A control desk – also called an operator desk, desk enclosure or console cabinet – is a desk-shaped enclosure for the operating and display equipment of a machine or plant: HMI panel, keyboard, switchgear and emergency stop sit at an ergonomic angle at working height, while the control equipment is protected in the base. ZPAS manufactures the PSL control desks in four designs and 19 sizes in steel or stainless steel, IP 54 — direct from the factory.
Control desks and operator consoles for machine operation and plant control
A control desk is the interface between operator and machine. Wherever a production line, a machining centre, a packaging or filling machine is operated, set up and monitored, an operator station is needed that brings together the HMI or touch panel, pushbuttons, selector switches, indicator lights and the emergency stop — within easy reach, protected and at the right working height.
ZPAS PSL control desks are made for exactly that. The sloping operating surface allows comfortable control of the built-in switchgear whether standing or seated, while the closed base houses the PLC, terminals, power supply, industrial PC or UPS. The desk is offered in 4 configuration types and 19 standard sizes — on request in stainless steel and with cut-outs for panels, controls and emergency stop directly from the factory. To complement the desk, ZPAS supplies matching electrical enclosures and industrial enclosures from the same factory.
⚙️ Configure a control desk nowIn 2 minutes — type, dimensions, material & equipment · with catalogue number · no obligation →PSL desk system: the 4 configuration types
All types stand on a 100 mm high plinth and are fully earthed. They are assembled from standardised modules — upper section (with bevelled door), front section (sloping operating section), lower section (cabinet with front door and mounting plate) and top module.
PSL standard versions and catalogue numbers
Type and width determine the depth and thus the unique catalogue number. In the online configurator it is determined automatically. · PSL datasheet (PDF, 1 page)
| Width (W) | Type I | Type II | Type III | Type IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600 mm | W-0950-01-15-011 | W-0950-01-29-011 | W-0950-01-45-011 | W-0950-01-60-011 |
| 800 mm | W-0950-01-12-011 | W-0950-01-26-011 | W-0950-01-42-011 | W-0950-01-57-011 |
| 1000 mm | W-0950-01-09-011 | W-0950-01-23-011 | W-0950-01-39-011 | W-0950-01-54-011 |
| 1200 mm | W-0950-01-06-011 | W-0950-01-20-011 | W-0950-01-36-011 | W-0950-01-51-011 |
| 1500 mm | W-0950-01-03-011 | – | W-0950-01-33-011 | W-0950-01-48-011 |
Type II is only available up to 1200 mm width. Special sizes and special versions on request.
Enclosure systems catalogue (PDF, 124 pages) — dimensional drawings, configuration types and catalogue numbers of the PSL control desks from p. 115.
Open catalogue (PDF) → · all catalogues in the download centre
Scope of delivery and design
The desks are assembled from standardised modules that are combined depending on the type:
Control desks in mechanical and plant engineering
Machine operator console at the production line: As an operator station directly at the machine — HMI or touch panel, industrial keyboard, pushbuttons, selector switches, indicator lights and emergency stop in the sloping front, PLC, terminals and power supply in the base. The cut-outs are made precisely to the drilling template at the factory, so the desk only needs to be wired when the machine is assembled.
Machining centres and special-purpose machines: Desk with top module for screen and process display (type I and III), in front of it the operating level with handwheel, override switches and emergency stop. The base with mounting plate houses drive and control components; the 100 mm high plinth keeps the cable entry and cleaning area clear of the floor.
Packaging, filling and conveyor technology: Slim sloping desk (type IV) as an operating point at the line section; several desks can be coupled to form a row of desks. In stainless steel 1.4301 also for plants that are regularly wet-cleaned.
Mobile operator stations and set-up stations: Mobile PSL desks on castors with a frame made of mounting rails, PC, UPS, barcode reader, laser printer and Wi-Fi antenna — for plants that are operated or set up at changing locations.
In addition: PSL desks are also used as control room desks for central process monitoring, fitted with measuring and control instruments, switches and display — for example in water management or energy technology. The focus of the PSL series, however, is on the operator console at the machine.
Special versions from the factory
PSL control desks can be manufactured in special versions on request: cut-outs and drilling templates for HMI and touch panels, industrial keyboards, switchgear, indicator lights and emergency stop buttons, special sizes outside the 19 standard sizes, mobile version on castors, complete installation of PC, UPS, printer and Wi-Fi, integrated control systems to customer specification and the stainless steel version. The customer supplies the specification or drilling template drawing — ZPAS supplies the finished desk. Enquire about a desk → · More on panel building & wiring
Typical applications for the desks: automation & instrumentation and control, machine & plant building and — in stainless steel — pharma & food.
Frequently asked questions — control desks and operator consoles
What is a control desk?
A control desk is a desk-shaped enclosure for operating and monitoring a machine or plant. The sloping operating surface holds the HMI or touch panel, industrial keyboard, pushbuttons, selector switches, indicator lights and the emergency stop at an ergonomic working height.
The closed base houses the equipment behind it: PLC, terminals, power supply, industrial PC or UPS. This makes the control desk the human-machine interface directly at the production line or machining centre.
What is the difference between a control desk and an operator console?
In practice, both terms are used for the same enclosure. Linguistically, control desk emphasises the control function, i.e. intervening in the machine or plant process, operator console the operating and monitoring level.
There is no normative distinction: ZPAS PSL desks are used as a control desk or as an operator console depending on how they are fitted out — the enclosure is identical. What sets the desk apart from an electrical enclosure is the inclined operating surface at working height.
What degree of protection does a control desk have?
PSL control desks have IP 54 to EN 60529 as standard — protection against dust in harmful quantities and against splashing water from all directions. For operating machines and plants in production, IP 54 is the usual degree of protection, as it keeps dust, chips and splashing water away from the built-in control equipment.
Higher requirements are to be clarified for each project. Guide: IP protection classes at a glance →
Can I get a control desk in stainless steel?
Yes. PSL control desks are available in stainless steel 1.4301 (AISI 304) on request. The stainless steel version is used where machines are regularly wet-cleaned or where corrosion resistance is required, for example on filling and packaging lines.
The standard version is made of sheet steel, powder-coated in RAL 7035. More on stainless steel enclosures →
Can a control desk be made to measure?
Yes. In addition to the 19 standard sizes, ZPAS manufactures special sizes and special versions at the factory: customer-specific cut-outs for HMI and touch panels, industrial keyboards, switchgear, indicator lights and emergency stop buttons, mobile versions on castors, the stainless steel version and the complete installation of PC, UPS, printer and Wi-Fi.
The basis is the customer's specification or drilling template drawing. Request a quote →
Which types and sizes are available for the PSL control desks?
PSL control desks are offered in 4 configuration types (I–IV) and 19 standard sizes. Widths: 600, 800, 1000, 1200 and 1500 mm. Depth: 450 mm (type I, III, IV) or 600 mm (type II).
- Type I – upper section + front section + lower section (complete desk)
- Type II – upper section + lower section without front section (depth 600 mm)
- Type III – top module + lower section, low design
- Type IV – pure sloping desk without top module
Control desk, desk enclosure or operator housing – what is the difference?
In everyday usage, control desk, operator desk, desk enclosure and console cabinet are mostly used interchangeably: an enclosure with an inclined operating surface for HMI, push-buttons and emergency stop. ZPAS PSL are floor-standing desks with a base cabinet for PLC, terminals, industrial PC or UPS — a modular desk system in 4 types and 19 sizes. Small operator housings for support arm systems are not part of the PSL range.
