1. A Human-Machine Interface (HMI) is a user interface or dashboard that connects a person to a machine, system, or device.
2. While the term can technically be 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.
3. Although HMI is the most common term for this technology, it is sometimes referred to as Man-Machine Interface (MMI), Operator Interface Terminal (OIT), Local Operator Interface (LOI), or Operator Terminal (OT).
4. HMI and Graphical User Interface (GUI) are similar but not synonymous: GUIs are often leveraged within HMIs for visualization capabilities.
5. An HMI is the centralized control unit for manufacturing lines, equipped with Data Recipes, event logging, video feed, and event triggering, so that one may access the system at any moment for any purpose.
6. For a manufacturing line to be integrated with an HMI, it must first be working with a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). It is the PLC that takes the information from the sensors, and transforms it to Boolean algebra, so the HMI can decipher and make decisions.
USSAGE
1. In industrial settings, HMIs can be used to:
Visually display data
Track production time, trends, and tags
Oversee KPIs
Monitor machine inputs and outputs
2. A plant-floor operator might use an HMI to check and control the temperature of an industrial water tank, or to see if a certain pump in the facility is currently running.
3. The most common roles that interact with HMIs are operators, system integrators, and engineers, particularly control system engineers.
4. HMIs are essential resources for these professionals, who use them to review and monitor processes, diagnose problems, and visualize data.
5. HMIs communicate with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and input/output sensors to get and display information for users to view.
6. HMI screens can be used for a single function, like monitoring and tracking, or for performing more sophisticated operations, like switching machines off or increasing production speed, depending on how they are implemented.
7. HMIs are used to optimize an industrial process by digitizing and centralizing data for a viewer.
8. By leveraging HMI, operators can see important information displayed in graphs, charts, or digital dashboards, view and manage alarms, and connect with SCADA and MES systems, all through one console.
9. Previously, operators would need to walk the floor constantly to review mechanical progress and record it on a piece of paper or a whiteboard.
10. By allowing PLCs to communicate real-time information straight to an HMI display, HMI technology eliminates the need for this outdated practice and thereby reduces many costly problems caused by lack of information or human error.
HMI & SCADA & PLC
1. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and HMI are closely related, and often referred to in the same context since they are both part of a larger industrial control system, but they each offer different functionality and opportunities.
2. While HMIs are focused on visually conveying information to help the user supervise an industrial process, SCADA systems have a greater capacity for data collection and control-system operation.
3. Unlike SCADA systems, HMIs do not collect and record information or connect to databases.
4. For example, in metals manufacturing, an HMI might control how metal is cut and folded, and how fast to do so.
5. An HMI offers improved stock control and replenishment, so the fewer journeys are required out to the vendors.
6. HMIs are used in bottling processes to control all aspects of the manufacturing line, such as speed, efficiency, error detection and error correction.
7. Utility companies may use HMIs to monitor water distribution and waste water treatment.
DEVELOPING TRENDS
1. In the past decade, changing operational and business needs have instigated interesting developments in HMI technology.
2. Now, it’s becoming more common to see evolved forms of HMI such as high-performance HMIs, touch screens, and mobile devices, along with more traditional models.
HIGH-PERFORMANCE HMIS
1. Operators and users are increasingly moving toward high-performance HMI, a method of HMI design that helps ensure fast, effective interaction.
2. By only drawing attention to the most necessary or critical indicators on the interface, this design technique helps the viewer to see and respond to problems more efficiently, as well as make better-informed decisions.
3. Indicators on high-performance HMI are simple, clean, and purposely cleared of any extraneous graphics or controls. Other design elements, like color, size, and placement, are used with discretion to optimize the user experience.
TOUCH SCREENS AND MOBILE DEVICES
1. Touch screens and mobile HMI are two examples of technological advances that have emerged with the advent of smartphones.
2. Instead of buttons and switches, modernized HMIs allow operators to tap or touch the physical screen to access controls.
