A neatly combined PLC and HMI for small machine control

摘要

IDEC has introduced SmartAxis Touch, a combined human-machine interface (HMI) and programmable logic controller (PLC) that offers rather more than its size would suggest - and some significant savings for the cost-conscious user. Stephen Schiller reports. Before describing the capabilities of IDEC's new SmartAxis Touch, it's worth noting the cost savings that can be achieved with this combination PLC/HMI. As the unit has both the control I/O and display in the panel mountable HMI body there is no need for additional space inside the enclosure to mount a traditional PLC (cost saving number one).