BIOS-UX-02 – andon push button box with LAN: operator station with 4 illuminated buttons

What is the BIOS-UX-02 andon push button box with LAN?

BIOS-UX-02 is an andon push button box with LAN Ethernet: a box with four illuminated buttons that workers use to raise requests from the shop floor, e.g. for material, maintenance, quality control or a breakdown. The call reaches a server over the LAN, and the server can remotely switch the button lights on or off or set them to flash, so the operator can see that the call has been accepted or dealt with.

The buttons are 44 mm in diameter and arranged in two rows in the upper part of the box. The buttons have fixed colours: red, blue, green and yellow, and we agree the meaning of each one (e.g. which call it sends) with the customer. The box is rated IP65, is mounted vertically, and the cables exit from below.

BIOS-UX-02 collects operator input on the shop floor for Scout MES: with a button the operator reports, for example, the reason for a stoppage, a call or the completion of a task. It is an alternative to tablets at workstations – where a tablet does not work well and a physical button is simpler and more durable.

The station communicates over 10/100 Mbit Ethernet using HTTP with data in JSON format and is configured in a web browser. Calls can be received by Scout MES, your own server, another MES or SCADA. The station is powered with 12–36 VDC (SELV) or via Passive PoE through the RJ45 socket – just like the separate BIOS-IO-02 module; power consumption is max. 1.5 W at 24 VDC. It has built-in reverse-polarity, thermal and overload protection.

The manufacturer provides a two-year warranty on the device and post-warranty service for 10 years from the date the device is placed on the market.

BIOS-UX-02 technical specifications

BIOS-UX-02 ANDON station photos

ANDON push-button applications

• ANDON calls from the shop floor: calling for material, maintenance, quality control or a supervisor with a single button at the workstation.
• Collecting operator data for Scout MES: stoppage reasons, calls and task confirmations go straight to Scout MES – instead of a tablet where physical buttons work better.
• Confirmation of handling: the server switches a button light on or off or sets it to flash, e.g. flashing = call in progress, steady light = accepted.
• Integration with IT systems: receiving calls and controlling the button lights over HTTP JSON from an MES, SCADA or your own software.
• Machine signals and signalling control: separate BIOS-IO-01 and BIOS-IO-02 modules are used to read machine signals and control e.g. beacons.

Connecting the ANDON station

The station is mounted vertically with the buttons at the top; the LAN cable enters the box from below. The station is powered with 12–36 VDC (SELV) or via Passive PoE through the RJ45 socket (the same power options as the separate BIOS-IO-02 module) – with Passive PoE a single LAN cable carries both power and data (a Passive PoE power supply/injector between the switch and the station). If you have questions about connecting it, we provide support.

How do the BIOS-UX-02 ANDON push buttons work?

1. The operator presses one of the four buttons on the station.
2. The station registers the press and increments the press counter of that button.
3. The server (Scout MES, another MES, SCADA or your own application) reads the button status over HTTP in JSON format and forwards the call to the right people.
4. The server remotely switches the button light on or off or sets it to flash, and the operator sees the status of the call.

JSON data example

The current station status is returned by the GET /state/get request (no login required). The response is an array of 8 objects: positions 1–4 are the buttons, positions 5–8 are the button lights.

• Buttons: isActive – whether the button is currently pressed; counter – press counter.
• Button lights: isOn – light switched on; isActive – momentary light state; isPeriodMode – flashing (periodic mode); counter – light switch-on counter.
• Rules: when isOn = true, while flashing isActive can be true or false, and without flashing isActive is always true. When isOn = false, isActive is always false.

[
  { "isActive": false, "counter": 13 },
  { "isActive": true,  "counter": 12 },
  { "isActive": false, "counter": 8 },
  { "isActive": false, "counter": 7 },
  { "isActive": true,  "isPeriodMode": true,  "isOn": true,  "counter": 13 },
  { "isActive": false, "isPeriodMode": true,  "isOn": true,  "counter": 12 },
  { "isActive": false, "isPeriodMode": false, "isOn": false, "counter": 8 },
  { "isActive": true,  "isPeriodMode": false, "isOn": true,  "counter": 7 }
]

Controlling the button lights requires logging in to the station; we do not publish the details.

Downloads

• EC Declaration of Conformity No. 01/2025 – BIOS-UX-02 IoT operator station for ANDON signalling (PDF)
• BIOS-UX-02 datasheet (PDF)

Frequently asked questions about BIOS-UX-02 ANDON push buttons