Industrial display systems are crucial for any business. The right kind of display machines and monitors is important to drive your business to success.
But maybe you’re wondering what exactly are industrial display systems. And perhaps you’re thinking if your business needs such systems? We’ll shed more light on all these by explaining to you what industrial display systems are and its different types. We’ll also give you some tips on how to choose the right industrial display system for your business. What are Industrial Display Systems? An industrial display system is a collection of machines used for displaying digital output. These machines include different kinds of TFT-display screens, monitors, digital signages, and similar equipment. All these machines are then used together to do any of the following:
Note that the monitors and machines used in these professional industry-level systems are not the same as your typical flat-screen television set. These machines are tough and built to last long periods. The modules inside these machines, as well as the machine’s exteriors, are all created using high-quality industrial-grade components made to withstand the demands of whatever industry they’ll be installed at. Display machines used in an industrial display system may be fixed or mounted on the workplace where it’s used. However, there are also machines such as digital data loggers and small monitors that are portable and can be carried around as needed. Who Uses Industrial Display Systems? Almost any industry or business you can think of use industrial display systems. China and other developed countries use different kinds of monitors and display systems in several industries. You’d think the entire modern world practically runs smoothly with the help of industry-grade display systems. For instance, monitor systems are used in hospitals together with actual hospital equipment for patient monitoring. Another example is the monitors used in supermarkets and stores. These monitors work in conjunction with point-of-sale (POS) systems for cashier work, product inventories, and other related activities. Now, here are examples of other businesses and fields where industrial display systems are prominently used:
The list doesn’t end here, though. That’s because plenty of industries from the smallest entrepreneur to the largest government agencies use industrial display systems to simplify work and provide better services to their respective end-consumers. What Are Industrial Display System Machines Made Of? Monitors used for industrial display system machines are typically made of a combination of glass and metals such as aluminum and stainless steel for the chassis. Furthermore, most industrial-grade monitors come in a rugged display with a highly-durable chassis or framework. Manufacturers ensure that their monitor’s exteriors are tough enough to withstand constant usage and harsh environmental factors, especially when the equipment will be installed outdoors. Now, the monitor’s exteriors are made up of circuits, microprocessors, and the screen’s display device. Touch screen industrial monitors require more advanced circuitry in line with the technology used behind it (examples are resistive, capacitive, infrared grid). Moreover, the display device is usually a TFT LCD module combined with an LED backlight. Raw materials for assembling industrial display systems often come from countries such as China, Vietnam, and Korea. General Types of Industrial Display System Machines There are several categories of industrial display system machines. We’ll explore some of them here: 1. Industrial IP65 Monitor The Industrial IP65 Monitor is a high-quality monitor often used in outdoor settings. It’s also widely used for embedded applications. The monitor’s physical features include:
The monitor’s display technology is made up of an LCD panel with an LED backlight. Also, Industrial IP65 monitors may have anti-reflective treatments and ultra-brightness solutions added to it for outdoor use. Interfaces supported by this industrial monitor include VGA, DVI, and HDMI. Furthermore, most Industrial IP65 monitors are available in 15” and 19” sizes. 2. Open Frame Monitor Next on the list is the open frame monitor. As its name suggests, such monitors are created with a slim and open frame design. They have integrated brackets which allows for easier installation. Moreover, open frame monitors can be mounted via rear mount or VESA mount. Other pertinent features of the open frame monitor include:
The open frame monitor comes in a wide range of sizes, starting from 6.5” up to 21.5”. These monitors are ideal for use in kiosks, ATMs, and similar industrial display systems. 3. Panel Mount Monitor The panel mount monitor is a type of industrial display equipment that fits into an aperture or hole and can be mounted onto a panel. This monitor type can also be installed with a VESA mount, rear mount, or a front mount. Protective tempered glass shields the monitor from dust and liquids. Moreover, the monitor can use different kinds of touch screen technologies such as:
Here are other features of the panel mount monitor:
Panel mount monitors are available in sizes ranging from 6.5” to 21.5”. These industrial display monitors are good for applications where an embedded screen is needed. 4. Curved Monitor The curved monitor is another type of industrial display systems monitor. These are unique and advanced monitors with curvatures of 1500R or 1800R. Additional features of curved monitors include the following:
Most curved monitors are available in either portrait or landscape bends. Moreover, the monitor’s size is often large, with the basic one at 43 inches. Curved monitors are increasingly becoming popular in a lot of industries and businesses. You can typically find curved monitors in the following:
