Production monitoring
Output, target and takt time — where the line can see it.
A production display takes the numbers your PLC already counts and puts them on a panel above the line. No extra sensors, no production software licence, no MES project. The PLC is the source of truth; the panel is a readout.
What usually goes on the board
| Figure | Source in the PLC | Typical layout |
|---|---|---|
| Current output | Counter register, incremented by a photo-eye or the machine cycle | COUNT 1240 |
| Shift target | A constant register set by the supervisor | TARGET 1500 |
| Difference | Computed in the PLC, or shown as two lines | NEED 260 |
| Takt / cycle time | Timer register in milliseconds or seconds | TAKT 42.5 S |
| Speed | Drive or machine speed register | SPEED 26471 P/H |
| Downtime reason | Fault code or a selector switch state | STOP 03 |
Anything the PLC can compute can be displayed. The panel does not calculate — it reads registers and renders them.
Why a matrix panel and not a counter
A single large counter shows one number. A matrix panel shows labels and several values together, which is what makes it readable without a legend taped next to it.
Labels included
COUNT 1240 is unambiguous. A bare number on a counter needs a printed sign.
Several figures at once
Output, target and takt on separate lines, no scrolling.
Change without rewiring
What is shown is a register map, not a wiring decision.
One bus, several panels
Multiple panels on the same RS-485 segment, each showing its own station's data.
Where the numbers come from
Three arrangements, depending on what the PLC program allows.
Master
The panel polls the PLC.
The display reads the counter and target registers on an interval you configure. No PLC program change; the PLC must expose Modbus registers.
Slave
The PLC pushes the values.
Your program writes to the panel's registers. Useful when the figure is computed in the PLC and should be shown the moment it changes.
Listen-onlyOUR EDGE
The panel reads the bus without transmitting.
Where the PLC program and the existing bus must not be touched. It only reports values that already travel on the bus.
Sizing by reading distance
Character height decides how far away the board is still readable. Indoor models use 16-dot characters at P4.75 pitch; 24 and 32-dot heights are available for longer distances.
| Where it hangs | Panel | Characters per line |
|---|---|---|
| Above a single machine | 35 × 19 cm | 8 |
| Above a work cell | 65 × 19 cm | 16 |
| Cell summary, four lines | 95 × 35 cm | 24 |
| End of line, long aisle | 125 × 19 cm | 32 |
What we need from you
PLC model, the register addresses holding the values, number of panels, and the cable distance between panel and PLC. We reply with a model recommendation and an FOB price.
Request a quotation