Industrial Automation Human-Machine Interface Design for Disabled Workers

Gibbs, Adam (2018) Industrial Automation Human-Machine Interface Design for Disabled Workers. [USQ Project]


Abstract

This project aims to develop a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) that enables improved interaction between disabled workers and an automated industrial machine. The project involves analysing a standard HMI to determine if improvements can be made, developing an alternative mobile HMI and then observing the interactions with the new HMI.

Bedford Industries is an assisted workplace that provides employment opportunities for persons with disabilities by utilising industrial automation machinery to provide contract packing services. A Tub Sealing machine was selected to be the subject of this project. The Tub Sealing machine HMI was analysed with reference to High Performance HMI design concepts to determine elements that could be improved to enable an improved operator experience. The onsite operating procedures were also analysed to determine if changes to the HMI could improve the procedures

Several areas were identified including element design, screen navigation and the introduction of a Start Up Screen and a Shut Down screen. These screens provide the operators with a step by step procedure to follow without having to change screens like they do on the existing HMI.

The screens were developed to run on an Android tablet which connects to the Allen Bradley PLC via WiFi. The mobile HMI was tested in a test bench arrangement and the mobile HMI interacted with the PLC by reading and writing data.

Onsite testing was not able to be completed due to site access permission, and therefore no conclusions can be made as to whether the mobile HMI can improve the operator interactions with the machine.


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Item Type: USQ Project
Item Status: Live Archive
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (1 Jul 2013 - 31 Dec 2021)
Supervisors: Hills, Catherine
Qualification: Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Instrumentation Control and Automation)
Date Deposited: 15 Sep 2021 05:43
Last Modified: 29 Jun 2023 01:36
URI: https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/40658

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