A Human Machine Interface, or HMI, is a function or element of a certain apparatus or software program that enables people to communicate and work with machines. Screens or even the touchscreens that connect people to systems, machines, or devices make up the bulk of HMIs used on industrial machinery.
Factory owners utilize HMIs to automate and manage both their production lines and their equipment. HMIs can be simple screen displays installed on manufacturing equipment, state-of-the-art touchscreens, multitouch panels with pushbuttons, and PCs featuring keyboards, smartphones, or tablets.
Role of HMI in Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Systems
The majority of SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems depend on embedded HMI elements to function effectively. The SCADA network is the primary, general control system of a factory or facility and is in charge of managing all the intricate processes occurring.
In the past, a human-machine interface had to be linked to a Programming Logic Controller (PLC) to communicate with a production line with it. The HMI then showed data from the PLC and sent user input to the PLC. These graphical representations tended to be somewhat basic.
The fundamental HMI enables the user or plant management to examine common metrics like machine temperature, machine condition, processing counts, and material counts. The future growth trajectory of the worldwide human-machine interface (HMI) market is also projected to be aided by the rise in the need for intelligent technology solutions in the manufacturing sector and the increasing use of industrial automation.
Advantages of HMI for a Business
There are various high-level HMIs available on the market today that enable the monitoring and management of manufacturing equipment. The key advantage of investing in a high-level HMI is the simplification of manufacturing operations and procedures. HMIs with these capabilities may generate dashboards with KPIs and allow for remote machine monitoring.
The availability of essential real-time data at one’s disposal is the second major advantage. These features of the contemporary, high-level HMI significantly lessen the complexity of the production environment.
In addition, manufacturing owners may use the Human-Machine Interface to react swiftly to changing or difficult circumstances. As a result, efficiency is increased since downtime is decreased. This enables the proprietor of the factory to have smart systems that lower costs and waste and, as a result, enhance operations and profitability. In the future, HMIs at the level of the machines or the edge will grow in strength and have the chance to contend in real time.
Future of this Technology
Various scenarios for the next phase of human-machine interaction are currently being predicted. The next stage of human-machine connection is anticipated to involve technologies like cloud computing, neural networks, cognitive computing, as well as the Internet of Things (IoT).
It is difficult to foresee what degree of involvement will come next. However, it can not be denied that productivity in a variety of industries will increase to a new level thanks to human-machine cooperation. In order to meet the requirements of Industry 4.0, industrialized HMIs will also continue to include cutting-edge technologies that are having an influence on HMIs as a whole.
