Rugged Operator Interface Terminals Build Versus Buy

Many of the machines and vehicles in daily use in commercial and industrial settings worldwide feature displays and touch pads for operator input and control. These devices are known as Human-Machine Interfaces or HMIs, but are also commonly called Operator Interface Terminals and Mobile Data Terminals.

By Control Engineering Staff July 25, 2007

Introduction

Many of the machines and vehicles in daily use in commercial and industrial settings worldwide feature displays and touch pads for operator input and control. These devices are known as Human-Machine Interfaces or HMIs, but are also commonly called Operator Interface Terminals and Mobile Data Terminals. As the main means of communication between machines and their human operators, HMIs must be functional, durable and reliable. In many cases, they must be ruggedized to operate in extreme conditions, impervious to heat, cold, dust, liquids, shaking, jarring or other environmental hazards.

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