REFERENCES
Human Machine Interface (HMI) Solutions
HMI, also known as the human-machine interface, is a user interface that allows a person to interact with a machine or system. Human-machine interface (HMI) solutions can vary in sophistication and cost, which depends on the amount of interaction and information exchange needed between a person and the machine. HMI is commonly used in industrial applications for displaying data, tracking trends, and monitoring the production process. Touch screen technology is another form of HMI that is widely used in a variety of applications ranging from industrial monitors to cell phones and tablets. HMI is highly advantageous for industrial industries because it improves productivity and workflow within the site, supports remote management, and has the ability to manage and analyze data. As with the other aspects of industrial automation, HMI display and input technologies have chased the curve of commercial computing technology, adapting the latest consumer advances to meet the unique demands of the industrial environment.
What is an IP Rating?
IP, also referred to as Ingress Protection, ratings are standards for electrical enclosures defined by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission). The rating refers to the level of sealing effectiveness of electrical enclosures against the intrusion from water, dust, and dirt. The IP rating is recognized by the two letters, "IP", followed by two numbers (Example: IP-65). The numbers represent the amount of protection of the computer's ability to resist outside matter. The first number designates protection from solids, while the second number designates protection from liquids. The larger number of each digit means the greater power of protection. Therefore, to get more protection or higher protection, users can choose the larger numbers of IP ratings (Example: IP69K). Any computer product being used in an industrial environment should have an IP rating of IP65 or above in order to be fully protected from dust and liquids.
Touch Screen: Resistive and Projected Capacitive Type Touchscreen
Acnodes’ industrial panel PCs are available with a Resistive or Projected Capacitive type touchscreen monitor. Unlike keyboards or mice, touchscreens provide convenient and user-friendly access to receive information from the PC. Resistive touchscreens, which remains the most prevalent type of touchscreen technology used in industrial applications and manufacturing environments, consists of a glass panel and film screen that is separated by a narrow gap. When a user touches the screen, the two electrode layers (glass panel & film screen) come in contact with each other and produces an electrical current that registers the touch. Although it is not as sensitive as PCAP touchscreens, Resistive touchscreens can be used with various objects such as your finger, gloved hand, or stylus. Projected Capacitive touchscreens, also commonly known as PCAP or multi-touch, are composed of a sheet of glass with embedded transparent electrode films and an IC chip that supports multi-touch. PCAP touchscreens function when the user touches the screen and capacitance forms between the finger and sensor grid, registering the touch. Acnodes offers a wide range of touchscreen panel PCs including
industrial panel PCs,
expandable panel PCs, all in one industrial computers,
stainless steel panel PCs, IP rated PCs, and
military-grade MIL-STD-810G PCs.
Essentials of Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) and Industry 4.0
From a single control panel design to comprehensive, mission-critical systems, computer-aided engineering (CAE) applications have enjoyed wide-scale use over the past three decades. In many facilities today, the design, manufacturing, and logistic phases of control panel design are optimized individually. However, the fourth industrial revolution, Industry 4.0 (Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)), is expanding the reach of today’s advanced CAE tools while tying together the value-added chain in the factory to value-adding networks outside the factory. The use of CAE for control panel design and manufacture in the Industry 4.0 era removes engineering from its isolated island. With Industry 4.0, engineering is digitally connected to planning, purchasing, manufacturing and logistics.CAE using the Industry 4.0 approach, with end-to-end engineering tools, provides consistent standardization across systems. Whether at the factory, at a remote site or at a sister factory, users can select, place and connect hardware, components and wires in to a schematic and quickly create a panel layout using a predefined and automated design process.