Use case

One integrated solution for machine control

Date: 01/10/2026

How do you modernize a machine interface while simplifying the control architecture at the same time? For a manufacturer of commercial laser engraving systems, IDEC combined HMI+PLC displays, RFID access control, integrated J1939 communication and emergency stop functions into one integrated solution — reducing complexity while adding flexibility, traceability and safer machine operation.

The customer’s challenge:

A manufacturer of commercial laser engraving systems needed reliable HMI solutions across a diverse product portfolio spanning multiple sizes and functionalities. Their existing setup relied largely on push buttons for different functions, lacking a graphical interface, overall flexibility and aesthetic which the customer sought to improve upon.

The initial system in place:

Our initial site visit focused on assessing the existing system and identifying opportunities for improvement. The push-button design required frequent customization to meet varying customer requirements. There was also a need for access control to prevent unauthorized activation of the high-powered laser, along with a fail-safe mechanism in the event of an accident. The system was PLC-controlled and required connection to a keypad communicating via J1939 protocol, which required a bulky gateway to convert J1939 signals to digital signals and vice versa.

The solution we provided:

The assessment pointed to the need for a complete solution combining multiple hardware components for different functions, unified into a single cohesive system.

The IDEC 7” FT2J and 4.3” FT1J PCAP HMI+PLC displays, unmatched in processing speed and graphics quality, delivered a compact combined control-and-display solution for the base and mid-range systems. The KW2D RFID reader added tag-based access control and traceability. The FC6A J1939 PLC offered onboard connection points for direct integration with the J1939 keypad, eliminating the need for a separate gateway. Finally, the XW1E range of E-stops—among the safest on the market due to their reverse energy structure—ensured the system would fail safely in the event of an accident or damage to the E-stop itself.