Also, several manufacturers offer customized monitor configuration and bending options for curved monitors. 5. Flush Touch Monitors Flush touch monitors have flat glass screens and thin profiles, making them among the lightest industrial display systems. Its flat glass screens allow for easy cleaning and maintenance. The fully-flat screen surface of flush touch monitors is a huge departure from the typical industrial system monitor screen. More features of flush touch monitors include:
Flush touch monitors are available in sizes up to 32 inches. The monitors are generally ideal for modern office spaces and business establishments. This is largely thanks to the contemporary look and feel of flush touch monitors. 6. Industrial Display Kit Industrial display kits are product bundles that include a display screen, a controller, and cables needed for installation. Industrial display kit screens vary in sizing, with the smallest at around 5.7 inches and the largest at 21.5 inches. Features of industrial display kits also widely vary depending on the individual kit inclusions and its intended use. But the general specifications are as follows:
Industrial display kits are used in various applications and businesses. There are kits specially designed for medical use, such as in ultrasounds. Other display kits may be used in outdoor environments as well. 7. Digital Signage Displays When it comes to digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising, a digital signage display is your best bet. This type of industrial display systems is specially designed for outdoor use and feature extremely-durable screens and display panels. Features of digital signage displays include:
Most digital signages come with options for a flexible stand base. However, they can also be mounted onto walls without a stand. Furthermore, digital signages are available in sizes up to 55 inches. 8. Fully-Configurable Display Solutions A lot of industrial display systems manufacturers offer configurable display solutions to their clients. These monitors are fully-customized to meet various industry needs and demands not seen in the available industrial monitor types. Clients may choose from an array of TFT-LCD monitors with over 30 different screen sizes. Furthermore, clients can select either touch or non-touch monitors based on their needs. Monitors used in customized display solutions are typically open frame monitors. This is because of its flexibility in configuration. The display panel often used is an LCD panel with an LED backlight. Other elements of the screen that can be fully customized include:
Fully-configurable display solutions are a good choice if you need a network of uniquely tough screens for your business operations. Choosing the Right Industrial Display Systems for Your Business As you may notice, there’s a dizzying array of industrial display system monitors available on the market. So how do you pick the one that’s suitable for your business needs? Here are some tips: 1. Consider your industry’s demands. It is crucial to think of your industry’s demands when it comes to choosing an industrial display system. Ask yourself questions like the following:
You must clearly know the monitor’s features that will directly be used to enhance your customers’ experiences and automate your business practices. By knowing your industry’s demands and business needs, you may now easily specify which monitor screen you’ll need. 2. Pick a monitor with rugged displays. A rugged display paired with a durable framework chassis is a good choice for any industry or business. Luckily, a lot of industrial display system monitors are created this way now. Rugged displays and high- quality chassis greatly contribute to the toughness and durability of the screen. Monitors with this feature are long-lasting and able to withstand repeated daily use. They can also resist rough handling. Pick this kind of monitor if you expect a lot of people using your industrial display systems daily. 3. Keep in mind the screen’s readability and brightness levels. You want your customers and employees to benefit from the industrial display system monitors you’ll be installing. Hence, see to it that the readability and brightness levels of your screen are clear enough for your end-users. Make sure that your chosen screen has sufficient contrast between the background and the text. This ensures ample readability for all your intended users. Select an industrial display system with adjustable brightness levels, if possible. If your systems will be installed outdoors, it’s a wise decision to consider ample sunlight readability as well. Anti-reflective coating can also be useful for improving your screen’s readability. Conclusion Industrial display systems are made up of high-quality monitors and display solutions. The monitors vary in type and size, ranging from the smallest 5-inch screens to the biggest 55” digital signage monitors. Common denominators of all industrial display monitors include its durable chassis, high brightness capacity, TFT LCD screen panels, display output support, and anti-reflective coatings. These monitors can either be touch or non-touch. They can also be mounted using panels, racks, walls, and VESA mounts. Choosing the right industrial display system for your business needs careful planning. You must take into consideration your industry’s demands, the readability and brightness of your screens, and the overall durability of the monitor units. By doing so, you’ll surely know which kind of monitor will best suit your needs.
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HMI is changing the way several industries are run now. It is a technology that automates several fields and improves productivity and efficiency on many levels. The merging of humans and machines through HMI is simply the next norm in industrial automation.
