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HMI & Operator Interfaces Portal: Products, News, Articles & Resources
HMI and Operator Interfaces Products, News, Articles, Events & Resources
Welcome to Automation.com's portal for HMI and Operator Interfaces with ideas, insights, and the latest information for controls and automation engineers to provide better interfaces between processes and people. The choices continue to grow for person to machine interfaces including message displays, mobile computers, new HMI (human-machine interface) software features, technologies and Microsoft developments. Subscribe to our e-Newsletter or get the latest information on HMI and Operator Interfaces sent to your desktop as soon as they are published on this page.
Articles
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Human Centered Design Supports Improved Job Performance
- 03/10/10 Maintenance Technology, February 2010 By Adam Lund, Emerson Process Management The human centered design concept is aimed at identifying the information most needed by plant personnel and getting it to them in an easy-to-use format. This requires understanding the tasks frequently performed by end-users and presenting helpful information in a consistent fashion. |
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Avoid the Domino Effect
- 03/10/10 Chemical Processing, February 2010 By Nicholas P. Sands, DuPont, and Todd Stauffer, exida The performance of operators and the alarm system can markedly impact the quest to bolster safety and minimize unplanned downtime. Help is on the way from a new ISA standard. "Management of Alarm Systems for the Process Industries," ISA-18.2. |
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Build vs Buy
- 02/25/10 Industrial Automation Asia, December 2009 By David Pascoe, QSI Corporation Any manufacturer of complex machines or vehicles that include HMIs must face a crucial decision: should you build your own human machine interfaces or should you buy these vital components ready-made or customised from an outside source? |
White Papers
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Facilities Management Solutions
By Jim Bishop, Wonderware The biggest problem in building automation, identified by organizations like LonMark and Echelon, is the proprietary distribution models offered by established Building Automation System (BAS) suppliers. This white paper describes Wonderware’s Facilities Management Software Solution. |
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Tuning the Forgotten Loop
By Steve Rubin, Longwatch The “forgotten loop” has been the operator, who is typically trained to “average” parameters to run adequately under most steady-state conditions. “Advanced tuning” of the operator could yield even better outputs, with higher quality, fewer errors and a wider response to fluctuating operating conditions. This paper explores the issue of improving operator actions, and a method for doing so. |
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Using HMIs to Lower Your Cost of Ownership
By Hector Lin, Advantech The Windows- or Linux-based HMI is essentially replacing the standard operator panel, even as an embedded controller in devices like variable frequency drives, and PLCs or PACs, and has set the standard for operator interfaces now and in the future. |
Application Stories
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Emerson wireless helps improve operator efficiency for Novartis
- 03/09/10 Emerson’s DeltaV with a Wi-Fi network and mobile operator stations are providing process and plant information to operators at the Novartis biotech production centre in France. |
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Bottling Plant Decreases Downtime and Achieves Swift Payback
Invensys Operations Management Just like consumers selecting a soft drink, Pepsi Bottling Ventures had a number of choices to consider for its new manufacturing performance system. With Wonderware software, the plant achieved 50% reduction in changeover time and 10% increase in line efficiency, with payback in less than one year. |
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Sandvik automates mining operations with AutoMine System
To most of us the word “automation” suggests images of robotics and futuristic technology. In a “real life” operating mine, automation is defined as a computerized tool that is used to improve mine performance which will result in significant benefits to the entire mining process. |
Resources & Literature
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Poll Question - How many different networks do you have in your facility?
How many different communication networks do you have implemented in factories and/or plants? The list of available networks includes, but is not limited to: Foundation Fieldbus, ControlNet, PROFIBUS, Interbus, AS-Interface, CanOpen, CC-Link, PROFINET, HART, Ethernet, EtherCAT, Ethernet Powerlink, SERCOS, Modbus, LonWorks and DeviceNet. |
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AutomationDirect offers free HMI programming software
C-more Micro-Graphic Programming Software offers high end features designed to reduce configuration time. Simply drag and drop objects from the Object list onto the screen construction area. Then configure PLC tags and assign them to the objects. |
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Free NI Measurement and Automation Catalog
The National Instruments catalog is the leading virtual instrumentation resource for engineers and scientists seeking the most productive customer-defined software and hardware tools. |
Training & Seminars
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ISA Cyber Security for Automation, Control, and SCADA Systems
April 5 through May 28, 2010 This course is offered online and utilizes online training modules, additional text materials, online evaluations, and email discussions. Students will have access via email to an instructor and have an opportunity to participate in live Q&A sessions with the instructor and other class participants. Price: $1,210. |
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OPC Training Institute to provide training for Citect
- 05/31/09
OPCTI has been selected by Citect as its OPC training provider. |
Featured Products
Product Announcements
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Advantech announces FPM-5191G flat panel monitor
- 03/09/10
FPM-5191G has an XGA TFT LCD, NEMA4/IP65 compliant flat-sealed front panel, direct VGA and DVI-D video inputs, front-accessible USB port, and an optional resistive touch screen. |
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Beckhoff releases CP77xx series Panel PCs
- 03/04/10
The solid state CP77xx Panel PCs are ideally suited for mid-range control platforms and as HMI units for machine builders and plant engineering applications. |
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Control Microsystems adds video surveillance to ClearSCADA
- 02/28/10
When motion is detected, an alarm is raised and a video “snippet” is attached to the alarm message and sent to the central control site, showing what happened before and after the event. |
Company & Organization News
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ARC says prices are coming down on automation products
- 03/07/10 One element contributing to the price erosion is that controllers are rapidly becoming an automation commodity in some sectors. |
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Invensys adds two systems integrators to partner program
- 03/04/10 The new endorsed partners are Avanceon LP, located in Exton, Penn., and Tegron LLC, an operating unit of Glenmount Global Solutions, located in Irving, Texas. |
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ISA selects Automation.com as advertising sales partner
In addition to daily and weekly digital and online content, ISA will publish 6 print issues of InTech magazine in 2010. ISA selected Automation.com as the advertising sales representative for InTech magazine’s print, digital, and online editions. |
Project News
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QSI to supply HMI for blowing up things
- 02/28/10 The wireless handheld QTERM-G58 will be used by ATA Defense Industries to remotely control target systems for military training. |
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GE Intelligent Platforms to control Qatar Steel
- 02/11/10 GE will supply Proficy software including Plant Applications, Historian, iFIX and Portal rolled out in a phased format led by a significant pilot project. |
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Cotton ginning firm invests with APAG
- 01/24/10 Process and Control Engineering, January 2010 By Sarah Falson Atlantic Pacific Automation Group (APAG), will upgrade safety and motion control systems at Namoi Cotton Commodities in Australia. Equipment includes Parker Hannifin HMI panels, 30 Parker Variable Speed Drives, a PLC for process control, and Pilz’s PNOZmulti system for safety control of plant and equipment. |
Events
Contribute to Portals
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