What is HMI?

HMI stands for Human Machine Interface.

A human-machine interface (HMI) is a user interface that a person connects to a machine. Technically, an HMI can be applied to any screen that allows the user to interact with the device. It is most commonly used in industrial processes.

An HMI provides a visual overview of a system's condition and its operational controls. Its screen can be programmed to display important information. HMI can use pictures, ICONS, sounds, and colors to represent different operating conditions. Many Hmis employ touch screen technology for user interaction with the elements displayed on the screen.

Although HMI is the most commonly used term for this technology, it is also sometimes called Human Machine Interface (MMI), Operator Interface terminal (OIT), Local Operator interface (LOI), or Operator terminal (OT).

In industrial Settings, HMI can be used to:

Visual display data

Track production times, trends and labels

Monitor key performance indicators

Monitor machine inputs and outputs

PanelView600_ comes in many forms, from a built-in screen on a machine to a computer monitor to a tablet. Regardless of its format, the aim is to provide an understanding of mechanical properties.

Almost all industrial organizations, as well as many other companies, use HMI technology to interact with their machines and optimize their industrial processes.

Industries that use HMI include:

Source of energy

Food and drink

Manufacturing industry

Oil and gas

Generating capacity

recycling

transport

Water and wastewater

Industrial HMI

Now let's talk about industrial HMI. Without HMI, automation is difficult to achieve in the industry.

HMI usually comes in the form of a screen, like a computer screen, and sometimes more of a touch screen.

Operators or maintenance personnel can operate and monitor equipment from the HMI.

They may include information such as temperature, pressure, process steps, and material counts. They can also show the precise height of the tank and the precise position of the equipment.

Data from multiple devices can now be viewed on a single screen. Implementation is limited to specific software and hardware.

Industrial HMI advantage

For maintenance personnel, many Hmis can also be connected to PLCS and have their data displayed on the screen for troubleshooting. This saves valuable time compared to every time you connect your computer or laptop.

Another benefit of having a modern human-machine interface is that factories and other industrial sites can monitor and control multiple machines or other equipment. A small manufacturing plant can even monitor the entire plant from a single centrally located HMI.

For many years, water supply systems and wastewater treatment facilities have been using HMI in combination with PLCS. Ability to remotely monitor locations such as pumps and equipment inside the plant.

By now, you probably already understand that the HMI is the operation panel and the monitoring screen. But how does the HMI actually connect to the machine for control and monitoring?

Let's take a look.

First, the HMI uses specialized software that engineers can program. Different brands of Hmis use different software.

Engineers can design what is actually seen on the screen, monitor data on the screen, and design "buttons" to control operations.

For example, an HMI might display a large water tank on the screen and show the liquid level. Next to the tank is a water pump, which controls the liquid level.

The HMI can also display start and stop buttons on the screen next to the pump, which can be used.

This button turns the pump on and off.

But it's not as simple as putting a button on the screen or a storage tank with a level on the screen.

The HMI programmer must program each indicator and button into the designated register address of the PLC.

This brings up another point that HMI and PLC need to be compatible. This means that they need to interact. They perform operations according to what are called protocols. Different companies use different protocols.

Common protocols are Modbus, Ethernet/IP and Profibus. These are all industrial communication networks, kind of like a network where you have multiple computers, TVS, or other devices connected to each other in your home.

As long as the PLC and HMI can interact, the command data programmed in the HMI can be used to monitor and control PLC functions.

Sum up

Let's recap and learn some basics of HMI or human machine interface today. Machine monitors and controls allow the operator to control or monitor the machine. Engineers can program the HMI to implement control and monitoring functions. HMI and PLC operate in concert to monitor and control the machine. This means that they must be compatible and must also adopt the same data instructions.

It comes in the form of a protocol, just an industrial network.