RS Components expands HMI portfolio for industrial automation applications with Pro-face products

Pro-face devices include touch-screen PLCs and HMIs for use in Industrial Internet of Things-based remote-access systems

RS Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), the global distributor for engineers, has added a range of the most popular industrial automation devices from Pro-face to its extensive portfolio of HMI (Human Machine Interface) products, including 10 touch-displays from the GP4100 series and two touch-PLCs from the LT4000M series.

The Pro-face Connect system delivers an Industry 4.0 IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) network topology that enables remote access to factories and machinery. The system provides engineers or technical maintenance staff with the ability to securely access the local network of a factory or production environment and control HMI devices, PLCs or motor drives, as well as many other network-connected devices such as cameras, servers or even PC applications. Users can therefore control or monitor machinery, collect data or perform system maintenance remotely from anywhere in the world via the Internet with a PC, tablet or smartphone. This can save costs by either eliminating the travelling time and expenses for technicians or shortening production downtime with quick remote intervention in machine operations.

Designed for high efficiency, the user-friendly Pro-face GP4100 HMI series of colour touch-screen TFT-LCD displays offers a large range of connectivity with a wide range of industrial controllers. This initial launch of Pro-face products available from RS includes 10 touch-screen displays with screen sizes ranging from 3.5 inches up to 12.1 inches. Extensive connectivity options include Ethernet, RS422C, RS485, SD Card, and Mini-B and Type A USB 2.0 interfaces and ports.

Also available from RS are two touch-PLCs from the Pro-face LT4000M series. These are compact all-in-one units that provide integrated IOs and can be installed in a 22mm hole for easy panel mounting. For easy troubleshooting, the devices allow the display unit or the control unit to be replaced separately.

RS is also stocking accessories for the Pro-face range including disposable and dirt-resistant screen-protection sheets for use with the displays and the touch-PLCs, as well as a selection of cables, cable kits and programming software.

The Pro-face GP4000 and LT4000M touch-PLC ranges of displays and accessories for industrial automation applications are shipping now from RS in the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions.