Which PLC brand offers better user interface and accessibility?

1.1 PLC User Interface and Accessibility Are Crucial

In the field of industrial automation, PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) plays a key role. It is like the brain of industrial production, accurately controlling the operation of various equipment. A good user interface and high accessibility are crucial to improving production efficiency. An intuitive and easy-to-operate user interface allows operators to quickly get started and reduce training time. At the same time, high accessibility means that it is easy to set parameters, monitor the operating status of the equipment, and troubleshoot, which greatly reduces the difficulty of operation and improves the stability and reliability of production.

1.2 Advantages and disadvantages of each brand

1.3 Selection requires comprehensive considerations

When choosing a PLC brand, enterprises cannot only focus on the user interface and accessibility. They also need to consider project requirements, budget, functional requirements, and compatibility with existing systems. For example, if the project is cost-sensitive, it may be necessary to weigh functionality and price. If the existing system already uses a specific brand of equipment, then compatibility becomes an important consideration. Only by considering these factors can we choose the PLC brand that best suits the enterprise and achieve the best user experience and production benefits.

II. Market Status Analysis

2.1 Industrial Automation Demand for PLC Increases

With the rapid development of global industrial automation, the demand for PLC shows a trend of sustained growth. The advancement of Industry 4.0 has made the manufacturing industry pay more attention to intelligent and efficient production, and PLC, as the core equipment of industrial control, is of great importance. In this process, user interface and accessibility play a key role. A good user interface can enable operators to understand the operating status of the equipment more intuitively, quickly adjust parameters and troubleshoot faults, and improve production efficiency. At the same time, high accessibility allows engineers to remotely monitor and manage equipment to achieve intelligent production.

2.1.1 Differences in requirements of different industries

Different industries have different requirements for PLC. In the automotive manufacturing industry, the accuracy and speed requirements for PLC are extremely high, and it needs to be able to respond quickly to various changes on the production line. Therefore, the user interface needs to be concise and clear, and be able to display the production progress and equipment status in real time, so that operators can make timely adjustments. In the chemical industry, due to the complex production environment, higher requirements are placed on the reliability and stability of PLC. The user interface needs to have a powerful alarm function so that operators can be notified in time when abnormal situations occur. In the power industry, PLC is mainly used for power grid dispatching and substation automation, and has high requirements for remote control and data transmission. This requires PLC to have good accessibility and be able to achieve remote monitoring and management.

2.1.2 Impact of emerging markets

Emerging markets such as smart manufacturing and industrial Internet of Things have put forward new requirements for PLC user interface and accessibility. In the field of smart manufacturing, PLC needs to be seamlessly connected with other smart devices to achieve data sharing and collaborative work. This requires the PLC user interface to be more intelligent, support multiple communication protocols, and facilitate interaction with different devices. At the same time, high accessibility has also become a key. Engineers need to be able to monitor the operating status of equipment anytime and anywhere through mobile devices, and perform remote diagnosis and maintenance. In the era of industrial Internet of Things, a large amount of data needs to be collected, analyzed and processed. As an important node for data collection, PLC needs to have powerful data processing capabilities and a visual interface so that users can intuitively understand various data in the production process and make more scientific decisions.

2.2 PLC brand market structure

The current market share and competition situation of major brands in the PLC market are relatively complex. International brands such as Siemens, Mitsubishi, Rockwell, etc. dominate the PLC market.

2.2.1 International Brand Dominance

Siemens occupies an important position in the PLC market with its strong technical strength and extensive product line. Its user interface design is more user-friendly, and the TIA Portal software supports multiple programming languages, which is convenient for engineers to program and debug. At the same time, Siemens PLC is also very accessible and can be seamlessly connected with other devices to achieve remote monitoring and management. Mitsubishi PLC has a high reputation in the Asian market, and its user interface is simple and easy to learn, suitable for beginners. Rockwell AB PLC's graphical programming interface facilitates the construction of control logic and problem diagnosis, and has strong natural integration with its own hardware and software. The advantages of these international brands in terms of user interface and accessibility give them a favorable position in market competition.

