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Multi-touch HMIs are ‘first with gesture controls’

06 May, 2014

Mitsubishi Electric has announced a new generation of HMIs which, it claims, are the first in the industrial sector to offer gesture controls. The GOT2000 series HMIs are around 20% cheaper than the previous GOT1000 generation, and have identical dimensions, making upgrades easy. Project data from the GOT1000 HMIs can be transferred to the new devices.

The new HMIs include the gesture-capable GT27 series with multi-touch screens in sizes from 8.4–12.1 inches. The multi-touch capability makes screen layouts more flexible and adds security when two-point switching is implemented. There is also the lower-cost GT23 series in 8.4 and 10.4-inch formats. 

Multi-touch operations and gestures can be performed even when wearing gloves. The gestures allow users to zoom in for better visualisation or to operate small switches. After zooming in, they can scroll across the display. Specific objects can be enlarged, scrolled or flicked – including historical data lists, alarm displays, trend graphs and documents. The HMI screens also support two-point pressing for simultaneous operation of two switches for operations such as starting equipment or releasing interlocks. This can eliminate the need for some external hardware.

For the first time, Mitsubishi is offering models with flush white front panels for use in the food industry.

The new HMIs have faster processors than before for quicker bootups and improved monitoring. They also have memory capacities of up to 57MB for datalogging and a “unique” backup/restore facility.

Mitsubishi's GOT2000 HMIs support multi-touch and gesture controls

As well as supporting Ethernet, the new HMIs have two serial interfaces (RS-232 and RS-422/485) and an SD card slot. There are USB connections on the front or back, while an optional WLAN interface allows the HMI to be accessed remotely via PCs and tablets. A “transparency” function allows PCs connected via the HMI to establish direct links to Mitsubishi devices such as PLCs, inverters and servodrives.

The HMI screens are designed using Mitsubishi’s GT Works3 software, which also forms part of its iQ Works integrated development environment. 




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