Effortless Customization: How Modern HMI Enclosures Meet Rising Expectations

February 28, 2025

By Robert Cox, Vice President of Marketing, ROLEC Enclosures, Inc.

When Customization Comes As ‘Standard’

Today’s new standard HMI enclosures are now more customizable than ever because the modifications start on day one – not at the end of the process. Customization is effectively built in as standard, so specifying bespoke panel enclosures is now quicker, easier and more cost-effective.

This is more important than ever because expectations are rising. Reliance on advanced HMI technology is growing – notably in process monitoring and control, machine operation and diagnostics, production management, energy monitoring, system optimization, training and simulation.

And the HMI panel PCs at the heart of it all must be more than simply tough and durable. Fundamental robustness is no longer enough – the screens and the enclosures that safeguard them must also be ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing.

They must visibly reflect and underline the sophistication of the equipment they control. Hence the rising popularity of enclosures with flush-fit front plates or glass panels. They exude elegance – especially if the end result is virtually borderless.

In the past, that would have entailed a highly bespoke enclosure. And to an extent it still does – but the big difference is that the exacting levels of customization required can now be provided more readily. It makes customized enclosures viable in low volumes. This is ideal for highly specialized applications.

HMI enclosures, such as ROLEC’s premium multiPANEL (IP 65) and versatile profiPANEL (IP 65), exemplify this concept. They can be specified in custom plan sizes from 5.91″ x 5.91″ to 31.50″ x 31.50″. The secret lies in their profile-based construction.

Budget-friendly profiPANEL combines two widths of aluminum profiles to offer a choice of standard depths from 2.36″ to 11.81″. Further savings can be made by specifying the profiPANEL STANDARD version. It is available in six pre-configured plan sizes for 7″ to 21″ screens, and in one depth (3.54″).

What Makes A Good HMI Enclosure?

Toughness will always be essential in harsh settings. Aluminum is often the material specified for panel enclosures because it is both strong and light – making it perfect for mounting the housing on a suspension arm. Aluminum is also resistant to corrosion because it forms a protective oxide layer when exposed to air. Furthermore, aluminum dissipates heat well, helping to manage the thermal loads generated by electronics in what may already be a hot industrial environment.

Ingress protection is equally important given the moisture and dust inherent in some factories. While IP 66 has traditionally been the starting point for machine-mounted diecast enclosures, IP 65 is more than sufficient for touch screens and panel PC control systems situated outside the immediate area of risk. If a higher level of ingress protection is needed, then consider a diecast aluminum enclosure such as commandCASE (IP 66), aluFACE (IP 65, IP 66) or aluDOOR (IP 66, IP 67, IP 68, IP 69K).

Diecast aluminum has greater structural integrity than its extruded profile counterparts because the manufacturing process – pouring molten metal into a mold under high pressure – results in a dense and uniform material. The metal can also include alloying elements such as silicon, magnesium and copper which increase strength, hardness and wear resistance compared with the purer alloys used in aluminum profiles.

Then comes the question of access: how often will you need to open the enclosure to inspect or maintain the equipment? Entry to an HMI enclosure is usually via the rear: options typically include a bolted panel or a hinged door that can be closed either with bolts or a lockable/non-lockable catch.

Accessories For HMI Enclosures

It always pays to look beyond the enclosure itself and see what accessories are offered in the range. Many HMI enclosures will be fitted to suspension arms – but does the display really need such a wide range of movement? Wall or elbow brackets are a simpler solution. Some brackets allow the screen to pivot about a vertical axis, enabling it to be repositioned for more comfortable viewing or operation, or moved out of the way when not in use.

Some HMI or command enclosures come with built-in handles as a matter of course. For others, these handles must be specified as accessories. Either way, they’re a useful feature, even if only to avoid or minimize fingerprint smudges on a glass touch screen or display.

Will your display require a separate keyboard and mouse? If so, they will need to be stored somewhere safe and handy when not in use. In which case, look for an enclosure model that offers strong but lightweight keyboard and mouse trays as accessories.

Transforming Your Standard HMI Enclosure

It does not take much customization to make a standard HMI enclosure look unique – especially now that custom sizes are so readily available. CNC machining adds apertures for controls, interfaces and connectors. Legends and logos can be engraved or printed. Digital printing makes photo-quality graphics viable even for low-volume orders.

Other customization services include RFI/EMI shielding. This is less of a concern with aluminum enclosures because their conductivity helps to create the Faraday Cage needed to block radio frequency and electromagnetic interference. But shielding can still be important because seals and cable grommets are known vulnerability points that can allow RFI/EMI to leak in or out.

Engage With A Single-Source Supplier

When specifying HMI/panel and command enclosures, choose a manufacturer that can provide the full range of customization services in-house: bespoke sizes, CNC machining, engraving, powder coating, wet painting, printing, display windows and assembly of accessories.

This ensures quality and accountability: one supplier is responsible from start to finish. It also saves time, money and the environment. Enclosures do not have to be shipped between various suppliers. Instead, they can go directly from the manufacturer to the customer’s Goods In, and then straight to their production line for installation of the electronics.

For more information, view the ROLEC website: https://rolec-usa.com/en