Industrial Automation Magazine India

Ceremonial Presentation of the Ex Certificates at SPS 2023 in Nuremberg, Germany.

November 2023 – The modular VisuNet FLX HMI platform from Pepperl+Fuchs stands for maximum flexibility. Whether remote or direct monitor, industrial or box PC: The series offers various HMI systems for a wide range of applications and mounting situations in ATEX/IECEx Zone 2/22, NEC 500 Div. 2, and non-Ex areas. The modular "one-fits-all" design allows for the precise configuration of HMI solutions and enables easy and quick adaptation in the field. Pepperl+Fuchs is expanding the VisuNet FLX series with a new housing option, making it suitable for outdoor use. At SPS 2023 in Nuremberg, Germany, representatives of UL Solutions Germany officially presented the Ex certificates for the new product line to the explosion protection experts.

With the new aluminum housing, the VisuNet FLX series can also be used in extended temperature ranges from -20 °C to +50 °C and outdoors. The robust aluminum housing not only stands for optimal heat dissipation, but also for high resistance. To ensure good readability at all times, even in very bright lighting conditions, the devices of the series have an optically bonded display. With the new aluminum housing, additional sun shields can be attached to the sides, top edge and rear as required. They also serve as protection against rain. With these enhancements, the VisuNet FLX series defies harsh environmental conditions and can now also be used outdoors.

Like the stainless-steel version, the new VisuNet FLX product line with aluminum housing is approved for explosion-hazardous areas. Just in time for the product launch, Pepperl+Fuchs was able to complete the certification process for ATEX/IECEx Zone 2/22 and NEC500 Div 2 in cooperation with the certification body UL Solutions Germany. At the SPS fair 2023 in Nuremberg, Germany, Thomas Krömer, Account Manager at UL Solutions in Frankfurt, ceremoniously presented the Ex certificates to the Pepperl+Fuchs team. "We are very pleased that we can now officially deliver the certification to Pepperl+Fuchs at the trade fair after intensive collaboration and extensive testing," said Krömer. Pepperl+Fuchs and UL had put the new product line through its paces together. "Thanks to the close cooperation and coordination between Pepperl+Fuchs and UL Frankfurt, we were able to keep to our tight schedule and are delighted that the project could be completed on time," summarizes Michael Marshall-Brusius, Head of the HMI Innovation Unit at Pepperl+Fuchs.

Picture caption: Official presentation at SPS (from left to right): Mirko Bautz, Regional Vice President Europe Central-East and South UL, Paweł Stankiewicz, Engineering Manager UL, Björn Seitz, Senior Sales Manager Europe UL, Michael Marshall-Brusius, Head of Innovation Unit HMI Pepperl+Fuchs, Thomas Krömer, Account Manager UL, Dr. Marc Seißler, Head of Product Management HMI Pepperl+Fuchs, and Dominik Gebhardt, Head of Hardware Development HMI Pepperl+Fuchs.