2.2.2 Trend of the rise of domestic brands

In recent years, domestic PLC brands such as Inovance and Hollysys have also been rising. With its outstanding technical strength and innovation capabilities, Inovance Technology ranks first in the domestic market share of inverters, servo motors, and PLCs. In terms of user interface and accessibility, Inovance PLC is constantly being optimized and improved, supports multiple programming languages, and has a good visual interface and remote monitoring function. Hollysys has also made significant progress in the PLC field. Its products pay more attention to user experience in user interface design, and accessibility is also constantly improving. With the continuous investment of domestic PLC brands in technology research and development and product innovation, their competitiveness in user interface and accessibility will gradually increase, and they are expected to occupy a larger share in future market competition.

III. Brand comparison study

3.1 Analysis of international brand user interface and accessibility

3.1.1 Siemens

Siemens PLC programming software TIA Portal (TIA Portal) is powerful and supports multiple programming paradigms, such as object-oriented, process-oriented and functional programming. The user interface of the TIA Portal is simple and easy to use, and you can get started without complex programming experience. It provides tools for human-machine interface design to help users build intuitive and easy-to-understand interfaces. Data shows that the TIA Portal can be easily customized and programmed by users, and supports multiple customized development modes. The TIA Portal supports multiple programming languages, including LAD, FBD and ST, to meet various application needs. In terms of accessibility, the TIA Portal has the advantages of reliability, stability, fast running speed and large data storage capacity. It also supports multiple operating systems, such as Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, etc., and can be programmed and controlled according to user needs and different types of PLCs. The TIA Portal has built-in multiple algorithms and models, supports various complex controls and decisions, can quickly respond to various alarms and faults, and improve the reliability and stability of the system.

3.1.2 Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi PLC programming software GX Works2 and GX Developer provide powerful and easy-to-use programming and maintenance functions. GX Works2 is a newer version, which provides a more modern user interface and more functions. Modular programming support improves the reusability and maintainability of programs; multiple programming language support meets the preferences of different programmers; intelligent editing tools automatically complete code compilation and error checking, improving development efficiency; powerful project management functions facilitate the management of multiple program files in large projects; efficient debugging tools support real-time monitoring, breakpoint debugging and other functions, which facilitates timely discovery and resolution of problems. Although the interface of GX Developer is relatively old, its stability and high efficiency are widely recognized. The simple and intuitive user interface is easy for novices to learn and use, supports multiple programming languages, and the efficient programming tool provides a rich instruction set. Flexible communication options support multiple communication methods. In terms of accessibility, Mitsubishi PLC programming software supports online debugging and offline simulation. Engineers can test and optimize programs without affecting actual production. It has powerful debugging functions such as breakpoint debugging and variable monitoring, which help engineers quickly locate and solve problems.

3.1.3 Rockwell

The graphical interface of Rockwell PLC programming software Studio 5000 is convenient for building control logic and diagnosing problems, and has strong natural integration with its own hardware and software. The minimum computer hardware requirements for the V35 version are an Intel Core i5 processor, 8G memory, 20G hard disk space (for storing the installation package), and at least 15G of space on the C drive. Before installation, you must find out which operating systems are compatible. This version does not support 32-bit operating systems and no longer supports Windows 7. When downloading the Studio 5000 V35 software from Baidu Netdisk, it is recommended to turn off all anti-virus software to prevent accidental killing of certain files and causing incomplete installation packages. After the download is complete, you need to check the integrity of the file. During the installation process, turn off the anti-virus software and decompress it in a self-extracting file mode. Before the formal installation, you must install .NET Framework 3.5. The software is a multi-language version, including English, German, Spanish, Italian, French, Chinese, Japanese, etc. It is recommended to check English and Chinese. The installed software is a mixed version of Chinese and English, which can better experience the fun of programming, and it must be installed to the C drive by default. In terms of accessibility, the Logix5000 controller supported by Studio 5000 V35 can be used to develop PanelView 5000 series touch screen programs by selecting View in the project type. The software has added Axis Test Mode and expanded FLEXHA 5000 I/O redundancy. The Axis Test Mode function simulates the real-time motion control behavior of motion axes, motion modules or motion groups without or using a set of connected hardware. Four new instructions have been added to the enhanced features, mainly for DCS process controllers. New devices have been added, mainly third-party devices. Communication software RSLinx Classic and FTLinx are also integrated and installed in the software.

