One interface for all applications: The advanced Blue HMI user interface of Minebea Intec, a leading global manufacturer of industrial weighing and inspection technologies, has been honoured with the prestigious Red Dot Award in the Interface & User Experience Design Category. The internationally recognised award honours outstanding product design that combines functionality, innovation and aesthetics in a special way.
Whether dynamic checkweighing, Static Weighing or recipe management – Blue HMI is the central user interface for all weighing and inspection applications using Minebea Intec technologies. Developed for demanding industries such as Food and Beverage. It combines intuitive operation, ergonomic design and smart features into a user interface that efficiently supports processes today and in the future. “With Blue HMI, we have created a user interface that is technologically state of the art and at the same time reflects our vision of efficiency, clarity and user-friendliness,” says Dr Thorsten Vollborn, Head of Product Management & Academy, Minebea Intec. “Winning the Red Dot Award impressively confirms that our development team has successfully combined functionality and design – while at the same time mastering the technical challenge of creating a solution for a wide variety of applications worldwide.”
Since its launch in May 2024, Blue HMI from Minebea Intec has successfully established itself, initially with checkweighers that are already in use worldwide. Step by step, the user interface has been extended to other solutions – so that today the majority of all weighing and inspection systems are equipped with Blue HMI. The added value for customers is obvious: for example, anyone who initially uses a checkweigher and later adds silo level measurement with Minebea Intec load cells and Weight indicators to their production will continue to benefit from the familiar Blue HMI interface – with minimal training and the same high level of user-friendliness. “With Blue HMI, we offer our customers a standardised, intuitive and future-proof user interface. This reduces training times, minimises operating errors and noticeably increases efficiency in day-to-day production,” adds Vollborn.
Now also available in the new MiNexxยฎ series
Another Minebea Intec product highlight of the year is the launch of the new MiNexxยฎWeight indicators in August – all equipped with the pioneering Blue HMI. The MiNexx C, M and L models cover almost all industrial weighing applications – from simple scale integration to complex process automation. They stand for maximum precision, comprehensive connectivity for seamless integration into modern production and ERP/MES systems and a robust design that works reliably even under the toughest industrial conditions. “The new MiNexxยฎ Weight indicators, which are equipped with Blue HMI, also consistently fulfil customer requirements – including a flexible and intuitive operating system, comprehensive multilingualism and conformity across the entire range of industrial applications,” explains Janine Nickel, Product Manager at Minebea Intec.
Technology that optimises processes
Thanks to clearly structured menus, standardised workflows, full HD visualisations and responsive layouts, Blue HMI minimises operating errors and makes daily work easier. Whether permanently installed units such as the MiNexxยฎ series of Weight indicators or portable displays in robust stainless steel housings for checkweighers, the user interface ensures optimum ease of use and fulfils the highest hygiene standards.
“Blue HMI offers advanced analysis functions, including the overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) display, which allows the productivity of a system to be analysed at a glance,” explains Lars-Henrik Bierwirth, Product Manager at Minebea Intec. “This allows companies to monitor availability, performance and quality transparently and derive targeted optimisation potential.” This is complemented by integrated log functions for audits and visually optimised infographics that present complex data in a clear and understandable way. “We are thus creating the basis for well-founded decisions, greater efficiency and stable production processes in the long term,” continues Bierwirth.
Standardised interfaces such as OPC UA, Profinet or Ethernet/IP enable seamless integration into existing production lines – also ideal for retrofitting. With the Browser Remote View function, the interface can be operated platform-independently from any browser-enabled device. The standardised logic also applies to combined systems such as the Flexusยฎ checkweigher with integrated Mitusยฎmetal detectors, in which weight control and foreign body detection interact perfectly.
Excellent future-proofing
The Red Dot jury particularly praised the successful combination of functional clarity and aesthetic design. With Blue HMI, which was developed together with the renowned UX/UI specialist HMI Project, Minebea Intec offers a platform that is not only convincing today, but is also equipped for future requirements – a real added value for all customers for whom precision and process reliability with simultaneous ease of use are important.
