News

Joysticks are not just for pilots

Joystick controllers have long been a key component of industrial machinery. However, the latest generation of industrial and agricultural vehicle have become more sophisticated than luxury cars. Communication, navigation and monitoring electronics are integrated into robust industrial systems, demanding complex controls.

How does piezoelectric technology work?

Background: Discovered in 1880 by French physicians Pierre and Jacques Curie, piezoelectricity was first used during World War I in sonar systems. Since then, it has become part of many other applications in everyday life, research and industries. APEM started developing piezo switches in 2001 with the PBA series.

How to mount MEC hinge-type caps?

MEC has rocker-acting caps in its range that mount on the switch with hinge-like technology. These caps – 1A, 1H, 1M, 1ZA, Navimec and 1B+2C/2D – require a specific way to mount them to ensure the best functionality. There are two types of mounting: Cap to the switch Cap to the bezel and then the bezel to the switch.

How to determine the right illumination intensity for your indicator?

Picking an indicator with the right intensity is crucial. The viewer must be able to read the status of their equipment in the environment it is in. Illumination intensity is the amount of visible light emitted in a given direction by the light source, in our case the LED indicator. It is measured in millicandela. See the video or read below to find out about the 4 things you need to consider when picking the correct intensity.

Why choose a switch with NC/NO electrical function?

A classic switch has one input and one output. It can be NO (normally open) or NC (normally closed). A NC/NO switch has one input and two outputs and consequently 2 possible actions.

How to protect your HMI against regular cleaning?

How do you design a chemical-resistant HMI solution? Good options are: Good-grade metal, especially stainless steel due to its anti-bacterial quality Membrane keyboards with a top layer made of special plastic that inhibits the growth of bacteria Other easy-to-clean options are: Plastic capacitive Piezo-electric panel technologies What kind of damage can cleaning agents cause? Protecting your HMI solution against cleaning agents is important to ensure its longevity and functionality. The potential damage depends on: The type of cleaning agent The frequency of use. The main consequence is that the front panel material deteriorates. Plastic and elastomeric can melt and get sticky If there were any symbols printed on them, they would be distorted or fall off Transparent plastic lenses will get milky and make it difficult to read the LED Another concern is gaps in the control panel. It is difficult to remove the accumulated dirt with cleaning agents giving space for bacteria to grow. What kind of damage can cleaning agents cause? Protecting your HMI solution against cleaning agents is important to ensure its longevity and functionality. The potential damage depends on: The type of cleaning agent The frequency of use. The main consequence is that the front panel material deteriorates. Plastic and elastomeric can melt and get sticky If there were any symbols printed on them, they would be distorted or fall off Transparent plastic lenses will get milky and make it difficult to read the LED Another concern is gaps in the control panel. It is difficult to remove the accumulated dirt with cleaning agents giving space for bacteria to grow. They allow for a smooth front panel without gaps and excellent illumination options. It is important though that the plastic capacitive is made with the right plastic, so it doesn’t react to chemicals. Regarding the marking – there is the engraving for metal solutions. Engraving on aluminum gives a white symbol and on stainless steel it is black. In the case of membrane solution, the marking can be placed under the top layer. APEM has many products and solutions that can be used to design a chemical-resistant HMI solution. We have an internal lab that can test for specific chemicals that your application needs to withstand. Read more on easy-to-clean HMI solutions in our brochure . They allow for a smooth front panel without gaps and excellent illumination options. It is important though that the plastic capacitive is made with the right plastic, so it doesn’t react to chemicals. Regarding the marking – there is the engraving for metal solutions. Engraving on aluminum gives a white symbol and on stainless steel it is black. In the case of membrane solution, the marking can be placed under the top layer. APEM has many products and solutions that can be used to design a chemical-resistant HMI solution. We have an internal lab that can test for specific chemicals that your application needs to withstand. Read more on easy-to-clean HMI solutions in our brochure . How do you design a chemical-resistant HMI solution? Good options are: Good-grade metal, especially stainless steel due to its anti-bacterial quality Membrane keyboards with a top layer made of special plastic that inhibits the growth of bacteria Other easy-to-clean options are: Plastic capacitive Piezo-electric panel technologies Selection of apem products In our video, you can learn what kind of damage frequent cleaning can do to a control panel and how to design a chemical-resistant HMI solution. Read further below the video. There has been a lot of focus on hygiene in the last couple of years. Therefore, a regular cleaning with chemicals is not just for food & packaging and medical industries anymore. Disinfecting has also become relevant for indoor control panels that are used by a lot of people. Selection of apem products Contact Us There has been a lot of focus on hygiene in the last couple of years. Therefore, a regular cleaning with chemicals is not just for food & packaging and medical industries anymore. Disinfecting has also become relevant for indoor control panels that are used by a lot of people. In our video, you can learn what kind of damage frequent cleaning can do to a control panel and how to design a chemical-resistant HMI solution. Read further below the video.

Understanding IK ratings: How IK testing ensures HMI durability?

Step into the industrial arena where every pushbutton, rocker switch or keypad must be armored against physical threats. The IK rating serves as this armor, ensuring that these crucial components can stand up to the knocks and shocks of their environments.

What’s the right sealing approach for my specifications?

Demanding the highest possible sealing level has two major disadvantages: high component prices and more complex assembly processes.Switches can be sealed in a combination of ways with each approach having advantages in certain applications.Selecting a higher sealing level than required to ensure performance to specification is costly: increased levels of protection means higher component costs and a more complicated assembly process.