Interested in finding out more about HMI? Read on to get a general overview of this technology. Also, we’ll introduce STONE HMI displays and why they’re among the leaders in HMI technology worldwide. Defining what HMI is HMI stands for Human Machine Interface. It consists of a dashboard allowing a person to manipulate and interact with a system, device, or machine. HMI is often regarded as the merger of humans and machines for better automation efficiency. HMI is also known as:
The HMI presents visual information regarding a system to the user. The person, in turn, can operate and control the process by directly interacting with the machine using HMI software. Touch screens are often used together with HMI software for this system. Information regarding industrial operating systems is displayed on an HMI screen through a Graphical User Interface (GUI). Icons, pictures, colors, and sounds can all be programmed to represent various operating conditions. The visual format allows users to easily interact with data needed to automate systems. Some HMI systems also use other methods to exchange information between the human user and the machine. These methods may include speech recognition and motion sensors, among others. Technically speaking, HMI can be used to denote all kinds of screens and systems allowing users to interact with any device. However, HMI is typically used in an industrial process context. Three Main Types of HMI There are several types of HMI systems. However, we’ll focus on the three main ones used in industrial operations: pushbutton replacer, data handler, and overseer HMI. 1. Pushbutton Replacer This HMI type consists of a central control panel with several buttons. Each of the buttons performs a specific function. A pushbutton replacer allows important machine commands to be centralized in one location. Several factories use pushbutton replacers to manage the operations of different machines. 2. Data Handler Data handlers consist of huge touch-capable HMI screens where visual representations, graphs, and production summaries can all be visible. This HMI type is used for harvesting or gathering data from the various machines connected to it. The data can be printed out or sent to a hard drive, depending on the user’s needs. 3. Overseer Overseer HMI runs on the Windows operating system. It uses a TFT LCD touch screen to display a graphical user interface. This interface is then manipulated by the user to operate, control, and manage the machines connected to the HMI. Overseer HMIs are also equipped with plenty of Ethernet ports. Most applications requiring Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) benefit the most from overseer HMIs. The Technologies Behind HMI HMI operates based on a systematic network of hardware and software components. Hardware Components Computers and hardwired devices make up the bulk of hardware used in an HMI system. They are linked together so that operators can determine various process changes in their workflow and respond to them accordingly. Most of the computers and devices use touch screens where the user can view and manipulate processes in the system dashboard. Capacitive touch screens allow operators to swipe and tap the HMI machines using their fingers in response to changes in process operations. Some industries use resistive touch screens in their HMI machines, though. This may require the use of styluses or more powerful finger touches to interact with the devices. Other technologies such as voice control, gesture recognition, and eye tracking are also used in conjunction with touch screen computers and devices. Hardware components serve as both input and output devices. Touch screens, for instance, allow a user to see operational changes (output) and directly interact with the device to manipulate his workflow’s operations (input). Software Components Special HMI software is programmed into the devices. This software typically uses Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) to create dashboards for controlling various industrial operations. Furthermore, advanced HMI software often consists of various techniques and technologies. Programs used in HMI devices may have a combination of the following:
These technological advances help ensure that machines can interpret human signals properly and vice versa. Technology Behind Touch Screen HMI Touch screens play a huge part in most industrial HMI systems in any field. From production plants to medical settings, touch screens are predominantly used to automate several tasks and ensure efficiency at work. So, how does HMI work in touch screens? TFT LCD touchscreens are commonly used in industrial HMI settings. These touch screens are either capacitive or resistive. Either way, they display information through a graphical user interface. Such screens then collect information from the user by converting tactile signals from the user’s finger or stylus into electronic ones. The signals are then sent to a microprocessor who interprets them and directs the device to perform the needed action. Pros and Cons of an HMI System HMI systems have their advantages and disadvantages. Let’s enumerate them here: Pros
Cons
Industries Using HMI These are the most common industries using HMI systems:
As you can see, HMI systems are prevalent in industries requiring multiple large machines and strict control environments. However, smaller HMI systems can also be used for small-scale industries for better work efficiency. Introducing STONE HMI Display STONE is China’s leading manufacturer of intelligent HMI display solutions. STONE is in the display solutions business for 14 years and has a wide range of international clients including Siemens, Bosch, and General Electric. The company creates TFT LCD modules with touch screen capability suited for civil, advanced, and industrial uses. The STONE Industrial Type screen panels are the most popular products used for heavy-duty industrial systems. These screens feature:
Industrial-type screens can be used in ruggedized applications and fields with humid, high-temperature, and high-vibration working conditions. STONE’s industrial TFT LCD screens can be loaded with HMI software and connected with a smart system to create an overall industrial HMI solution. Why Use STONE HMI Display Solutions? Many clients looking for quality HMI display solutions head to STONE Technologies for their needs. That’s because STONE HMI display solutions offer the following benefits:
STONE has been operating for 14 years. As such, the company continues to upgrade its HMI display solutions to reflect current technologies and trends. So, if you partner with STONE for your HMI needs, rest assured you’ll get only the latest TFT LCD modules paired with up-to-date smart technologies. STONE also has top-of-the-line assemblies and production factories. These facilities are compliant with several regulatory bodies and have been awarded the following certifications:
All of these certifications guarantee that you’ll get only the finest HMI display products needed to complete your HMI ecosystem. Conclusion Human Machine Interface (HMI) is here to stay, and for good reason. Several industries around the globe have been using HMI systems paired with advanced technology such as the Internet of Things (IoT) for managing their daily operations. HMI allows for streamlined work, efficient plant monitoring, and seamless interactions between humans, machines, and fellow humans. STONE Technologies is a leading global manufacturer of HMI Display Solutions. The company takes pride in its high-quality TFT LCD screens that can be used to complete any HMI ecosystem. With STONE, rest assured you’ll get top-notch display solutions and excellent customer service, all for a highly competitive yet affordable price tag. |