HMIs Meet Summer Weather — Breakdowns Meet GES
Summer can be a trial for sensitive electrical systems like human-machine interfaces (HMIs). Understanding the impact of environmental stressors on HMIs and implementing preventive measures is crucial for maintaining productivity and safety in your facility. While there’s no way to stop Mother Nature from sending record-breaking heat waves this year, there’s plenty you can do to safeguard your HMIs for fall. Let’s explore common challenges HMIs face during the summer and discuss some actionable tips to keep them running smoothly.
Summer takes a toll on HMIs
As temperatures rise, HMIs face increased stress from several environmental factors. Excessive heat, high humidity, and dust are primary culprits that can lead to malfunctions and failures in these critical systems during the summer months.
- Heat: Excessive heat is the foremost enemy of electronics. As ambient temperatures rise, so does the heat generated by internal HMI components. This can lead to overheating, malfunctions, and unexpected shutdowns.
- Humidity: High humidity means added moisture condensation within the HMI. This condensation can damage delicate electronic circuits and lead to erratic behavior (or failure).
- Dust: Summer winds can stir up dust and debris, which can easily infiltrate vents and fans in your HMI unit. This dust buildup restricts airflow, trapping heat inside the unit to exacerbate overheating issues.
These summer woes can manifest as common HMI problems you might be familiar with: unresponsive touch screens, distorted displays, communication errors, and software glitches.
Tips for preventing summertime HMI breakdowns
Don’t let the summer heat turn your HMI into a hot mess. Here at GES, we specialize in keeping your industrial operations running smoothly year-round. Here are some proactive maintenance tips to help you prevent summertime HMI meltdowns:
- Clean components regularly. Schedule regular cleaning sessions to remove dust buildup from vents and fans. A clean HMI is a cool HMI!
- Optimize airflow. Ensure there’s adequate airflow around your HMI units. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight or near heat sources.
- Monitor temperatures. Keep an eye on your HMI’s operating temperature. If it starts to climb, investigate the cause and take steps to cool it down.
- Invest in an enclosure. Consider using protective enclosures for your HMIs. These enclosures can shield them from dust, moisture, and even physical contact.
- Prioritize maintenance. Don’t forget the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule. Regular checkups can help identify potential problems before they snowball into bigger issues.
Beat the heat with 15% off HMI repairs!
Summer heat can get the best of anyone. If your HMI unit needs servicing, contact GES. Our team of expert technicians are highly skilled in diagnosing and repairing a wide range of HMI problems. Whether your touch screen is on the fritz or your display is acting up, we’ve got the expertise to get your HMI back in top shape — fast.
For the rest of the month, we’re offering a special summer discount on HMI repairs:
- 15% off three or more HMI repairs
- 10% off any single HMI repair
Now’s the perfect time to schedule a preventive maintenance consultation with our team or send in your HMI for service. Don’t let summer heat turn into a production shutdown — beat the heat with GES!
