Hey there! As an Omron HMI supplier, I've had my fair share of experiences diving deep into the world of Omron HMI screen design. One of the most interesting aspects of it is the wide range of graphical objects available. In this blog, I'm gonna walk you through these graphical objects and how they can supercharge your Omron HMI screen designs.
1. Basic Geometric Shapes
Let's start with the basics - geometric shapes. These are the building blocks of any graphical design. Omron HMI offers a variety of basic shapes like rectangles, circles, and triangles.
Rectangles are super versatile. You can use them to create frames, buttons, or even represent areas on the screen. For instance, if you're designing an HMI for a manufacturing process, you can use rectangles to show different workstations. They can be customized in terms of size, color, and border thickness. You can make them transparent or give them a solid fill to match your overall design theme.
Circles are great for representing things like gauges or indicators. In a control system, a circular gauge can show the current temperature or pressure. You can add a pointer to the circle to make it a functional gauge. And just like rectangles, you can tweak their appearance to fit your needs.
Triangles might seem a bit less common, but they have their uses too. They can be used as arrows to indicate direction in a process flow diagram. Maybe you're showing the flow of materials in a factory, and triangles can point the way.
2. Text Objects
Text is a crucial part of any HMI screen. Omron HMI allows you to add text objects easily. You can use them to display labels, instructions, or data values.
The font, size, and color of the text can be adjusted. You can choose from a variety of fonts to make your text stand out or blend in with the rest of the design. For important information, you might want to use a larger font size and a bold style. And if you're working in a low - light environment, a bright text color against a dark background can improve readability.
You can also link text objects to data sources. So, if you have a sensor measuring a certain parameter, the text object can display the real - time value of that parameter. For example, if you're monitoring the speed of a motor, the text can show the current speed in RPM.
3. Images and Bitmaps
Adding images and bitmaps can really enhance the visual appeal of your HMI screen. Omron HMI supports importing external images. You can use company logos, product images, or icons to make the screen more recognizable and user - friendly.
Let's say you're designing an HMI for a food processing plant. You can add an image of the product being processed to give operators a clear idea of what they're working on. Icons can be used to represent different functions or actions. For example, a power - on icon can be used to start a machine, and a stop icon to halt it.
Images can be resized, rotated, and positioned on the screen. You can also set transparency levels to make them blend better with other graphical elements.
4. Gauges and Meters
Gauges and meters are essential for displaying numerical data in a visual way. Omron HMI offers different types of gauges, such as analog gauges and digital meters.
Analog gauges mimic the look of traditional mechanical gauges. They have a needle that moves across a scale to show the value. They're great for giving a quick visual indication of a parameter's value. For example, an analog gauge can show the fuel level in a tank. You can customize the scale, the range of values, and the color of the gauge.
Digital meters, on the other hand, display the exact numerical value. They're more precise and are often used when accurate readings are required. In a laboratory setting, a digital meter can show the exact temperature or pH value.
5. Sliders and Buttons
Sliders and buttons are interactive graphical objects that allow users to control the system.
Buttons are used to trigger actions. They can be used to start or stop a process, switch between different screens, or adjust settings. Omron HMI lets you design buttons in different shapes and sizes. You can add text or icons to the buttons to make their function clear. When a button is pressed, it can be programmed to perform a specific task, like sending a command to a PLC.
Sliders are useful for adjusting values in a continuous range. For example, you can use a slider to control the speed of a conveyor belt. As the user moves the slider, the corresponding value changes, and the system responds accordingly.
6. Progress Bars
Progress bars are great for showing the status of a process. They give users an idea of how much of a task is completed.
In a manufacturing process, a progress bar can show the percentage of a batch that has been processed. It can be horizontal or vertical, and you can customize its color and style. As the process advances, the progress bar fills up, giving operators a real - time update on the status.
7. Trend Graphs
Trend graphs are used to display the historical data of a parameter over time. Omron HMI allows you to create trend graphs easily.
You can plot data from sensors or other data sources on the graph. For example, you can show the temperature trend in a room over a 24 - hour period. The graph can have multiple lines to compare different parameters. This helps operators analyze the data and identify patterns or anomalies.
Product Examples
Now, let's talk about some specific Omron HMI models where you can use these graphical objects. The NS8 - TV01B - V2 Omron is a great choice for small to medium - sized applications. It has a high - resolution display that can show all these graphical objects clearly. The NB10W - TW01B Omron is another popular option. It's user - friendly and offers a wide range of features for creating engaging HMI screens. And the Omron NS10 - TV00B - V2 HMI is known for its large screen size, which is perfect for complex designs with lots of graphical elements.
Conclusion
As you can see, Omron HMI offers a rich set of graphical objects for screen design. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced designer, these objects give you the flexibility to create intuitive and functional HMI screens.
If you're interested in purchasing Omron HMI products or need help with your HMI screen design, don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to assist you in making the most of these amazing graphical objects and creating the perfect HMI solution for your needs.
References
- Omron HMI User Manuals
- Industry - specific case studies on HMI design
