Stadler: Customized HMI now travels through Liverpool

The catalogue of requirements was long – and Algra’s curiosity was great as to how so many facets could be combined in one product.

Stadler had received an order from the commuter rail operator Merseyside to produce 52 promising electric multiple units. The trains, called “Stadler Class 777”, therefore wanted to do everything right – from the sustainable use of resources to barrier-free and hygienically flawless surfaces.

With regard to the control panels for the train doors, Stadler commissioned Algra. The focus was on:

• Clear design, RFID recognition function for the train driver, LED door status display
• Flat construction and discreet design when a panel is inactive
• Can be retrofitted for the existing fleet
• Can also be operated with gloves and wet fingers
• Fast and hygienic cleaning

Catalogue products would be out of the question for such a wide range of requirements. Algra therefore developed a customized Human-Machine Interface (HMI) in close coordination with Stadler.

The complete operating panel was manufactured with as few key fields as possible and without any visible screw connections or key openings, which enables quick hygienic cleaning – an important factor with over 100,000 passengers daily.

Algra solved the problem of heavy use and operability with gloves or wet fingers by using Agnostic Touch, a new advanced HMI input system based on strain gauge technology. These are located directly under the housing and register even the slightest external pressure.

• Check feasibility of the catalogue of requirements
• Proposal to customers with offer
• Development and construction with preparation of detail and assembly drawings
• Production of prototypes
• Fine adjustments for production and quality optimisation
• Qualification of the prototypes with acceptance by the customer
• Serial production of the panels