CAITRON Human Machine Interfaces for cleanroom environments

Certified safety for cleanroom environments: Fraunhofer IPA has tested and certified the CAITRON Cleanroom HMI CR series for suitability in hygienic areas up to GMP Class A/B according to EU GMP Annex 1.

With the CR series, CAITRON markets Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) specifically tailored for use in cleanroom environments. Fraunhofer IPA has now tested and certified the Cleanroom HMI CR series for suitability in hygienic areas up to GMP Class A/B according to EU GMP Annex 1.

"The certification confirms for us that with the HMI CR series, we are providing a powerful tool for both industrial manufacturers working under cleanroom conditions and the pharmaceutical industry, enabling them to record and visualize operational and quality data directly in the cleanroom," says Andreas Hirt, Managing Director of CAITRON GmbH. "This often offers manufacturers decisive advantages in terms of potential process optimizations in practice or is technically essential. By shortening decision-making and communication paths, they reduce the risk of costly production interruptions. On the other hand, bundling data collection and production reduces the risk of contamination, as employees leave and re-enter the cleanroom environment less frequently."

Precisely tailored for the cleanroom

The models of the HMI CR series feature a homogeneous, sealed V4A stainless steel housing with IP69 protection, completely passively cooled without rotating parts or ventilation slots. The smooth surface of the P-CAP multitouch display and the seamless housing without screws or weld seams are extremely easy to clean and highly resistant to disinfectants and cleaning agents. The housing of the HMI systems is tapered so that particles are directed downward during laminar airflow. All materials used have low outgassing values and meet industry standards.

Easy integration and operation

Thanks to integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, power supply, and RFID/NFC reader for contactless user authentication, the devices can be easily integrated into existing infrastructure without contamination risks. The RFID/NFC reader also enables biometric multi-factor authentication with a Nymi band. Employees can operate the cleanroom HMI system as easily and intuitively as their smartphones or tablets using multi-finger gesture control supported by the P-CAP multitouch screen — even while wearing gloves. Cleanroom and glass keyboards for use in hygiene-sensitive environments can be conveniently and wirelessly connected via Bluetooth, as can scanners, with corresponding mounts available for keyboards. For optimal visualization, CAITRON HMI systems of the CR series are available with Full HD widescreen displays in sizes from 17 to 24 inches.

Versatile mounting options

The certification of the HMI CR series for GMP Class A/B includes mounting on a desk bracket — for example, at a laboratory workstation — as well as connection to a jib arm system. CAITRON also offers a broad portfolio of compact mounting options with smart cable management for the CR series HMIs — even for work areas with limited space. These include wall mounts, jib arm systems, and various adapters. All mounts feature a bayonet system for quick and easy installation, which can be performed by a single person. For applications with special requirements, such as mounting on existing brackets of third-party equipment, CAITRON develops customized solutions in collaboration with the customer for optimal integration into the production environment.

In addition to the certified HMI CR series for GMP Class A/B, CAITRON also offers the devices as mobile workstations for companies with high mobility needs in the cleanroom. Thanks to their compact design, these can be flexibly used in different work areas and production lines as needed — without compromising hygiene or usability.