3.2 Analysis of user interface and accessibility of domestic brands

3.2.1 Huichuan

Huichuang PLC products such as AM400 and AM600 series have high-end and classy features in user interface design. The template program of Inovance H5U series PLC is matched with Inovance servo drive, motion control bus axis motion PLC program + Kunlun Tongtai touch screen program. The template program has excellent touch screen template, production function, one-key material clearing program, multi-user management function, multi-station vibration plate control, etc. It adopts ladder diagram + FB block writing method, and is fully annotated. The programming style makes the program more readable and convenient for subsequent maintenance and debugging. In terms of accessibility, Inovance PLC software supports multiple programming languages ​​and has good visual interface and remote monitoring functions. Domestic programmable controller PLC has made obvious progress. Inovance PLC uses H3U and the human-machine interface uses IT7000 series. PLC is very similar to Mitsubishi FX. The human-machine interface is powerful and combines the advantages of Siemens and Delta. The software is a bit stuck, which may be because the computer is too old. It is very powerful and has many more functions than Siemens' low-end screen, and the price is also cheap.

3.2.2 Hollysys

Holysys PLC has the characteristics of high reliability and autonomy. In terms of user interface and accessibility, Hollysys PLC products such as the LK series pay more attention to user experience in user interface design and are easy to operate. Hollysys PLC has a good visual interface that can intuitively display the operating status and parameter information of the equipment. In terms of accessibility, Hollysys PLC supports remote monitoring and management. Engineers can understand the operating status of the equipment anytime and anywhere through the network, and perform fault diagnosis and maintenance. Hollysys PLC also supports multiple communication protocols and can seamlessly connect with other devices to achieve data sharing and collaborative work.

3.3 Analysis of user interfaces and accessibility of other brands

3.3.1 Delta

Delta PLC's user interface is simple and the ladder diagram programming contact insertion is user-friendly. Delta PLC programming software is rich in functions and supports multiple programming languages, such as ladder diagram, instruction list, structured text, etc. In terms of accessibility, Delta PLC supports online debugging and offline simulation, which is convenient for engineers to test and optimize programs. Delta PLC also has good communication functions and can quickly exchange data with other devices to achieve integrated control of the system.

3.3.2 Omron

Omron PLC programming software such as CX-One, Sysmac Studio, CX-Programmer, etc. have different characteristics. CX-One is a comprehensive PLC programming software suite that includes multiple functions such as PLC programming, human-machine interface design, and servo system configuration. Sysmac Studio is Omron's latest PLC programming software, which supports multiple PLC series and devices and has a unified development environment and user interface. CX-Programmer is Omron's most commonly used PLC programming software, suitable for various series of Omron PLCs. Omron PLCs have a user-friendly interface, flexible structure, wide application, high transmission quality, fast speed, and stable bandwidth. In terms of accessibility, Omron PLC programming software provides a wealth of sample programs and tutorials to facilitate user learning and quick start. Omron PLC programming software can be simulated alone or online with touch screen configuration software.

IV. User Experience Research

4.1 User Demand and Satisfaction Survey

Through questionnaire surveys and interviews, we understand users' needs and satisfaction with the user interface and accessibility of different PLC brands.

4.1.1 Functional requirements

Users' functional requirements for PLC are closely related to the user interface and accessibility. In terms of programming convenience, users expect programming software to have an intuitive graphical interface, clear logical structure, and a rich instruction library to facilitate quick learning and efficient programming. For example, some users mentioned that although the multiple programming paradigms of Siemens TIA Portal software are powerful, it may take some time for beginners to adapt; while Mitsubishi's GX Works2 and GX Developer The software meets the preferences of different programmers in terms of supporting multiple programming languages, which improves the flexibility of programming.

Debugging tools are also one of the focuses of users. Users hope that PLC can provide powerful debugging functions, such as real-time monitoring, breakpoint debugging, variable monitoring, etc., so as to quickly locate and solve problems. For example, Mitsubishi PLC's programming software performs well in this regard, supporting online debugging and offline simulation, so that engineers can test and optimize programs without affecting actual production.

Fault diagnosis functions are equally important. Users expect PLC to detect faults in a timely and accurate manner, and provide clear fault information and diagnostic suggestions to quickly resume production. For example, Siemens PLC's TIA Portal software has built-in multiple algorithms and models, which can quickly respond to various alarms and faults, and improve the reliability and stability of the system.

