ADLINK PanKonix Series HMI Panel Selection and Deployment Guide

ADLINK PanKonix Series HMI Panel Selection and Industrial Visualization Deployment Practice

In the wave of intelligent manufacturing and Industry 4.0, Human Machine Interface (HMI) has evolved from a simple display and control terminal to an intelligent gateway integrating data acquisition, edge computing, cloud connection and device management. Traditional HMI is often limited by closed protocol stacks, limited graphics capabilities, and weak networking capabilities, making it difficult to meet the demands of modern production lines for multi protocol fusion, remote monitoring, and big data analysis. ADLINK PanKonix series HMI panel computers are based on Intel Core i3/i5 or Atom processors, equipped with full-featured iFACE HMI software, native support for mainstream industrial protocols such as RESTful API, MQTT, OPC UA, Modbus, and BACnet, and provide built-in 100+vector graphics libraries, trend charts, alarm logs, and recipe management functions, providing equipment manufacturers and system integrators with a "out of the box" visualization and edge control solution. This article will comprehensively analyze the engineering application points of PanKonix series from product models, hardware selection, software functions, installation and deployment to typical application scenarios.

Product Family and Model Analysis

The PanKonix series is divided into two sub series: True Flat HMI (STC2 series) and Open Frame HMI (SP2 series), which meet different installation environments and appearance requirements.

1. True Flat HMI (STC2 series)

Adopting a flat frameless design, the front is IP65 protected, suitable for embedded panel installation, with a modern appearance, suitable for clean workshops and high-end equipment. Model naming convention: PKX-STC2- {CPU}- {Size}, for example:

PKX-STC2-AL-10/15: Equipped with Intel Atom x7-E3950 (1.6/2.0GHz, 4-core), 10.1 "or 15.6" screen, and optional iFACE HMI software.

PKX-STC2-KL-10/15/21: Equipped with Intel Core i3-7100U (10.1 ") or i5-7300U (15.6"/21.5 "), supporting iFACE HMI or SuperCAT (EtherCAT motion control function).

2. Open Frame HMI (SP2 series)

Open architecture, no front frame, suitable for embedding in third-party cabinets or customized devices, with dimensions ranging from 7 "to 21.5". The processor is available in Atom x5-E3930 (7 "/10"/15 "/21") and Core i3/i5 (10 "/15"/21 ") options. Models such as PKX-SP2-AL-07 (7-inch Atom) and PKX-SP2-KL-15 (15.6-inch Core i5).

Key selection indicators:

Screen size and resolution: 7 "(1024 × 600), 10.1" (1280 × 800), 15.6 "(1920 × 1080), 21.5" (1920 × 1080).

Brightness: up to 600 cd/m ² for 7-inch high brightness outdoor visibility, with the remaining 400~420 cd/m ².

Touch technology: PCAP projection capacitor, 10 point touch, support glove use operation, 7H surface hardness, anti fingerprint coating.

Processor performance: Atom series is suitable for lightweight HMI and basic data recording; Core i3/i5 is suitable for complex graphics, multitasking, and edge AI inference.

Special features: Some models can choose SuperCAT, support up to 8-axis EtherCAT motion control, integrate APS function library, and can directly implement motion logic through HMI programming, eliminating the need for an independent PLC.

Hardware interface and expansion capability

The PanKonix series offers a wide range of industrial I/O interfaces to meet the connectivity needs of field devices

Number/specification of interface types

Ethernet 2 x GbE (Intel I225), supports WOL, 1Gbps

Serial port 2 × RS-232/422/485 (programmable, automatic flow control)

USB 1×USB 2.0（Type-A，OCP，1000mA）

1×USB 3.0（Type-A，OCP，1600mA）

1 x USB 2.0 client (internal)

Video output 1 x DisplayPort (DP++, up to 4096 x) 2160@60Hz ）

Audio 1 x Mic in, 1 x Line out, internal 2W speaker interface

Expand 1 x Mini PCIe (Wi Fi/BT/4G module)

1 x SIM card slot (4G/5G)

Internal GPIO 8-pin GPIO (programmable)

32 physical buttons (BOM optional), or backlight/volume adjustment buttons

Power supply: Supports 9-36V wide voltage input (default AT mode, adjustable ATX), with overvoltage/undervoltage protection, suitable for power fluctuations in industrial sites.

Installation method: Supports panel installation (perforated) and VESA installation (75 × 75mm or 100 × 100mm, STC2 series supported through back cover).

Core functions of iFACE HMI software

The core value of the PanKonix series lies in the pre installed iFACE HMI configuration software, which is not a simple screen editor, but a complete device interconnection and data management platform.

1. Massive PLC driver library

Built in mainstream PLC brand drivers, including:

European and American brands: Beckhoff (TwinCAT), Siemens (S7), Rockwell (AB), GE, Schneider

Japanese: Mitsubishi (FX/Q/L series) Omron（CJ/CS/NJ）、Panasonic、Hitachi、Yaskawa、Yokogawa

Taiwan series: Delta, Koyo, Keyence

Building Automation: BACnet

Universal protocols: Modbus RTU/TCP, OPC UA, MQTT

No need to write communication code, just select the device model and configure serial/network parameters to achieve data label mapping.