All-round HMIs for on- and offshore applications

Jon Lawson

R STAHL HMI Systems presents the latest generation of Panel PCs, specially designed for applications in the oil and gas industry. ATEX- and IECEx- certified, the new ET-498 and MT-498 series Panel PCs can be used in Zone 1, 21 and 2, 22 hazardous areas.

They are suited for operating and monitoring operations around the rig floor, such as mud logging, MWD/LWD, rig instrumentation, or well stimulation. Optimised for onshore and offshore applications, they are extremely rugged with enhanced shock and vibration resistance. The powder-coated aluminium enclosures are IP66-rated and seawater-proof. With integrated heating, the Panel PCs ensure reliable operation even at extreme temperatures of -40°C/ -40°F.

For outdoor applications, the 21.5-in capacitive multi-touch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD) is also available with a special anti-reflective coating. As an option, both HMIs types can be powered by top-of-the-range Intel Core i7 processors. The two junction boxes house multiple explosion-proof ports for increased flexibility and connection versatility.

A second redundant Ethernet port, or an intrinsically safe Wi-Fi module certified according to the wireless LAN standards 802.11a/b/g/n are optionally available. To enable VoIP video conferencing, the Panel PCs can be configured with video camera and Bluetooth interfaces. Barcode scanner or RFID card reader interfaces are available for secure user authentication. A variety of mounting solutions for fixed or mobile applications on rig floors, in control rooms or containers complete the product offering