How to protect your HMI against vandalism?

Choose robust materials Opt for products and solutions that can withstand at least the IK08 level of impact . Metal buttons and a metal front panel provide increased durability and resistance to vandalism. Utilize anti-graffiti paint Apply special anti-graffiti paint for markings on the HMI. This ensures that important labels and instructions remain visible, even if someone attempts to deface or damage them. Minimize gaps and secure components Design your HMI with as few and small gaps as possible to prevent tampering. Ensure that keycaps are larger at the bottom than at the top, so they cannot easily fall out or be removed. Does APEM offer anti-vandal and shock resistant products and solutions? Yes, APEM provides a range of anti-vandal products and solutions. We understand the importance of robust and tamper-proof HMIs. Our products undergo testing for IK ratings and other relevant tests to ensure their durability and resistance to vandalism. Contact us to explore our offerings and find the right solution for your needs. Protecting your HMI against vandalism is important for several reasons Application usage scenarios: HMIs can be used in public spaces with minimal supervision, where they may be accessed by thousands of people daily. Additionally, in emergency situations, they might be used by individuals under stress or in a hurry. Protecting the HMI ensures its functionality remains intact despite mishandling or excessive force. Insurance policy for emergency situations: in cases where HMIs, such as emergency stop buttons , are rarely needed but critical for safety, protecting them from vandalism acts as an insurance policy. It ensures that these functions will be operational when they are required most. Extended lifespan and cost savings: by implementing protective measures, you can extend the lifespan of your HMI. Robust materials and design choices reduce the need for frequent repairs or replacements, resulting in cost savings over time. Ensure tactile feedback Incorporate elements that provide tactile feedback , confirming the activation of buttons or controls. This feedback helps users feel assured that their actions have been registered without the need for excessive force or repeated attempts. Use heat-resistant plastic for illumination When incorporating illumination in your HMI, choose heat-resistant plastic materials. This ensures that the lighting components can withstand high temperatures without compromising functionality or safety. Design for intuitive use Create an intuitive design that simplifies the user experience. Use illumination, finger guides, and clear markings to guide users through the interface, reducing the likelihood of accidental damage caused by frustration or haste. Protecting your HMI against vandalism is important for several reasons Application usage scenarios: HMIs can be used in public spaces with minimal supervision, where they may be accessed by thousands of people daily. Additionally, in emergency situations, they might be used by individuals under stress or in a hurry. Protecting the HMI ensures its functionality remains intact despite mishandling or excessive force. Insurance policy for emergency situations: in cases where HMIs, such as emergency stop buttons , are rarely needed but critical for safety, protecting them from vandalism acts as an insurance policy. It ensures that these functions will be operational when they are required most. Extended lifespan and cost savings: by implementing protective measures, you can extend the lifespan of your HMI. Robust materials and design choices reduce the need for frequent repairs or replacements, resulting in cost savings over time. Does APEM offer anti-vandal and shock resistant products and solutions? Yes, APEM provides a range of anti-vandal products and solutions. We understand the importance of robust and tamper-proof HMIs. Our products undergo testing for IK ratings and other relevant tests to ensure their durability and resistance to vandalism. Contact us to explore our offerings and find the right solution for your needs. Use heat-resistant plastic for illumination When incorporating illumination in your HMI, choose heat-resistant plastic materials. This ensures that the lighting components can withstand high temperatures without compromising functionality or safety. Design for intuitive use Create an intuitive design that simplifies the user experience. Use illumination, finger guides, and clear markings to guide users through the interface, reducing the likelihood of accidental damage caused by frustration or haste. Ensure tactile feedback Incorporate elements that provide tactile feedback , confirming the activation of buttons or controls. This feedback helps users feel assured that their actions have been registered without the need for excessive force or repeated attempts. Contact Us Choose robust materials Opt for products and solutions that can withstand at least the IK08 level of impact . Metal buttons and a metal front panel provide increased durability and resistance to vandalism. Minimize gaps and secure components Design your HMI with as few and small gaps as possible to prevent tampering. Ensure that keycaps are larger at the bottom than at the top, so they cannot easily fall out or be removed. Utilize anti-graffiti paint Apply special anti-graffiti paint for markings on the HMI. This ensures that important labels and instructions remain visible, even if someone attempts to deface or damage them.

How to protect your HMI against ultraviolet light?

All outdoor applications and applications that stand near windows are exposed to ultraviolet light. Long-term exposure to UV light can damage your HMI. Therefore, you need to protect your application to ensure its safety and functionality.

What is IP rating for an HMI?

Sealing is a key feature in the choice of a component. Many applications require dustproof and waterproof HMIs to operate efficiently. But how to choose the right sealing level? The IP rating is a good indicator to determines the sealing level of HMIs, provided that its meaning is clear.

How to get the tactile feedback you want?

Tactile feedback, also known as haptic feedback, is a crucial element of modern human-machine interface (HMI) design. Whether you’re designing a keyboard, vehicle control panel, or industrial machinery, the way a button or switch “feels” can significantly impact usability and user satisfaction. Achieving optimal tactile feedback involves understanding various mechanisms and selecting the right solution for your application. APEM specializes in providing ergonomic, reliable tactile feedback solutions tailored to diverse industries and environments.