Proface PFXGP4301TADW Programmable HMI: Advanced Industrial Touch Panel Solution

Product Overview

The Proface PFXGP4301TADW represents a sophisticated 5.7-inch programmable human-machine interface (HMI) from the GP4000 series, designed to deliver exceptional performance in industrial automation environments. Combining robust construction with advanced functionality, this HMI serves as a critical communication bridge between operators and machinery across various manufacturing and process control applications. Engineered to withstand challenging industrial conditions while providing intuitive operation, the PFXGP4301TADW offers manufacturers a reliable solution for visualization, control, and monitoring tasks.

Proface, whose name derives from "professional" and "interface," has designed this unit to provide high-cost performance without compromising on features or durability

. With its comprehensive connectivity options and versatile programming capabilities, this HMI facilitates efficient interaction with complex automation systems, helping businesses optimize productivity and maintain operational excellence.

Technical Specifications

The following table summarizes the key technical specifications of the PFXGP4301TADW programmable HMI:

, QVGA resolution (320 × 240 pixels) , effective display area: 115.2mm × 86.4mm

, lifespan of 1,000,000+ touches

, backup memory: 128KB SRAM with battery backup

, RS-232C ×1, RS-422/485 ×1 , USB Type-A (2.0) ×1, USB Mini-B (2.0) ×1

, operating voltage range: DC19.2V to 28.8V , power consumption: 10.5W max

, 8-level brightness adjustment

Advanced Display and Touch Interface

High-Visibility Display

The PFXGP4301TADW features a vibrant 5.7-inch TFT color LCD capable of displaying up to 65,536 colors simultaneously, ensuring clear visualization of process data, alarms, and graphical elements

. The display's QVGA resolution (320 × 240 pixels) provides sharp image quality for intricate graphics and text elements . With an effective viewing area of 115.2mm × 86.4mm, the screen offers sufficient space for comprehensive system monitoring while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for space-constrained installations

.

The backlight system utilizes energy-efficient white LED technology with an estimated service life of 50,000 hours when operated continuously at 25°C

. Operators can adjust brightness across eight levels either through the touch panel interface or via software settings, allowing optimization for various lighting conditions

. This extended backlight lifespan significantly reduces maintenance requirements and associated downtime in industrial settings.

Responsive Touch Panel

Employing a reliable analog resistive touch mechanism, the PFXGP4301TADW offers a resolution of 1,024 × 1,024 points, ensuring precise touch recognition

. The resistive technology supports operation with gloves or stylus, making it suitable for industrial environments where operators may wear protective gear. With a mechanical lifespan exceeding 1,000,000 touches, this touch panel delivers long-term reliability for high-use applications

.

The touch interface maintains consistent performance even in environments with moderate dust or moisture when properly panel-mounted. The responsive nature of the touch system enhances operator efficiency by providing immediate feedback to input commands, reducing operation errors and improving overall productivity.

Connectivity and Integration Capabilities

Comprehensive Communication Interfaces

The PFXGP4301TADW is equipped with an extensive array of communication ports to facilitate seamless integration with diverse industrial automation components. The Ethernet interface (10BASE-T/100BASE-TX) enables connection to factory networks for data collection, remote monitoring, and integration with higher-level management systems

. This networking capability supports modern Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications, allowing data exchange with supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems.

The serial communication ports include one RS-232C and one RS-422/485 interface, both configurable for various communication protocols to connect with programmable logic controllers (PLCs), motor drives, sensors, and other industrial equipment

. These interfaces support asynchronous transmission with data lengths of 7 or 8 bits, multiple parity options (none, odd, or even), and transmission speeds ranging from 2,400 bps to 115.2 kbps . The RS-422/485 port additionally supports 187.5kbps for MPI protocols

.

USB and Expansion Capabilities

Dual USB ports provide flexible connectivity options: the Type-A port typically accommodates peripheral devices such as barcode readers or USB storage devices, while the Mini-B port facilitates project uploads/downloads and programming tasks

. This combination enables efficient system maintenance, data backup, and project deployment without requiring physical access to the internal components.

While some sources indicate the presence of an SD card slot supporting up to 32GB

, this feature is not consistently documented across all available specifications. Users should verify this capability based on their specific application requirements.

