Control unit with touchscreen keys

A method for controlling an injection molding machine or die-casting machine, or a production cell, having repeatable process sequences for producing injection-molded parts and die-cast parts, comprising the steps of:

• inputting, configuring and changing parameterization of process sequences by actuating keys, while viewing a control unit or a main display screen, and
• inputting and changing operative control inputs by actuating machine movement keys, while viewing the machine, wherein at least a portion of the actuated machine movement keys are haptic keys or tactile touchscreen keys disposed on a display screen, with each of the haptic keys and tactile touchscreen keys having an associated display screen field or symbol field.

A controller for an injection molding or die-casting machine or for a production cell, with a production process having repeatable process sequences for producing injection-molded parts or die-cast parts, the controller comprising:

• a display screen,
• a machine controller, and
• a control unit configured as a man-machine-interface (MMI) and comprising a first control field for inputting and changing parameterization and configuration of the production process, and a second control field comprising machine movement keys for inputting and changing operative control inputs, wherein at least a portion of the machine movement keys are implemented as haptic keys disposed on the display screen and having a programmable machine function, and wherein a display screen field or symbol field is directly associated with each machine movement key.