COMPUTERS: User-friendly terminal also operable with low-level lighting
Operator terminals well suited for use offshore are available from Beijer Electronics. The company’s Exter series of operator terminals, launched last year, has already received widespread international recognition for its ease of programming and use.
Beijer Electronics claims to have products suitable for all kinds of applications where an HMI (human machine interface) can be used. The company has won numerous industry awards for reliability, design, ease of use and technical support.
“We work a lot with ergonomics,” says Marketing Manager Anders Nilsson. “We believe our products should be easy to operate, whatever your height, whether you’re left or right-handed, whatever.” The Exter range, which comes in sizes with a touch-screen varying from 3.5 to 15-in., has a bright display with good viewability.
Unusually, the terminal has a dimmable backlight which can be reduced to zero. This is important for reading the screen in reduced light, as is often the case on a ship, says Nilsson.
The terminal is a reliable and rugged piece of equipment with a cast aluminum housing and IP66 certification, attesting that it is proof against water ingress. It complies with all relevant standards and requirements, which for marine and offshore application are set mainly by DNV.
The product is also easy to operate, Nilsson says, whether by touching the screen or pressing the keys, depending on the type of terminal. It comes with Beijer Electronic’s Information Designer software to enable the application developer to program their own application. A large number of pre-made objects are provided to help the user give the screen the desired appearance. An offline simulator allows the application developer to test and verify the HMI operation using a PC.
The Exter terminal is equipped with good communication interfaces including ethernet and USB port. It comes with more than 100 communication drivers, and other drivers can be downloaded from the internet free of charge.
For more information contact Victoria Karlsson, Beijer Electronics. Tel +46 4035 8459, fax +46 4093 2301,[email protected], www.beijerelectronics.com
