HMI stands for Human Machine Interface. It's a touchscreen panel that provides a visual interface for operators to interact with and control industrial equipment, machines, and automation systems.

What are the main uses of HMI panels?

HMI panels are used in industrial automation for factory control, process monitoring, machine control, data acquisition, SCADA systems, and IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) applications.

What makes an HMI 'industrial grade'?

Industrial grade HMIs are designed for harsh environments with features like IP65/IP66 protection, extended temperature ranges, shock/vibration resistance, 24/7 operation capability, and natural cooling systems.

What is the difference between resistive and capacitive touchscreens?

Resistive touchscreens can be operated with gloves or stylus and are pressure-sensitive, making them ideal for industrial environments. Capacitive touchscreens offer better clarity and multi-touch capabilities but require bare finger or special stylus operation.

How long do HMI panels typically last?

Most industrial HMI panels are designed for extended lifecycles with backlights rated for 20,000-50,000 hours and components selected for long-term reliability. Many models offer 24/7 operation capabilities with proper maintenance.

What are the different models available in the IPK Series?

The IPK Series includes three main models: 30ST (Standard Model, Cost-Effective), 31ST (Enhanced Model with Advanced Features), and 51WT (Wide Temperature model with Extended Temperature Range).

What screen sizes are available in the IPK Series?

The IPK Series offers 4.3-inch, 7.0-inch, 8.0-inch, 10.1-inch, 12.1-inch, and 15.0-inch screen sizes.

Is the IPK Series compatible with PM Designer software?

Yes, all IPK Series HMIs are compatible with PM Designer software for programming and configuration.

What are the advantages of the IPK-51WT model?

The IPK-51WT model features an extended temperature range, making it suitable for installation in extreme environmental conditions where standard HMIs would not operate reliably.

What PLC brands are compatible with these HMI panels?

Our HMI panels support over 500 PLC communication protocols from major manufacturers including Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Mitsubishi, Omron, Delta, and many others.

What programming software is used for these HMI panels?

Most of our HMI panels use PM Designer software, which runs on Windows 7/10 and allows for intuitive HMI application development with downloads via Serial, Ethernet, or USB connections.

What is MQTT and why is it important for HMIs?

MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) is a lightweight messaging protocol ideal for IIoT applications. HMIs with MQTT support can easily integrate with cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Alibaba Cloud for remote monitoring and data collection.

What is OPC UA and how does it benefit HMI systems?

OPC UA (Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture) is a machine-to-machine communication protocol for industrial automation. HMIs with OPC UA Server capability can act as a standardized data exchange hub between different industrial systems and devices.

How are HMI panels powered?

Most industrial HMI panels operate on 24VDC±10% power supply, with isolation for protection against electrical noise and surges common in industrial environments.

What does IP65/IP66 protection mean?

IP65 protection means the device is totally protected against dust (6) and protected against low-pressure water jets (5). IP66 offers the same dust protection but with increased water protection against powerful water jets (6).

How are HMI panels typically mounted?

HMI panels are typically panel-mounted through a cutout in a control cabinet or equipment enclosure, secured with mounting clips or screws, with the front face exposed for operator interaction.

What is the recommended operating environment for HMI panels?

Most standard HMI panels operate reliably in temperatures from 0°C to 50°C with relative humidity between 10% and 90% (non-condensing). Extended temperature models can operate in ranges from -10°C to 60°C or wider.

Do I need to install additional cooling for HMI panels?

Most industrial HMI panels use natural cooling systems and don't require additional cooling fans or systems when installed within their specified operating temperature range in well-ventilated enclosures.

What maintenance is required for HMI panels?

HMI panels require minimal maintenance, typically limited to occasional cleaning of the touchscreen with appropriate non-abrasive cleaners and periodic backup of programming. The battery for the real-time clock may need replacement every 3-5 years.

What should I do if the touchscreen becomes unresponsive?

For unresponsive touchscreens, first try power cycling the device. If issues persist, check for physical damage, verify power supply stability, and ensure the operating environment is within specifications. For resistive touchscreens, recalibration may be necessary.

How can I resolve communication issues between HMI and PLC?

To resolve communication issues, verify physical connections and network settings, ensure both devices use the same communication protocol and parameters, check for address mapping errors, and confirm firmware compatibility between devices.

What causes HMI panels to restart unexpectedly?

Unexpected restarts can be caused by power supply issues, excessive environmental temperatures, software conflicts, or the watchdog function detecting system hangs. Check power stability, environmental conditions, and review recent software changes.

How can I retrieve lost HMI project files?

If project files are lost, check for backups on development computers, Micro SD cards, or USB drives used with the HMI. Some HMI models allow project upload from the device to a computer, though this may not include all source elements.

IPK2043-31ST

*Price on request. Contact us for a quote.

