Hy-Line
The modular HMI concept
Customize HMIs according to your needs! A modular system for glass, display and touch sensor from the drawer should make this possible for machine builders.
A real-life scenario: The product manager storms into the room: "Our design department has completed the new machine in time for the trade fair. Now we just need a suitable HMI, it can't be that difficult!" - That's true, at least in principle. All you need is a display, a touch sensor and a glass panel, and the control panel is ready. But this simplicity is also the challenge: Which display from which manufacturer is best suited? How is the sensor glued so that it fits perfectly and doesn't create bubbles? Why should the one piece of glass for the front require so many one-off costs? And where does the control of the LED backlight come from?
Off the shelf - but modular
The modular system, consisting of the individual components cover glass, touch sensor, TFT display and interface.
© Hy-LineIn the case outlined, a modular system for glass, display and touch sensor helps out of the drawer. Customers from industry are specialists in solving their core tasks. The construction of printing machines, agricultural vehicles or laboratory equipment for precise analysis is their daily business. However, developing the electronics for an HMI is unfamiliar and time-consuming for them, as technologies, tools and interfaces change from one product cycle to the next. If you don't keep up with the latest technology, you have to start development all over again. Most requirements for a modern HMI can be met with a ready-made, yet configurable system. The costs remain manageable and there are no one-off investments in tools and masks. The picture shows the components that make up such a system. Not shown is the mounting frame, which holds the components together and is used to install the system in the machine housing.
The requirements
What requirements must an operating system meet in order to prove itself in practice? For industrial applications, the values in the data sheet must be exactly right: The temperature range should at least extend from -20 to +70 °C, the backlight should have a long service life and the entire system must be available for many years. The display quality must be flawless and the touchscreen, which today is always designed using PCAP technology, must function without compromise under all environmental conditions. Different display diagonals should be available for different applications and the interfaces should comply with current standards. In addition, the mechanics should be designed in such a way that the entire system can be easily integrated into the machine housing or its control panel. Finally, the price has to be right!
The displays
The concept shown here differs from other concepts on the market in that there are two model classes that are adapted to the respective customer requirements. This is because it is clear that not all requirements can be met by one device line. Some applications do not require a high-end display or are driven by cost, while others demand a brilliant display. These requirements can also be met with two otherwise identical product lines.
The picture on the right compares the two model series in terms of quality. We can speak of industrial suitability from level 2. While there are certainly differences in display parameters such as resolution and viewing angle, the touchscreen, cover glass and interface are of the same high quality. In comparison, a consumer model can only reach level 1 for many parameters such as viewing angle and temperature range, and availability is also limited. The mid-range series offers good technical data at a good price. The displays are designed in TN technology, but with an extended viewing angle, a preferred viewing direction and standard resolution.
The high-end range offers the highest performance. The displays in IPS technology have higher brightness, higher resolution and a longer backlight life. The viewing angle is more than 80° all round so that the display can also be installed upright in portrait format without compromising the optics.
Common to both is the industrial temperature range between at least -20 and +70 °C and the long availability of seven years, which gives the customer security of supply from the start of the design over the entire product life.
The technical data of all available models. The expansion of the family to include larger displays is in progress.
© Hy-LineThe family starts with common display diagonals (4.3 inch, 7 inch and 10.1 inch), with an addition already being planned. The EMC-optimized interfaces are identical for all modules, namely LVDS for the display and USB and I²C for the touchscreen. This means they can be connected to all X86 or ARM-based computer boards. The standardized interface to the system gives the customer the greatest possible flexibility and form-fit-function interchangeability. All available models are summarized in the adjacent image.
The touchscreen
The touchscreen in PCAP technology is equipped with the latest 10-finger controller, which works even when wetted with water, salt water and even conductive liquids. It can also be operated with gloves or a pen.
The controller provides excellent immunity to electromagnetic interference, whether conducted (15 Vrms) or radiated (50 V/m). It is therefore suitable for all industrial and medical applications. Fine-tuning is carried out according to the requirements; calibration during operation is not necessary.
The mechanics
The cover glass with precisely ground edges is screen-printed with a simple black frame, so there are no tool costs for cover glass and printing. The system is mounted in a metal frame for easy installation in an enclosure. This also ensures good electromagnetic compatibility.
The modular system
The development of the family concept was based on customer requirements: Short-term availability - simple integration - technically leading components. If you do not want to use a complete system as described, the components of the family concept can also be purchased individually. The print mask can be adapted for special printing with company logos or recessed areas for brightness sensors or light indicators. If the touch function is not required, the cover glass can be bonded directly to the display.
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