Human Machine Interface HMI Panels in Industrial Automation
Human Machine Interface HMI Control Panels is the means by which an operator can interact or control the machine or the entire process. It all started with hard-wired pushbuttons and indicator lights on a control panel. The user or the Operator did not have any sort of visual display. He had to rely on constantly looking at the machine or the process, or audible feedback and alarms and use the push buttons on the control panel to control the process.
Human Machine Interface HMI Graphical User Interface
Revolution in industrial automation brought us closer to more refined control systems and visualization products. Text panels were replaced by graphical displays that had good screen resolution and touch screen controls on them!
This not only gave the programmer flexibility to design a visually pleasing screen but more importantly the user or operator could know what was going on in the process without having to constantly scan the entire plant! Everything was displayed on the graphical interface in front of the operator. https://www.uticor.com/
A perfect Human Machine Interface HMI Control Panel
Is there something called a perfect Human Machine Interface HMI Control Panel? The answer is yes! well designed HMI should have the below characteristics.
It should communicate with all major brands of PLC’s with their protocols.
- Should work in harsh environments.
- Must have rich graphics and a good backlit display.
- Packed with USB, Ethernet, and SD card ports.
- Should have data logging capability.
- Most importantly, software should be user-friendly.
Choosing the right Human Machine Interface HMI is as important as choosing the PLC itself. A well-designed HMI should do more than just control the process. It should be safe, reliable, and cost-effective and it should provide an operator with a bird’s eye view of the entire process.
HMI’s are the principal point of contact between the user and the process. It should perform all functions with minimal effort, increasing productivity to the user’s satisfaction.
The basic function of displays in an HMI application is to provide an operator with information. Displays have come a long way since their invention. LCD (STN TFT) displays were more common during the 1990s.
These had a CCFL backlight, which was sufficient back in the day. These displays were ok to use in normal operating temperatures. If the temperature gets too cold or hot, these would give up.
But display technology has evolved since. We are in the high definition era. A very handful of HMI manufacturers use LED-backlit high-definition displays. Which are not only durable but can function in a wide range of temperatures.
PLC Connectivity
Plants get their machines from different parts of the world with different controllers on them. A good HMI Control Panel should have the capability or communication protocol support to talk to different controllers.
It is never easy for the programmer, maintenance, or even the operator to learn different software for different HMI’s. What if one HMI can be used to talk to different controllers in the plant? It will be a blessing!
Human Machine Interface HMI Control Panels Application
Most manufacturing production floors/environments present a number of challenges for HMI’s. HMI’s needs to be Nema 4/4X, IP65 rated. Importantly protect the inner electronics from moisture, oil, dirt, and gases.
It would be best if the HMI is conformal coated. It should withstand excessive heat, cold, shock, and vibrations.
Designing an HMI Touch Screen Project
While designing a project to control a particular process, one has to keep in mind, what kind of visual, auditory, or tactile feedback is best suited for that application. How many screens, how many objects on one particular screen?
Keep in mind, simplicity is the key. Don’t crowd a screen. Filling the screen with an irrelevant group of objects will force an operator to spend his time searching for relevant information.
Forcing an operator to search for required information, increases response time and potential errors. Good project design should make the operator progress through it intuitively and logically.
A well-designed project is well laid out. Multiple screens, multiple operational parameters, multiple operators with user-level access (Operators, Supervisors, and Maintenance) to some screens, etc.
Not everybody has to access the maintenance screen, but everybody should be able to get to the screen where there is are basic start or stop buttons to start or stop a machine. Knowing your operator while designing the project is important.
Alarm reporting is one other important factor. If there are any alarms, it should be distinctly displayed on the screen to catch the operator’s attention and the operator should be informed that the error has occurred, and it should show the operator where the error is and how to solve it.
The next plan of action. If it’s a critical alarm, HMI should be able to send an email or a text message to the plant manager or maintenance manager. Safety considerations are a critical part of the HMI system design. Human error is a contributing factor in most accidents in high-risk environments.
Company
Last but not the least, the company which manufactures the HMI or as a matter of fact, any industrial control product should be local. Should have readily available stock if and when needed. After-sales support should be available in a matter of minutes or sometimes seconds! Is technical support free? Is it 24/7? Time is money.
Conclusion
The selection of a good Human Machine Interface HMI directly affects the operator and overall system performance. Working through the above-mentioned factors will result in a better decision. Selecting an underpowered or under featured HMI will eventually result in spending a lot more in the future and unsatisfied customers!
