A Human-Machine Interface is an interface allowing a user to interact with a machine. Find out everything you need to know about this technology in almost all industries: definition, features, use cases …
A Human Machine Interface (HMI) is a user interface allowing a person to be connected to a machine, to a system or to an appliance. In theory, it is, therefore, possible to use this term to define any screen allowing a user to interact with a device. However, it is generally used in the context of an industrial process.
Other terms can also be used to designate this technology: Operator Interface Terminal, Local Operator Interface, or even Operator Terminal. On the other hand, IHMs should not be confused with Graphical User Interfaces (GUI). These are often used within an HMI interface for visualization purposes.
HMIs can take different forms. These can be screens built directly into machines, computer screens, touchpads, and much more. Regardless of the form, however, the purpose of these interfaces remains the same: to provide insight into machine performance and progress.
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Other terms can also be used to designate this technology: Operator Interface Terminal, Local Operator Interface, or even Operator Terminal. On the other hand, IHMs should not be confused with Graphical User Interfaces (GUI). These are often used within an HMI interface for visualization purposes.
HMIs can take different forms. These can be screens built directly into machines, computer screens, touchpads, and much more. Regardless of the form, however, the purpose of these interfaces remains the same: to provide insight into machine performance and progress.
Contents
Human-machine interface: what is it for?
Who uses human-machine interfaces?
What is the difference between HMI and SCADA?
Human-machine interface: what is it for?
n an industrial context, HMIs can be used for several reasons. They can be used to display data visually, or to track production times or trends. They can also be used to monitor performance codes or to monitor machine inputs and outputs. These are just a few examples, but UIs can have many other use cases.
For example, a plant operator can use an HMI to monitor and control the temperature of an industrial water tank, or to check whether the various pumps in the complex are operating correctly. These interfaces, therefore, serve as gateways between operators and industrial equipment.
For example, a plant operator can use an HMI to monitor and control the temperature of an industrial water tank, or to check whether the various pumps in the complex are operating correctly. These interfaces, therefore, serve as gateways between operators and industrial equipment.
Who uses human-machine interfaces?
HMI technologies are used in almost all industrial companies, as well as by other companies, in order to interact with machines and optimize industrial processes. Human-machine interfaces are used in particular in the energy, agrifood, manufacturing, oil and gas, energy, recycling and transport industries.
The people responsible for using the HMIs are mainly, operators, system integrators, and engineers (more particularly control system engineers). They use these interfaces as essential resources to monitor processes, diagnose problems, and visualize data.
The people responsible for using the HMIs are mainly, operators, system integrators, and engineers (more particularly control system engineers). They use these interfaces as essential resources to monitor processes, diagnose problems, and visualize data.
What is the difference between HMI and SCADA?
HMIs are similar to SCADA ( Control and Data Acquisition System) systems and are often used simultaneously within an industrial control system. However, they have several differences.
HMIs mainly make it possible to display information visually to allow the user to supervise an industrial process. SCADA systems, on the other hand, have a higher capacity in terms of data acquisition and use of control systems.
Unlike SCADA systems, HMIs do not allow information to be collected or stored. They also cannot connect to databases. These are communication tools that function as a part (or in addition to) of a SCADA system.
HMIs mainly make it possible to display information visually to allow the user to supervise an industrial process. SCADA systems, on the other hand, have a higher capacity in terms of data acquisition and use of control systems.
Unlike SCADA systems, HMIs do not allow information to be collected or stored. They also cannot connect to databases. These are communication tools that function as a part (or in addition to) of a SCADA system.