Manufacturer: Cermate

[RTOS] 4.3" (480×272) TFT-LCD Operator Panel with PM Designer Software
4.3" TFT LCD with 20,000 hours backlight life time
Supports over 500 PLC industrial communication protocols
ARM9-based processor up to 300MHz and working memory 64MB SDRAM
Backup memory 128KB SRAM for retaining critical data (optional:1024KB)
Supports PM Designer development tool on Windows 7/10
PM Designer supports data downloads through Serial, Ethernet, USB port
Supports adjustable brightness controls via touch panel
Reliable watch dog function setting from PM Designer for 24/7 operation
Easy to switch one application to different LCD sizes in seconds
Communicates with up to six types of devices
Panel mounting for machinery
IP65 compliant front panel

Product Description

A 4.3" HMI panel with a 480x272 TFT-LCD display. It features an ARM9-based processor, multiple communication interfaces (Ethernet, USB, RS232, RS422/485), and IP65 rating for water and dust resistance.

The panel supports over 500 PLC communication protocols and includes PM Designer software for extensive programming capabilities. It's designed for reliable 24/7 industrial operation with adjustable brightness and easy application switching between different LCD sizes.

Technical Specifications

LCD Display

Size

4.3" diagonal

Max. Resolution

480*272

Type

TFT LCD with LED Backlight

Max. Colors

16-bit

Backlight Life (hr)

20,000

Luminance (cd/m2)

400

Touch Panel

4-wire Analog Touch Panel

CPU & Memory

CPU

RISC ARM9 32Bit

Battery Backup SRAM

128KB (Optional: 1024KB)

Working Memory

64MB

Application Memory

About 40MB

Data File Memory

64MB

Real-Time Clock (RTC)

Yes (Unchargeable Battery Type,3 years battery life)

Max. Programming Pages

7999 Pages

Max. Macro Commands

Unlimited

Communication Interface

Micro SD Slot

N/A

USB Host

Yes (USB2.0)

USB Client

Yes (USB2.0)

Serial (Com1)

RS232 (5-Pin Terminal)

Serial (Com2)

RS422/485 (5-Pin Terminal)

Serial (Com3)

RS485 (5-Pin Terminal)

Serial (Com4)

N/A

Serial (Com5)

N/A

Ethernet

Yes

Front Function Keys

N/A

Audio out (optional)

N/A

Video in (optional)

N/A

Front USB Host Port

N/A

Power

Supply Voltage

24VDC±10% (Isolated)

Consumption

10W

Environment

Operating Temperature

-10°C~60°C

Storage temperature: -20°C~70°C

Relative Humidity

10%~90%

Shock (operation)

Half sine, 20G, 11ms duration

Vibration (operation)

Random vibration 1 Grms (5~500 Hz)

FCC

Yes

CE

EN61000-6-2, EN61000-6-4

UL Certification

N/A

Ingress Protection

IP65

Cooling

Natural Cooling

Mechanism Spec.

Dimension WxHxD (mm)

129mm x 103mm x 33mm

Cutout Dimension AxB (mm)

118.5mm x 92.5mm

Net Weight (Kg)

0.23kg

Software

Software Version

PM Designer

What is IPK2043-31ST?

The IPK2043-31ST is a hmi - human machine interface manufactured by Cermate, designed specifically for human-machine-interface applications. A 4.3" HMI panel with a 480x272 TFT-LCD display. It features an ARM9-based processor, multiple communication interfaces (Ethernet, USB, RS232, RS422/485), and IP65 rating for water and dust resistance. The panel supports over 500 PLC communication protocols and includes PM Designer software for extensive programming capabilities. It's designed for reliable 24/7 industrial operation with adjustable brightness and easy application switching between different LCD sizes.

Key Features & Benefits

[RTOS] 4.3" (480×272) TFT-LCD Operator Panel with PM Designer Software
4.3" TFT LCD with 20,000 hours backlight life time
Supports over 500 PLC industrial communication protocols
ARM9-based processor up to 300MHz and working memory 64MB SDRAM
Backup memory 128KB SRAM for retaining critical data (optional:1024KB)
Supports PM Designer development tool on Windows 7/10
PM Designer supports data downloads through Serial, Ethernet, USB port
Supports adjustable brightness controls via touch panel
Reliable watch dog function setting from PM Designer for 24/7 operation
Easy to switch one application to different LCD sizes in seconds
Communicates with up to six types of devices
Panel mounting for machinery
IP65 compliant front panel

Applications & Use Cases

The IPK2043-31ST is ideal for various industrial automation applications:

Harsh industrial environments requiring dust and water protection
Critical systems requiring high availability and reliability
Legacy equipment integration and serial communication
High-performance computing and data processing tasks
Networked industrial systems and data communication
Interactive control interfaces and operator panels
Human-machine interface for industrial automation
Panel-mounted installations and control cabinets

Product Features