Control System Design: George Jetson's Vs. Homer Simpson's And Your Preference
Industrial control panels come in all shapes and sizes and have all kinds of buttons, gauges, switches, and handles. Take two examples from the cartoon world: George Jetson and Homer Simpson. George's control panel only has a simple button he has to push all day. Homer's has so many gauges, pull handles, and buttons that it is a wonder that the plant has not had a meltdown yet. This is something to consider when your plant needs a few control systems of its own. Which control system design do you prefer? The simplicity of George's, or the complexity of Homer's? Take a look at both.
Life, Simplified
Everyone would like to think that this world is moving toward less complex operations. After all, the technology you see in the Jetsons' cartoon is already here. It is life simplified, and all you have to do is speak or push buttons. You can ask industrial control panel designers to simplify control panels such that they are much easier to operate, but many of the industrial machines in operation right now are still too complex to have just one button on the control panel. Consider asking the designers for a control system with as few buttons, switches, and handles as possible but that will still do what you need them to do.
Complex Panels for Complex Machines
You still live in an industrial world where complex machines have to operate multiple applications simultaneously. While computers have certainly made things easier, it still is not possible to operate complex machines without complex control panels. In Homer's case, he keeps a nuclear cooling tower in a nuclear cooling plant from creating a nuclear holocaust event. That requires a lot of buttons and switches! Jobs where thousands of lives are at stake need dozens of controls to prevent disaster.
You might have a preference for a more complex control panel, and that is fine. However, that does not mean the panel has to look like it was designed by a preschooler. The designer you hire for your new control system can create a panel such that it follows a clear and logical flow, and everything is properly labeled. While remaining complex, you can still glance over the panel to see the exact buttons, switches, and handles needed to maintain order and control. The best part is you get a control panel that is easy to use, complex in nature, and completely logical in flow and use.
For more information about control system design and what will be best for your industrial plant needs, whether it is simple or complex, talk with a professional design company, such as Solutions Engineering.
