Beijer CIMREX 67 04401B HMI Operator Panel

Description

Product Introduction & Engineering Value

The CIMREX 67 was built for machine and process operator-interface duties where a compact panel-mounted HMI was required. Its serial connectivity includes RS-232C, RS-422, and RS-485, while the application is stored in 400 KB of flash memory.

For replacement work, the physical envelope is important. The documented front panel is 200 × 150 × 5 mm, with a 69 mm mounting depth. That makes enclosure cutout and rear-clearance checks worthwhile before assuming a newer HMI will be a drop-in replacement.

Technical Specifications

These specifications are taken from the CIMREX installation documentation. The same documentation specifies a 25,000-hour CCFL backlight life at 25°C and a minimum real-time-clock battery life of 10 years.

The documentation also lists UL 508, UL 1604 Class I, Division 2 Groups A–D T4, CE-related EMC requirements, and DNV approval for the CIMREX terminal family. Actual approval applicability should be confirmed against the product nameplate and installation requirements.

Field Application & the “Trench” Experience

A packaging line had been operating for years with a CIMREX 67 mounted in the main operator cabinet. The PLC was still healthy, but the HMI developed a deteriorating display and increasingly unreliable touch response.

The maintenance team initially considered replacing the entire HMI platform. That would have meant rewriting the application and validating every PLC communication point. Instead, they sourced a compatible CIMREX 67 replacement, transferred the existing application, checked the serial communication settings, and validated the operator screens against the PLC.

The important takeaway is simple: an old HMI does not necessarily require an immediate control-system migration. When the surrounding PLC and communications architecture remain serviceable, an exact or suitably compatible spare can reduce commissioning risk.

Niche applications include:

• Packaging-machine operator stations using serial PLC communications
• Conveyor and material-handling control panels with RS-485-connected controllers
• Water-treatment skid local HMIs using RS-232/RS-422 instrumentation interfaces
• Machine-tool operator panels where the existing CIMREX application remains serviceable
• Legacy process-skid panels where maintaining the existing operator interface is preferable to an immediate HMI redesign

Current industrial spare-parts suppliers still identify 04401B specifically as the CIMREX 67 operator interface, including refurbished replacement inventory.

CIMREX 67 04401B

CIMREX 67 04401B

Transparency SOP: QA & Testing

For New Surplus or Refurbished CIMREX 67 / 04401B inventory, inspection should cover more than whether the LCD lights up.

1. Identity check
Verify the Beijer model, 04401B identification, labels, revision markings, and serial information.

2. Display inspection
Check the complete LCD for dead areas, uneven illumination, contrast problems, excessive aging, and physical damage.

3. Touchscreen test
Exercise the entire active area. Edge and corner response deserve particular attention because degraded resistive touch layers can appear functional during a center-screen test.

4. Power test
Apply an appropriate 24 VDC supply within the documented 20–30 VDC operating range and verify stable startup.

5. Communication test
Verify the applicable RS-232C, RS-422, and/or RS-485 interface with a compatible test device.

6. Application test
Where the customer’s application is available, verify screen navigation, touch functions, communication tags, alarms, and operator controls.

7. Mechanical inspection
Check the front bezel, touchscreen surface, mounting hardware, connectors, and rear enclosure.

A refurbished unit should be represented honestly. Power-on tested and fully application tested are not the same thing.

The Veteran’s Tech Trap Guide

⚠️ Do not assume the serial ports are interchangeable.

The CIMREX 67 has separate physical interfaces for RS-232C, RS-422, and RS-485. The RS-422 connection uses a 25-pin D-sub, RS-232C uses a 9-pin D-sub, and RS-485 uses a 4-pin jack connection. Check the original cable before commissioning.

PRO TIP: Photograph the communication wiring before removing the old panel. On legacy machines, the cable may be undocumented, and guessing at RS-485 polarity or RS-422 pin assignments can waste hours.

⚠️ The 24 VDC specification is not a suggestion.

The documented supply range is 20–30 VDC. A noisy or collapsing cabinet supply can create symptoms that look like an HMI failure. Measure the voltage at the terminal while the HMI is operating rather than checking the power supply only at its output terminals.

⚠️ Watch the backlight.

The CIMREX 67 uses an STN-LCD with a CCFL backlight. The documented backlight life is approximately 25,000 hours at 25°C. A dim display does not necessarily indicate a failed main processor or touchscreen.

⚠️ Check the mounting depth before ordering a substitute.

The original panel requires approximately 69 mm of mounting depth. A modern replacement may fit the cutout but still interfere with cabinet wiring or DIN-mounted equipment behind the panel.

Dynamic FAQ

Q1. What is the Beijer CIMREX 67 04401B?

The CIMREX 67, part number 04401B, is an industrial operator terminal/HMI from Beijer Electronics. It uses a 320 × 240-pixel STN-LCD and provides serial communications for industrial control applications.

Q2. What voltage does the CIMREX 67 require?

The specified supply is +24 VDC, with an operating range of 20–30 VDC. Documented consumption is approximately 250 mA without load and up to 400 mA maximum load.

Q3. Which communication ports are available?

The CIMREX 67 provides RS-232C, RS-422, and RS-485 interfaces. The physical connectors differ between the interfaces, so the existing cable configuration should be documented before replacement.

Q4. What is the CIMREX 67 display resolution?

The display is an STN-LCD with 320 × 240 pixels and 16 gray levels. Its documented active display area is 115.2 × 86.4 mm.

Q5. Is the CIMREX 67 still available as a replacement?

The CIMREX 67 is an older HMI platform, and current listings commonly appear as refurbished or replacement industrial inventory rather than as a current-generation product. Suppliers continue to identify 04401B specifically with the CIMREX 67.

For a critical production asset, compare the cost and risk of an exact spare against a controlled migration to a current HMI platform.

Q6. How do I verify New Surplus authenticity?

For New Surplus 04401B, request clear photographs of the actual unit’s model label, serial/identification markings, front panel, rear connectors, and packaging where available. A legitimate “new surplus” claim should distinguish unused inventory from refurbished or previously installed equipment.

Q7. What warranty should I request for a refurbished CIMREX 67?

Request a written functional warranty covering display operation, touchscreen response, power-up, and the applicable communication interfaces. Warranty periods vary by supplier; for example, one industrial repair supplier publicly advertises a 12-month whole-unit warranty for its 04401B repair/replacement service.

For procurement, also request confirmation of whether the unit was application-tested or merely power-on tested. That distinction matters with a legacy HMI.