Glossary
When you start digging into HELIO, you'll probably encounter some unfamiliar terms and phrases along the way. To help you on your journey, we've defined some of the most common GraphQL vocabulary here in this handy cheat sheet.
- Writing to a data variable
- Opening another page in an overlay
- Navigating to a different page
- Developer and Runtime License are restricted to 1 seat each.
- The Trial License can be activated on up to 5 seats, allowing you to evaluate HELIO with your team.
Action
CollectionPage
A Collection Page allows you to visualize a List of items. By default, it is rendered as a vertically scrollable table. You can choose which properties from the linked `Data Source` blueprint will be displayed on this overview page.
Dashboard Page
A Dashboard provides a quick overview of the most important key figures and states of an industrial machine. This allows operators to easily monitor and manage the machine's performance and make informed decisions based on the data presented. It is also a handy tool that lets operators peek at how the machine is doing, even from a distance.
HELIO Data Directory
The HELIO Data Directory is the primary location where the runtime stores all of its data, including project files, user databases, and basic runtime configuration.
Dynamic Property
This property is a special one known as a Dynamic Property, which allows you to change its type.
Dynamic Property
Pages and Elements come with properties that allow you to control their visual representation and their behavior. Some properties have an additional secret superpower: you can change their types. These properties are called Dynamic Properties.
Element
Elements are the basic building blocks that comprise your HMI. They can be thought of as the Lego blocks that you use to assemble your HMI.
Elements
Elements are the basic building blocks that comprise your HMI. They can be thought of as the Lego blocks that you use to assemble your HMI.
HMI
HMIs
HMI Variable
The HMI variables in your project serve as your link to the data in your PLC. You can create them by importing variable definitions from your PLC.
All clients connected to a HELIO Runtime can access these variables to visualize and manipulate data from your PLC.
HELIO IDE
The HELIO Integrated Development Environment is the graphical environment where users design and test their HMIs. It features a visual interface with drag-and-drop, a library of elements, icons, and real-time testing. No coding skills are required to create sophisticated HMIs.
IPC
An Industrial PC is a computer designed for use in industrial settings, such as manufacturing, with a form factor somewhere between a DIN rail device and a server rack. Industrial PCs are built to higher standards of dependability and precision, and they usually cost more than consumer electronics.
UX
OEE
Overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) is a measure of how well a manufacturing operation is utilized.
OPC-UA
OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) is a cross-platform and open-source standard for data exchange from sensors to cloud applications.
Page
A Page refers to a specific screen in your HMI. Every Page Type in HELIO serves a particular purpose.
Pages
A Page refers to a specific screen in your HMI. Every Page Type in HELIO serves a particular purpose.
Parameter Page
A Parameter Page is designed to display elements that can modify various 'Parameters' of a machine. Unlike data-displaying pages, this page is interactive, enabling data input. If there are more parameters than can fit on the current screen, a scrollbar will become visible.
Placeholders
You may often need to work on an HMI without access to the actual PLC. However, you still want to be able to view the pages and elements of your HMI as if they were populated with data. That's why HELIO allows you to set placeholder for each HMI variable.
Placeholder Mode
HELIO offers a real-time preview of your HMI, allowing you to see the effects of your configuration as you adjust it. When Placeholder Mode is active in this preview, HELIO does not connect to data sources. Instead, it displays the placeholder values that you have defined for each of HMI variables.
PLC
A Programmable Logic Controller is a special type of computer that helps control industrial machinery. It gets information from motors, sensors and other devices, processes this information, and triggers actions based on pre-determined rules.
Usually, a PLC offers an API that is used by Human-Machine Interfaces to show data or carry out commands.
Project Editor
The Project Editor is the tool you use to create, develop and configure your HMI projects. It contains, different views for changing aspects of your project.
Project Template
HELIO Project Templates are the perfect blueprints for anyone starting a new project! They're easy to use and ready to help you succeed!
Project Templates
HELIO Project Templates are the perfect blueprints for anyone starting a new project! They're easy to use and ready to help you succeed!
Pointer
Properties Panel
Panel on the right side of the Project Editor that allows you to adjust the properties of the element that is currently selected in the editor.
HELIO Runtime
HELIO ships in the form of a small and efficient executable web server – the so-called HELIO Runtime. It is the only piece of software that needs to run on your target devices or on your development PC. This server also serves your HMIs as well as the IDE as web applications, so any computer or device with a browser can access them.
HELIO Runtime Directory
Seats
HELIO licenses are linked to computers or machines. Each computer or machine is counted as a seat. A license can only be used on a certain number of seats.