IDEC HT4P Safety Commander HMI tablet holder

IDEC Corporation has developed the HT4P Safety Commander, improving on the previous HT3P by incorporating end user feature requests for additional networking and operator interface functionality.

The HT4P Safety Commander is an ergonomic device enabling users to securely hold and protect an HMI tablet, while providing power, networking, hardwired emergency stop (e-stop) and other operator interface devices. It enables OEMs and automation designers to provide flexible and safety-rated operator interface options for equipment, robotics, collaborative robots, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and other manufacturing system applications.

Modern consumer-grade tablets offer a better visualisation solution than most specialised HMIs or teaching pendants, especially for data-intensive industrial internet of things (IIoT) applications. They can also offer viewing of drawings and manuals, videoconferencing, and reports, but they are not made to withstand industrial conditions.

The Safety Commander devices provide a ruggedised way of deploying HMI tablets to deliver many convenience and productivity benefits, in an arrangement designed for use on the factory floor.

The HT4P Safety Commander builds on the capabilities of the HT3P and has been enhanced with the ability to hold larger tablets up to a 13-inch using adjustable grippers. It now also offers the choice of wired networking in addition to Wi-Fi where electrical noise or other conditions make wireless unsuitable.

It also now has three on-board mounting positions capable of providing standard or custom arrangements of hardwired pushbuttons, illuminated pushbuttons, and selector switches, with a guard available to protect against inadvertent operation of the e-stop button.