection level: IP65 (front panel).

Electromagnetic compatibility: compliant with EN 61000-6-4 (radiation) and EN 61000-6-2 (anti-interference); ESD: 8kV air/4kV contact; Fast transient: 2kV power supply/1kV signal line.

2.4 Mechanical dimensions

External dimensions: see Figure 1, A=116 mm，B=86 mm，C=102 mm，D=239 mm。

Cable diameter: minimum 7 mm, maximum 11 mm.

Weight: Approximately 0.5 kg (excluding cables).

Model and Selection

EPALM10 is divided into multiple models based on communication interface and enable switch types, as shown in the table below:

Model Cable Length Communication Interface Enable Switch Type Other

EPALM10-0061 5m serial (full function) with two independent 2-digit (NO) ports including PC/Printer, PLC, AUX

EPALM10-0062 10m Serial (Full Function) Two Independent 2-Bit (NO) Same as above

EPALM10-3P61 5m Serial (Full Function) with 3 bits as above

EPALM10-3P62 10m Serial (Full Function) with 3 bits as above

EPALM10-0066 5m Ethernet with a 3-bit SCM11 module, excluding PLC/AUX

EPALM10-0068 10m Ethernet with 3 bits as above

EPALM10-0067 10m Profibus DP with a 3-bit TCM08 module, excluding PLC/AUX

EPALM10-0069 5m Profibus DP with 3 digits as above

All models come with a hard wired emergency stop button (two NC contacts).

Operation Guide

4.1 Enable switch

The enable switch is an important safety device for handheld HMI, and ePALM10 offers two configurations:

Two independent 2-position switches: Both switches (NO contacts) must be pressed simultaneously to directly connect to the controller.

A 3-digit switch with three positions:

Release (not pressed): Contact disconnected, not enabled.

Press (middle position): The contact is closed, enabling.

Fully press (press to the bottom): the contact opens, emergency stop (panic).

This switch provides two independent NO contacts that are directly connected to the controller.

4.2 Keyboard and Indicator Lights

The standard keyboard layout is shown in Figure 2, including directional keys, numeric keys, function keys, etc. Users can customize keyboard lamination according to their needs (consult the manufacturer).

The meaning of the front panel LED indicator light is as follows:

Meaning of LED color status

Fault (red), red off, no hardware malfunction

Low voltage of flash battery

Illuminate hardware malfunction

Button feedback (green), green off, no button pressed

Press the illuminated button (visual feedback)

Running (green) green extinguishing hardware failure

The bright device is running

Communication (green) flashing green communication error

Bright communication is normal

Alarm (red), red off, no alarm

Flashing alarm needs to be confirmed

Illuminate alarm activation

User LED (green) Green User control can be controlled through macro editor, such as indicating recipe/event backup

The RDA mapping between LED and buttons can be found in the manual table for easy access in the program.

4.3 Battery replacement

The battery is used to maintain real-time clock, event list, and recipe data. When the battery is low voltage, the fault LED flashes or the system menu prompts. Replacement steps:

Turn off the device power.

Loosen the 6 screws of the housing with a screwdriver and open the handheld device.

Find the battery (CR2430) on the CPU motherboard and remove the old battery.

Replace with a new battery (pay attention to polarity).

Close the casing and tighten the 6 screws.

Power on and check the battery status.

Attention: Replacing the battery may result in the loss of retained data, which needs to be backed up in advance.

4.4 Power Supply and Grounding

The equipment must be grounded (PE) to suppress electromagnetic interference. The power circuit can be floating or grounded, and the internal power supply common terminal is grounded through a 1M Ω resistor in parallel with a 3.3nF capacitor. The power supply needs to meet dual or reinforced insulation requirements. Wiring diagram 4: Connect the+24VDC to the red wire, connect the common terminal to the black wire, and connect the PE to the yellow green wire.

4.5 Applicable Regulations and Safety

EPALM10 complies with EN 60204-1 safety related provisions, including emergency stop, maintain operation control, dual hand control, etc. It is strictly prohibited to use it to directly control motors or valves that are not equipped with safety protection. During maintenance, static electricity must be released and opening the back cover with electricity is prohibited.

4.6 Installation Environment

Avoid prolonged direct sunlight to prevent aging of the panel film.

Avoid contact with corrosive chemicals.

When cleaning, only use a soft cloth and neutral soap, and do not use solvents.

4.7 Startup and Programming

Use Designer 6 software for programming. Connection method:

Serial communication: Connected through PC serial port, parameters 9600/38400 baud, no verification, 1 stop bit.

