ECOM Instruments GmbH

Explosion-proof smartphone Smart-Ex^® 03 honoured by the German Design Council in the “Excellent Product Design – Computer and Communication” category

The explosion-proof 5G smartphone Smart-Ex^® 03 from Pepperl+Fuchs has been honoured with the German Design Award – Special Mention 2024 by the German Design Council. The award recognises the remarkable design achievements of Pepperl+Fuchs and its subsidiaries ECOM Instruments and Aava Mobile, who are largely responsible for the design and development of the Smart-Ex^® 03.

The smartphone, which was developed entirely in Europe, impressed the jury not only with its comprehensive communication options, including 5G, WiFi 6E and eSIM, which predestine the smartphone for use in public communication networks or private campus networks.

The German Design Award, presented annually by the German Design Council, sets international standards for innovative design developments and competitiveness on the global market. A high-calibre international jury honours pioneering design achievements with the German Design Award.

Further information:
Pepperl+Fuchs
www.pepperl-fuchs.com

Users of Tab-Ex^® 03 from the Pepperl+Fuchs brand ECOM Instruments can now update their intrinsically safe tablets to Android 13 independently, quickly and easily. With the update to the latest version of the operating system, current users benefit from numerous advantages and new features. New customers will receive their tablet directly with Android 13.

Android 13 improvements include optimisations in security, productivity, personalisation and Samsung DeX. To increase the security, the status of the tablet can now be checked immediately. For this purpose, the new security dashboard shows whether there are security problems on the tablet and how they can be quickly fixed. The protection of the user’s privacy is also further increased with Android 13, for example if another person is using the tablet.

Tablet for digital workflows in explosion-proof areas

ECOM Instruments offers the Tab-Ex^® 03 tablet in the variants DZ1 for use in Zone 1/21 and Division 1, DZ2 for Zone 2/22 and Division 2, and D2 for Division 2. Based on the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 3, the Tab-Ex^® 03 combines state-of-the-art technology for harsh environments and use in hazardous areas. Samsung Knox ensures high data and device security. The Samsung DeX mode supports a quick switch to the desktop version. In addition, the tablet has more RAM and external storage than the previous models.

With the Tab-Ex^® 03, mobile workers get a tablet which enables significant time and cost savings in the completion of their daily work. On the large screen with a resolution of 1,920 x 1,200 pixels, complex images such as construction drawings, manuals, maintenance or repair instructions can be viewed with more detail and in a larger size compared to smartphones. For taking photos and videos, the tablet is equipped with a 13-megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash on the back as well as a 5-megapixel camera in the front. An optional camera-free version is also available.

Despite its slim and lightweight design, the Tab-Ex^® 03 delivers industry-leading performance in mobile devices for hazardous areas. It is easy to operate with gloves or the S Pen stylus. Desktop version as well as suitable peripherals and accessories especially for industrial use make the Tab-Ex^® 03 the perfect companion for the modern mobile worker.

ECOM’s Digital Products & Services division completes the all-round solution. The Tab-Ex^® 03 can be fully adapted to individual requirements, pre-configured or integrated into an existing MDM and thus offers optimal support in everyday work.

Further information:
ECOM Instruments GmbH
www.ecom-ex.com

The Pepperl+Fuchs brand ECOM Instruments, Assamstadt/Germany, together with its cooperation partner Iristick, is introducing Visor-Ex^® 01 smart glasses for industrial use in hazardous areas (Figure 1). The intelligent wearable, weighing just 180 g, combines high camera/display quality and reliable communication features in an ergonomic design for user’s utmost comfort. This provides mobile workers with an optimal companion for tasks that require hands-free use as well as continuous communication, e. g., with remote expert support. A total of three integrated cameras transform Visor-Ex^® 01 into the remote expert’s bionic eye. Two 16 megapixel cameras are centrally positioned to depict the wearer’s natural field of vision – this way remote support views what is happening from the same angle and perspective as the mobile worker. A secondary camera offers a 6x optical zoom for zooming without loss of quality and scanning of barcodes and QR codes.

The system utilises the ECOM Smart-Ex^® 02 smartphone for hazardous areas as a computing unit with LTE connectivity and a pocket unit with a replaceable battery for power supply, an intelligent ecosystem is created for a wide range of application scenarios in the industrial sector. The distribution of functions across the individual system components helps to minimize the weight of the headset unit – without compromising on performance, connectivity or battery life. By connecting to the Smart-Ex^® 02, users can continue to use their tried-and-tested smartphone for harsh environmental conditions without restriction and benefit from all the advantages and security features and controls of the Android 11 operating system, including over-the-air updates, ease of use and TCO.

Visor-Ex^® 01 will be certified for ATEX/IECEx Zone 1/21 and 2/22 as well as NEC/CEC Division 1 and 2 and will have protection class IP68. It can be used within a temperature range of –20 to +60 °C.

Further information:
ECOM Instruments GmbH
www.ecom-ex.com

Smart-Ex^® 02 users can now independently update the intrinsically safe smartphone by the Pepperl+Fuchs brand ECOM Instruments, Assamstadt/Germany, to Android 11 (Figure 1), quickly and easily. Thus they benefit from the numerous advantages and brand-new functions of the cutting-edge operating system. These include improved voice control (voice access), better management of access rights to camera, microphone and location for apps, as well as the ability to call up all connected end devices easily and manage them from a common location. From now on, security and data protection updates are carried out via the Google Play Store, comparable to app updates. This grants users maximum flexibility in controlling the updates.

