Homepage » Instrumentation & Automation »

Paving the way for Industry 4.0

Mobile solutions for hazardous areas
Paving the way for Industry 4.0

The underlying objective of the forward-looking Industry 4.0 project is an integrated data-flow. The automation of mobile terminals and phones must play an important part in this. Through the latest additions to the Bartec product family such as the smartphone, tablet PC and the latest generation of cameras for hazardous areas, the company is helping users make integrated industrial processes come true.

Author Benedikt Eckert Product Manager Mobile Computing, Bartec

The term Industry 4.0 means the networking, both vertical and horizontal, of production and value creation chains. The ultimate objective is the complete integration of all processes; this integration will enable information to be exchanged in real time and, with the aid of powerful software, to perform all processes both independently and as part of a context-related chain. This presupposes seamless communication of all systems involved. Thus, there can be no fourth industrial revolution without the universal use of mobile automation as wireless technologies ensure, for instance, that maintenance information is available at any time and in any place, even from hazardous areas.
WLAN networks are a fundamental requirement for mobile automation; this also applies, of course, to areas subject to explosion risks. Back in 2002 Pixavi, Bartec’s Norwegian subsidiary and one of the leading providers of explosion-proof mobile communication devices and wireless infrastructure, launched the first access point which could be directly installed in Ex areas. The EX-AP-A is certified for Atex zone 1. It can be retrofitted easily into existing equipment and customised to particular requirements.
High-end Android smartphone
Bartec Pixavi’s Impact X is a high-end Android smartphone for use in hazardous areas. This intrinsically safe smartphone can take its place effortlessly alongside the user-friendliness, performance and functionality of a high-end consumer smartphone. The phone is Atex and IECEx certified for zones 1 and 2. The case is machined from one piece of aluminium to provide its extreme robustness, resistance to impacts, falls and corrosion as well as its water and dust-proof properties; it also meets the requirements of IP 68. It also has a sunlight readable display made from 2 mm thick Gorilla glass and a touch screen suitable for use in pouring rain or with gloves.
The latest mobile processors ensure minimal energy consumption. This phone has twice the battery capacity of other smartphones to ensure that there are no interruptions during the working day. A special holder, which can be fastened on the forearm, ensures the operator is free to use both hands.
New maintenance opportunities
The three integrated high-end cameras open up multiple potential applications, for example for image capture, documentation and inspection. The Android operating system ensures that operation is stable and secure. The user of this smartphone has also access to a wide range of additional applications and services such as mobility, inspection and maintenance apps, ERP solutions, safety systems and communication tools. Bartec Pixavi also offers a range of video collaboration apps and device management software solutions. By using Sipido, users can stream video conferences and other streams from the field. Live transmission makes it possible to take expertise into the field, regardless of where the specialist is currently located.
This is a great advantage in times of skills shortages and ever-smaller engineering departments when it is much more difficult for companies to find the right member of staff on site. The user just streams the videos directly from the hazardous area and is ‘accompanied’ in real time by a remote expert as he walks through the plant. Thanks to the mobile video conference systems, a single expert can for instance support several production sites from a remote location. And a picture is often worth far more than a 1000 words. The problem can be addressed precisely and without wasting valuable time with lengthy verbal explanations. Thus, new avenues of communication for remote diagnostics, maintenance and repair are opened up both in terms of documentation and troubleshooting. Mobile video conferences save time and money. In addition, no special feats of logistics are needed to fly in an expert urgently at top speed when problems occur.
Like working in an office
Bartec now has a thin industrial tablet PC with Atex zone 2 certification in its portfolio in the form of the Agile X. With the aid of this device workers in the field can access company data and systems – and in real time. An expansion slot on the rear side enables the explosion-proof tablet PC with an integrated bar-code scanner to be quickly and easily extended to become an RFID scanner, for example. The Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro operating system also provides additional security functions such as a device lock or embedded activation, which enables a product key to be used for more than one device. The office docking station creates a seamless transition from the office to use in the field. If the device is stolen it can be tracked using Computrace.
Agile X is very robust, resists shocks, vibration and even moderate falls. Its IP 65 certification is testimony to its dust and water resistance. With its large, high-resolution 10.1″ LED display, the device provides easy visibility in all daylight conditions. The multi-touch technology enables the user to switch between windows, take screen shots, to rotate and zoom in.
Photos and videos made easily
In the past explosion-proof cameras were generally unwieldy and awkward to operate. With its Gravity X, Bartec has developed the first intrinsically safe explosion-proof camera, which has the same user friendliness, performance and functionality as normal cameras. The device is very robust, waterproof and is certified for use in Atex and IECEx zones 1 and 2. Like all other new Bartec devices, it has a sunlight readable display with a touch screen, which is also easily operated while wearing gloves. Even heavy rain does not detract from its functionality. Weighing just 290 g, the camera easily fits into one hand and is ready for use after 0.5 of a second.
Gravity X has three 8 megapixel high-end HD cameras and a rapid autofocus objective lens. It creates high-quality images in all environments and light conditions. Images and videos can be viewed instantly on the camera display or transferred easily to a computer or other medium via a USB or WLAN. Gravity X comes with 32 GB of memory as standard.
Thanks to the Android operating system installed in the camera, its user has access to a wide range of additional applications and services such as office, mobility, inspection and maintenance apps, ERP solutions, video conferencing and streaming, safety systems and communication tools.
The indispensable enabler
Exactly in line with the integrated industrial processes, which everybody is talking about these days, Bartec is now providing everything, which users need for ‘Maintenance 4.0’ in hazardous areas. This includes mobile computers, cameras, live video conference systems, which use technologies we are all familiar with in our private lives such as smartphones and tablet PCs.
Hall 11.1, Booth E76
cpp-net.com/0215438
All Whitepaper

All whitepapers of our industry pages

Current Whitepaper

New filtration technology for highly corrosive media


Industrie.de Infoservice
Vielen Dank für Ihre Bestellung!
Sie erhalten in Kürze eine Bestätigung per E-Mail.
Von Ihnen ausgesucht:
Weitere Informationen gewünscht?
Einfach neue Dokumente auswählen
und zuletzt Adresse eingeben.
Wie funktioniert der Industrie.de Infoservice?
Zur Hilfeseite »
Ihre Adresse:














Die Konradin Verlag Robert Kohlhammer GmbH erhebt, verarbeitet und nutzt die Daten, die der Nutzer bei der Registrierung zum Industrie.de Infoservice freiwillig zur Verfügung stellt, zum Zwecke der Erfüllung dieses Nutzungsverhältnisses. Der Nutzer erhält damit Zugang zu den Dokumenten des Industrie.de Infoservice.
AGB
datenschutz-online@konradin.de