Is HMI applicable in industrial automation?

The recent years have brought significant acceleration in the evolution of Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI), largely driven by the expansion of mobile devices - particularly smartphones. Without a doubt touchscreen technology is the most common manifestation of this evolution. Additionally, over the past few years we have seen the development of other key technologies, such as conversational interfaces and Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies.

The dynamic advancement of technology in the context of HMI interfaces has significantly impacted their design. To maintain smooth and efficient interaction between man and machine, it's crucial to use the highest quality equipment capable of supporting production lines. Undoubtedly, operators of industrial machines expect devices characterized by efficiency, operational speed, intuitiveness and simplicity of use.

HMI in industry

Touch screens currently form the core of industrial interfaces, finding applications in a variety of contexts - ranging from simple operator-handled screens, through machine control, to complex systems managing entire production lines. Due to their reliability in data processing and archiving, HMIs have become an indispensable element of the production process in enterprises. The automotive, pharmaceutical, transport and energy sectors are the main areas that have fully integrated innovative HMI interfaces.

HMI plays a significant role in the context of industrial automation. For example - in the food industry the entire production line can be remotely controlled by the operator. Such an approach enables the elimination of product contamination risks, as well as biological hazards for personnel in the case of the pharmaceutical or chemical industry. HMI interfaces allow for remote machine control, eliminating the need for direct and physical interaction with machine. Like any other technology, HMI is characterized by usability, adaptability, reliability and safety. It is crucial for the interface to be simple to use and fast in action.

Industrial automation - SIMATIC HMI Panels

1. SIMATIC HMI Basic. Effective way of operation for simple tasks

HMI Basic devices are economical solutions characterized by simple applications with limited quantitative structure on the production line. Such panels are reasonably priced in relation to their performance. They also guarantee excellent display quality and advanced visualization, which significantly simplifies the process of quick and intuitive machine control. HMI Basic panels are ready and flexible solutions that help save time already at the installation and design stage. The device settings can be immediately adjusted using the engineering software WinCC Basic which is an economical range of WinCC (TIA Portal).

Products from the HMI Basic series

• 6AV2123-2DB03-0AX0 - SIMATIC HMI, KTP400 Basic, Basic Panel, key/touch operation, 4" TFT display, 65536 colors, PROFINET interface, configurable from WinCC Basic V13/ STEP 7 Basic V13, contains open-source software, which is provided free of charge.
• 6AV2123-2GA03-0AX0 - SIMATIC HMI, KTP700 Basic DP, Basic Panel, key/touch operation, 7" TFT display, 65536 colors, PROFIBUS interface, configurable as of WinCC Basic V13/ STEP 7 Basic V13, contains open-source software, which is provided free of charge.

• 6AV2123-2GB03-0AX0 - SIMATIC HMI, KTP700 Basic, Basic Panel, key/touch operation, 7" TFT display, 65536 colors, PROFINET interface, configurable from WinCC Basic V13/ STEP 7 Basic V13, contains open-source software, which is provided free of charge.

• 6AV2123-2JB03-0AX0 - SIMATIC HMI, KTP900 Basic, Basic Panel, key/touch operation, 9" TFT display, 65536 colors, PROFINET interface, configurable from WinCC Basic V13/ STEP 7 Basic V13, contains open-source software, which is provided free of charge.

• 6AV2123-2MB03-0AX0 - SIMATIC HMI, KTP1200 Basic, Basic Panel, key/touch operation, 12" TFT display, 65536 colors, PROFINET interface, configurable from WinCC Basic V13/ STEP 7 Basic V13, contains open-source software, which is provided free of charge.

• 6AV2123-2MA03-0AX0 - SIMATIC HMI, KTP1200 Basic DP, Basic Panel, key/touch operation, 12" TFT display, 65536 colors, PROFIBUS interface, configurable as of WinCC Basic V13/ STEP 7 Basic V13, contains open-source software, which is provided free of charge.

HMI BASIC panels for training purposes (educational sets)

• 6AV2123-2DB03-0AA0 - training pack KTP400 Basic/XB005, consisting of: 6x KTP400 Basic, 6x SCALANCE XB005 unmanaged IE switch, 12x RJ45 cable, length 6m, 6x WinCC Basic (TIA Portal).

