Many example depictions are shown conceptually and schematically because there is such wide variation in the display capabilities, characteristics, and arrangement paradigms of specific DCSs. There are major differences between DCSs regarding such commonplace things as controller faceplate access and display. It is the concepts and principles that are important, which are then applied to … Read more
Alarm Access A High Performance HMI is designed to minimize the number of keystrokes required to identify, verify, assess, and respond to an alarm. Every point with a configured alarm should have an associated Level 2 or 3 graphic display on the DCS. This associated display should aid the operator in the proper diagnosis and … Read more
General Considerations for Displays There are many graphic design principles common to all displays, regardless of their level in the hierarchy. These common principles are covered in the following sections with examples. In the next chapters, the detailed considerations for content of each display hierarchy are covered. Use of Color Color perception is a highly … Read more
Overview Much has been learned over the last 20 years regarding good and bad industrial HMI design practices. What we now know to be good design practices have come from a variety of sources, including: HMI deficiencies made apparent by accidents, with resulting in-depth analysis Information from academic research. Information from research by other industries … Read more
It is necessary to create a comprehensive, detailed guideline outlining the principles to be followed in designing a High Performance HMI. Such a document must meet the needs of different roles, has several important components, and a variety of uses. Ideally the contents of the document would be treated as a mandatory standard. In most … Read more
To begin an improvement effort, an existing HMI should be assessed against High Performance HMI best practices. The assessment of HMI performance is much more of an evaluation process, “Does my HMI meet all of these various criteria?” than a numeric or statistical analysis process, “What percentage of the surface area of my displays is … Read more
A High Performance HMI enables an operator to safely and effectively monitor and manage a processing plant. It is based upon best practices for the display of information conforming to known human factors issues and the proper principles for abnormal situation management. The HMI is the operator’s window to the process and is a critical … Read more
You’ve saved all your overtime money you make as a DCS board operator and used it for flying lessons! You’ve learned to fly in a modern small single-engine aircraft. It utilizes a glass panel – the instrument functions are shown on two large LCD screens. These screens and the information embedded in them and accessible … Read more
In the Beginning – the Control Panel Control rooms date back to the earliest days of manufacturing plants. By the 1930s – 1940s, it was typical to have a small separate room near the process where most of the instruments (typically pneumatic) were grouped. Control panel arrangements received a lot of thought, and instruments were … Read more