PLC/HMI Trainer | Pathway to CSM by FANUC and APT Manufacturing

Programmable logic controllers and human machine interfaces are the control backbone of modern manufacturing. Every automated production cell, every conveyor system, every robot-integrated machining operation, and every smart factory station depends on a PLC to manage the sequence of operations and an HMI to give operators visibility and control over what the system is doing. Workers who cannot configure, program, and troubleshoot Rockwell Automation systems are not prepared for the integrated manufacturing environments that advanced programs are trying to produce graduates for.

The FANUC PLC/HMI Trainer, also known as the FRIEND (FANUC Rockwell Integrated Educational NextGen Device), is a Rockwell Automation CompactLogix control panel electrical project kit that gives students hands-on experience with the industry-leading PLC and HMI platform in a benchtop training format. It works as a completely standalone PLC and HMI trainer, and it integrates directly with FANUC CERT robots, MTEC cells, and the Connected Smart Manufacturing system over EtherNet/IP, making it both the ideal introduction to PLC programming and the critical preparatory step for programs building toward a full CSM cell.

Klein Educational supplies the FANUC PLC/HMI Trainer to advanced manufacturing programs, engineering technology programs, and CTE programs across California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, and Alaska. We help programs select the right configuration and connect the trainer to their existing or planned FANUC robot ecosystem.

What is the PLC/HMI Trainer?

The PLC/HMI Trainer is a benchtop Rockwell Logix5000 programming trainer built around Rockwell Automation's latest products and technology, integrated by APT Manufacturing Solutions. It is delivered as either a pre-built PLC panel ready for immediate deployment, or in kit form along with Rockwell curriculum so students can assemble the panel themselves as part of their electrical project training, learning panel layout, wire termination, circuit protection, and enclosure wiring alongside the PLC and HMI programming skills the system is designed to teach.

The trainer is designed around two core use cases. As a standalone system, it provides complete PLC and HMI training on the Rockwell CompactLogix platform without requiring any other equipment, covering ladder logic programming, HMI screen development, networking, and motion control. As an integrated component, it connects to any FANUC CERT cart, MTEC, or MTEC-SIM cell over EtherNet/IP protocol or optional discrete I/O, enabling students to develop and execute PLC programs that control and communicate with a real FANUC robot, reflecting the integrated PLC-robot architecture of actual production automation systems.

Hardware included

The PLC/HMI Trainer is built around Rockwell Automation's latest industrial control hardware, giving students experience with the actual equipment they will encounter in manufacturing facilities.

The control core is a Rockwell CompactLogix 5380 controller with Integrated Motion (model 5069-L306ERM), featuring 16 24VDC digital inputs and 16 24VDC digital outputs. The CompactLogix 5380 is Rockwell's current-generation mid-range PLC platform, widely deployed across discrete manufacturing, process control, and motion control applications, and the controller that anchors the Connected Smart Manufacturing cell. The HMI is a Rockwell Allen-Bradley 10-inch PanelView 5000 Graphic Terminal (PanelView 5310), Rockwell's latest generation HMI hardware for machine-level visualization and operator interface.

The panel includes a 5-port Stratix Ethernet switch, dual Ethernet access ports and cable glands for external device connections, and wireless connectivity via HMS/Anybus Bolt supporting WLAN 802.11 a/b/g/n at 2.4GHz and 5GHz and Bluetooth, enabling connection to a wide range of external devices and networks. A 5A 24VDC Allen-Bradley power supply with supplemental AB 1692 Class II electronic circuit protection, a 120VAC power port with 10-foot power cord, and a NEMA 12 steel industrial enclosure complete the hardware build.

The operator interface includes four illuminated push buttons (red, amber, green, and blue) and a 3-position selector switch, providing physical inputs for student programming exercises. All bulk wire materials, wire labels, termination ferrules, terminals, circuit breakers, fuses, DIN rail, wireway, and cover are included along with electrical wiring schematics, panel layout drawings, panel cut-out drawings, and a build guide with tool list and instructions.

What students learn on the PLC/HMI Trainer

The PLC/HMI Trainer supports a comprehensive Rockwell Automation curriculum delivered through Rockwell's own course materials, covering the full range of PLC, HMI, networking, and motion control skills that industrial automation careers require.

Core PLC and ladder logic curriculum covers CompactLogix 5000 system fundamentals, basic ladder logic programming, and ladder logic project development through two levels of CompactLogix courses. HMI curriculum covers Factory Talk View ME and PanelView Plus programming, and Studio 5000 View Designer. Networking curriculum covers industrial network architecture and EtherNet/IP configuration and troubleshooting. When an optional PIA module is added, additional curriculum covers PowerFlex 750-Series drive configuration and startup, motion control fundamentals using Kinetix 5700 CIP servo drives, and Studio 5000 Logix Designer Level 4 Kinetix 5700 CIP programming.

The pre-loaded structured program template on the CompactLogix controller gives students a starting point for programming exercises and instructor-guided projects, reducing setup time and keeping instructional focus on the programming and integration skills rather than system configuration from scratch.

