Modularization for Efficient HMI Engineering

The final HMI at the push of a button with VisiWin.

Modularization has long become the norm in machine construction. The VisiWin modules concept allows you to create, manage and maintain HMI modules for different machine configurations.

The HMI of a machine usually includes general functions as well as machine-specific and customer-specific functions. At least the general funcions of the frame application such as navigation, system settings, alarms view, user management, etc. are more or less identical for all machines.

The individual mechanical components and machine controlling units are also often modularized so that they can be used in different combinations in a machine.

With its modularization concept, VisiWin now applies the same approach to HMI. The application frame as well as all modules can be pre-defined and then optionally customized and put together to create the final visualization of a specific machine. Ideally, creating the final HMI is nothing more than selecting the required modules and pushing the button to generate the final application.

The individual modules (plugins, as we call them) and the application frame (shell) are self-contained partial projects separately developed and versioned. These modules are reused, not copied again and again for each application. Fixing a bug in a module benefits all applications where that module is used. Teamwork and software maintenance are thus considerably improved and efficient engineering supported.

• Uniqueness of all definitions (variables, texts, views, etc.) is automatically ensured across all plugins
• Multiple instantiation of plugins possible
• Global, shared definions possible
• Automatic merging of plugin projects via the IDE or at runtime possible
• Plugins can be passed on as uneditable, versioned packages