Operator Interfaces Show the 'Big Picture'

A debate is brewing among economists and technologists about whether automation helps or hinders job creation, but there's little question about the kind of difference automation can make to a manufacturer's profitability. Getting the right interface tools into an operator's hands can have a significant impact on that equation.

"Look at how the operator impacts automation," notes Ian Nimmo, president and founder of User Centered Design Services. "Sometimes they cause the disturbance. It all depends on the operator's experience, and how he captures the big picture."

In large part, capturing the big picture comes down to how well the HMI is designed. At the Yokogawa Users Group Conference a few months ago, Nimmo suggested ways to improve HMI design, including better color schemes; easier navigation, letting operators see more on the first page; more trending information; and eliminated pages of alarms.

One way HMIs are made more accessible and relatable to operators is by bringing the technology found in consumer electronics into the industrial space. "The 'non-industrial' electronic devices that engineers interact with at home and in their office ultimately influence their expectations with HMI technology for machines," says Nathan Eisel, technical support manager for Beckhoff Automation. "Many of the major interactive technologies that arise in the future will also eventually make their way into HMIs for machines, manufacturing and processing."

More needs to be done to bring mainstream computing usability to HMI, "such as better support hardware and graphics that aren't like neon signs," says John Kowal, business development director at B&R Industrial Automation. "Some of these tools are already entering the marketplace, and they're allowing us to do some very interesting things. For instance, we have multi-touch HMIs that are supported by Windows 8 software, and they can do many iPad-like functions such as sweeping, which operators are going to expect."

Eisel contends that multi-touch technology is perhaps one of the most significant developments today in HMIs. "Familiar functions from the world of smartphones and touchpads — such as zooming, scrolling, object turning, flicks, etc. — are now usable for industrial applications with these industrialized multi-touch panels," he says. "This opens up new possibilities for creative HMI designs that increase machine functionality while enhancing operator training and comfort."