Controllers & Operator Interfaces

Panel-mount HMIs, programmable HMI-PLCs, industrial panel PCs, rugged and handheld operator interfaces, and the mounting hardware, cables, and runtime licenses that go with them. Automation Distribution carries operator interface hardware from Exor, Turck, Horner Automation, and WAGO, with diagonals from 4.3 in to 21.5 in, resistive and projected-capacitive (PCAP) touch, and front-panel ratings from IP65 through washdown-rated IP69K.

Visualization panels connect to an external PLC over Ethernet or serial fieldbus. Programmable HMIs run the logic and the screen on one device. Panel PCs bring x86 compute to the enclosure door for SCADA, MES, and edge workloads. Pick the branch that matches how you plan to wire and program the machine.

Browse by application

Panel-Mount Operator Interfaces

Cutout-mounted visualization panels for a machine or cabinet door. Exor eTOP500 and eTOP600 series, 4.3 in to 15 in, resistive and PCAP touch (eTOP504, eTOP506, eTOP507). Programmed in JMobile Studio, connected to your PLC over Ethernet or serial.

Programmable HMIs (HMI-PLC)

Screen and control logic on one device. Exor eX700 and eX700M series (eX705, eX707, eX710, eX712) run CODESYS V3 alongside the operator interface. Turck TX100, TX500, and TX700 programmable panels (TX104, TX107, TX707, TX715) cover the same job with onboard I/O and fieldbus.

Industrial Panel PCs

x86 compute behind the glass for SCADA, MES, and edge gateways. Exor eTOP-IPC panel PCs (Intel Core i5, up to 16 GB) and the Xedge Slim X6000 series for Windows IoT or Linux runtimes. Use these where a browser-based or thin-client HMI needs local horsepower.

Rugged & Field-Mount HMIs

Fully sealed panels for open-machine and field mounting where there is no cabinet to protect the back. Exor JSmart PoE series (JSmart705, JSmart707, JSmart710), IP67 front and rear, single-cable Power-over-Ethernet, with NFC and multitouch options.

Mobile & Handheld HMIs

Portable pendants and wireless operator stations for teach, jog, and line-side control. Exor X5 wired and wireless mobile HMIs with jog wheel, selector, and potentiometer options, plus H3S and H4 handhelds, base stations, chargers, and spare batteries.

Washdown & Hygienic HMIs

Stainless-steel inox panels rated IP69K for high-pressure, high-temperature washdown in food, beverage, and pharma. Exor eX700FB hygienic series (eX707FB, eX710MFB) and eTOP507MFB, built for CIP and SIP environments.

Outdoor & Sunlight-Readable HMIs

High-brightness, optically bonded displays that stay readable in direct sun. Exor eX700G outdoor series (eX707G, eX710G, eX715MG) and the XA5 outdoor panel, for gate control, water and wastewater, and other exposed installations.

Web Browser-Based HMIs

HTML5 runtime panels that render a served interface with no thick client to maintain. Exor eX205 Web through eX215 Web and the eSMART WEB value line, for browser-driven visualization and remote access over the plant network.

HMI Displays

Remote display heads for controllers that keep the compute separate from the screen. Horner Automation HMI Connect series (HE959HMI-04, -07, -10, -15) and Advanced high-bright IP67 displays (HE959AP-07, HE959AP-10), each shipping with a 1 m cable.

WAGO Visual Panel 200 HMIs

WAGO Visual Panel 200 line (8003-099 series): VP204 4.3 in, VP207 7 in, VP210 10.1 in, and the VP210WT wide-temperature model rated -30 to 70 C at 1200 cd/m2. Dual Gigabit Ethernet, RS-422/485 and RS-232C, up to IP68 NEMA 4X.

HMI Software & Licenses

Development and runtime licensing for the Exor platform. JMobile Studio development seats (1, 3, 10, and 30-seat) and CODESYS V3 runtime keys for programmable panels. Spec the seat count to your engineering team and the runtime to your hardware.

HMI Accessories & Mounting

Rear enclosure boxes, build-in housings, mounting brackets, connectors, cordsets, and replacement batteries. Exor eSMART and eTOP enclosure boxes (BOX-eSMART, eBIS504), JSmart mounting kits, X-Series batteries, and outdoor XA5 connectors.

How to specify an operator interface

Display and logic split. A standard HMI is visualization only and needs an external PLC. A programmable HMI (HMI-PLC) runs control logic on the panel itself, so one device replaces the controller and the screen. A remote display head is a screen driven by a separate controller. Decide this first, because it sets the whole architecture.

Touch technology. Resistive touch works with gloves and a stylus and costs less. Projected-capacitive (PCAP) multitouch gives better optics, a flush glass front, and gesture support, at a higher price and reduced glove tolerance depending on the controller. Match the panel to how operators actually work at the machine.

Ingress protection. Front-panel IP65 or IP66 covers a typical cabinet-door install. Field-mount and open-machine placement needs a fully sealed IP67 unit rated front and rear. Washdown lines need stainless IP69K. Confirm both the front and the rear rating, since a panel-mount HMI usually only rates the front.

Communications and software. These families support common fieldbus and Ethernet protocols, including Modbus TCP and RTU, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, EtherCAT, and CANopen, plus OPC UA and MQTT for IIoT data. Exact protocol support varies by model and by the runtime you load (JMobile or CODESYS V3), so verify against the datasheet for the exact part number.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an HMI and a programmable HMI?

A standard HMI handles operator visualization only and relies on a separate PLC for control logic. A programmable HMI, also called an HMI-PLC, runs the control program on the same device, so it combines the interface, the logic, and often onboard I/O. Exor eX700M panels and Turck TX programmable panels are examples of this integrated approach.

Which communication protocols do these operator interfaces support?

Depending on the model and runtime, these panels support Modbus TCP and RTU, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, EtherCAT, and CANopen, along with OPC UA and MQTT for edge and IIoT connectivity. Because the driver set differs across families and firmware, check the datasheet for the specific part number before you commit.

What ingress protection ratings are available?

Panel-mount HMIs typically carry an IP65 or IP66 front rating for cabinet-door installs. Rugged field-mount units such as the Exor JSmart series are sealed IP67 front and rear. Hygienic stainless panels for washdown reach IP69K. Always confirm the rear rating separately from the front.

Do I need separate software to program these panels?

Exor panels are configured in JMobile Studio, licensed by seat (1, 3, 10, or 30-seat). Programmable Exor models add a CODESYS V3 runtime key for control logic. Turck, Horner Automation, and WAGO panels use their own toolchains, so factor the development environment into the platform decision.

Panel-mount, rugged, or handheld: how do I choose?

Choose panel-mount when the HMI lives in a sealed cabinet or machine door. Choose rugged field-mount when the panel sits in the open with no enclosure protecting the back. Choose handheld or mobile when operators need to jog, teach, or monitor away from a fixed station.

Need help specifying the right operator interface?

Automation Distribution is an authorized distributor for Exor, Turck, Horner Automation, and WAGO. Send us the machine architecture, the protocol you are running, and the environment, and our team will match the panel, runtime, and mounting hardware to the application. Request a quote or talk to an engineer.