How Custom Tablets Will Drive Industry 4.0 and IIoT

The convergence of automation, big data, data exchange, next generation human machine interfaces (HMI) and a host of other technologies like augmented reality (AR) and digital twins are just a few technology forces propelling Industry 4.0 and the industrial internet of things (IIoT). But companies need a means of putting agile, powerful, and mobile control of those converged forces into the hands of operations managers, which is where custom tablets come in.

In the new IIoT world, networks of sensor-equipped smart devices and machines can collect data for analysis and interpretation to reduce costs and waste while increasing efficiency and quality output. But without analytics, these sensors cannot provide the data to improve uptime and efficiency while lowering scrap and waste.

This is where Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) comes into play as a means of visualizing, sharing, and acting upon sensor data via OEE software. Customized tablets that are purpose-built for these environments are the conduit for visualizing, sharing, and most importantly making OEE data actionable while in the field. While basic internet connectivity to data center servers and desktop visualization are important for overall system performance management, the ability to access and utilize this data on-site in real time is crucial to both diagnosis, repair, and maintenance. Customized tablets capable of direct interface with specialized equipment are most effective. When choosing an industrial custom tablet manufacturer, companies are seeking partners that understand today’s and tomorrow’s industry 4.0 and IIoT needs.

For example, industrial AR platforms designed for manufacturing environments also enable industrial employees to visualize a data set via customized tablets. The combination of AR and custom tablets are increasingly driving machine repairs. AR schematics and graphical user representation of parts and repair process can be overlaid on an existing machine or part to guide the user with process images. This enables service technicians to affect repairs of complex systems.

View source: https://www.inhand.com/how-custom-tablets-will-drive-industry-4-0-and-iiot/

Intrinsically Safe Circuit Design Device Needs Across Industries

As mobility in harsh and volatile industrial and manufacturing environments has become a necessity for productivity, safety, monitoring, and management, intrinsically safe circuit design has had to meet stringent regulatory device needs. Making matters more challenging for device manufactures are the varied environments, product features, and complex requirements of meeting regulatory compliance for intrinsic safety. The definition of intrinsically safe lies at the heart of this challenge.

Intrinsic safety requirements apply to any device operated in areas where flammable gases, fuels or dust are present. The device must provide preventive protection in its electronic circuit design and physical structure when used in explosive atmospheres. These devices must be designed in such a way that they will not release enough energy to cause ignition of flammable material. Just a few of the more obvious Industries which require Intrinsically Safe devices include:

• Oil and gas
• Pharmaceutical
• Aircraft maintenance
• Chemical refining
• Power generation
• Metal smelting and refining
• Plastics manufacturers

The regulations and requirements governing intrinsic safety for any device that must be certified and manufactured for use in volatile environments are varied. There are two main regulatory bodies and certification:

• ATEX (Atmosphere Explosive)
• IECEx (International Electrotechnical Commission Explosive)

Both have complex zone requirements driving intrinsically safe circuit design standards across the globe.

While there are a number of suppliers offering tablet PCs, smart phones, handheld computing devices or cases reported to be intrinsically safe, there are vast needs for mobile handheld intrinsically safe devices for specialized use cases in highly specific environments such as complex measurement and scanning devices. 

To read more, visit original source: https://www.inhand.com/intrinsically-safe-circuit-design-device-needs-across-industries/