Designing and Prototyping a Mobile Application for Flatbed Applicators

Sammanfattning: Context: Flatbed applicators are machines made for laminating, primarily signs on an industrial level. These applicators are controlled manually, which exhibits potential for digitalization in order to enhance the user experience. Problem: The first challenge is to develop a user interface for a mobile app, created to provide an easy path for communication to customers, with user-friendliness as the focal point. The second challenge is being able to communicate with a flatbed applicator, through the aforementioned app. Method: This project started out with pre-studies about the required topics. The system prototype was then designed and implemented with a focus on adequate UI design guidelines for the mobile app and a suitable protocol to enable communication between the app and the applicator. Results: The app prototype was developed through the usage of J.J. Garrett’s model along with Material Design guidelines, in order to establish a customer-centric user interface. Communicating between the mobile app and a PLC using TwinCAT, MQTT and React Native appears to be a feasible solution.