10 Inch HMI Touch Screen Gateway Powers IIoT In Supermarkets

Supermarkets are always searching for methods to remain competitive through digital transformation. One area where supermarkets often have difficulty is in the proper management of their numerous refrigerators and freezers. Ensuring that the temperature is always maintained at the optimal level to keep food fresh and safe for consumption, while also optimising energy consumption, is a crucial aspect of running a successful supermarket business. This requires frequent monitoring of the temperature levels, often through the use of temperature sensors, to detect any discrepancies in the system. Additionally, proper maintenance must be done to keep the equipment running optimally, including regular cleaning and defrosting. Properly managing and monitoring the temperature of the refrigerators and freezers is a vital part of ensuring that the food remains safe and fresh, as well as minimising energy costs.

In order to confront this issue, the XPPC 10-100 by NEXCOM was selected as a Panel PC control system that not only oversees and regulates cooling equipment by acting as a Industrial IoT Gateway, but also utilises the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the edge to reduce the requirement on cloud computing. A HMI gateway is a device that acts as a bridge between different types of industrial automation systems and human-machine interfaces. It allows data exchange between different protocols, communication networks, and devices used in industrial processes, making it possible for operators and engineers to monitor and control machines and processes from a central location. The 10″ touch screen gateway acts as a translator between different communication protocols by converting the data from one format to another, so that it can be understood by different devices on the network. It also provides a secure way to access and control industrial systems, using authentication and authorisation mechanisms to ensure that only authorised personnel can access the system. In this scenario, the HMI gateway allows supermarkets to digitally transform their cold storage units by detecting temperature changes and overriding control locally to ensure that food stays fresher for longer.

The XPPC 10-100 by NEXCOM is powered by the Intel Celeron J3455 processor and up to 8GB of DDR3L industrial-grade memory. Featuring a 10 inch multitouch screen display with a slim bezel, the XPPC 10-100 provides a premium user interface that is integrated with a 400 nit, 16:10, 1280×800 widescreen LCD panel for optimal clarity. Connecting the refrigerators and freezers to the 10″ HMI control panel via RS-485 serial, staff can keep track of the temperature, humidity level, and lighting settings for their refrigerators and freezers. This allows them to easily adjust the settings if needed. The panel also provides real-time monitoring, so they can quickly detect any changes in the the temperature, humidity level, or lighting settings. This ensures that the food stored in the refrigerator and freezer is kept at the optimal temperature and humidity level. The staff can also control the lighting settings to ensure that the contents of the refrigerator and freezer are clearly visible. Furthermore, the supermarkets can pre-configure their settings to be in line with their operating hours, which can aid in decreasing labour costs and help reduce energy usage by up to 10% annually. The XPPC 10-100 offers a connection to the cloud through an RJ45 GbE port, making data transfer and communication between cooling appliances and the cloud simple and efficient. This allows supermarkets to gain a better understanding of their operations and make decisions based on data-driven analysis and performance monitoring.

“The 10 inch HMI touch screen offers multiple mounting options, allowing for convenient installation in industrial applications. It is equipped with an IP65 front display, making it both dust-proof and water-resistant, ensuring it can withstand harsh industrial environments found in supermarkets. The open-frame, panel-mount, and VESA-mount options also provides customers with complete flexibility when it comes to installation. With fanless reliability and meeting IP65 standards, the XPPC 10-100 offers business such as supermarkets with a dependable way to transition digitally and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.” Andrew Whitehouse, Managing Director at Things Embedded.