• 6AV2123-2DB03-0AA1 - training pack KTP400 Basic/XB005, consisting of: 1x KTP400 Basic, 1x SCALANCE XB005 unmanaged IE switch, 2x RJ45 cables, Length 6m, 1x WinCC Basic (TIA Portal).

• 6AV2123-2GB03-0AA0 - training pack KTP700 Basic/XB005, consisting of: 6x KTP700 Basic, 6x SCALANCE XB005 unmanaged IE switch, 12x RJ45 cable, length 6m, configurable from WinCC Basic V13/ STEP 7 Basic V13, contains open-source software, which is provided free of charge.

• 6AV2123-2GB03-0AA1 - training pack KTP700 Basic/XB005, Consisting of: 1x KTP700 Basic, 1x SCALANCE XB005 unmanaged IE switch, 2x RJ45 cables, length 6m, configurable from WinCC Basic V13/ STEP 7 Basic V13, contains open-source software, which is provided free of charge.

2. SIMATIC HMI Comfort. High-quality panels for advanced applications

SIMATIC HMI Comfort panels have been designed to perform more complex visualization tasks with their standout features being high performance and functionality. They are highly user-friendly thanks to a large number of integrated interfaces. The range includes standard panels as well as models designed for special applications, such as PRO devices with IP65 protection, stainless steel panels, outdoor models and specially reinforced SIPLUS versions.

Get to know our products from the HMI Comfort series

• 6AV2124-0GC01-0AX0 - SIMATIC HMI TP700 Comfort, Comfort Panel, touch operation, 7" widescreen TFT display, 16 million colors, PROFINET interface, MPI/PROFIBUS DP interface, 12 MB configuration memory, Windows CE 6.0, configurable from WinCC Comfort V11.
• 6AV2124-0GC13-0AX0 - SIMATIC HMI TP700 Comfort Outdoor, Comfort Panel, touch operation, 7" widescreen TFT display, 16 million colors, PROFINET interface, MPI/PROFIBUS DP interface, 12 MB configuration memory, Windows CE 6.0, configurable from WinCC Comfort V13 SP1, HSP.

• 6AV2124-0JC01-0AX0 - SIMATIC HMI TP900 Comfort, Comfort Panel, touch operation, 9" widescreen TFT display, 16 million colors, PROFINET interface, MPI/PROFIBUS DP interface, 12 MB configuration memory, Windows CE 6.0, configurable from WinCC Comfort V11. 

3. SIMATIC HMI Multi. Panels for the most demanding applications

SIMATIC HMI Multi panels are high-performance devices designed for the most demanding applications. The advantages of the panels in this series include a wide range of communication interfaces and easy options for extending the device's functions. Products offer the function of storing variables on a memory card or a network disk. Additionally, SIMATIC HMI Multi panels are equipped with alarm management, recipe and VB script capabilities. Panel variants include models with a membrane keyboard and versions with a touch screen.

Products from the HMI Multi series

• 6AV6643-0CB01-1AX1 - SIMATIC MP 277 8" Touch Multi Panel with retentive memory, 7.5" TFT display, 6 MB configuration memory, configurable with WinCC flexible 2005 Standard SP1.

• 6AV6643-0DB01-1AX1 - SIMATIC MP 277 8" Key Multi Panel with retentive memory, 7.5" TFT display, 6 MB configuration memory, configurable with WinCC flexible 2005 Standard SP1.

• 6AV6644-2AB01-2AX0 - SIMATIC MP 377 pro 15" Touch Multi Panel, Windows CE 5.0, 15" color TFT display, 12 MB configuration memory, configurable from WinCC flexible 2007.

Find out more about our offer by visiting the tabs with Siemens-PLC and Schneider-PLC products. If the product you are looking for is not on our website or you have additional questions, please contact us at inquiry@plc-drives.com or directly at our representatives (addresses available in the "Contact" tab). We are able to supply you with all Siemens and Schneider PLC products, including those already withdrawn from production. Check our offer!