UniOP ePAD03/ePAD04 Human Computer Interface

UniOP ePAD03/ePAD04 Human Computer Interface

In the field of industrial automation, human-machine interface serves as a bridge between operators and control systems, and its cost-effectiveness and functional richness are often the core concerns of users. Exor's ePAD03 and ePAD04 series panels have redefined the standards for entry-level HMI products and become a successful alternative to the popular MD00 series. These two products not only inherit the powerful software ecosystem of the UniOP family, but also meet diverse needs from ordinary industrial environments to extreme working conditions with compact size, rich interfaces, and optional wide temperature versions. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the technical characteristics, functional configuration, and application value of ePAD03 and ePAD04 based on the official specifications.

Product positioning and market value

EPAD03 and ePAD04 are positioned in the compact, low-cost human-machine interface market, designed specifically for cost sensitive but uncompromising application scenarios. They can be widely used in small mechanical equipment, HVAC, environmental monitoring, packaging machinery, textile machinery and other fields, replacing traditional text panels or button indicator light combinations, providing users with a graphical human-computer interaction experience.

The launch of these two products marks that entry-level HMI is no longer just a simple data display terminal, but has advanced functions such as flexible communication, customizable interface, and data recording. Especially for users who are currently using the MD00 series, the ePAD series provides a seamless upgrade path, significantly improving performance and scalability while maintaining compatibility with installation sizes.

Display and human-computer interaction design

2.1 Display Screen

Both ePAD03 and ePAD04 are equipped with monochrome LCD graphic displays with a resolution of 120 × 32 pixels, which can clearly display 4 rows by 20 columns of text information. Although the resolution is not high, it is sufficient to meet the needs of most parameter displays, status monitoring, and simple menu navigation. The effective area of the display screen is 70 × 21 millimeters, with LED backlight to ensure clear reading under various lighting conditions.

2.2 Fonts and Graphics

The product supports scalable fonts, allowing users to adjust the text size as needed and highlight key information. In addition, the system allows users to customize 256 characters, which can be used to display special symbols or company logos, enhancing the recognition of the interface. Contrast can be adjusted through software to adapt to different environmental lighting without opening the chassis.

2.3 Buttons and indicator lights

The front panel is equipped with 4 user programmable function keys, each with a sliding label slot for users to customize identification according to their application. The operation logic of these 4 buttons can be freely configured through the macro editor of Designer 6 software to achieve complex functions such as page flipping, setting, and numerical adjustment.

At the same time, there are 5 user programmable LED indicator lights on the panel, which are used to visually display device status, alarm signals, or operating modes. In addition, there are 4 system LED indicator lights used to indicate basic information such as power and communication status. This combination design of buttons and indicator lights allows operators to obtain key status information without having to stare at the screen, improving the convenience and safety of operation.

2.4 Protection level

The front panel meets the IP65 protection level and can effectively prevent dust and water spray, suitable for common humid and dusty environments in industrial sites. Attention should be paid to fitting the sealing strip during installation to ensure a tight fit with the cabinet.

Hardware architecture and interface configuration

3.1 Processor and Memory

EPAD03 and ePAD04 have built-in 512 KB flash user memory for storing application programs, recipe data, and font files. EPAD03 supports 16 KB recipe memory, while ePAD04 does not have recipe storage function, which is one of the main differences in functionality between the two.

3.2 Communication Interface

PLC ports: Both products are equipped with PLC ports that support three electrical standards: RS-232, RS-485, and RS-422. They can connect over 130 mainstream industrial devices, covering mainstream PLC brands such as Siemens, Mitsubishi, Rockwell, Omron, as well as general protocols such as Modbus.

Programming speed: ePAD03 supports programming speeds ranging from 9600 to 38400 bps, while ePAD04 is fixed at 9600 bps.

AUX Expansion Port: This is a major highlight of the ePAD series. Through optional modules, users can expand fieldbus (Profibus DP, CANopen, DeviceNet, Interbus) or Ethernet interfaces. The Ethernet module not only supports communication with on-site devices, but can also be used for remote programming from Designer software. This modular design enables the ePAD series to adapt to different industrial network environments, greatly enhancing product flexibility.

3.3 Power Supply and Electrical Parameters

Power supply voltage: 18~30 VDC, wide voltage input to adapt to power fluctuations in industrial sites.

Current consumption: Typical current is 0.25 A at 24 VDC, with extremely low power consumption.

Fuse: Built in automatic overcurrent protection, no external fuse required.

Battery: ePAD03 is equipped with CR2430 lithium manganese battery (3V, 270mAh) to maintain real-time clock operation, which can be replaced by users; EPAD04 does not have a real-time clock, therefore it is not equipped with a battery.

Software Features and Development Environment

4.1 Designer 6 Programming Software

EPAD03 and ePAD04 are programmed using Exor's powerful Designer 6 software. This software runs on the Windows environment and provides an intuitive graphical programming interface, supporting the following core functions:

Dual drive communication: ePAD03 supports dual drive communication capability and can communicate with devices of two different protocols simultaneously, such as connecting PLC and frequency converter to achieve data exchange. EPAD04 does not support this feature.

