Having a high-definition, 15.6-inch colour screen like the GMT MSG-156E is a fantastic start, but the hardware is only half the battle. To truly optimise your production, the interface design must be intuitive. A cluttered or confusing HMI leads to operator fatigue, slower response times, and increased errors.

Design Principles for the Factory Floor

With 16.77 million colours and a 1920 x 1080 resolution at your disposal, here is how to use them effectively:

• Use Colour Strategically: Don’t use red just because it looks nice. Reserve red for critical alarms, yellow for warnings, and green/grey for normal operation. This ensures that when an operator glances at the screen, they immediately know if something is wrong.
• The “Three-Click” Rule: An operator should be able to reach any critical setting or diagnostic screen within three touches.
• Prioritise High-Contrast: Factory lighting can be harsh. Use high-contrast text and buttons to ensure readability from several metres away.
• Group Related Functions: Keep your “Start/Stop” controls separate from your “Setup/Parameters” to avoid accidental triggers during operation.

The ION Verdict

A well-designed HMI empowers your operators to be more proactive. Take advantage of the MSG-156E’s quad-core processing power to run smooth, clear graphics that make the machine’s state obvious at a glance.

Need help laying out your next HMI project? ION Technology Group can provide the technical support to make your vision a reality.