Rockwell Industry Certificate pathway

The PLC/HMI Trainer is specifically designed to prepare students for Rockwell Automation's Industry Certificates, which are recognized by manufacturing employers as documented evidence of Rockwell platform competency. The curriculum included with the trainer maps directly to the courses required for Rockwell certification, giving programs a clear, documented pathway from PLC/HMI training to a credential that means something to the employers their graduates are targeting.

For programs that are also pursuing FANUC CERT certification in robotics and CNC, the Rockwell Industry Certificate earned through the PLC/HMI Trainer adds a second significant industry credential to the student's portfolio, covering the automation control platform that complements the robot and CNC skills FANUC CERT documents.

FANUC robot integration

The PLC/HMI Trainer's EtherNet/IP connectivity and optional discrete I/O interface allow it to connect directly to any FANUC CERT cart, MTEC, or MTEC-SIM cell, enabling PLC-robot integration training that reflects the production cell architecture students will encounter in industry. Students develop PLC programs that communicate with the FANUC robot controller, passing signals to start robot programs, receive program completion signals, manage safety interlocks, and coordinate production sequences between the PLC and the robot.

This PLC-robot integration experience is one of the most valuable and least commonly taught skills in technical education. Programs that cover it are preparing students for a specific and high-demand role: the automation technician who can troubleshoot not just the robot in isolation or the PLC in isolation, but the communication between them and the behavior of the complete integrated system.

Options and accessories

The PLC/HMI Trainer is available with a range of options and accessories that expand its capability and application scope. Workbench configurations include a single-panel mobile workbench for two students and a two-panel mobile workbench for four students, making the trainer practical for small-group work that reflects how automation teams operate in production environments. The discrete I/O kit provides the cable and interface hardware needed to connect the trainer to a FANUC LR Mate peripheral I/O board for discrete signal-based robot integration. Optional APT Kinetix PIA and PowerFlex PIA modules extend the trainer into motion control and drive system programming. The PLC Robot Integration Program and Step Sequencer add structured programming exercises specifically for PLC-robot integration training. Panel Rebuild and Replenishment Parts kits support programs that use the kit-build version as a recurring project activity.

Who uses the PLC/HMI Trainer

The PLC/HMI Trainer is used by advanced manufacturing programs at community colleges, engineering technology programs at universities, CTE programs building toward Connected Smart Manufacturing or full FANUC/APT integrated cell deployments, and company training departments preparing automation technicians for integrated manufacturing environments. It is the recommended first step for any program planning to deploy the Connected Smart Manufacturing cell, ensuring students arrive at the CSM with the foundational PLC and HMI skills needed to work productively within the full system.

How Klein Educational supports your program

Klein Educational works with program directors, engineering department heads, and CTE coordinators from the first conversation through trainer selection, configuration, delivery, and ongoing support. We help programs understand how the PLC/HMI Trainer fits into their existing FANUC robot ecosystem, plan the progression toward full CSM capability, and connect students to both Rockwell and FANUC certification pathways.

We have direct access to the FANUC and APT Manufacturing Solutions product line and support infrastructure for programs across our seven-state region.

Frequently asked questions

What is the FANUC PLC/HMI Trainer? The PLC/HMI Trainer, also known as FRIEND (FANUC Rockwell Integrated Educational NextGen Device), is a Rockwell Automation CompactLogix 5380 and PanelView 5310 control panel training system that works as a standalone PLC and HMI trainer or integrates directly with FANUC CERT robots over EtherNet/IP. It is designed as the recommended pathway to the Connected Smart Manufacturing cell.

What Rockwell hardware is included? The trainer includes a Rockwell CompactLogix 5380 controller with 16 digital inputs and 16 digital outputs, a 10-inch PanelView 5310 HMI terminal, a 5-port Stratix Ethernet switch, dual Ethernet access ports, wireless connectivity via HMS/Anybus Bolt, an Allen-Bradley 24VDC power supply, a NEMA 12 steel industrial enclosure, and illuminated push buttons and selector switch operator interface.

Can the PLC/HMI Trainer connect to a FANUC robot? Yes. The trainer connects to FANUC CERT carts, MTEC, and MTEC-SIM cells over EtherNet/IP protocol or via optional discrete I/O, enabling PLC-robot integration programming that reflects production cell architecture.

Does it support Rockwell Industry Certificate training? Yes. The curriculum included with the trainer maps directly to Rockwell Automation's Industry Certificate courses, providing a clear pathway from PLC/HMI training to a recognized industry credential in Rockwell platform programming.

Is the trainer available pre-built or as a kit? Yes to both. The trainer is available as a pre-built panel ready for immediate use, or in kit form with Rockwell curriculum so students can assemble the panel themselves as part of their electrical project training.

What optional accessories are available? Options include single and dual-panel mobile workbenches, discrete I/O kit for FANUC LR Mate integration, APT Kinetix and PowerFlex PIA modules for motion and drive training, PLC Robot Integration Program and Step Sequencer, and panel rebuild and replenishment kits.

What states does Klein Educational serve? We serve California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, and Alaska.

Ready to Add PLC and HMI Training to Your Advanced Manufacturing Program?

Whether you are building toward a full Connected Smart Manufacturing cell or adding Rockwell Automation PLC training to an existing robotics or CNC curriculum, our team will help you find the right PLC/HMI Trainer configuration for your needs and budget.