Important Considerations When Choosing HMI Panels

Human-machine-interface (HMI) panels are the visual interfaces between your machines or PLCs and the employees monitoring them. Your workers can monitor and control various processes via these HMI panels. Various factors can influence their efficiency and versatility, but do you know what they are?

We’re here to help, with this short guide to the most important considerations when choosing an HMI panel. You’ll not only learn what the top five things to consider are but also why these factors are so important. So keep reading to learn how to choose the best HMIs for your business.

5 Things To Consider When Choosing The Right HMI Panel

While the factors affecting your choice of an HMI panel will depend largely on your particular business niche, these five are relevant to every industry.

Basic Or Wireless?

Do you need a basic HMI panel that will be monitored and controlled by a single operator from a central control room? Or, like many more complex industrial environments, do you need a panel that is connected directly to your machinery, out on the operations floor? Perhaps you need it to be mobile?

This will dictate the type of HMI you need for your business and whether or not wireless connectivity is necessary. Wireless connectivity allows your operations to be more mobile, with monitoring and even control possible from satellite branches.

It enables anyone with access to connect their Bluetooth-enabled devices for management on the go. Not only that, but it also future-proofs your technology. So your HMIs continue to deliver enhanced productivity and performance regardless of emerging trends in industrial technology.

Display Size

Display size is more than just a matter of available room or even preference. It greatly affects the visibility of on-screen graphics and even the ease with which operators can use touch links.

But even if the application is view-only, a bigger HMI panel display may be necessary. A larger display can facilitate monitoring from a larger distance away so that operators don’t have to always be right beside the panel.

When deciding on your panel’s display size, consider if any of the above applies to your particular work environment. Assess your needs to determine the correct screen size and resolution for your business.

You may also find that while one HMI panel needs a larger display, another does not, so be sure to assess every workstation or department individually before making a final decision.

System Communication

Your system architecture will determine the HMI’s requirements, but it will always have to constantly communicate with your programmable logic computers (PLCs) in some way. Usually, it does so via an Ethernet port.

However, multiple serial and network ports may be necessary, so determine the exact communication needs of your HMI panel. And don’t forget to ask whether these communication ports are or can be isolated and protected against possible interference in your unique industrial environment.

Also, check that any communication error statuses and all possible troubleshooting options will be clearly displayed. This makes the management and maintenance of your HMIs much easier.

Durability

Durability is a key factor when choosing HMI panels for the industrial setting. Every site has its own working conditions and, therefore, its own hazards.

Your HMI panel has to be built to withstand the rigors of daily use in these exact conditions. Of course, this will differ from one sector to the next. It also differs from one business to the next. That’s why many of our customers choose custom panels for their unique needs.

Whether it’s extreme temperature fluctuations, the presence of combustible materials, or just heavy-duty use, your panel must withstand all of these conditions.

Memory

The memory an HMI will need is not the same for everyone. You may find that standard panels work for some but high-end applications with more scalable and animated objects to display require far more memory and storage than basic applications do.

Generally, the more complex your machine’s capabilities, the more memory, and storage your HMI panel will need.

If you will be using more high-end applications, an HMI panel with a removable data storage option may be right for you. This allows you to log data through means of integrated SD card slots for better storage as well as sharing and analysis.

Conclusion

Choosing the right HMI panel for your particular business doesn’t have to be a challenge. Now that you know what to look for, all you need to know is where to get it. And that’s right here at AEC, where our exhaustive range of automation and electrical products and parts are backed by two decades of expertise.

Besides our large inventory of standard panel parts and professional quality accessories, we also offer custom panels and top-notch servicing of everything we sell. So for the best industrial HMIs and the service to match, contact us today.