EAO, the expert partner for Human Machine Interfaces, supplies control panels with embedded serial bus interfaces for plugging-in to a range of industrial equipment.

Each panel is custom-built using the highest quality components including electro-mechanical switches, displays, touch screens and keypads for the input, visualisation and monitoring of data. The custom-build process ensures the control panel meets the exact requirements of the end equipment.

EAO offers its own Controller Area Network (CAN) module based on the CANopen protocol for linking the control panel to the core system. The module measures just 70mm (length) x 50mm (width) x 23mm (height). With a high number of supported I / Os (maximum 128 contacts and up to 128 outputs dimmable; eight analogue inputs and eight supported analogue outputs), it offers a high ratio of functionality to size.

Hardware and software is supplied as part of the complete control panel assembly and is configured ready to connect to the core system. This saves overall production time and helps bring a product to market faster.
The CANopen architecture is well suited to applications within public transport vehicles, industrial machinery and medical equipment.

EAO will also develop control panels using alternative serial bus interfaces according to the customer’s needs, including CAN J1939, the vehicle bus standard used for communication and diagnostics among vehicle components; DeviceNet, which is often used to connect industrial devices like sensors and actuators with higher level controllers; and Profibus, which is popular in manufacturing, process automation, and building automation.

All control panels supplied by EAO are designed and fully tested to meet the environmental operating conditions of the end equipment including resistance to moisture, dust and oil, and resistance to shock, vibration and heavy-duty use.