HMIs are a type of electrical device that we use across a wide range of applications to perform a number of tasks and display key information. HMIs are heavily used in manufacturing and process environments as they are able to be designed in a way where they can display key information or start machinery/processes from one single panel. In this article, we will take a look at what HMIs actually are, some of the different types of HMI that you can get, where they are used, and finally look at some of the most frequently asked questions about HMIs.
What Is An HMI?
A human-machine interface or HMI is a component that is used as an interface between an operator and a process or piece of machinery. It is a graphic interface that allows complete control of a machine from one dashboard. They are found on pretty much every piece of equipment you come across in manufacturing and in the industrial process world.
A good way to think of an HMI is like a dashboard for the operator, it displays machine variables that can set parameters such as timers, switch points and can also be used for fault finding. Another use of HMIs is to display production statistics such as run rates, KPIs, and to monitor inputs and outputs. Check out Siemens HMI Repairs
An HMI can be a touch screen, inbuilt display, computer monitor, or even a tablet. The cost of HMIs has dramatically dropped over the last few years and now can be found in the majority of process and manufacturing equipment in industry.
What Does HMI Stand For?
HMI stands for a Human Machine Interface. Human-machine interfaces are used in industry for process, tracking statistics, and changing settings on machinery and equipment. In production applications, they can track run rates and KPIs. In engineering and fault-finding applications they can show fault codes, display inputs, and outputs, and have a localised copy of machine and equipment manuals on screen.
Where Are HMIs Used?
HMIs are used in a number of different applications in industry both in-process and manufacturing. The type of HMI that is required depends on what is needed from the system. In production or manufacturing environments an HMI is used to display machine performance and also gives operators and team leaders the ability to change settings and adjust the speed of a machine.
HMIs communicate with PLCs, some examples of the things they can display are inputs and outputs such as sensors, motor voltage and current readings, and servo motor positions and status. This is useful when fault finding as they can easily display whether a component has been made or is functioning. It saves time tracing all of the wires and then having to perform a number of electrical tests.
HMIs can be used to track production figures on one single display. They can present information in graphs and charts that are easy to read and visually indicate the performance of a machine or process. By tracking production statistics on a screen it could mean that labour could be reduced and also the removal of paper-based systems in some cases.
What Are The Different Types Of HMIs?
Like most electrical components, HMIs actually come in a number of different types. There are generally three main types of HMI that we talk about – push-button, overseer, and data handling HMIs. The type of HMI that is chosen for a specific application depends on what the end-user wants to see/do from the HMI. Below we will take a look at these types of HMI in more depth.