Multi-core power for explosion-protected HMIs

Jon Lawson

R. STAHL HMI Systems is now fitting explosion-protected touchscreen operating devices with new, fast processors.

The highly-efficient quad-core Atom E3845 of the Intel Bay Trail family is ideally suited for fanless systems. R. STAHL is the first manufacturer to use this multi-core processor in Panel PCs for zone 1 hazardous areas.

With the Atom E3845, which integrates the CPU cores, graphics unit, memory and I/O interfaces on a single chip, Series 400 HMIs take performance in this HMI device segment to a whole new level. Four CPU cores provide full 64-bit support; DDR3L-RAM provides much greater memory bandwidth than that of older interfaces, and the Atom’s integrated HD graphics supports DirectX 11.1.

The operating and monitoring systems are already certified worldwide for zone 1, 2, 21 and 22 hazardous areas.

The new faster systems can therefore also immediately be operated worldwide. The HMIs are usually provided with Windows Embedded Standard 7 64-bit (WES7 64-bit). Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit is also available as an alternative option. R. STAHL offers different versions with display sizes ranging from 10’-in to 24-in widescreens, available with glass or foil touchscreens, and with additional input panels or a complete keyboard.

Some models feature a sunlight-readable display that can be easily read outdoors, regardless of lighting conditions. All models are suitable for a wide ambient temperature range from -20 °C to +55 °C and can also be operated in cleanrooms without requiring any additional certification.