Rich communication driver library: Built in over 130 communication drivers, covering mainstream industrial equipment.

Scalable font: supports dynamic adjustment of text size to optimize information display effect.

Dynamic data display: supports dynamic data display in various formats such as numerical values, text, bar charts, graphic images, etc.

Formula data storage: ePAD03 supports formula data storage, facilitating parameter switching during batch production. Formula data can be uploaded to the host through an Ethernet module.

Multilingual application: Supports runtime multilingual switching, with the number of languages limited only by memory. All text information can be exported in Unicode format for easy translation processing.

Macro Editor: A powerful macro editor allows users to write response logic for events such as keystrokes and variable changes, enabling complex control functions.

Alarm and Event Management: Supports 1024 alarm records, and ePAD03 also supports a list of 256 historical events. The alarm information can be printed or uploaded to the host through Ethernet.

Password protection: Level 8 password protection ensures safe operation.

UniNet Network: ePAD03 supports UniNet client/server mode, can share data with other UniOP HMIs, and integrate with the upper computer system through UniNet OPC Server. EPAD04 only supports client mode.

Environmental adaptability and reliability

5.1 Temperature Range

EPAD03 and ePAD04 offer three temperature level options:

-0046 suffix: Standard working temperature range of 0~+50 ℃, suitable for ordinary industrial environments.

-00B6 suffix: Extended working temperature range of 0~+60 ℃, suitable for high temperature environments.

-00B7 suffix: Wide temperature working temperature -20~+60 ℃, suitable for cold regions or refrigeration equipment.

The storage temperature is -20~+70 ℃, which meets the needs of equipment transportation and long-term shutdown.

5.2 Humidity and Vibration

The working and storage humidity ranges from 5% to 85% RH (non condensing), which meets common requirements in industrial environments. The product design complies with EN 61000-6-4 (radiated interference) and EN 61000-6-2 (noise immunity) standards, ensuring stable operation in industrial sites with complex electromagnetic environments.

Mechanical installation and dimensions

6.1 Appearance and Hole Size

Panel size: 149 × 109 mm (5.86 × 4.29 inches)

Hole size: 136 × 96 mm (5.35 × 3.78 inches)

Installation depth: 53 mm (2.08 inches)

The compact size of the ePAD series makes it suitable for installation in control cabinets with limited space, compatible with the MD00 series size, and easy for old users to replace directly.

6.2 Installation precautions

To ensure IP65 protection level, attention should be paid to the following during installation:

The edge of the opening should be smooth and free of burrs.

Use the matching installation bracket and tighten it evenly.

Ensure good sealing between the front panel and the cabinet.

Comparison of ePAD03 and ePAD04 Functions

To help users quickly select, the main differences between the two products are compared below:

Function Item ePAD03 ePAD04

Real time clock with (battery backup) none

Recipe Memory 16 KB None

Event List 256 None

Dual drive communication support not supported

UniNet mode client/server client only

Battery CR2430 replaceable none

Programming speed 9600-38400 bps 9600 bps

From the comparison, it can be seen that ePAD03 is more functional and suitable for applications that require data recording, timestamps, and dual protocol communication; EPAD04, on the other hand, is more streamlined and suitable for pure monitoring and simple operation scenarios, with lower costs.

Order Information

EPAD03 and ePAD04 offer multiple model options, and users can order according to their operating temperature requirements:

EPAD03-0046: Standard temperature, including real-time clock and formula

EPAD03-00B6: Extended high temperature, including real-time clock and formula

EPAD03-00B7: Wide temperature range, including real-time clock and formula

EPAD04-0046: Standard Temperature, Basic Type

EPAD04-00B6: Extended High Temperature, Basic Type

EPAD04-00B7: Wide Temperature, Basic Type

In addition, Exor also provides printable label paper (R-PRIMT2298), including 5 sheets of A4 size label paper, each of which can produce 8 sets of key labels for users to customize function key identification.

Application scenario analysis

9.1 Small mechanical equipment

For small equipment such as packaging machines, sealing machines, and labeling machines, the ePAD series can replace the traditional button+indicator light solution, providing functions such as parameter setting, production counting, and fault display to enhance the intelligence level of the equipment.

9.2 HVAC and Refrigeration

The wide temperature version of ePAD03 is particularly suitable for applications in outdoor air conditioning units, cold storage refrigeration equipment, and other environments with drastic temperature changes. The real-time clock function can be used to record device running time, timed power on/off, etc.

9.3 Environmental Monitoring

In water treatment, pump stations, meteorological monitoring and other occasions, the ePAD series can be connected to PLC or sensors to display real-time parameters such as water level, flow rate, pressure, etc., and upload data to the monitoring center through Ethernet modules.

9.4 Replace MD00 series upgrade

For users who are currently using the MD00 series, the ePAD series provides a more powerful and user-friendly upgrade solution while maintaining compatibility with installation dimensions, without the need to change control cabinet openings.