Ethernet communication: Network parameters need to be configured correctly.

If you are unable to enter configuration mode, you can try forcibly starting by shutting down, holding down any three keys, and turning on until "Configuration Mode" is displayed.

Detailed explanation of connection methods

Different models of ePALM10 have different connection interfaces and cables. The following types are explained.

5.1 Serial Communication Models (-0061, -0062, -3P61, -3P62)

These models include a complete UniOP interface: PC/Printer port, PLC port, AUX port, power supply, emergency stop button (two NC contacts), and enable switch (two 2-position or one 3-position). All signals are led out through a multi-core cable, and the cable ends are spread out, making it easy to directly connect to the control cabinet terminal block. The cable has ferrite magnetic rings inside and cannot be removed.

There are five terminal blocks (CN1~CN5) on the internal interface board, and the signal distribution is as follows:

CN1 (AUX port): corresponds to the 10 pins (1-10) of the AUX port, which can be connected to optional fieldbus modules.

CN2 (PC/Printer port): corresponds to the 10 pins of the PC port, which can be used for programming or connecting to a printer.

CN3 (PLC port): Includes signals such as CHA ±, CHB ±,+5V, GND, RXD, CTS, TXD, RTS, etc.

CN4 (power supply):+24VDC, Common, PE.

CN5 (additional signal): Enable the NO contact of switch A/B.

The cable color coding is detailed in the manual table for easy on-site wiring. When programming, it is necessary to connect the power supply and PC port (as shown in Figure 7).

5.1.1 Optional fieldbus module

The serial version supports some TCM modules (TCM01, TCM02, TCM03, TCM09), which can be inserted into internal expansion slots of the device to achieve bus connections such as Profibus, DeviceNet, CANopen, etc. The installation module requires opening the device and carefully sealing it after insertion. Attention: Bus topology usually does not allow long branch lines, and there are no terminal resistors inside the device. If it is used as the end of the network, external terminal resistors need to be added.

5.1.2 Connecting Simatic S7 MPI Network

If you need to connect to the S7 MPI network, it is recommended to move some signals from the PLC port to the AUX port (as shown in the table) and connect lines A and B to the MPI network. Similarly, it cannot be terminated internally within the device.

5.2 Ethernet communication models (-0066, -0068)

Specially designed for Ethernet connectivity, including SCM11 module. The cable contains the following signals: power supply (+24V, Common), Ethernet port (TX+/TX -/RX+/RX -), enable switch (3 positions), emergency stop button (two NC contacts). No PLC port and AUX port.

The internal interface board has four terminal blocks (CN1~CN4):

CN1: Ethernet signal (TX+/TX -/RX+/RX -)

CN2, CN3, CN4: The allocation of power supply and additional signals (enable switch, emergency stop) is shown in the table.

The cable color coding can be found in the manual. Attention: The emergency stop button is only applicable to low voltage circuits (<48V). Programming requires an Ethernet port.

5.3 Profibus DP communication models (-0067, -0069)

Specially designed for Profibus DP, including TCM08 module. The cable contains: power supply, Profibus DP signal (lines A and B), enable switch (3 positions), and emergency stop button. No PLC port and AUX port.

The internal interface board has six terminal blocks (CN1~CN6):

CN1: Profibus DP signal (A, B, etc.).

CN4: Power supply (+24V, Common, PE).

CN5: Enable the NO contact of switch A/B.

Important: This version of the device is designed for Profibus DP network endpoints and contains bus terminal resistors that must be constantly enabled through a switch (see Figure 13). The network topology requires both ends to be terminated, and the intermediate node must close the terminal.

Programming is performed through a dedicated RS-232 serial port (9-pin D-sub) on the back, connected to a PC using CA234 cable (see Figure 15).

VI. Appendix

EPALM10 provides two types of hook attachments for hanging equipment:

AHOOK01: No magnet, universal type.

AHOOK02: Equipped with a magnet that can adhere to metal surfaces (not applicable to model -0067).

The hook installation method is shown in Figure 16.

Application scenarios

EPALM10 is widely used in:

Debugging of large mechanical equipment: Operators can hold the device to set parameters, monitor, and diagnose faults next to the machine.

Assembly line: Move along the line to perform workstation operations and quality inspections.

Automated warehouse: shuttle between shelves and control handling equipment.

Robot demonstration: Cooperate with the enable switch to safely program the robot.

Process control: Operate on-site near the tank area or pipeline.