HMIs

DBI Control’s partnerships with leading manufacturers Siemens and Allen Bradley means we have a wide range of HMIs on offer, with discounts available, to suit any requirements you may have.

A Human-Machine Interface (HMI) is a user interface or dashboard that connects a person to a machine, system or device. While the term can be technically applied to any screen that allows a user to interact with a device, HMI is most commonly used in the context of an industrial process.

A HMI in Industrial Automation enables a visualization and control of applications. By using resources such as I/O, and operating systems, it allows you to communicate with any production system. We can find HMIs that vary from standard 4.3 inch devices to sophisticated wide screen 15.6 inch displays, so anyone can find the right solution.

HMIs come in a variety of forms, from built-in screens on machines, to computer monitors, to tablets, but regardless of their format or which term you use to refer to them, their purpose is to provide insight into mechanical performance and progress.

HMI technology is used by almost all industrial organisations, as well as a wide range of other companies, to interact with their machines and optimise their industrial processes, including energy, food and beverage, oil and gas, recycling, manufacturing and many more.

The advantage of using a HMI is all the features are found in one centralized location. With remote access, the operator does not need to be anywhere near the production line to start/stop monitor production. The operator has all the same features in a compact form.

With a HMI you can personalise the interface, as the most complex applications can be fully supported. Every HMI comes with different features, and the actual design should be optimised for the user’s specific applications, and the environmental aspects such as noise, dust, lighting, vision and technological curves.

Think about modifications; what would it take in terms of wiring and mounting to install three new pushbuttons on a control panel? With a HMI, it’s all in the program. Adding or removing objects, like buttons, on the screen takes no time at all and doesn’t cost anything extra.

HMIs are used to optimize an industrial process by digitizing data for a viewer. Operators can see important information displayed in graphs, charts, view and manage alarms, and connect with SCADA and MES systems, all through one console.

Modern HMIs connect people, applications and machines for greater collaboration, efficiency and economy.

• They can provide email capability so you can be emailed important data
• Have web server functionality so you can log on from anywhere in the world
• Data logging so you can record production data for future reference
• Mobile apps for your smart phone so you can check while on the go

It shows the relevant information to the appropriate people at the right time to enable them to make better decisions and focus on any problems that may arise.