Filtertechnik Upgrades Portable Particle Counters with PanelPilot HMI Technology

Filtertechnik Limited, based in Nottingham, UK, has been delivering cutting-edge particle monitoring solutions for over 25 years. Known for their field-ready portable particle counters, the company has built a reputation for precision, durability, and user-focused innovation.

In their ongoing efforts to improve performance and usability, Filtertechnik partnered with PanelPilot to enhance the functionality and user experience of their devices using PanelPilotACE 4.3” and 7” HMI displays.

Smarter Data Collection with PanelPilotACE

Filtertechnik’s portable particle counters are designed to gather real-time data from multiple sensors using both analogue and Modbus communication. The data is visualised numerically and graphically on the device’s built-in display—making it easier for technicians to interpret results on-site.

To take this even further, the team collaborated with PanelPilot to introduce a QR code feature that boosts data accessibility in the field.

QR Code Functionality for Fast, Remote Access

The newly integrated QR code functionality allows the system to automatically generate a QR code on-screen—capturing the last five readings from each connected sensor. When scanned, the code links to a dynamic web page that displays up to 180 data points from the device.

This feature simplifies data retrieval and sharing for engineers working in remote or fast-paced environments, eliminating the need to manually extract logs from the device.

Straightforward Hardware Integration

The integration of PanelPilotACE displays into Filtertechnik’s units was described as smooth and effective. Both the 4.3” and 7” HMI models were easy to mount and install, with hardware compatibility that aligned well with the system design.

While the software had a short initial learning curve, Filtertechnik’s engineering team found the overall development process to be collaborative and rewarding. With support from PanelPilot’s technical team, the QR functionality and display interface were fully implemented over the course of a few months.

Why Filtertechnik Chose PanelPilot

Several key strengths of the PanelPilot platform made it an ideal choice for Filtertechnik:

Ease of Use – Interfaces built using PanelPilotACE are intuitive for both engineers and field users.
Customisation Flexibility – The displays could be easily adapted to meet Filtertechnik’s precise needs.
Powerful Software Design – PanelPilot’s drag-and-drop Design Studio software enabled the team to develop advanced features—such as the QR code system—without needing to code from scratch.

“PanelPilot’s HMI displays helped us improve both the usability and performance of our particle counters. The QR code feature, in particular, offers huge value to our field users needing quick access to recent data.”

Conclusion

Through its collaboration with PanelPilot, Filtertechnik successfully upgraded its portable particle counter range with advanced data visualisation, remote access functionality, and a more user-friendly interface. The use of PanelPilotACE displays not only improved the product’s technical capabilities but also strengthened its appeal for real-world, on-site applications.

This partnership highlights the power of integrating flexible, modern HMI technology into rugged industrial devices—delivering smarter solutions to today’s data-driven environments.