7 Inch and 10.1 Inch HMI Screens: Choosing the Right Size for Industrial Applications

Introduction

In industrial automation, HMI (Human Machine Interface) screens are the most critical communication point between the operator and the machine. However, one of the most frequently asked questions when selecting an HMI is: "Should I get a 7 inch or 10.1 inch?" In this article, we examine all criteria for selecting the right screen size within our HMI Industrial Display Solutions.

Why Screen Size Matters

HMI screen size is not just a physical preference; it directly affects:

• Operator ergonomics: Viewing distance and touch accessibility
• Information density: Number of parameters displayed on screen
• Mounting space: Space constraints in the machine panel
• Cost: Investment proportional to screen size

7 Inch HMI Screens: Compact and Efficient

Technical Specifications

• Resolution: Typically 800x480 pixels
• Display Area: ~155mm x 87mm
• Mounting Size: Suitable for compact panels (~190mm x 120mm cutout)

Advantages

1. Compatibility with Narrow Panels In compact machines (e.g., small packaging machines, dosing units), panel space is limited. 7 inch screens are the ideal solution for such applications.

2. Close Distance Usage If the operator is 30-50cm from the screen, a 7 inch display is large enough to comfortably view all information.

3. Low Power Consumption Smaller screen = less backlight = lower power consumption. Preferred for battery-powered or mobile applications.

4. Cost Advantage 20-30% more economical compared to 10.1 inch screens.

Use Case Scenarios

• Weighing Systems: GDT Digital Transmitter + 7" HMI for loadcell reading and tare operations
• Filling Machines: Simple start/stop, setpoint adjustments
• Compact Control Panels: Field-type measurement and control units

10.1 Inch HMI Screens: Wide View and Detailed Data

Technical Specifications

• Resolution: Typically 1024x600 or 1280x800 pixels
• Display Area: ~222mm x 125mm
• Mounting Size: Suitable for medium-large panels (~260mm x 180mm cutout)

Advantages

1. Multi-Parameter Applications With data acquisition systems like ZMA Data Acquisition devices with 4 channels, live graphs and numerical values of all channels can be displayed simultaneously.

2. Long Distance Visibility If the operator is 1-2 meters from the screen (e.g., in large machines), a 10.1 inch screen is more readable.

3. Graphics and Trend Analysis More suitable for detailed data visualization such as real-time graphs, alarm history, production reports.

4. Future Expansion Even if the application is simple initially, it leaves room for features to be added later (e.g., Cloud IoT Data Collection integration).

Use Case Scenarios

• Milk Tank Control: Multi-tank level, temperature, mixer status
• Production Line Monitoring: 4-8 station status, OEE metrics
• Batch Processing: Recipe management, step-by-step procedures

Comparison Table

Hybrid Approach: Multi-Screen Solutions

In some applications, both screen types can be used together:

• Main Control Panel: 10.1 inch screen (central control room)
• Machine-Side Screens: 7 inch screens (local control at each station)

For example, in a milk processing facility:

• Operator room: 10.1" screen + Cloud monitoring dashboard
• Filling line: 7" screen (start/stop, emergency stop)
• Packaging: 7" screen (piece counting, label approval)

Advantages of Our Linux-Based HMI Solutions

Our HMI Industrial Display Solutions come with Embedded Linux operating system in both 7 inch and 10.1 inch models. This provides:

• Customizable Interface: Develop your own UI with Qt/QML
• Modbus RTU/TCP Support: Direct communication with our ZMA and GDT products
• Cloud Integration: MQTT connection to AWS IoT Core (both 7" and 10.1")
• OTA Updates: Remote software updates

Selection Guide: Which is Right for You?

Choose 7 Inch If:

✅ Machine panel space is limited (< 200mm width)
✅ Few parameters to display (1-4 values)
✅ Operator very close to screen (< 50cm)
✅ Budget optimization is priority
✅ Mobile/portable application

Choose 10.1 Inch If:

✅ Panel space is sufficient (> 260mm width)
✅ Multi-parameter system (4+ channels)
✅ Graphics and trend analysis required
✅ Operator monitors from distance (> 1m)
✅ System may expand in future

Real-World Example: Milk Tank Application

One of our customers has 3 milk tanks of 5000 liters each. Each tank has:

• 4 loadcells (weight measurement)
• 2 temperature sensors
• 1 level sensor

Solution Architecture:

• 1 GDT Digital Transmitter per tank (4 loadcell inputs)
• 1x 10.1" HMI for central control (displays all tanks)
• 1x 7" HMI per tank (detailed control of that tank)

The operator monitors all tanks from the 10.1" screen in the office, while during tanker loading, can perform tare and net weight reading from the 7" screen at the relevant tank.

Conclusion and Recommendations

HMI screen size selection should be based on application needs. 7 inch and 10.1 inch screens are optimized for different scenarios and are not alternatives to each other, but complementary.

For detailed information about our HMI Industrial Display Solutions and to determine the most suitable size for your application, contact our technical team.

Related Solutions

• HMI Industrial Display Solutions
• ZMA Data Acquisition
• GDT Digital Transmitter
• Cloud & IoT Data Collection