Recent years have seen an increase in the complexity of machine operation interfaces, leading to extensive training requirements and constraints in flexibility for operation management. The availability of ever more information thanks to digitalisation in smart factories can further complicate matters. In a joint initiative with Eaton, the Machine Building Institute of RWTH Aachen University has issued a white paper that describes how role concepts and adaptive human-machine interfaces can help to improve productivity and optimise production performance through increased data harvesting.

The results of a 2016 survey by the VDMA (the German machine-building association) show a growing trend towards touchscreens and mobile devices. New operating and visualisation concepts  need to be ready to process the additional information that is available as a result of Industry 4.0/IoT.

This white paper describes how human-machine interfaces can be designed for the needs of digital natives, the next generation of users. It also discusses how to implement mobile devices whilst ensuring that machines continue to comply with current regulations and regional market practices.

 

When Weingärtner sought to modernise one of the gravel pits it operates, the company faced two challenges: how to visualise the operational data as efficiently as possible, and how to better optimise operations. Our control technology with multi-touch operation made it easy for the company to respond to these challenges.

The operator interface is the calling card of any machine; it has a crucial impact on appearance and showcases the value and quality of the entire system. Recent developments in operator panels mirror those in the next generation of smartphones, with a clear trend towards sleek designs and high-end materials. Let us help you discover how you can bring the operator panels of your machines up to speed.