Industrial Control Summary: The quality of HMI design in CNC machine tools directly affects their work efficiency and operator comfort. So, what principles should be followed in the design of an HMI for CNC machine tools?
The human-machine interface (HMI) of CNC machine tools can be divided into software and hardware HMIs. Designing a machine that meets human requirements and conforms to human characteristics is a crucial issue in HMI design. Software plays a vital role in CNC machine tools, as its user interface directly impacts the machine tool's working efficiency and performance.
HMI Design Principles for CNC Machine Tool Software
1) Principle of Consistency
The principle of consistency in software human-machine interfaces mainly refers to maintaining similar interface appearance, layout, human-machine interaction methods, and information display formats across different systems and within application systems. This consistency principle helps users learn how to operate machine tools and reduces error rates during use.
(2) Maintain the rationality of the interface space layout
The layout of the interface should be simple and clear. Designers should create an interface that is convenient for users based on their understanding of the actual object being operated on. For example, in the graphical interface of the CNC5000V200 CNC drilling machine control system software, there are three functionally independent processes: OPERATE, PROGRAM, and CONTROL. Each process serves the system operator, programmer, and supervisor, respectively. Each process has its own menu row, and the menus under the menu row are drop-down menus with their own sub-menus. Sub-menus can be selected to proceed to the next step.
(3) Make reasonable use of colors and graphics
Using color on the interface can better guide operations and reduce operator eye strain. Generally, no more than 3-5 colors should be used. For example, in the graphical interface of the CNC5000V200 CNC drilling machine control system software, highlights represent activated processes. Activated processes have their own colors and are displayed as the foreground on the screen: OPERATE corresponds to green, PROGRAM to dark blue, and CONTROL to light blue. Graphics have advantages such as being intuitive, visual, and information-rich; using graphics in the interface enhances the understandability and ease of use of operations.
(4) Provide information feedback
Information feedback refers to the machine tool's response to the user's operations. It indicates whether the user's operation is accepted by the machine tool, whether it is correct, and what the effect of the operation is. Feedback methods can include text, graphics, and sound.
5) Choose a suitable font and size
An interface should ideally not have too many fonts, and it's best to avoid using overly complex or weak fonts. The simpler and clearer the font, the better the legibility. For example, the aspect ratio of characters can be 2:1 or 1:1 for easier identification.
CNC Machine Tool Hardware HMI Design Principles
(1) Design principles for the appearance and color of machine tools
Machine tools are fixed in place, and the working atmosphere is calm. Therefore, the colors should not be too stimulating or exciting, nor too dull. The goal is to create a pleasant mood for the operator while working. Generally, colors with low saturation and high brightness are preferred. It is not advisable to use colors with stimulating or exciting effects in large areas, but there should be appropriate contrast effects. Decorative color bands, panel colors, and warning colors are generally used to create contrast with the main body.
(2) Design principles of machine tool appearance dimensions and proportions The dimensions and proportions between the main components of the machine tool, as well as between them and the entire machine tool structure, are crucial to the machine tool styling design.
(3) Layout Principles of Machine Tool Worktable and Control Panel The height of the main worktable should be designed according to the operating requirements, including standing, sitting, and sitting/standing postures. On the worktable, the design of manual operating devices such as handwheels and cranks should be based on their function and usage, specifying their size, shape, type, and location. Control buttons and display instruments on the control panel should be divided according to functional areas, while also meeting the requirements of display-control compatibility. Their position, height, and arrangement should conform to human-machine interaction, making operation and observation convenient. Intelligentization, multi-functionality, high reliability, high speed, and high precision have become the development direction of CNC machine tools. A good human-machine interface is simple and effective to operate, and has a guiding function, making users feel happy and increasing their interest, thereby improving efficiency. Following the above principles will hopefully improve the efficiency and comfort of your designs!
