HMI system

What are the benefits of HMI?

• Intuitive interfaces for everyone: Complicated processes become easier to understand and manage. Both experienced operators and beginners can quickly get an overview and make informed decisions.
• Minimises the risk of human error: Automating routine tasks and presenting information in a clear way reduces the risk of misreading and mistakes.
• Increases productivity: Streamlined workflows and faster problem solving lead to increased productivity and reduced downtime.
• Optimising processes: By collecting and analysing data from different systems, HMI systems can be used to optimise production processes and reduce costs.

1. Conditions in the operating environment
2. Data processing requirements
3. Safety of HMI systems
4. Expansion opportunities and flexibility
5. Operating systems and software
6. Ease of use in HMI systems

1. conditions of the operating environment

Operating temperature

For factories with extreme environments or applications exposed to large temperature changes, it is important that the HMI system has a wide temperature range to operate stably.

Water resistance

HMI devices used in applications with high hygiene and cleanliness requirements, such as in the food and beverage manufacturing and medical industries, need to be water resistant. The water resistance of HMI systems is classified by an Ingress Protection Rating (IPR), which indicates how well the device protects against water, dust and accidental contact.

2. Data processing requirements

HMI systems with high computing power are required for applications dealing with big data or high-resolution images, such as in quality control in the food and beverage industry, image processing in electronics manufacturing and facial recognition for people working in public places.

If the data processing requirements are simpler, an HMI system with a thin client terminal is recommended, which thus has lower power consumption and lower cost. If the panel computer is to be used as a web terminal, you should choose an HMI system with a built-in web browser and features that facilitate rapid development of web apps.

3. security of HMI systems

Connectivity

When choosing an HMI, it needs to offer multiple connectivity options, such as support for industrial protocols like Modbus, Profinet and OPC-UA, depending on the type of application you have. A reliable HMI should also be able to communicate via cloud services and support wireless networks such as Wi-Fi or 5G to handle real-time data.

Data security

When it comes to data security, it is important that the HMI has features such as data encryption and secure authentication to protect sensitive information and prevent unauthorised access.

4. Expansion opportunities and flexibility

Additional requirements for HMI systems can be expansion possibilities and flexibility in mounting and choice of operating system. It is also important to consider touch screen options. If the application requires precise touch functions such as zooming, dragging, swiping or pinching, capacitive touch screens (P-CAP) are a suitable option. If the HMI operator needs to wear gloves, resistive touch screens are a better option.

5. Operating systems and software

The operating system of an HMI device can have a major impact on both usability and compatibility with other systems. The choice of operating system should be based on the needs of the application and the specific software requirements.

Some HMI systems use Windows-based platforms to run standardised industrial software, while others use Linux for better security and customisation. In addition, the HMI solution should support future software updates and be compatible with new applications and integrated systems.

6. user-friendliness of HMI systems

An HMI system should be easy to use and customised to users' needs, especially in environments where operators need to access important information quickly. Understanding user needs can help create a simpler and more efficient interface, improving workflow. A good user experience also reduces the need for extensive training, saving both time and money in the long run.