DS-SEP26-PG16+17_Layout 1 04/09/2026 11:08 Page 2
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Feature
machine Building, FrameworKs & saFety Feature
en: how F1 ergonomics Floor error
resistance and physical lock-indicator pins eliminated rack movement errors, improved safety, and sped up operations in extreme environments. Just as motorsport teams customise steering
wheels, manufacturers must tailor machinery to their operators and environments.
desiGninG the hybrid hmi architecture Capacitive touchscreens excel at dense data visualisation, recipe selection and tracking system-wide KPIs. However, flat glass demands absolute visual attention. An operator cannot feel a digital button or detect when a software slider reaches its limit. A hybrid HMI architecture divides labour based
on operational urgency, mirroring F1 design: • Visual modality (touchscreen): Best for non- urgent machine configuration and long-term diagnostics where visual navigation is natural.
• Tactile modality (physical controls): Essential for time-critical, high-frequency
execution, such as speed adjustments, manual indexing, and emergency function. This enables rapid, muscle-memory reactions without screen-gazing. Pioneering industrial HMIs implement this
by mounting physical rotary encoders directly through or over glass panels, pairing dynamic digital labels with tangible mechanical feedback.
GroundinG performance in physical reality As factory automation grows increasingly complex, visual fatigue and alarm desensitisation are becoming major industrial hazards. Manufacturers cannot rely entirely on nested screen menus and flashing digital alerts to manage high-speed production safely. The future lies in a cohesive fusion of
physical controls and digital agility. Grounding active execution in intuitive physical controls while reserving screens for visualisation lightens cognitive load, minimises operator error, and transforms the HMI into a powerful
“Manufacturers cannot rely entirely on
nested screen menus and flashing digital alerts to manage
high-speed production safely. The future lies in a cohesive fusion of physical controls and digital agility”
competitive advantage for safety and long-term productivity.
Rencol
www.rencol.com
www.designsolutionsmag.co.uk
sePtemBer 2026 DESIGN SOLUTIONS 17
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