What is the primary purpose of a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) in industrial control systems?

The primary purpose of a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) in industrial control systems is to facilitate user interaction with the system. HMIs serve as the crucial point of interaction between operators and the machines or systems they control. Through HMIs, users can input commands, monitor system status, receive alerts, and visualize operational data in a user-friendly manner. This interaction is essential for operators to efficiently manage and control industrial processes, ensuring that they can quickly respond to any issues that arise and maintain proper operational functionality.

While HMIs can contribute to monitoring system performance, controlling external devices, and regulating operational parameters, these functionalities are secondary to their main role of providing an interface for human operators. The design and effectiveness of an HMI significantly impact operational efficiency and safety in industrial environments.