Description
Product Introduction
The B&R 5AP981.1505-01 is a 15.0-inch XGA industrial front screen belonging to the Automation Panel 900 series. Machine builders and plant engineers integrate this display unit with B&R panel PCs (like the Automation PC 910 or Panel PC 900) to serve as the primary human-machine interface across high-speed packaging, injection molding, and assembly machinery.
Featuring a 1024×768 resolution TFT display with an analog resistive touch glass, the 5AP981.1505-01 delivers crisp process visualization and responsive operator input under tough plant floor conditions. In our field experience, replacing a cracked or non-responsive front panel with this exact unit allows you to reuse the existing link module (SDL/SDL3 or DVI) on the back without re-licensing software or changing your Automation Studio project.
Key Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
| Part Number | 5AP981.1505-01 |
| Manufacturer | B&R Automation |
| Product Series | Automation Panel 900 |
| Display Diagonal | 15.0 inches |
| Display Type | TFT Color LCD with LED Backlight |
| Resolution | XGA (1024 x 768 pixels) |
| Touch Technology | Analog Resistive Single-Touch |
| Front Bezel | Aluminum Frame with Gasket Seal |
| Ingress Protection | IP65 (Front Bezel), IP20 (Rear) |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to +50°C (32°F to 122°F) |
Application Scenarios & The “Trench” Experience
An automated pharmaceuticals packaging line came to an abrupt halt when an operator dropped a heavy tool against the panel face, shattering the outer touch glass of the main HMI. The underlying B&R system PC was still running fine in the cabinet, but with the touchscreen dead and display distorted, operators could not clear batch errors or clear machine stops.
- Plastics & Injection Molding – Core Operator Station – Displays high-speed pressure/temperature curves and accepts gloved touch commands.
- Packaging & Converting – Line Controller Interface – Mounts directly into swing-arm enclosures for clear operator control.
- Food & Beverage – Washdown-Adjacent Machine Panel – Protects internal electronics behind an IP65 front gasket during daily washdowns.
The shift technician detached the rear PC/link unit, mounted the existing electronics onto a fresh, bench-tested 5AP981.1505-01 surplus display front, and bolted the unit back into the cabinet cutout. Powering up restored clean touch response and full display clarity in under 30 minutes.
Transparency SOP: Quality Assurance & Testing
We do not just ship boxes; we test them on actual B&R Automation PC test benches. Every 5AP981.1505-01 front panel undergoes the following verification process:
- Inbound Visual & Structural Inspection: Checking the front gasket seal, aluminum bezel corners, glass overlay surface, and rear mounting clips for wear or damage.
- Backlight & Pixel Mapping Check: Mounting the display to a live B&R PC base to verify LED backlight brightness, uniform color gradient, and zero dead/stuck pixels.
- 9-Point Touch Calibration: Testing single-touch point accuracy across all grid zones using a precision stylus to confirm zero dead zones on the resistive digitizer matrix.
- Thermal Stability Run: Operating the display continuously under thermal load to check for flickering, driver board overheating, or backlight fading.
- ESD & Screen Protection Packaging: Applying a protective film overlay to the front glass, wrapping the unit in ESD anti-static packaging, and securing it in custom high-density foam.
5AP981.1505-01
5AP981.1505-01
The Veteran’s Tech Trap Guide (Crucial Value-Add)
- ⚠️ Do Not Lose the Rear Gasket: The IP65 front rating relies entirely on the rubber seal fitted around the inner lip of the aluminum frame. If you reuse an old, compressed, or torn gasket during replacement, washdown fluids or airborne oil mists will seep into the panel cutout and destroy the back of the display board.
- ❗ Separate Display Front from System Link Unit: The 5AP981.1505-01 is the front display unit only. It requires an attached B&R System Link module (SDL, SDL3, or DVI receiver) or Panel PC system unit on the back. Take care when unscrewing the rear unit so you don’t bend the internal interface pins connecting the screen to the PC module.
- ⚠️ Calibrate Touch in B&R Control Center: After installing the replacement panel, touch points may feel slightly offset due to slight hardware tolerances. Boot into Windows/Automation Runtime and run the B&R Touch Calibration utility to realign the digitizer coordinates perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ for Conversion)
Q: Does the 5AP981.1505-01 include the PC processor unit on the back?
A: No. The 5AP981.1505-01 represents the front screen unit (display + touch glass + frame). The rear-mounted PC unit or Smart Display Link (SDL) receiver transfers over from your existing setup.
Q: Can I use this touchscreen while wearing industrial work gloves?
A: Yes. Because this panel utilizes analog resistive touch technology (pressure-sensitive), it registers touches from gloved hands, stylus pens, or bare fingers equally well.
Q: Is the front glass scratch-resistant?
A: The front features a durable polyester overlay over the glass designed for industrial use, but sharp metal objects can gouge the surface. We recommend using an overlay protective film in dirty or abrasive environments.
Q: What is the primary difference between SDL and DVI connections on this panel?
A: The display front itself supports both; the connection protocol depends on which rear transmitter unit (SDL, SDL3, or DVI) you screw onto the back of the 5AP981.1505-01 frame.
Q: What warranty comes with this surplus B&R display?
A: We back all our new surplus and rig-tested refurbished 5AP981.1505-01 display panels with a full 12-month replacement warranty.
Start Chat
