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 even more information thanks to digitalization in smart factories can make it more complicated. In a joint initiative with Eaton, the Machine Building Institute of the University RWTH Aachen has issued a whitepaper that describes how role concepts and adaptive human machine interfaces can help to improve the productivity of staff and optimize production performance via data available through increased data harvesting.

The results of the 2016 survey of the VDMA (German machine-building association) show a growing trend towards touchscreens and mobile devices. New operating and visualization concepts  need to be ready to process the additional information provided as part of Industry 4.0/IOT.

This whitepaper describes how human machine interfaces can be designed for the needs of digital natives, the upcoming generation of users. Ways to implement mobile devices, while ensuring that machines continue to be compliant to current regulations and regional market practices, are also discussed.

 

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 smart phones, 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.