Rubber and plastic products are produced from petrochemicals that are extracted from crude oil and natural gas (see: petrochemical industry). These processes result in production of plastic and rubber products, such as bags, bottles, film, sheets, pipe, foams, hoses and tires.
Like the petrochemical extraction process, the conditions under which rubber and plastic are produced are deemed “hazardous area” chemicals and industrial manufacturing equipment. As such, industrial HMIs are necessary technology for their safety, as well as reliability and longevity.
Industrial HMIs utilized by rubber and plastic production facilities are fully sealed and dust-tight per the NEMA 4/4X or IP66 standards, for North American and Europe respectively. They withstand the shocks and vibrations caused by heavy-duty machinery. These technical specifications contribute to the longevity of industrial technology, which requires less repairs and replacements than the commercial counterparts (which translates to increased uptime).
Other common features are large touch screen displays. With some facilities integrating large format industrial computers up to 42”, operators have both increased visibility of performance data and improved control via multi-touch touchscreen directly on the production floor.
The increased access for operators of reliable technology translates into increased uptime and thus decreased downtime.