HMI Tutorial

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In the Getting Started tab we will go over getting the software, but if you would like to get the Demo for the HG series touch screen please click here: HG Demos



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Pre HMI

Before the HMI, push buttons, lights and switches were used. Later on came annunciators, dials and panel gauges. HMI started out as being more expensive with monochromatic screens and rudimentary text based displays. With the expense of multiple buttons and the installation cost and the drop in price of HMI's, many customers started switching over to Operator interfaces. Now with HMI’s, you can have more elaborate designs and it is simpler to modify when a change is needed. In this tutorial, you will see how easy it is to program your touchscreen. On the left hand side is just a demonstration of one base screen setup.

The First HMI

The first touch screen was a capacitive type invented by E.A. Johnson at the Royal Radar Establishment, Malvern, UK in 1965. In 1971 Doctor Sam Hurst while an instructor at the University of Kentucky patented the first modern day resistive touch screen

Just The Right Touch

Touchscreens started out with CRTs, then to TFT LCD displays and finally to LED backlit screens. With the advancements made on processors, the HMI can do a lot more. A big advancement with the touchscreen was the rise of multi-touch technology.

Key Features

There are many key features on the IDEC touchscreen such as remote access, monitor and control. The screens are very bright at up to 800 cd/m^2 SVGA resolution. Screen lights up quickly and has a lifespan of 50,000 with 48 levels adjustment with backlight turnoff with inactivity. HMI will accept images from camera to display on screen and can also play audio. SD card will work with the touchscreen as well as expansion module for I/O. A touchscreen/PLC combo starts as low as $349 list.

What is Covered

This tutorial is designed for you to work at your own speed. It will cover what you would do in our one day class. If you would like to attend one of classes, please visit: IDEC Training Site This training is roughly a one day class. We will cover installing the software and writing some basic programs. We will cover putting images on the screen, creating a bit button, pilot light and so much more. At the end is a contact page where you can ask questions if you have any difficulty with this training.