Lenze HMI EL 100: Intelligent Human Machine Interface

Lenze HMI EL 100 Series: Creating Intelligent Human Machine Interfaces for Industrial Automation

In modern industrial production, the interaction interface between humans and machines is increasingly becoming a key factor determining production efficiency and operational experience. With the increasing complexity of automation systems, operators require more intuitive, flexible, and reliable interfaces to monitor and control production processes. As a leading global provider of drive and automation solutions, Lenze deeply understands this demand and has launched the HMI EL 100 series human-machine interface products.

The HMI EL 100 series is based on the Windows CE operating system and integrates the visualization system VisiWinNET Smart and optional Soft PLC functionality, providing a compact, efficient, and cost optimized solution for small and medium-sized control and visualization tasks. This article will comprehensively analyze the technical connotation and application value of the HMI EL 100 series from multiple dimensions such as product concept, hardware features, software functions, system integration, and service support.

L-force philosophy: Driving the philosophy of technology for the future

Lenze's L-force philosophy is the core idea that runs through all products and solutions, and the HMI EL 100 series is a perfect embodiment of this philosophy. L-force consists of four key dimensions: innovation, flexibility, usability, and compatibility.

1.1 Innovation driven

In Lenze's perspective, innovation means constantly seeking better solutions for customers. The birth of the HMI EL 100 series is a product of this innovative spirit. It integrates the flexibility of the Windows CE operating system with the powerful functionality of the visualization system, bringing a PC level functional experience to traditional human-machine interfaces.

1.2 Flexible Expansion

The L-force concept emphasizes high scalability. The HMI EL 100 series offers a variety of display sizes ranging from 8.9cm (3.5 inches) to 26.4cm (10.4 inches), allowing users to choose the most suitable hardware platform based on their actual application needs. Performance, functional scope, software, service, and after-sales support can all be accurately matched according to customer needs to achieve personalized solutions.

1.3 User orientation

Lenze always puts users first. In the development process of the HMI EL 100 series, Lenze invited experts with rich practical experience to participate, ensuring that the product is not only technologically advanced, but also easy to use in practical operation. Complex applications are simplified into intuitive user interfaces, allowing operators to focus on the production process itself.

1.4 Perfect compatibility

Compatibility is an important pillar of the L-force philosophy. The HMI EL 100 series is equipped with standardized industrial interfaces, including CAN bus (Lenze standard) MPI、RS232、 Ethernet, USB-A, USB-B, etc. These interfaces ensure industrial compatibility with higher-level PCs, allowing for the connection of additional drivers, printers, keyboards, or other communication devices to form a seamlessly integrated automation system.

Hardware features: A flexible and high-performance platform

2.1 Display and Operation

The HMI EL 100 series offers multiple display sizes to meet the needs of different application scenarios:

3.5 inches (8.9cm): suitable for small devices and space limited applications

Larger size options: including 5.7 inches, 8.4 inches, 10.4 inches, etc., with a maximum diagonal size of 26.4cm

All models adopt a touch screen design, providing an intuitive and flexible graphical user interface. Based on the Windows CE operating system, these compact touch panels have rich features typical of PCs, providing users with a familiar and efficient operating experience.

2.2 Communication Interface

The HMI EL 100 series is equipped with a complete set of industrial communication interfaces to ensure seamless connection with various control systems and peripherals

CAN bus: As a standard interface for Lenze, it is used for high-speed communication with Lenze drivers and control systems

MPI: Used for communication with mainstream PLCs such as Siemens

RS232: Provides universal serial communication capability

Ethernet: Supports industrial compatible communication with upper layer PCs, enabling remote access and program transmission

USB-A: Used for connecting external devices such as printers, keyboards, USB drives, etc

USB-B: Used for communication and program download with PC

The combination of these interfaces enables the HMI EL 100 to be flexibly integrated into various automation systems, whether as an independent operating terminal or as a node in the entire factory network.

Software Function: Seamless Integration of Visualization and Logical Control

The core advantage of the HMI EL 100 series lies in its software architecture. It integrates the visualization system VisiWinNET Smart and optional Soft PLC, providing users with a complete operation and control platform.

3.1 VisiWinNET Smart: Intelligent Visualization System

VisiWinNET Smart is a visualization system designed specifically for the HMI EL 100 series, with the aim of enabling users to easily and quickly create powerful graphical user interfaces.

