The Four Decisions in a Panel Display
A panel display choice contains four separate decisions: the physical size, the pixel resolution, the brightness, and the touch technology. They are often discussed as one specification, which is how machines end up with a panel that fits the opening but is unreadable at the operator position, or a screen layout that does not fit the resolution.
This comparison separates the four and shows which values are published for each size class in the Basic, Standard and Advanced series.
Size and Resolution by Size Class
The published combinations in this range are:
| Size | Resolutions published in this range | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 4.3 inch | 480 x 272, 800 x 480 | Compact machines, single-function stations |
| 7 inch | 800 x 480, 1024 x 600 | Standard machine HMI at the operator position |
| 10.1 inch | 1024 x 600 | Machine HMI with alarm list and trend |
| 10.4 inch | 800 x 600 | Replacement of a 4:3 panel in an existing opening |
| 12.1 inch | 800 x 600, 1280 x 800 | Panels read from a step away |
| 15 inch | 1024 x 768 | Control cabinets with a 4:3 opening |
| 15.6 inch | 1920 x 1080 | Dense process graphics and wide layouts |
Two entries deserve attention. The 4.3 inch size appears at 480 x 272 in the earlier generations and at 800 x 480 in the later ones, which changes how much can be shown on the smallest panel. The 10.4 and 15 inch sizes are the 4:3 sizes, published at 800 x 600 and 1024 x 768; they exist because machine openings built around 4:3 panels are still in service.
Brightness and Viewing Angle
Brightness is published in candelas per square metre. The lower figure in this range, around 250 cd/m², suits a cabinet interior or a shaded operator station. The higher figures, around 450 cd/m² and above, hold up better under factory lighting and through a protective cover.
Viewing angle is published as four values for top, bottom, left and right. A panel with a wide published angle can be read from an angle without the image washing out, which matters when the panel is mounted below eye level or when two people read it together.
Both values are published per model rather than per size, so two panels of the same size can differ. Compare the values for the exact model code rather than for the size class.
Resistive Touch in Practice
All three series use a 4-wire resistive touch panel. The practical consequences are:
- Input works with a glove, a stylus or a fingernail, which suits operators who wear gloves.
- The panel surface is a flexible membrane, so sharp objects should be avoided.
- Multi-touch gestures are not part of the interaction model; machine screens use single-point buttons.
- Front protection is published as IP65 when the panel is mounted correctly with its gasket.
Where a machine needs pinch, swipe or an optically bonded front, the requirement belongs to a different product family. Confirm that before comparing prices, because it changes the whole selection.
Matching the Size to the Operator Position
As a working rule, a 4.3 to 7 inch panel suits a position where the operator stands at the machine and works through a short sequence of screens. A 10.1 to 12.1 inch panel suits a position where the operator also reads alarms and trends while the machine runs.
A 15 or 15.6 inch panel suits a station that is read from a distance, or where the screen is the primary interface of the machine and carries a process diagram. Choosing a larger panel than the position needs costs space in the cabinet door and does not improve readability if the operator stands directly in front of it.
What to Confirm Before Ordering
Four values decide the fit: the panel cut-out, the panel body depth, the resolution of the existing project, and the touch type the project expects. Measure the opening, read the resolution from the project file, and confirm the model code that matches.
If the machine is a replacement project, also check the port set of the existing panel against the new model code. Two panels with the same display size can differ in serial channels, Ethernet ports and optional interfaces, and that difference decides whether the cabinet wiring can stay as it is.
