At K 2025 in Düsseldorf, the Reifenhäuser Group unveiled a new company-wide machine user interface designed to standardize the look and operation of blown film, flat film and nonwoven lines. The concept focuses on simplicity and responsiveness in day-to-day use, addressing the need for efficient operation amid a global shortage of skilled workers. The system impressed customers and the jury of the German Design Awards, which recognized the interface with a design distinction during the trade fair.
The human-machine interface combines heterogeneous requirements from different extrusion machines in a flexible and scalable solution. According to the company, operators can reach any setting with a maximum of two clicks. Customizable dashboards and a clearly structured start-up page are intended to maintain control over the entire extrusion process. An intelligent color concept and an intuitive, responsive touch interface contribute to faster operation.
Reifenhäuser developed the system together with HMI Project, an agency specializing in industrial interfaces. The development followed a user-centered process in which real usage scenarios were analyzed and validated through usability testing. The result is a modular and scalable interface aimed at combining technical complexity with user-friendliness. Assistance systems, informative illustrations and a clear visual hierarchy support set-up, monitoring and optimization of sensitive production processes.
The company presented the new HMI at its open house during the trade fair on its new Evo Gen3 and Everex blown film and flat film lines.
User-centered redesign and collaboration
The redesign aims to reduce operator workload through a consistent design language across equipment families and rapid access to parameters. By consolidating navigation and visual cues, the interface seeks to help personnel configure processes more quickly and monitor them with fewer steps. The collaboration with HMI Project focused on iterative validation, ensuring that layout, iconography and guidance elements align with typical tasks on extrusion lines.
Award framework
The German Design Award highlights notable design achievements. Since 2012, it has identified significant trends, made them visible and honored them across product design, communication design and architecture. The recognition for Reifenhäuser underscores the interface's combination of aesthetic clarity with operational utility in an industrial context.
With the new HMI, the operator can access any setting with a maximum of two clicks. The intelligent color concept and the intuitive, responsive touch interface significantly speed up operation.
