HMI INTERFACE DESIGN SERVICES
HUMAN MACHINE INTERFACE DESIGN SERVICES
Human Machine Interface – HMI – is fast becoming the preferred way for manufacturers to allow humans to control the machines they create. Industries are moving away from the current physical buttons, knobs, levers and switches to interface screens.
There are multiple advantages to transitioning to interface screens, and depending on the type of equipment it is being mated to, it can be quite astounding.
TYPES OF HUMAN MACHINE INTERFACES & BENEFITS
Below are some Human Machine Interface examples that show the benefits of changing from analog controls to HMI:
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Automated Tracking of Productivity
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Single-Point-Of-Reference for Machine Status
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Individual User Logins
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Maintenance Interval Tracking
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Adjusting a Machine’s Working Parameters
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Segmented Access to Machines Controls… Controlling who can make changes to the machine.
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Training Videos or Manuals, located right on the screen
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Warnings that show what is wrong and the location of the problem on the machine
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Ability to communicate information realtime to another location. Great for plant managers or jobsite forepersons
Each product will vary in how much it can take advantage of this technology. Bullseye Design Worx can help you understand not only what is possible but can also help you discover what customers really need. This helps focus development efforts on relevant features and not undesired complexity.
Bringing traditional practices to the new technology.
Having developed analog controls for various products in the industrial market for years and working with the constraints of switches, knobs and buttons, we found out what does and does not work when it comes to intuitive and well laid out controls. Design principles such as label position relative to its switch, how to group controls and communicating to international users are just a few of the good design practices we continue to use . We transfer this knowledge to the new digital technology and then take advantage of the positive advantages it offers.
HMI DESIGN STUDIO BENEFITS
Developing critical machine control interfaces, not phone apps.
There is a difference between developing an HMI versus a phone app. HMIs may be controlling multi-million-dollar manufacturing equipment or heavy construction equipment. Poor HMI development can and has led to major financial loss and injury for the purchasers of these types of machines. This is not the place to create something entertaining, vague or with an over-the -top style. This is the place for clear, simple and proper communication. This does not mean that the visual design looks plain, just that it does not interfere with the main purpose of the interface – that is to INTERFACE with the user.
Great HMI design is not just a nice graphic layout of controls. It requires knowledge of your product, understanding of how it is used and those people using it. It demands the proper attention from the management of a company wishing to develop it for their product and a team dedicated to making it right.
Developing a professional solution to make your product stand out.
If you talk to a manufacturing plant manger, the two most important things are a machine’s uptime and its down time cost. A great HMI can reduce the time it takes to train a new operator, it can reduce the errors an operator makes or can make, helps maintenance personal pin point developing issues, helps maintenance do all maintenance correctly and on schedule, automates a number of production reporting needs and helps many other productivity activities.
When applied to construction equipment, great HMI design not only helps the longevity of the machine through proper maintenance but can also increase the safety of the operator and those around the machine by indicating load variations and vehicle stability.
