The requirements for a modern user interface have changed significantly in recent years. Experts speak of 'consumerization', by which they mean that users increasingly expect similar functionality in a business context as they do in their private lives. The daily experience of using smartphones or tablets is decisive here. Users today expect mobile access to applications, intuitive user guidance and features such as gesture control, multi-touch functionality and multilingualism. For system operators, future-proofing their investments is also particularly important.

The solution sounds simple: the use of web technologies enables the development of visualizations that meet all these requirements. HTML5, CSS and JavaScript in the front end as well as client-server structures for content distribution have proven themselves across the board. In addition to PLC programmers, companies also need to employ web developers and user interface designers to equip machines with professional web visualization. Lenze offers a solution for this clientele.

Design user interface via drag & drop

The solution includes the Easy UI Designer, an application for Windows computers that contains ready-made operating elements, so-called controls, as well as templates for complete pages. The control elements can be used in different designs, can be inserted into the visualization via drag-and-drop and linked there with PLC variables.

In addition, the Fast UI runtime is required on a Lenze controller. The c520 and c550 models can currently be used for this purpose. They provide the necessary performance to manage the communication of the visualization data to the client in addition to the PLC control. The range of suitable controllers will be expanded in the future.

The OEM is completely free to choose the size, resolution and orientation of the display. The web visualization can be configured in a responsive design that adapts to the available screen. In the past, it could happen that during a retrofit the user interface was only displayed on a tiny fraction of the display area if, for example, larger screen diagonals and high-resolution panels were installed. This problem no longer exists with web visualization. In addition, a visualization in responsive design enables the flexible use of mobile devices such as tablets or smartphones, which are increasingly being used in mechanical engineering.

Customized user interfaces with high user-friendliness

The Easy UI Designer comes with a range of templates, for example for user management, the alarm system and recipe management. For the development, Lenze relies on the support of a specialist in UX design. Dr. Julia Jürgens, who holds a doctorate in usability, pays attention to contemporary, easy-to-use elements and page templates. At the same time, the templates are designed in such a way that the OEM can quickly adapt them to their corporate identity (CI) and needs.

The machine visualization can be easily individualized with your own logo, the corresponding colour scheme and specific elements in the header and footer of the interface.

A range of tools supports digital engineering. These include the Easy System Designer (ESD) to create the basic machine topology, the PLC Designer for the automated creation of control software and the Easy Product Finder (EPF), which simplifies the selection of components and fills the shopping cart. The long-term strategy of automation manufacturer Lenze is to combine these applications into a tool chain so that the engineering process of a machine becomes even more efficient. Based on the Asset Administration Shell (AAS, also known as the administration shell or digital twin), the necessary information for the associated visualization project can be automatically transferred from the ESD to the EASY UI Designer in the future.

Mastering a wide range of functions

The user interface is the face of the machine to the customer. A modern and intuitive visualization with a high user experience ensures smooth human-machine interaction. It supports the user in mastering the wide range of functions and being able to quickly find a remedy in the event of a fault. OEMs can meet these requirements by switching to web technologies. But machine manufacturers should not be satisfied with this alone. Professional UX design and progressive integration into digital engineering, which enables greater efficiency in development, offer decisive added value.

Lenze supports the implementation of user-centric visualization solutions. Core elements are web-based client-server architectures, parameterizability of the displayed interfaces and a library of prepared visualization elements that are designed according to usability principles.

According to documents from Lenze