Globally, in the world we live in now, we are witnessing an interesting new wave of technological growth, propelled by automation and effective & skilled human understanding. A few eye-catching and notable technological concepts that are at the forefront of this rapidly improving high-tech world are Programmable Logic Controllers, SCADA System, and an effective Human Machine Interface (HMI). The roles of these 3 technologies and how they connect to propel a technological future along with Industrial Internet of Things can be explained below –
PLC
A programmable logic controller (PLC) is an industrial digital appliance that has been specifically designed and curated for administering manufacturing processes. These systems are primarily built to withstand hostile industrial conditions. It is a type of computer device used in industrial automation and control systems. It has a sturdy framework with special functional characteristics such as sequential access control, convenience of programming, timers and counters, easy-to-understand hardware, and consistently secure controlling capabilities. It is made to withstand harsh industrial environments such as extreme temperatures, damaging vibrations, humidity, and electrical disturbances. Â
SCADA
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) can be explained as a control system architecture that makes use of the performance of computers, networked data communications, and graphical user interfaces to promote high-level process supervisory management. It also employs additional external tools such as a programmable logic controller (PLC) and discrete PID controllers to regulate the process plant or machinery. The application of SCADA software has been actively investigated and consequently employed for the management and operations of project-driven assignments across industries.
Human Machine Interface
A Human Machine Interface facilitates the interpretation and display of complex and incomprehensible machine language in a way that allows greater transparency of data. All this can be achieved through a simple interface that employees can control and utilise without much worry or difficulty. The top-range HMI’s results in a wide array of benefits, such as better productivity, improved employee engagement & morale, and productive recording & storing of data.
HMI software is a technology encouraging human & machine interaction and a PLC is employed in industrial automation and mechanical processes. They are both fundamentally a part of the broader scope of SCADA. The primary goal of an HMI is to display a graphical interface of any functioning machinery that is operating and sees to it that the machine language is displayed in such a manner that can help the workforce in comprehending the functions involved in this machinery. Both these technologies help drive the applicability of SCADA systems across different industrial sectors.
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