The Smart-Ex^® 02 smartphone for hazardous areas proves that intrinsically safety, advanced functionality and user-friendly design are not mutually exclusive. With powerful features such as 4G/LTE connectivity as well as good ergonomics, Smart-Ex^® 02 is the most advanced smartphone for Zone 1/21 and Div. 1. Thanks to impact- and scratch-resistant Gorilla glass, the large 5-inch display is particularly resistant and can be easily operated with gloves. With an extended temperature range of -20 to +60 °C, the Smart-Ex^® 02 can also be used in extreme environmental conditions. The replaceable battery with 4,400 mAh power guarantees 12 h of reliable runtime.

A versatile accessory concept (belt clip, hand strap, chargers and docking station) ensures easy carrying, attachment and charging of the devices. In addition, the Smart-Ex^® 02 can be supplemented with numerous other coordinated peripheral devices such as headsets, microphones, scanners or Bluetooth beacons from ECOM.

The smartphone for hazardous areas complies with the Android Enterprise Recommended (AER) standard. This means that ECOM can always provide its users with the latest operating system – including guaranteed updates and all the associated benefits in terms of user-friendliness and IT security.

The update to Android 11 is of course recommended, but can also be skipped by the user. This gives users full freedom to test compatibility, involve the company’s IT department early in the update process and make a conscious decision to choose the operating system that best suits their individual needs and operational circumstances.

Further information:
ECOM Instruments GmbH
www.ecom-ex.com

Clear communications at any times is particularly important for lone workers in hazardous areas. To secure their safety and optimal working conditions ECOM Instruments, Assamstadt/Germany, a Pepperl+Fuchs brand, offers a wireless bluetooth remote speaker microphone with an operating time up to 78 h beside the wired RSM-Ex 01.

The RSM-Ex 01 BT Z0 (Figure 1) comes with an IP65/67 rating and a built-in noise reduction function. It produces clear, high-volume audio up to 103 dB. The remote speaker microphone is extremely robust and yet very flat and ergonomic to wear on the body. It is intuitive and easy to use, even when wearing gloves. The built in BT Interface allows a connection to industrial BT devices like radios, tablets and smartphones, and of course to current and future ECOM products.

The speaker microphone provides additional buttons like Chanel Up/Down that allows an easy channel switching on the RSM and it is lone worker ready by providing a red SOS button. This way workers can call for help quickly and easily connecting to the company’s headquarters or directly to an emergency operations centre nearby.

The included 2,200 mAh Li-ion battery pack secures a long operating time up to 78 h. Therefore, the RSM-Ex 01 BT Z0 can stay in operation for several shifts before changing the device or battery back. The magnetic charging cable and optional charging cradle make charging easy even in dusty environments and extends the equipment’s lifecycle.

The device also offers several possibilities for a customized button individualisation, when combined with the Ex-Handy 10 Series by ECOM, e. g., the RSM-Ex 01 BT Z0 allows individual button settings for sending custom commands to servers and other IoT switches. This makes every day work easier for employees by enabling them to perform frequently performed tasks, such as opening a gate, with a single keystroke.

Further information:
ECOM Instruments GmbH
www.ecom-ex.com

The Tab-Ex^® Pro from the Pepperl+Fuchs company ECOM Instruments GmbH, Assamstadt/Germany, expands the Tab-Ex series as the world’s first 10″ Android tablet for Zone 2/22 and Div. 2 hazardous areas (Figure 1). The Tab-Ex^® Pro’s large display is ideal for demanding applications and for accessing web-based content. In addition, it allows employees to easily transition from working in the field to working at the office.

ECOM developed the Tab-Ex^® Pro to keep up with Industry 4.0 and the associated demands on mobile devices. The new tablet enables customers to meet the challenges of digitalization while simplifying the way employees work in increasingly complex environments.

The tablet’s 10″ screen is suited for displaying and interacting with interactive, web-based, and augmented reality content and apps, even in hazardous areas. This is helpful, e. g., when the device is used to call up a construction drawing or to receive instructions for certain work steps. The tablet is lightweight and easy to use despite its large screen and rugged construction.

The Tab-Ex^® Pro is based on Samsung’s Galaxy Tab Active Pro tablet, with features such as Google AR Core, facial recognition, and a Qualcomm SDM670 Octa-Core 64 bit 2.0 GHz, 1.7 GHz processor. Samsung KNOX and Android 9 – Android 10 is planned – guarantee high data and device security. With the help of Samsung DeX mode, users can connect the tablet to a large screen and keyboard for a complete desktop experience.

Pogo pin charging and a powerful replaceable battery with a capacity of 7,400 mAh ensure smooth operation and 15 h of runtime in the field. Peripherals such as headsets, remote speaker microphones, and a smartwatch enhance the practicality and functionality of the Tab-Ex^® Pro. The tablet is also available without a camera upon request.

Additionally, the Tab-Ex^® Pro supports applications for lone worker protection, which are especially necessary for industrial use and in hazardous areas. Like all ECOM devices, the Tab-Ex^® Pro is equipped with a programmable button for fast and effective emergency calling. The microphone and loudspeaker connections designed for Zone 2/22 and Div. 2 always ensure effective communication.

The Tab-Ex^® Pro is tailored to applications in the oil and gas, chemical, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and aviation industries. Fast data access and management enhances worker efficiency and productivity, and the possibility of direct communication with colleagues and experts at other locations means that maintenance and servicing can be carried out more effectively. The tablet can also be operated with gloves.

With ARCore, the Tab-Ex^® Pro is designed for augmented reality applications and other Industry 4.0 tasks. This makes the device a useful tool today and for the applications of the future. The device also supports the lone worker concept, which means it can protect employees distributed across a wide geographical area.

Whether plant management, inventory management, process automation, maintenance, or applications in transport and logistics, the Tab-Ex^® Pro simplifies processes and minimizes risk in industrial environments. The new product is available with NEC/CEC approval and with ATEX/IECEx approval.

Further information:
ECOM Instruments GmbH
www.ecom-ex.com