Touch Screens Added To HMI Product Line

March 2, 2009
Siemens adds four HMI color touch panels to its Simatic HMI line

Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. has added four HMI color touch panels to its Simatic HMI product line. These touch panels are designed to increase productivity and lower costs.

Two Simatic Basic touch panels deliver a low cost, industrial-grade touch panel for simple automation systems that need common HMI functionality. Both the 10-inch model with function keys and the 15-inch XVGA resolution model provide TFT color displays.

While still compact, the TP 177B four-inch touch panel offers more space for additional graphic objects than the traditional 320 x 240 quarter-VGA resolution panels. It supports 480 x 272 pixel widescreen resolution on a bright TFT color display, providing extended screen area and visibility. Additional standard features include four configurable function keys and built-in Profinet/Ethernet and Profibus/MPI communication ports to provide greater flexibility.

The MP 177B helps companies lower costs by reducing the need for additional hardware. This six-inch touch panel is a multipurpose HMI capable of running Simatic WinAC PC-based control software along with standard WinCC flexible HMI panel software. With its TFT color display and built-in Profinet/Ethernet and ProfibusS/MPI communication ports, this panel is capable of running control logic and providing HMI screens for an automation system, eliminating the need for a separate logic controller. Designed on the Windows CE operating system, the MP 177B can run many standard PC applications including HTML and JAVA support within its pre-installed Microsoft CE Internet Explorer to enable remote monitoring and control for quick troubleshooting or program changes.

All Simatic HMI operator panels meet Type 4/4X indoor environmental enclosure ratings and are certified with industry standard agency approvals including cUL US, CE and C-Tick.