Human-Machine Interface Devices

Man-machine dialogue is the means by which an operator receives information on machine status, and can send back commands and settings. The devices which provide this link between man and machine have, for a long time, been limited to push-buttons and pilot lights. With the development of programmable controllers, new dialogue devices have appeared which greatly improve dialogue possibilities. Based upon numerical and alphanumerical message exchanges, and on the representation of machine or processes by animated graphics, they bring significant improvements to system control. In addition to this, maintenance diagnostics features are enhanced and there are greater possibilities in production and quality control.