A user-friendly design of devices such as controllers or network components requires a cross-functional team with experience in design, use and production and requires a step-by-step development process. At Siemens, a detailed briefing forms the basis: What does the customer's application look like? What are the most important features of the new device? The design team then develops the initial design proposals, which can be assessed using digital models or prototypes from the 3D printer - including with customers and users, whose feedback is particularly important.

Special design for special requirements

Figure 2: The individual function groups are clearly differentiated and prioritized by hierarchizing the operating elements. © Siemens

One example of a particularly service-friendly device is the Scalance XP200 switch family. Suitable for industrial use and designed with a high IP65 protection rating, these switches can also be installed outside a control cabinet, for example on conveyor lines. As space is at a premium here and the switch must not protrude too far into the room, a housing concept was developed that is only a few centimetres deep. Angled connectors are used to ensure that the cabling is as flat as possible. However, the connections were offset in two rows to simplify the installation of the cables (Fig. 1). Another aid for quick diagnosis is the offset control panel: this means that the LED displays can be read easily even when fully "wired". The arrangement in three visual levels (Fig. 2) in turn helps to quickly assign the information and provides visual clarity, making installation and operation easy to learn.

Figure 3: To ensure product consistency, Siemens develops a "stage set" at an early stage that shows the components visually interacting with each other. © Siemens

However, service specialists must be able to handle a wide range of devices. For Siemens, the consistency of the design is therefore of great importance, but without ignoring specific requirements. As similar as possible, as different as necessary is the motto. To implement this, so-called "stage sets" are created at the start of development, which show the new product in the environment of proven components (Figure 3). Here, the Scalance XM400 switches are closely based on the design of the Simatic S7-1500 controller family, from the labeling of the operating elements to the design of the top-hat rail mounting - after all, the same tool should be able to be used. One major difference, however, is the arrangement of the Ethernet sockets. While these are elegantly concealed under the display on the S7-1500 CPU, they have been designed without a cover on the Scalance XM400. The reason: while the mains plug on the CPU is usually only disconnected when a device is replaced, maintenance workers often have to connect new devices to the switch or connect to their laptop for diagnostic purposes - a cover would be very disruptive here, even if the design were more uniform and the control cabinet tidier. But practicality comes first!

Software in focus

Figure 4: As the user experience is strongly influenced by the software, this user interface is developed in a detailed development process. The example shows the diagnostic view of the Simatic RF600 RFID reader. © Siemens

However, the operation of devices today has shifted strongly to the software, through which almost all functions are accessible. Device design must therefore also take this user interface into account in order to make operation easy to learn and yet productive. The principles of visual structure, simplification and the avoidance of decorative elements, orientation towards specific work processes and consistency are important guiding principles in the design. Here, for example, attention is paid to consistent labeling and arrangement of the menu items. One successful example is the Simatic RF600 RFID reader, where a team of experts from design, marketing, technical customer support and development analyzed the individual operating steps involved in setting up an RFID reading station in detail and developed an innovative user interface (Fig. 4). The result: with Simatic RF600, users can now put a reading point into operation in just a few minutes.

Design makes for better products

The examples show how modern product design for industrial components not only leads to an attractive design, but also brings tangible benefits for users. The prerequisite is that the design process is interlinked with product management, development and construction at an early stage, as is the case at Siemens. The success of this intensive cooperation is reflected in satisfied customers and also in the annual awards of the Industrie Forum Design (iF) or the Red Dot Awards: Siemens has been regularly represented on the winners' podium with its industrial products for many years.

The author: Markus Weinländer is Head of Product Management Simatec Net at the Siemens Process Industries and Drives Division.