A method for controlling automation, the method comprising:
- collecting, via a machine configured to perform a sequence of operations (SOP), data generated by performance of at least one operation by the machine;
- transmitting, via the machine, the data to a network in communication with the machine;
- wherein the at least one operation is one operation of the sequence of operations (SOP) performed by the machine;
- wherein the machine can be selectively operated in an automated mode to perform the at least one operation;
- wherein the data includes at least one of a baseline cycle time for the at least one operation and an actual cycle time for performance of the at least one operation;
- receiving, via a user device in communication with the network, a machine control interface (MCI) corresponding to the machine;
- wherein the user device includes a touch interface;
- displaying the MCI on the touch interface;
- wherein the MCI displays:
- the sequence of operations including the at least one operation;
- the data generated by performance of the at least one operation by the machine;
- a first touch activated user interface element (UIE) defined by the data displayed by the MCI;
- and
- at least one of:
- a baseline cycle indicator displaying the baseline cycle time of the at least one operation;
- and
- an actual cycle indicator displaying the actual cycle time of the at least one operation;
- wherein the user device is enabled as an automation human machine interface (HMI) device for controlling the at least one operation such that a first touch action applied to the first UIE controls performance of the at least one operation by the machine;
- connecting an enabling switch to the user device;
- wherein activation of the enabling switch is a prerequisite condition to enabling the user device as the automation HMI device;
- and
- wherein:
- the first UIE comprises a path defined by the at least one of the baseline cycle indicator and the actual cycle indicator;
- the first touch action applied to the first UIE as a sliding pressure in a first direction along the path actuates performance of an operation cycle of the at least one operation to a conclusion of the operation cycle;
- the first touch action applied to the first UIE as a sliding pressure in a second direction along the path and opposing the first direction actuates performance of the operation cycle of the at least one operation to return to a start condition of the operation cycle;
- and
- a selective interruption of the first touch action along the path interrupts performance of the operation cycle of the at least one operation at a selected point in the operation cycle;
- and
- wherein the selected point in the operation cycle is between the start condition and the conclusion of the operation cycle.