Product category:
Data acquisition Software and Communications
News Release from: Siemens Automation and Drives | Subject: Mobic T8
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 20 June 2003
Web pad helps keep plants rolling
The Mobic T8 is a rugged web pad that uses the instant-on Windows CE operating system and a multitude of communications technologies - several of which are wireless.
Rule number 1 in the automotive industry has traditionally been said to be "don't stop the line" By implication, Rule number 2 is "but if it stops, get it started again as fast as possible"
To achieve this, diagnostic data must be made available straight away to the right person in the right place.
Of course, the relevant maintenance engineer is unlikely to be available immediately at the point of the stoppage, but if he has the information available and the means to communicate, he can start the troubleshooting process straight away.
One way in which this can be achieved is by using the new Mobic T8 mobile industrial communicator from Siemens Automation and Drives.
The Mobic T8 is a rugged web pad that uses the instant-on Windows CE operating system and a multitude of communications technologies - several of which are wireless.
Other features include an 8.4in 600 x 800pixel high-contrast colour touchscreen, five programmable function keys, and a rechargeable battery pack that provides 8h worth of power.
The tough Mobic will even survive being dropped from a height of 2m.
Thanks to the innovative combination of instant-on, a large screen, versatile communications capabilities and extremely rugged construction, the Mobic is ideal for use by maintenance engineers in the automotive sector.
When used in conjunction with an appropriate IT system and with the necessary data made available, a maintenance engineer could view control system screens, access maintenance manuals or interactive troubleshooting tools, call up drawings, diagrams and software documentation, set up software-configurable devices, check stock levels of spare parts, or place orders online for replacement parts.
All of these activities can be carried out anywhere that the Mobic can be used, either via a plug-in connection to a communications network or a wireless link.
Indeed, one of the major strengths of the Mobic is the wide choice of communications technologies that it can use.
As well as having an RJ45 Ethernet socket, the device is also equipped with slots for internal and external PCMCIA cards (for LAN, wireless LAN, WAN, GSM or high-speed GPRS communications), and there is an IrDA (infra-red) interface and an RS232 serial data port, either of which can be used for synchronising with a PC.
In addition the Mobic has a USB port to allow peripheral devices to be connected - such as a barcode reader, mouse, keyboard, screen or printer - and there is a headphone socket for voice over IP.
Windows CE 3.00.NET is pre-installed as the operating system, together with Pocket Internet Explorer and a Java Virtual Machine for dialling into the local intranet or into the worldwide web.
Mobic can also be used as a 'thin client', thereby allowing the user to access and operate sophisticated software that is running on a high-specification server installed in a centralised location.
Any windows CE-compatible software from Microsoft, Siemens or third parties can be run on the Mobic and, for bespoke applications, Siemens has appointed Diagnostic Instrument, of Livingston, as an Authorised UK Partner.
Using bespoke software, the Mobic can be made to provide closely defined functionality, presenting the user with a purpose-designed screen at startup and only permitting authorised actions and access to specified web pages.
At around half the cost of a ruggedised laptop PC, the Mobic offers a highly cost-effective means of accelerating the diagnostic process and supporting maintenance engineers in keeping downtime at an absolute minimum.
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