Project Wizard and Configuration: The system provides a project wizard to help users select target hardware and provide freely adjustable basic configurations. This feature greatly simplifies the initial setup process of the project, allowing even first-time engineers to quickly get started.

Variable integration: VisiWinNET Smart supports direct acceptance of variables from control systems and connected field devices, as well as the ability to import system variables such as time and display brightness. This seamless variable integration ensures real-time and accurate data display.

Function module: The system integrates multiple practical editors, including:

User Management: Supports multi-level user permission settings to ensure operational security

Alarm management: Real time monitoring and recording of system alarms for easy fault diagnosis

Formula management: supports storage and switching of production parameters, improving production flexibility

Trend display: Real time display of process data in chart form for easy analysis and optimization

Multi language support: VisiWinNET Smart has a built-in language switching function that supports all mainstream languages worldwide and can be used in any combination. This is a highly valuable feature for equipment manufacturers targeting the international market.

Scalability: When standard visualization features cannot meet specific needs, users can extend system functionality through the integrated Visual Basic.net scripting language. Script languages can be accessed NET Compact Framework and VisiWinNET library are used to implement more complex functions such as file processing, thereby solving enterprise specific application problems.

3.2 EL 100 PLC: Intelligent Logic Control Expansion

For applications that require integrated control logic, the HMI EL 100 series offers the Soft PLC option, which is programmed based on PLC Designer software that complies with the IEC 61131 standard.

Quick configuration: In the workflow of VisiWinNET Smart, users can access all PLC variables through an integrated browser for fast and convenient configuration. This seamless integration eliminates the gap between visualization and logical control, making the entire development process more efficient.

Data retention: The HMI EL 100 series is equipped with an integrated UPS (uninterruptible power supply) function. In the event of voltage interruption or emergency stop, all retention variables will be automatically stored in the integrated flash drive. When the system restarts, the PLC can return to the defined state, ensuring the safety and continuity of the production process without the need to cyclically copy persistent variables to slow memory.

Teamwork: Powerful combination and system integration

4.1 Intelligent human-machine dialogue

The core value of the HMI EL 100 series lies in the intelligent dialogue between the operator and the system. The system provides operators with an intuitive and efficient operating experience through graphical machine representation, multilingual operations and help text, as well as convenient editing functions for all parameters. During the operation phase, trend charts and optimized alarm management ensure the trouble free operation of the machine.

4.2 Networking Capability

In order to achieve all operating interfaces and Soft PLC functions, VisiWinNET and PLC Designer provide powerful software tools. Through Ethernet, PLC programs and visualization applications can be easily transferred from PC to Windows CE based HMI devices. In cases where service support is required, this connection can also be established through a modem.

All EL 100 series devices have achieved comfortable remote maintenance functions, including:

FTP Server Access: Allow Remote Access to File System

Remote desktop program: supports remote operation and diagnosis

These features enable engineers to maintain and troubleshoot equipment from any location, greatly reducing response time and lowering maintenance costs.

Application scenarios and value

5.1 Applicable fields

The HMI EL 100 series is an ideal choice for small control and visualization tasks, widely used in:

packaging machinery

Material Handling Equipment 

Food processing machinery

printing machinery

textile machinery

Wood processing equipment

Small assembly line

5.2 Customer Value

Cost effectiveness: As a complete system that integrates visualization and control functions, the HMI EL 100 series provides users with a cost-effective solution. Complex operation and monitoring functions can be achieved without the need for additional procurement of independent controllers.

Time saving: VisiWinNET Smart's project wizard and variable browser greatly shorten the development cycle. A unified development environment reduces the switching between different tools and improves work efficiency.

Improving quality: Accurate real-time data display, comprehensive alarm management, and trend analysis functions help operators discover and solve problems in a timely manner, thereby improving product quality and production stability.

Facing the future: The Windows CE based platform provides PC level flexibility and scalability. With changes in production demand, system functions can be easily expanded without the need for hardware replacement.

Overview of Product Models

The HMI EL 100 series offers multiple model options to meet different application needs. Although the specific technical data of the model is not detailed in the document, according to the product description, the main distinguishing dimensions include:

Display size: from 3.5 inches to 10.4 inches

Touch screen type: resistive or capacitive

Processor performance: Processor performance varies depending on the model

Memory configuration: RAM and flash capacity are configured according to the model

Interface type: Some models may be equipped with different interface combinations

Users can choose the most suitable hardware platform based on their specific application needs. Lenze's product experts can provide users with detailed selection recommendations.