IEN: How are manufacturers using existing technologies in new ways?

Giardina: Manufacturers are using HMI placed on Ethernet to access multiple PLCs simultaneously. Ethernet also allows for programs to be downloaded to remotely located HMI.

ISA and PCI slots are being incorporated into traditional HMI platforms, allowing the power of the HMI to be greatly enhanced using ISA and PCI devices typically only associated with PC workstations.

Serial communications is still used for PLC to HMI communications. However, the speed is increasing. Communications that once were limited to 9600 or 19200 kbaud, now can take place at 115 kbaud. Combining the high baud rate with proprietary protocols custom designed for efficient HMI communications, allows serial communications to become a very effective, viable technology in the age of large networks.

As component costs are decreasing, HMI is incorporating larger LCDs with more colors, sharper images, and brighter displays.

The HMI is now the workstation for operators and plant engineers. Not only can the HMI perform all of the control functions needed for a process, it can also be used for maintenance and data acquisition. Just like a PC, the HMI can now store data internally for later retrieval. Special screens also allow direct viewing of PLC data memory areas, PLC errors, and PLC ladder programming.

IEN: What innovations are in store for users?

Giardina: Users will see the traditional HMI and PC-based HMI merging together. Industrial touch screens typically provide stability, reliability, and ease of programming. Panel PCs typically include high resolution graphics, provide more options for communications and data storage, and allow for more programming flexibility. Future HMI platforms will incorporate these benefits into a single touchscreen platform.

IEN: How are software and equipment being integrated in today's HMI/MMI world?

Giardina: Software continues to play the role of adding value to a company's HMI solution. While the durability, appearance, and capability of the HMI hardware plays a major role in the purchasing decision, the software's ease of use is just as important. This is a major area where vendors focus to add value to their solution.

IEN:Are we entering a new era of E-manufacturing?

Giardina: Manufacturers will adopt technologies that positively impact their production or their machine's operation. Many new technologies are being incorporated successfully into existing technology platforms. This is usually preferred to the wholesale change in plant floor strategy, like moving from PLC to PC-based control, or traditional HMI to PC-based HMI. What you will see is a merging of the technology as traditional equipment is modified to include the aspects of what people like about the new technology.

IEN: How will the drive toward lean manufacturing impact this sector?

Giardina: We're already seeing the impact of lean manufacturing on the HMI. Customer requirements for the HMI to perform many functions beyond basic control show that fewer pieces of equipment must perform more functions.

HMIs are also changing to work more easily with a leaner support staff. HMI must act as a gateway to a PLC or PLC network so that PLC programs can be updated from a single connection. HMI will also perform functions typically only accessible from support software, eliminating the need to connect a PC. It must also communicate with more than one PLC simultaneously, reducing the number of workstations required within a plant.