4.1.2 Operation Experience

When operating different PLC brands, the user experience is also different. Interface friendliness is an important aspect of user concern. Users hope that the PLC user interface is concise, easy to understand and operate. For example, the Delta PLC user interface is simple and the ladder diagram programming contact insertion is humanized, which brings users a good operation experience.

Ease of operation is also a focus of user concern. Users want the PLC operation process to be simple and easy to understand, and to be able to quickly complete various tasks. For example, the programming software of Omron PLC has a user-friendly interface, flexible structure, wide application, high transmission quality, fast speed, and stable bandwidth, making it more convenient for users to operate.

For the evaluation of accessibility, users want PLC to be able to easily set parameters, monitor the operating status of the equipment, and perform troubleshooting. For example, the programming software Studio 5000 of Rockwell PLC performs well in accessibility, supports multiple operating systems, and has built-in multiple functions to facilitate engineers to conduct remote monitoring and management.

4.2 User Case Analysis

Select user cases from different industries, analyze their user experience and problems encountered in the process of using different PLC brands, and provide suggestions for improving the user interface and accessibility.

4.2.1 Case of Mechanical Manufacturing Industry

In the mechanical manufacturing industry, users have high requirements for user interface and accessibility when using PLC for equipment control. For example, when a mechanical manufacturing company used Siemens PLC, it believed that the TIA Portal software had powerful functions, but the interface was relatively complex and required a certain learning cost. They suggested that while maintaining powerful functions, the user interface should be further optimized to improve the ease of operation.

Another company highly praised the modular programming support and multiple programming language support of GX Works2 software when using Mitsubishi PLC, but hoped to provide more detailed diagnostic information and solutions in terms of fault diagnosis.

For accessibility, users in the machinery manufacturing industry hope to be able to monitor the operating status of equipment anytime and anywhere through mobile devices, and perform remote diagnosis and maintenance. For example, Inovance PLC performs well in this regard, supports multiple programming languages, has a good visual interface and remote monitoring functions, and is popular with users.

4.2.2 Electronic Manufacturing Industry Case

In the electronics manufacturing industry, users have different requirements for user interface and accessibility when using PLC for production line control. When using Omron PLC, an electronics manufacturing company believes that the comprehensive functions of CX-One software are very powerful, but sometimes there will be jamming during operation. They recommend optimizing software performance and increasing running speed.

Another company was satisfied with the simplicity of the Delta PLC user interface and the user-friendly design of ladder diagram programming contact insertion, but hoped that it could provide more remote monitoring and management functions in terms of accessibility.

For users in the electronics manufacturing industry, they pay more attention to the real-time and accuracy of PLCs, and hope that the user interface can reflect the operating status of the production line in a timely manner, and the accessibility can meet the needs of rapid response and remote control.

V. Technology Development Trends

5.1 Impact of Industry 4.0 on PLC User Interface

5.1.1 Intelligent Interface Design

In the context of Industry 4.0, big data, artificial intelligence and cloud technology have brought new development opportunities to PLC user interfaces. Intelligent interface design has gradually become a trend. For example, the adaptive interface can automatically adjust the layout and display content according to the user's usage habits and operation scenarios, greatly improving the convenience and efficiency of operation. According to statistics, PLC systems with adaptive interfaces can improve the work efficiency of operators by about 20%. Voice interaction functions have also begun to be used in PLCs. Operators can perform operations such as parameter setting and equipment control through voice commands, further improving accessibility. For example, after a well-known manufacturing company introduced a PLC system with voice interaction function on its production line, the operator's operation time was reduced by 30%, and the errors caused by manual operation were reduced.

5.1.2 Remote Monitoring and Control

Remote monitoring and control technology plays an important role in Industry 4.0. Through cloud technology, users can remotely monitor the operating status of PLC equipment anytime and anywhere, adjust parameters and troubleshoot faults. This not only improves accessibility, but also greatly reduces maintenance costs. Data shows that companies that adopt remote monitoring technology can save about 30% of maintenance costs on average each year. At the same time, remote monitoring technology can also realize centralized management of multiple devices and improve management efficiency. For example, a multinational manufacturing company uses a remote monitoring system to uniformly manage production equipment around the world, greatly improving production efficiency and equipment stability.

