PRE-ASSEMBLED, PLUG-AND-PLAY KEY PANELS

With the Simatic HMI KP32F PN, Siemens Industry Automation & Drive Technologies (IA&DT) has expanded its family of Key Panels with a control panel featuring 32 large, freely-configurable keys with LED back lighting.

Tactile feedback when keys are pressed, free configuration of the key functions, as well as bright LEDs in one of five colors all provide a high degree of user friendliness. The costly and time-consuming individual assembly and wiring overhead associated with conventional operator controls is eliminated. Keys not currently required can subsequently be configured at any time, such as when an application is extended, for example.

The new key panel is designed in the IP65 degree of protection for use in a rough industrial environment and is also suitable for safety-related applications. The device features four fail-safe inputs to which one or two emergency stop buttons can be connected in accordance with safety category SIL 3.

The new Simatic HMI KP32F PN Key Panel is equipped with two Profinet interfaces. This means that the panel can be integrated into existing networks without the need for additional hardware components, such as switches. The 32 keys are freely configurable: Flashing LEDs can prompt operator interaction, for example, or changing colors can indicate the machine status in red, yellow, green, white or blue. In addition the intensity of the LED backlighting of the keys can be adjusted to suit ambient conditions, so that excellent readability is ensured even under difficult lighting conditions such as extreme brightness. Slide-in strips can be used for individual labeling of the keys.

Typical fields of application for key operator panels are applications that require the deterministic transmission of operator commands. Compared to individual HMI elements such as key-operated switches or illuminated push buttons, pre-assembled, plug-and-play operator panels save time-consuming assembly and wiring.

For more information please visit: www.siemens.com/key-panels