The OPUS Thor operator interface combines stylish design with the ruggedness demanded by the off-highway operating environment, and is an ideal HMI and controller for designers of agricultural machinery.
The IP65-sealed powder-coated die-cast aluminium enclosure houses a high-visibility 5.7-inch quarter-VGA TFT colour display, a membrane keypad with five softkeys and one hard-wired switch, and three encoders, each with pushbutton functionality to take control of all manner of vehicle-mounted systems. Interfacing is simplified with the provision of two separate CANbus interfaces conforming to the latest ISO11898 CAN 2.0B specification.
The Thor is a powerful controller, with a 16bit microcontroller working in concert with 3Mbyte of Flash memory, 1Mbyte of static RAM and 32Kbyte of EEPROM to enable real-time control of all types of hydraulic and electrical systems. The electronics are amply protected by a stylish yet rugged housing with an integral handle for optimum viewing adjustment and stability.
The compact housing, measuring just 280 x 155 x 103.5mm features a rounded profile with no sharp edges, and is sealed to IP65 with a Gore-Tex membrane to enable passive cooling of the controller. Crucially for the off-highway marketplace, the Thor is highly tolerant of shock and vibration, complying with the requirements of IEC60068-2-27 and IEC60068-2-6, respectively, and has strong immunity against electromagnetic interference in line with the requirements of the EU Machinery Directive.
The unit runs from a wide range of DC supplies from 8 to 36V, and so is compatible with all common vehicle electrical systems.
The Thor is fully programmable using a powerful Windows-based software package supplied with the system. This intuitive software requires no specialist knowledge of CANbus systems, and allows designers free rein in designing a graphical operator interface that exploits the full flexibility of the Thor’s softkeys and rotary controls. All display parameters are fully programmable, enabling designs that further enhance the stylish appearance of the unit.
The display itself features a 320 x 240 pixel landscape format, with 16 colours and a high 85:1 contrast ratio. The inbuilt ambient-light-sensitive backlight ensures that the display is easily readable under all ambient conditions. Options include a video input to interface with an onboard camera, a piezoelectric buzzer to alert users to alarm conditions and a real-time clock.
All these features combine to make the OPUS Thor an ideal controller for agricultural and other off-highway machinery that is both easy on the eye and easy to use by machine operators.
