Technical Note
Adoption of Touch Screen for Control Panel
https://ror.org/018hwpf05 
2025 Volume 68 Pages 37-43
Details
2025 Volume 68 Pages 37-43
Introduction: Touch screens have become an integral part of our daily lives, from ATMs and vending machines to smartphones. In the factory automation (FA) field, major manufacturers like Mitsubishi Electric, Omron, and Schneider Electric have developed touch screen products. Hosokawa Micron Corporation primarily adopts Mitsubishi Electric’s GOT series, which accounts for over 90% of their touch screen installations.
Evolution of Control Panels: The adoption of touch screens has significantly transformed the specifications and operation of control panels. Hosokawa Micron’s delivery record shows a steady increase in touch screen adoption, from less than 20% in the early 2000s to 80–90% currently. The decline in 2011 was due to the impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, which disrupted the production of essential components like capacitors. In addition, the decline since 2018 has been due to the shortage of semiconductors caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has finally shown a recovery trend over the past few years.
Touch Screen Features: Touch screens offer several advantages over traditional control panels:
1. Operation monitoring screen: Allows for visual representation of equipment status and process values.
2. Setup screen: Consolidates parameter settings, alarm configurations, and timer adjustments into a single interface, often with password protection.
3. Error screen: Displays detailed error information and guidance, eliminating the need for physical indicator lamps.
4. Equipment screen: Records and displays equipment run times, aiding in maintenance scheduling.
5. Startup condition screen: Indicates the reasons for startup failure, simplifying troubleshooting.
6. Trend screen: Enables data logging and trend visualization without the need for separate recording devices.
7. Special screens: Customizable screens tailored to specific equipment requirements, such as the startup setting screen for Hosokawa Micron’s GLACIS®—a high performance cooling type fine grinding mechanical mill.
Conclusion: The widespread adoption of touch screens in control panels is driven by the benefits of digitization, consistent operation, and data logging capabilities. As user needs evolve, touch screen software is expected to become more diverse, potentially incorporating features inspired by smartphones and tablets. Hosokawa Micron aims to identify and propose effective touch screen solutions to meet customer requirements.