3. Touch screens are especially important when used with mobile HMI, which is either deployed through web-based HMI/SCADA or via an application.
Mobile HMI offers a variety of advantages to operators, including instant access to HMI information and remote monitoring.
REMOTE MONITORING
1. Mobile-friendly remote monitoring allows greater flexibility and accessibility for operators and managers alike.
2. With this feature, an offsite control system engineer can, for example, confirm the temperature of a warehouse on a portable device, eliminating the need for onsite supervision after working hours.
3. Soon, checking in on a process on your factory floor while being miles away from the facility won’t seem like anything out of the ordinary.
EDGE-OF-NETWORK AND CLOUD HMI
1. Edge-of-network HMIs are also in high demand because they allow operators to access data and visualization from field devices.
2. Additionally, it is becoming more common to send data from local HMIs to the cloud, where it can be accessed and analyzed remotely, while keeping control capabilities local.
FUTURE OF HMI
1. On the horizon, leading engineers are even exploring ways to implement Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) to visualize manufacturing functions.
2. As data takes on an increasingly essential role in manufacturing, the future looks very bright for HMI. This technology may have come a long way, but its potential for growth remains virtually limitless.
BASIC TYPES OF HMIS
1. The pushbutton replacer HMI has streamlined manufacturing processes, centralizing all the functions of each button into one location.
2. The data handler is perfect for applications requiring constant feedback from the system, or printouts of the production reports.
3. With the data handler, you must ensure the HMI screen is big enough for such things as graphs, visual representations and production summaries.
4. The data handler includes such functions as recipes, data trending, data logging and alarm handling/logging.
5. Finally, anytime an application involves SCADA or MES, an overseer HMI is extremely beneficial. The overseer HMI will most likely need to run Windows, and have several Ethernet ports.
SELECTING HMIS
1. An HMI is used for three primary roles: a pushbutton replacer, data handler, and overseer.
2. The pushbutton replacer takes the place of LEDs, On/ Off buttons, switches or any mechanical device that performs a control function.
3. The elimination of these mechanical devices is possible because the HMI can provide a visual representation of all these devices on its LCD screen, while performing all the same functions.
4. The Data Handler is used for applications that require constant feedback and monitoring. Often these Data Handlers come equipped with large capacity memories.
5. The last of the HMI three types is referred to as the overseer, because it works with SCADA and MES.
6. These are centralized systems that monitor and control entire sites or complexes of large systems spread out over large areas.
7. An HMI is usually linked to the SCADA system's databases and software programs, to provide trending, diagnostic data, and management information.
ADVANTAGES
1. The greatest advantage of an HMI is the user-friendliness of the graphical interface.
2. The graphical interface contains color coding that allows for easy identification (for example: red for trouble).
3. Pictures and icons allow for fast recognition, easing the problems of illiteracy.
4. HMI can reduce the cost of product manufacturing, and potentially increase profit margins and lower production costs.
5. HMI devices are now extremely innovative and capable of higher capacity and more interactive, elaborate functions than ever before.
6. Some technological advantages the HMI offers are: converting hardware to software, eliminating the need for mouse and keyboard, and allowing kinesthetic computer/human interaction.
HMI VS PLC
1. The advantage to using an HMI over using just a PLC is the fact that there are no disadvantages!
2. Using just a PLC will not provide any real-time feedback, cannot set off alarms nor modify the system without reprogramming the PLC.
3. The key advantage to an HMI is it functionality; an HMI can be used for simple tasks such as a coffee brewing controller, or a sophisticated control unit of a nuclear plant.
4. With new HMI designs emerging every day, we are now seeing HMIs that offer remote access, allowing for access of the terminal while away.
5. Another advantage of an HMI is that the user can personally design the user interface.
Source:
https://www.inductiveautomation.com/resources/article/what-is-hmi
https://www.anaheimautomation.com/manuals/forms/hmi-guide.php
