Linda Htay is automation product manager at IDEC. She is responsible for PLCs, touchscreens and display products. Htay has more than 15 years of experience working with automation and industrial products such as HMIs and PLCs. She holds a bachelor-of-science degree in electrical engineering.
How has operator-interface technology benefitted from remote monitoring and connectivity?
Linda Htay, automation product manager, IDEC: Users can now connect to their machines or equipment anytime, anywhere using their laptop, tablet or smart phone, just as if they were in front of the HMI itself. They can remotely access, monitor and control an operator-interface touchscreen simply, right through a familiar web browser. Distance isn’t an issue with a high-performance line of operator-interface touchscreens, so even if a user can’t get to the factory floor or to the office, they can still have options. There are additional methods for remote connectivity, such as FTP client/server data transfer for configurations and data, emailing of alarms/data/screenshots, and even support for Twitter.
For the operator-interface touchscreen, local on-site connectivity includes wired serial and Ethernet options, with support for over 100 industrial communication protocols, up to four simultaneously, and even a custom user communication protocol function. And many users take advantage of the ability to use USB ports to support Linux-compatible accessories such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth dongles, speakers and barcode readers. All of these advantages translate directly to remote monitoring and connectivity.
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When will operator interfaces become IT-friendly enough that engineers are no longer required for installation and operation?
Linda Htay, automation product manager, IDEC: By incorporating robust OT-capable HMIs with the IT feel of smartphones, HMIs improve plant productivity, safety and uptime.
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Tell us about your company’s state-of-the-art operator-interface technology for manufacturing.
Linda Htay, automation product manager, IDEC: While various industrial operator interfaces have been available for many years, IDEC has expanded its extensive product family by adding the HG2J Series 7-inch HMI to add new capabilities. One of the key features of the HG2J is the projected capacitive touchpanel display, which is thinner than traditional analog technologies; robustly resists water, scratches and other conditions common to the industrial environment; and provides a vivid high-performance experience similar to what users are familiar with from their smartphones and tablets (Figure 1).
Unlike some older technologies, projected capacitive touchpanel display allows multi-touch gestures like those used with consumer devices, increasing user productivity. The overall result is an HMI platform with an optimal display size providing a high degree of usability in the smallest possible form factor, with appropriate specifications so that designers can incorporate it in all types of challenging environments. Glass faces provide excellent visibility, are extremely durable, retain clarity for years even in outdoor applications and are easy to clean. Regardless of the advanced technologies employed, HMIs for industrial use in the widest range of applications should be able to withstand wide temperatures from -20 to +60 °C, carry an IP66F/67F rating, be suitable for use in Class I, Div. 2 hazardous locations and be certified by UL and CE.
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