Introduction: Next-Generation HMI Challenges for CNC Machine Manufacturers

In the increasingly competitive CNC machining equipment market, powerful spindles and stable control systems (such as FANUC, MITSUBISHI, SIEMENS) are the "heart" of the machine, but the operation panel (HMI, Human-Machine Interface) is the "facade" that determines user experience and even affects the machine brand image.

For machine tool manufacturers (OEM/SI), designing and integrating operation panels faces three core challenges:

• Complexity of Multi-Control System Integration: Production lines may simultaneously produce machines equipped with different CNC systems such as FANUC, MITSUBISHI, SIEMENS, each with different signals, communication protocols, and electrical control requirements, making panel design, production, and spare parts procurement impossible to standardize.
• High Customization Costs for Mechanical and Electrical Circuits: To meet different model sizes and functional differences, the traditional approach is to invest large amounts of NRE (Non-Recurring Engineering) costs for single model development, extending the time-to-market for new models.
• Pressure from After-Sales Service and Maintenance: Once old panels are discontinued or need repair, OEMs must rely on expensive and lengthy original manufacturer supply chains, seriously affecting their service efficiency and reputation with end customers.

Yeulian Electronics deeply understands OEM challenges. Our solution is not to provide simple LCD replacements, but to offer a "modular, cross-system compatible" customized CNC machine operation panel assembly, allowing machine manufacturers to break free from original manufacturer supply constraints and take control of product design.

Challenge 1: From "Maintenance Dilemma" to "Design Bottleneck" — OEM Pain Points with Original Panels

Many machine manufacturers habitually continue using or replacing operation panels provided by original manufacturers when designing machines. However, when machines need appearance upgrades or functional adjustments, original panels become a huge design bottleneck:

1. Rigid Design Limits Machine Differentiation

Original panel designs are uniform and closed, making it difficult for OEMs to adjust panel appearance, button layout, or operation flow according to market trends or customer needs. In a competitive market, this leaves machines lacking unique visual identity and operational advantages.

2. Long Procurement Cycles and Supply Chain Risks

Original operation panel procurement cycles are difficult to flexibly match OEM production schedules. Especially when certain old model panels are declared EOL (End-of-Life) by manufacturers, OEMs are forced to upgrade entire electrical control systems, which not only increases manufacturing costs but also puts OEMs at risk of model obsolescence or design interruption.

3. Ever-Increasing Inventory Management Costs

When OEMs supply machines with various different controllers (FANUC 0i-TD, 18M, MITSUBISHI M800, SIEMENS 828D, etc.), they need to prepare different panel spare parts for each model, resulting in numerous inventory types and rising management costs and error rates.

Yeulian Electronics' customization strategy transforms OEMs from "passively accepting" original specifications to "actively defining" their own machine operation interfaces to respond to diverse market demands.

Challenge 2: B2B Core Value of Modular Customization — "One Design, Multiple Uses" Logic

Yeulian Electronics' core technology lies in decomposing complex operation panels into two core components: "universal mechanical templates" and "customized electrical control modules," achieving revolutionary standardization of CNC machine operation panels.

1. Universal Mechanical Templates: Simplifying Machine Appearance Design

We have developed universal panel mechanical templates for mainstream market sizes such as 8.4 inches, 10.4 inches, and 12.1 inches.

• Advantages: Whether the machine ultimately uses FANUC or MITSUBISHI systems, the machine housing's opening dimensions, installation depth, cable outlet positions, etc., can remain consistent. This greatly simplifies OEM machine sheet metal design and reduces NRE investment for designing appearance mechanisms for each model.
• Benefits: Unified appearance helps establish OEM brand visual identity while making production line assembly processes more standardized and efficient.

2. Customized Electrical Control Circuit Modules: Achieving Cross-System Signal Compatibility

This is Yeulian Electronics' core technical barrier. Our modular solution is not simply a panel display, but a highly flexible signal adapter control board (Driver Board) specifically designed to handle special signal conversion for various CNC systems.

• Project-Level Electrical Control Circuit Design: Our engineers design dedicated electrical control circuits according to OEM machine requirements, precisely converting FANUC's unique TTL signals, MITSUBISHI's proprietary interfaces, or SIEMENS' digital signals into universal LCD/TFT display signals.
• Modular Design Concept: All complex conversion circuits are integrated into a quickly replaceable circuit board module. This means the same universal mechanical template can be adapted to different brands and models of CNC control systems by simply replacing the internal signal adapter board.

3. Customization Content Specifically for OEM Services

Customization is not limited to signal conversion but also covers OEM product differentiation needs:

• Function and Button Optimization: Customize operation button layout, colors, and function definitions (such as emergency stop, spindle start, tool magazine management, etc.) according to OEM machine operation logic.
• Environmental and Durability Enhancement: Provide IP65-rated dust and water protection design, and use shock-resistant, high-temperature resistant industrial-grade components to ensure panels maintain high reliability in harsh workshop environments.

Real-World Case: How Modular Templates Create Competitive Advantages for OEMs

An internationally renowned CNC gantry machining center manufacturer successfully resolved long-standing design and cost pressures from multiple models and multi-brand control systems after introducing Yeulian Electronics' modular operation panels:

Through this "modular, one design multiple uses, quick board replacement" B2B strategy, the manufacturer successfully achieved product design standardization, manufacturing cost streamlining, and after-sales service efficiency without sacrificing machine performance.

Conclusion: Customized Operation Panels — The Key for OEMs to Master the Future