There are three BASIC types of HMIs: the push button replacer, the data handler, and the overseer. Before the HMI came into existence, a control might consist of hundreds of push buttons and LEDs PERFORMING different operations. The pushbutton replacer HMI has streamlined MANUFACTURING processes, centralizing all the functions of each button into one location. The data handler is perfect for APPLICATIONS requiring constant feedback from the system, or printouts of the production reports. With the data handler, you must ensure the HMI screen is big enough for such things as graphs, visual representations and production summaries. The data handler includes such functions as recipes, data trending, data logging and alarm handling/logging. Finally, anytime an application involves SCADA or MES, an overseer HMI is extremely beneficial. The overseer HMI will most likely need to run Windows, and have several Ethernet ports.

There are three basic types of HMIs: the push button replacer, the data handler, and the overseer. Before the HMI came into existence, a control might consist of hundreds of push buttons and LEDs performing different operations. The pushbutton replacer HMI has streamlined manufacturing processes, centralizing all the functions of each button into one location. The data handler is perfect for applications requiring constant feedback from the system, or printouts of the production reports. With the data handler, you must ensure the HMI screen is big enough for such things as graphs, visual representations and production summaries. The data handler includes such functions as recipes, data trending, data logging and alarm handling/logging. Finally, anytime an application involves SCADA or MES, an overseer HMI is extremely beneficial. The overseer HMI will most likely need to run Windows, and have several Ethernet ports.