[By NBC-1TV H. J Yook]Industry currently stands before its fourth technical revolution. After mechanization, mass production and the use of electronics for automation, the age of Industry 4.0 has now begun: wireless communication and digital networks form the basis of the new technological era in modern industry. ecom instruments distinguishes itself with the new and future-oriented PDA i.roc® Ci70 -Ex as pioneer for digital communication in explosive environments.

The use of modern communication systems in industry already connects products and manufacturing processes wirelessly with digital networks. At the same time, increasing digital communication also means a higher demand that terminal devices be equipped with RFID technology, WWAN or WLAN and should be able to communicate online. With innovative developments in mobile communication and identification systems, as well as mobile computers in explosive environments, ecom instruments GmbH responds to the latest requirements of the chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and oil and gas industries. The result is embodied by the i.roc® Ci70 -Ex, a mobile computer that in many aspects points to an industrial revolution for ex-protected handheld computers.

The i.roc® Ci70 -Ex works with Windows Embedded 6.5.3 based on the Intermec CN70e platform and is certified not only for ATEX and IEC zones 1/21, but also for NEC Class I, Division 1. With its modular design, the PDA can be flexibly equipped with different heads ranging from barcode scanners to RFID in low, high and ultra-high frequencies. Even retro-fitting or exchange is possible. As a result, customers have a high degree of investment security if, for instance, they wish to switch from 1D barcodes to RFID HF.

Along with all the important WLAN standards (802.11 a/b/g/n), the i.roc® Ci70 -Ex offers a UMTS module for the first time in mobile computers certified for zone 1. An Internet connection is now also possible without the previously required WLAN infrastructure.

“We're facing a critical change in industry, for which the virtual world, decentralised process intelligence and the creation of highly flexible and efficient production sites will reach a completely new level. ecom instruments GmbH provides innovative mobile technology for explosive areas in response to the needs of the Smart Factory of tomorrow. This is revolutionary in the segment of explosion-protected systems, which usually trail behind the actual technological standard”, commented Carl Henderson, Managing Director of ecom instruments ltd. in the United Kingdom.