Siemens Industry Automation Division (www.siemens.com) has expanded its Simatic HMI Comfort Panels portfolio to include sizes 15”, 19” and 22” color displays, while offering Profinet and Profibus interfaces for easy integration into an additional network.

Although the panels are generally operated via touch screen displays, a version with key operation is also offered for the 15-inch model. Available in display diagonal sizes of 4, 7, 9, 12, 15, 19 and 22 inches, the Comfort Panels seamlessly combine modern design with industrial robustness.

Having won the ‘iF product design award 2012’, Simatic HMI Comfort Panels feature high resolution, freely-configurable display area, long life display and readability at angles of up to 170 degrees.

The panels’ LED background lighting can be dimmed manually or through standardized Profienergy communication to extend service life, reduce energy consumption and adjust brightness to match specific application requirements.

Aside from the Profinet and Profibus interfaces, the touch screen devices also offer connection to a USB periphery and can be vertically installed in applications found in restricted spaces. The panels also offer easy and quick commissioning as they automatically accept Ethernet settings made during configuration.

Other features include scripts, archives, integrated diagnostic functions as well as a non-volatile and maintenance-free message buffer. In the event of power failure, the panels ensure the security of process-relevant data by storing archives and recipes on plug-in memory cards.