Shaping UX in mechanical and plant engineering

For us, the operation of a human-machine interface is one of the most important product features and the key to a company’s success. Users feel and experience the product and brand via the interface. Depending on the application, the focus must also be on topics such as digital production and value creation, Industry 4.0 and digital transformation. When used correctly, artificial intelligence (AI), immersive technologies (AR/VR) and data visualization can also boost HMIs in plant and mechanical engineering.

The experts at UID support you in all of these topics with a wealth of experience in user-centered design.

Project examples

• Production machines
• Machine tools
• Packaging systems
• Control software
• Production management software (MES)
• Industrial robots
• Industrial, digital ecosystems

Aesthetic and user-friendly applications in mechanical and plant engineering are ahead of the game: a successful design system (in german) with a high-quality design language creates unique branding and differentiation from the competition. With all technical, regulatory and functional requirements in mind, UX designers create a high-quality and aesthetic HMI (in german). They must also take into account special factors of the usage context, such as glove operation or a loud and dark environment. If this balancing act is successful, users will also experience a strong brand through its operation.

The design of digital services is an important building block for successful business transformation in mechanical and plant engineering. But which digital solutions offer real added value for your own customers? What focus does digital value creation offer? Answers are obtained by first defining the basis: What UX strategy do our products pursue? Which design language and which design system convey our brand authentically? This results in a customer-centric approach on the basis of which digital, user-friendly services can be designed.

The web-based platform GRIPS.world from packaging machine manufacturer Gerhard Schubert shows how products can become networked service ecosystems. This allows KPIs on the performance of packaging machines to be called up. Based on sensor data, users are alerted to expected problems. We designed and developed a user interface for Schubert that can be used to call up relevant information on maintenance, control and machine performance.

Defects in machines quickly lead to high costs. Automated UI tests are therefore essential for a comprehensive test strategy to ensure the quality of an application. This is because they simulate the behavior of app users. We use automated UI tests to check whether an application and the UI are functioning correctly. This includes visual details such as images, fonts or colors as well as aspects of functional behavior such as controls, navigation and error messages. Test types are unit tests, GUI tests and UI/integration tests. We use TestCafe and additionally Gherkin and Cucumber for GUI or Automated UI tests.

We identify the aspects of the app that are eligible for automated UI testing. With customized test plans, we use the available resources effectively and generate maximum added value. Based on this, we create the test scenarios, test cases and test scripts. We document the results in clear test reports. They provide the basis for further bug fixing – either by us or your respective software service provider.

Automated UI tests have many advantages: Once set up, they are significantly faster than manual ones. They can be carried out cost-effectively and repeatedly. They are also much less prone to errors.

Innovative platforms, cloud-based portals or web applications: User interfaces in mechanical and plant engineering are diverse – and so is our network. As a system partner for ctrlX AUTOMATION (Bosch Rexroth AG), we support you in implementing efficient and modern HMI solutions. We offer digitalization consulting from a single source with our sister company BAYOOTEC. Solutions on topics such as digital twins and cybersecurity are also on the agenda.

We are very proud to have been working with our customers for several decades in some cases. Our customers value UID as a reliable and competent partner at eye level.

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