How to make my laptop an hmi

I just created my first ever industrial process, now I want to exchange the hmi I bought and use a computer instead. I have a click C0-12DRE-1-D PLC and I want to connect it to my laptop and use it as an hmi. I also want to implement at some point database logging to our server database.

What software would be the easiest way to make an hmi on a laptop?
I know that advancedhmi exists but that looks a little too confusing for me

I'd Use ignition; it has a free licensed maker edition for home use.

Here's where to download it. https://inductiveautomation.com/downloads/

Here's how you use it, free online training videos. https://www.inductiveuniversity.com/courses/ignition/ignition-overview/8.1

Here is a demo of the perspective module https://demo.inductiveautomation.com/data/perspective/client/OnlineDemo

If this is for you rather than a company, then, as an alternative solution I would look at using node-red to talk to the click PLC using modbus, and then any of the node-red dashboards to make the HMI bit. Not necessarily 'the easiest' way, but easy is for wooses , anyway if you really wanted easy you would stick with the HMI that you bought and already programmed. Node-red can link to many devices and systems.
https://nodered.org/
https://flowforge.com/blog/2023/03/comparing-node-red-dashboards/
Do a web image search for 'node-red dashboards'.
https://bfy.tw/U00t
https://lmgtfy.app/?q=node-red+dashboard&t=i
https://lmgtfy.app/?q=node-red+dashboard&t=i
https://lmgtfy.app/?q=node-red+dashboard&t=i

Would I be able to connect the nonplus version of the click to ignition. Does the click have to be connected to a server, or can it be connected straight to the laptop. Asking because I am not sure how a base click will connect to a server, not sure if that will even work using ignition. I want to use an hmi on a laptop first to make it easier to use. Also I want to implement a new database system at some point in the process

Aljubovic said:

Would I be able to connect the nonplus version of the click to ignition. Does the click have to be connected to a server, or can it be connected straight to the laptop. Asking because I am not sure how a base click will connect to a server, not sure if that will even work using ignition. I want to use an hmi on a laptop first to make it easier to use. Also I want to implement a new database system at some point in the process

Click to expand...

You could connect the Click straight to your laptop, but I would recommend at least having an ethernet switch in between so that you could have a local ethernet connected HMI connected simultaneously.

The Click with Ethernet will allow up to 3 Modbus TCP Clients. An HMI, programming laptop, and Ignition would take up all 3 connections if running at the same time. I have two installations where I use them with Ignition. Both are Click Plus PLCs, but that should not matter. I did use the Modbus TCP driver Address Modeling tool in Ignition to make it easier to pick addresses by browsing rather than having to refer back and forth to the Click Software Data Picker Modbus address. I found that I could not name "C" addresses "C" in Ignition, so I used "CR" for the prefix.

On the Ignition Modbus TCP driver, you will pick Reverse Word Order (under advanced properties) and uncheck Zero-based Addressing.

I will attach the csv export (zipped) that can be imported to the address setup in the Ignition OPC US Device Address for a Click. I think the Click and Click Plus have the same Modbus addresses except for the XDu and YDu that access the slots that the standard Click doesn't have.

Aljubovic said:

I just created my first ever industrial process, ...
...I know that advancedhmi exists but that looks a little too confusing for me

Click to expand...

I think that you should try AdvancedHMI anyhow.
You are probably going to learn a lot in the process. See what I did there?

To be fair I started with A.HMI before Ignition, and was able to get it going quite quickly and easily. However, there are more resources (IU) available for learning Ignition and it is more powerful, so if you have lots of time, I would say Ignition (Maker).