MM Controls, Inc

MM Controls Inc. specializes in software for control systems. It's a big specialty: we have experience in Embedded Systems, PLCs, Human/Machine Interface, Motion Control and Microsoft Windows programming.

	Embedded Computer Control System and HMI Programming The main focus at MM Controls is embedded control system programming using C++ and Intel architecture computers. We primarily use the VenturCom PharLap ETS and Microsoft Windows Embedded (now XP Embedded) Real-Time Operating Systems, although we do have some experience with QNX. Our extensive code base we've developed over the years, dubbed the "MM Tools Library", enables us to rapidly develop single-board, bus-based, or Panel PC applications. With MM Tools, most of the work to generate an application is concentrated on the unique aspects of the customer's machine; the "standard" elements of a modern control systems program, such as Human/Machine Interface, networking, and communication with PLCs and other devices merely requires customization of various elements of our library. We also have experience in 68xxx, 68HCxx, and x86 assembly language and Forth programming of small embedded devices, although there doesn't seem to be much call for Forth or assembly these days as even small machines are usually programmed in C.
	PLC Control System and HMI Programming When there are a large number of I/O points and undemanding update requirements, nothing beats a PLC for ease and speed of programming as well as customer software maintenance. We have worked extensively with PLCs from Modicon, Siemens and Allen-Bradley, and have done a job with SquareD and a couple of jobs with GE/Koyo/Direct PLCs. On the HMI/SCADA end, we have done multiple jobs with Wonderware and RS-View systems and have some experience with Intellution and Interact HMI systems (one job each).
	Motion Control We have extensive experience in motion control, pressure control, and hybrid systems, using either a stand-alone motion controller or creating the servos in code. The Delta Computer Systems RMC is our preferred motion and pressure controller - we've been using Delta products (both PLC based and the RMC) since 1989. We also have extensive experience with Allen-Bradley's GML based motion controllers and some experience with Delta Tau. One of the services we offer is assistance with RMC setup and training - an MM Controls rep can travel to your site and assist with tuning and event table setup; we've also taught the "official" RMC two-day training course from Delta's materials.
	Windows Programming Since modern control systems rarely exist in isolation, we also create Win32 software for supervisory interfacing with embedded systems and networking software for interconnecting embedded systems and/or their Win32 supervisory masters. We use Microsoft Visual C++ for Windows programming, for both stand-alone applications and ActiveX controls. The wide acceptance of Win32 as a standard has enabled us to produce reliable GUI-based interfaces in very tight time frames. These interfaces usually provide status information, configuration, and control of a machine through a device driver or communicate directly with an embedded system to provide a Human/Machine Interface Another Windows based application that we offer to our embedded control customers is an NT service that receives process data from multiple embedded systems via a local network or the Internet and then pushes that data to an SQL database. The data can then be used for QC or Management Information purposes.
	Machine Vision The bang/buck ratio for machine vision has followed Moore's Law since the first caveman combined a CCD camera with a microprocessor. It's now to the point where useful machine vision can be added to a process (fairly) inexpensively, especially with the new camera/processor combos. We are now offering Machine Vision programming services using the new all-in-one units or "traditional" vision using cameras, frame grabbers, and a computer.