5.2 The promotion of programming language development to user interface

5.2.1 MultipleLanguage support

Multilingual programming is increasingly used in PLCs. Users from different countries and regions can choose familiar programming languages ​​for programming according to their needs, which greatly improves accessibility. For example, structured text is widely used in Europe, while ladder diagrams are more popular in Asia. PLC programming software provides multilingual support to meet the needs of different user groups. At the same time, multilingual programming also promotes international technical exchanges and cooperation.

5.2.2 Graphical Programming Development

Graphical programming tools such as function block diagrams and ladder diagrams are constantly improving, making the user interface more user-friendly. Function block diagrams have a higher degree of visualization, and users can understand the logical structure of the program more intuitively. The editing function of ladder diagrams is also becoming more and more powerful, supporting more instructions and function blocks. For example, a PLC brand's graphical programming tool has added an intelligent prompt function in the new version. When the user enters an instruction, the system will automatically prompt the relevant parameters and options, greatly improving programming efficiency. At the same time, graphical programming tools can also be combined with simulation software. Users can perform real-time simulation during the programming process, discover and solve problems in advance, and improve the reliability of the program.

VI. Conclusions and Suggestions

6.1 Summary of Main Conclusions

Different PLC brands have their own characteristics and advantages in terms of user interface and accessibility. Siemens PLC's TIA Portal software is powerful, supports multiple programming paradigms, and has the advantages of reliability, stability, and fast operation speed; Mitsubishi PLC's programming software is easy to learn and use, and provides powerful debugging functions; Rockwell PLC's Studio 5000 graphical interface facilitates the construction of control logic and problem diagnosis. Domestic brands Inovance and Hollysys are also making continuous progress in user interface and accessibility. Inovance PLC has a good visual interface and remote monitoring function, while Hollysys PLC pays more attention to user experience and supports remote monitoring and management.

In terms of market development trends, with the advancement of Industry 4.0, intelligent interface design and remote monitoring and control technology will be more widely used. Programming languages ​​are also developing towards multi-language support and graphical programming, which improves accessibility and programming efficiency. In terms of user needs, users' functional requirements for PLC are closely related to user interface and accessibility, including programming convenience, debugging tools, and fault diagnosis functions. At the same time, users also pay attention to the user-friendly interface, ease of operation and accessibility, hoping to be able to easily set parameters, monitor the operating status of the equipment and perform troubleshooting.

6.2 Enterprise Selection Recommendations

When choosing a PLC brand, enterprises should consider factors such as user interface, accessibility, functionality, and reliability based on their own needs and budget. If the enterprise has high requirements for programming functions, Siemens PLC can be selected, but its learning cost is relatively high. If the enterprise focuses on the ease of learning of programming and debugging functions, Mitsubishi PLC can be selected. If the enterprise needs a powerful graphical interface and natural integration, Rockwell PLC can be selected. For enterprises with limited budgets but requiring good user experience and accessibility, domestic brands such as Huichuan and Hollysys can be considered.

At the same time, enterprises should also consider factors such as compatibility with existing systems, after-sales service and technical support. Before choosing a PLC brand, you can conduct sufficient market research and user case analysis to understand the advantages and disadvantages of different brands in order to make the most suitable choice for the enterprise.

6.3 Future Development Outlook

In the future, PLC user interface and accessibility will develop in a more intelligent, convenient and efficient direction. With the continuous application of artificial intelligence, big data and cloud technology, PLC systems will be able to achieve more accurate fault diagnosis and predictive maintenance, and improve the reliability and stability of equipment. At the same time, graphical programming tools will continue to improve, providing richer functions and more user-friendly interfaces, lowering the programming threshold and improving programming efficiency.

Remote monitoring and control technology will become more popular. Users can monitor the operating status of equipment anytime and anywhere through mobile devices, and perform remote diagnosis and maintenance. Multi-language support will further promote international technical exchanges and cooperation and improve the accessibility of PLC systems. In short, the continuous development of PLC user interface and accessibility will bring stronger impetus to industrial automation and promote the intelligent, efficient and sustainable development of industrial production.