Integrator Inovatech Automation recently decided they were spending too much time programming expensive HMI and PLC platforms, so contacted Pro-Face America for help.

The integrator needed an HMI capable of universal robot and I/O-Link integration, legal for Inovatech Automation branding, and easy to program.

“I was apprehensive at first because we have a lot of projects going … so timing is short,” said Inovatech director of operations Travis Buset. “More specifically, I had concerns about learning something on the fly — and feared the onboarding experience and programming were going double our time investment.”

Pro-Face America supplied its LT4000M HMI plus Control unit. This hardware reduces costs by eliminating the need for an external PLC. In addition, for Inovatech Automation the LT4000M halved engineering time for configuration; offered easy integration to a Universal robot and IO-Link network; and was delivered with a custom overlay for machine-branding purposes.

Trimming the time for setup was the most important benefit, though.

“Another platform needed two different pieces of software. In contrast, Pro-Face uses one software with drag-and-drop functionality. What once took me 32 to 40 hours to program now takes eight hours on the Pro-Face.” In fact, Buset had one programmed in eight hours his first time trying.

“This a powerful unit and well worth its cost for the level of configuration it allows.” Inovatech estimates it’s now operating 75% more efficiently than before.