Electrical Characteristics and Environmental Durability

Power Supply Specifications

Designed for industrial DC power systems, the PFXGP4301TADW operates on a nominal 24V DC supply with a wide input voltage range of 19.2V to 28.8V DC, ensuring stable performance despite typical voltage fluctuations in industrial settings

. The unit can withstand voltage drops of up to 5 milliseconds without malfunction, providing brief immunity to power interruptions

.

With a maximum power consumption of 10.5W, the HMI demonstrates energy-efficient operation

. The device incorporates protection against in-rush currents up to 30A, safeguarding against potential issues during power-up sequences

.

Industrial-Grade Robustness

The PFXGP4301TADW is engineered to withstand the electrical noise typically present in industrial environments. It demonstrates strong noise immunity, withstanding noise voltages of 1,000 Vp-p with pulse durations of 1µs and rise times of 1ns as tested via noise simulator

. Electrical safety is enhanced through reinforced insulation capable of withstanding 1,000 Vac at 20mA for one minute between power and FG terminals, with insulation resistance measuring 10MΩ or more at 500V DC

.

When properly panel-mounted, the front panel provides protection against dust and moisture, making it suitable for various industrial environments

. The unit is designed for reliable operation across standard industrial temperature ranges.

Programming and Software Features

Development Environment

The PFXGP4301TADW is programmed using Proface's GP-Pro EX software version 3.0 or later, which provides a comprehensive development environment for creating customized operator interfaces

. This unified software platform supports all Proface HMI products, allowing for efficient project migration and standardization across different facilities. The software includes extensive libraries of pre-configured elements, symbol objects, and animation features that accelerate project development while maintaining visual consistency.

Advanced Functionality

Beyond basic visualization, the HMI supports sophisticated capabilities including alarm management with analysis functions, data logging, and recipe management for production parameter handling

. The system offers remote monitoring functionality through GP-Viewer EX software, enabling authorized personnel to view HMI screens from Windows-based computers elsewhere on the network

. This capability significantly enhances troubleshooting efficiency and can reduce downtime by allowing experts to diagnose issues without physical presence at the machine.

The PFXGP4301TADW supports multiple language fonts, including Japanese JIS Standards 1 & 2 (6,962 characters including 607 non-kanji characters) and ANK characters (158)

. Additional language support for Korean, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Thai, and Cyrillic characters can be added through the screen editor's font settings

. This multilingual capability facilitates deployment in global manufacturing operations.

Application Scenarios

Industrial Implementation

The PFXGP4301TADW finds application across diverse industrial sectors, including manufacturing automation, process industries, automotive production, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and food processing

. In manufacturing settings, it serves as the primary operator interface for production machinery, providing real-time status monitoring and control capabilities. In process industries, it facilitates parameter visualization and adjustment for temperature, pressure, flow, and other variables.

The HMI's ability to connect directly with multiple control systems including PLCs, motion controllers, and vision sensors reduces integration complexity

. By minimizing intermediary components, the PFXGP4301TADW helps lower overall system costs while improving reliability. The support for multiple communication protocols enables seamless integration into both new installations and legacy system upgrades.

Operational Benefits

The combination of robust hardware and sophisticated software provides tangible operational benefits, including reduced downtime through early fault detection, improved operational efficiency through intuitive visualization, and enhanced flexibility through recipe management and data logging capabilities. The extended service life of critical components such as the backlight (50,000 hours) and touch panel (1,000,000 operations) translates to lower total cost of ownership over the product lifecycle

.

Conclusion

The Proface PFXGP4301TADW programmable HMI delivers a balanced combination of display quality, connectivity options, and industrial robustness. Its comprehensive communication capabilities ensure seamless integration into diverse automation environments, while the rugged construction guarantees reliable performance in challenging industrial conditions. As manufacturing operations increasingly demand reliable operator interfaces with networking capabilities, this HMI provides a solution that meets current requirements while offering flexibility for future expansion. With its extensive feature set and Proface's reputation for quality, the PFXGP4301TADW represents a strategic investment for businesses seeking to optimize their human-machine interface capabilities.