Custom 3D HMI Development

A 3D HMI offers a dynamic, immersive interface for monitoring and controlling complex processes.

The Goal

To create an user-friendly, immersive HMI experience that enhances an operator's ability to understand and make decisions.

The Process

HAWK® has created and integrated the first 3D HMI for the onsite wastewater industry. The idea began by seeing an opportunity to do something no one else in the onsite wastewater industry has done before and to enhance the experience of the user.

3D Asset Development:

Using 3D software and an understanding of the needs and wants of the customer, we set out to create accurate models of the equipment used in the treatment system. Our assets were created using realistic textures, 3D scanning, proper scaling, and animations to bring these components to life. Once finalized, these assets were then optimized for importation into Ignition. 

3D Asset Importation:

Once optimized, the 3D assets were then imported into Ignition. After being imported, the assets are strategically placed in a way that provides a user-friendly understanding of how the system is generally arranged. The strategic placement of assets allows for a realistic view of your entire system on one screen.

Tag Correlation:

Once the assets have been imported and placed, we can then link them to live data. After these assets and animations are linked to live data, they are then capable of reacting and changing their conditions, such as changing colors based on status or activating water flow animations. This gives the operators the ability to see an exact copy of the system in real time. Improving the operator’s capability to detect, analyze, and control the operations in a more intuitive format.

The Result

The result was a dynamic, immersive HMI that provided operators with a clear, real-time representation of the system's performance. Operators could now interact with the system in a more engaging way. Using animations based on live data, the system’s status was always accurately reflected, whether through color changes or movement of equipment. This not only improved situational awareness but also helped in increasing decision-making speeds and decreasing the chances of errors or downtime. Additionally, the intuitive interface helped improve operator training and decreased the learning curve since new users could easily visualize system operations and could interact with the controls. In the end, the 3D HMI in Ignition delivered a more user-friendly, efficient interface by reducing information overload and optimizing control.

Key Benefits

[01]   Enhanced Visual Clarity

The most apparent benefit of using a 3D HMI is the ability to represent systems, machines, and processes in more visually comprehensive ways. With 3D visualization, you can see exactly how each component is functioning in real-time. Whether it's a complex conveyor system, a robotic arm, or a large-scale industrial machine, the 3D interface offers a much more intuitive and precise view of operations.

By customizing the 3D HMI, you can ensure that each system is depicted in a way that’s most relevant to your needs. Operators can clearly see every part of the process, which reduces the risk of overlooking critical information. This kind of clarity is especially useful for troubleshooting, reducing the time spent identifying issues.

[02]   Enhanced User Experience

Custom 3D HMIs can create a much more engaging user experience. The interactive nature of 3D models allows for greater user immersion, leading to a more enjoyable and effective interaction with the system.

Whether accessed on a desktop, mobile device, or tablet, a well-designed 3D HMI ensures that users can interact with their systems from anywhere, improving accessibility and flexibility in day-to-day operations.

[03]   Tailored User Interface

With Ignition, you can design a 3D HMI that is customized to fit the specific needs of your system, workflow, or equipment. This level of customization ensures that only the most relevant data and controls are displayed, reducing information overload and improving the user experience.

Ignition’s flexibility allows for the creation of a 3D HMI that is highly customized to the unique needs of your system or industry. Whether you're working with a specific type of equipment, machine, or workflow, a custom 3D HMI can be designed to reflect that accurately.

With custom elements, unnecessary complexity can be reduced, and operators can interact with only the most relevant data, making the interface more intuitive and less overwhelming

[04]   Increased Operator Efficiency

With a 3D model, operators can get an at-a-glance view of the entire system, making it easier to spot potential issues or bottlenecks and act accordingly. Instead of hunting through screens or interpreting abstract data, they can interact with an immersive, easy-to-understand 3D model that provides immediate insights into system health and performance.

The visual nature of a 3D HMI means that key performance data is presented in a way that is easier to interpret. This allows operators to make quicker decisions. Instead of having to interpret raw data, operators can immediately understand the status of the system and take appropriate actions, improving reaction time and reducing delays in decision-making.

[05]   Reduced Training Time

Training new operators can often be time-consuming, especially when they must learn how to read complex systems from 2D schematics or numerical data alone. Custom 3D HMIs provide a more immersive, hands-on, and engaging learning experience. Trainees can interact with virtual representations of machinery and processes, learning how they work in a risk-free environment.

By using immersive 3D models, new employees can quickly grasp system operations, making it easier to understand process flow and troubleshoot potential issues. By visually representing equipment, workflows, and system behaviors, operators can better understand the system, leading to faster training times and reduces the time needed for operators to become proficient in the system.

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