999 HMIs | The changing face of the HMI in the UK

The Human Machine Interface (HMI) plays an increasingly important role for machine builders in the UK.  In addition to the increasing machine functionality, they are a window on the capability of machine.  No matter how competent the machine, the HMI is what the buyer sees, and what the operator interacts with.

Modern HMIs are available with a wide range of screen sizes, resolutions  and functionalities: operation intuitive graphical interfaces are now a given.  Projects can be password protected along with other applications and configured to specific staff, with multi access levels with password protection to ensure authorised people interact with the machine. Transferring data can be protected to disable overwrite or theft.

View documents and videos

Users are provided with view of their machine that is understandable at a glance. Displaying multi-media images such as PDF, video, and data provide simplified approach to machine management.  Performing procedures such as operation and maintenance, repair and fault finding are simplified and downtime reduced.

Modern HMIs deliver tablet style usability and multi-touch gestures to enable users to easily enlarge screens for better visualisation and operation of small switches. Screens can be scrolled across the display.

Including programmeble control

Early HMIs were generally connected to a PLC, but increasingly, current generations of HMI include the option of programmable control.  This enables the HMI to run basic I/O programmes and handle date from intelligent devices.

Communication options have also developed.  Modern HMIs communicate with almost all open and manufacturers’ fieldbus protocols.  Many of these are onboard and supplied by as standard alongside RS232 and RS 485.  Others are available by adding an option card.

Industrial Ethernet

Industrial Ethernet is now mainstream for industrial automation networking and now accounts for an estimated 25% of new nodes installed.  HMI manufacturers have also adopted Ethernet and include both Ethernet TCP/IP as well as the range of open industrial Ethernet protocols options.

Data collection

The HMI collects data from the PLCs, temperature controllers or other equipment.  The data can be stored in the HMI, displayed on graphs or tables or exported.

Programming software

HMIs are programmed using the manufacturers’ Windows based software alongside the other automation systems to speed development and reduce programming complexity.  Libraries can store regularly used images or routines.

Data such as the programs and parameters of the programmable controller CPU are backed up onto the SD card or USB memory. With a backup of data in the HMI there is  often  no need to use a personal computer when replacing the industrial devices such as the programmable controller CPU with restoration can be completed from the HMI.

999 Automation

999Automation is a specialist  online distributor of HMIs and automation control products.  They also provide a level tech support capability linked to some of the world’s largest manufacturers of these devices, including Schneider Electric, Mitsubishi Electric, Omron Automation, ABB and IMO.