Powerful HMI Improves Usability and Efficiency
In specialized industries such as pipeline services, highly precise processes are essential, which require a great deal of experience and expertise from the machine operator. To simplify the operation of compressors and pumps, RAS Rohrleitungs- und AnlagenService GmbH has developed a digitally controlled multifunctional vehicle. The work tools are operated and controlled using high-performance HMI and I/O devices from Graf Syteco.
In pipeline services, maximum precision is essential. When pipes and lines are tested prior to commissioning, safety must be ensured for every meter. This is achieved through pressure, leak, and stress tests. In these tests, water, air, or nitrogen is introduced into the pipe at a predefined pressure using a pump or compressor, and the pipe is then tested to determine whether it meets the strength requirements specified by the medium and applicable standards. Daniel Benscheidt, Managing Director at RAS Rohrleitungs- und AnlagenService GmbH, explains what matters most: “If a pipe fails the test, we can trace the cause all the way back to the material structure. In such a case, the substandard pipe must be replaced without fail, because otherwise leaks may occur sooner or later, which can have devastating effects on the environment—and put the network operator under enormous economic pressure. Our stress tests prevent this scenario.”
Digitization makes operation easier
RAS Rohrleitungs- und AnlagenService GmbH, part of the HABAU GROUP and headquartered in Meppen, is a Europe-wide testing, cleaning, and maintenance service provider for newly constructed or repurposed onshore and offshore pipelines. Using specialized trucks, machines, and equipment, RAS certifies pipelines carrying hydrogen, natural gas, and oil that transport energy across continents. Given the reliability required of these pipelines, pre-commissioning testing must also be conducted within extremely tight tolerances. This is no trivial task, as Daniel Benscheidt explains: “The pressures must be brought up with high precision using the compressor or pump. To do this, the machine operator must be familiar with both his equipment and how it interacts with the base vehicle supplying the power. Otherwise, the engine could quickly stall, for example, which would render the measurement unusable. Until now, these tests required a great deal of finesse. We’ve eliminated this bottleneck in expertise by redesigning our machine concept. We have fully digitized our test vehicle. We came up with the idea, in part, through our collaboration with Graf Syteco.”
RAS and the HMI experts from Tuningen first made contact at bauma 2025. At the construction machinery trade show in Munich, RAS discovered that high-performance display controllers could be used to digitize processes that had previously been carried out manually. However, in discussions with many HMI providers, it became clear that the order quantities RAS was seeking were not attractive to these manufacturers. The situation was different with Graf Syteco, as Daniel Benscheidt recalls: “For the Graf Syteco team, the order quantities weren’t the deciding factor at first. During our discussions, it quickly became apparent that we shared a common understanding of holistic solutions, and the technical experts had a comprehensive grasp of the processes and quickly made suggestions for optimization. It became clear that digitizing our workflows would provide us with the greatest added value. From that point on, the development of our project vehicle progressed rapidly.”
The goal was to simplify the operation of high-precision measurement and testing processes, thereby enabling even less experienced employees to work in compliance with standards. The shortage of skilled workers is one of the biggest challenges for RAS, despite a strong order book. One possible solution to this dilemma—high demand, limited capacity—lies in the automation of workflows. To this end, RAS has equipped its project vehicle with the 7-inch GSt-A07C HMI from Graf Syteco. It serves as the control center for the vehicle’s work equipment. In the current development stage, buttons on the HMI’s touchscreen can be used to activate preset typical operating modes of the compressor, start and stop the engine, and engage the PTO. The sensors are connected to the HMI via Graf Syteco’s MCM250 I/O module. Daniel Benscheidt summarizes the advantages: “Digital control makes things easier for our employees and eliminates a potential source of error in the testing process. In the future, we plan to integrate condition and process monitoring into the HMI by incorporating sensor values—such as temperature or pressure—to ensure even greater transparency.”
High-Performance and Rugged Technology
The GSt-A07C from Graf Syteco is a compact HMI with comprehensive features for demanding applications. The 7-inch display offers a resolution of 1024x600 px. It connects to the vehicle or automation architecture via three CAN and one Ethernet interface. The i.MX6-SX processor allows for the integration of up to four connected cameras. Thanks to its large memory capacity, even complex visualizations and applications can be integrated and executed smoothly and reliably.
The MCM250 CAN I/O module enables the control of downstream loads, including solenoid valves. It can provide six 8-A and two 4-A output currents. In total, it offers four analog and four digital inputs, as well as eight digital outputs. Two additional digital interfaces can be freely configured as inputs or outputs. Thanks to its diagnostic capabilities and the ability to integrate analog sensors, it enables easy condition monitoring of the connected loads.
Touch-screen control panels can be used to initiate predefined operating states to ensure consistent processes
The GSt-A07C is mounted behind the cab of the vehicle to allow the operator to control the attachments while maintaining a clear view of the machinery and the work site. Use in pipeline environments poses no particular challenge for Graf Syteco’s HMIs and I/O modules. They were developed for the harshest environmental conditions found on construction sites, in agricultural fields, in mining, or in forestry. Graf-Syteco’s HMIs and I/O modules are shock-, dirt-, heat-, and moisture-resistant. The display control units, equipped with optical bonding technology, remain perfectly legible even in direct sunlight.
A flexible, future-proof system
Thanks to the GSe-VISU software and integration support from Graf Syteco, custom programming of the HMI was quick and user-friendly. The GSe-VISU software allows users to create user interfaces and control logic without any programming knowledge. Visual menus with drag-and-drop support enable the creation of interfaces that are visually tailored to the corporate identity. A huge advantage for RAS: “We don’t have our own programming department; we’re mechanical engineers through and through. For this project, we collaborated with an external programmer and the team at Graf Syteco. Their assistance and support were always professional and timely. That’s not something you can take for granted with a relatively small project like ours. The Graf Syteco HMIs also give us the flexibility to integrate even more complex user interfaces and programming in the future. That makes our system adaptable and future-proof.”