The advantages of mobile HMIs in cleanrooms

In sensitive production and laboratory environments with strict hygiene and safety requirements, companies are increasingly relying on the flexibility of mobile devices such as tablets. What requirements such devices must meet and how they can provide real added value in cleanrooms is demonstrated by the CT13 series from CAITRON GmbH.

Cleanroom-compatible Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) are now widespread, both in the demanding cleanrooms of pharmaceutical and life science companies and in the laboratory areas of healthcare facilities. Laboratory personnel, cleanroom operators, and quality managers can work directly in the cleanroom. The detour via office workplaces and the associated dressing and undressing is eliminated. This also reduces the risk of contamination, as employees leave and re-enter the cleanroom environment less frequently.

HMIs are practical, but fixed installations are only minimally flexible. A cleanroom-compatible tablet offers additional advantages, as it can be used both stationary and mobile. Mobile HMIs allow for location-independent operation within the cleanroom environment and enable immediate data collection right where processes take place. Furthermore, tablets, thanks to built-in cameras, serve as modern PCs and multifunctional documentation tools in one. Handwritten notes are no longer necessary — especially since traditional documentation with paper and pen is subject to increasingly strict contamination rules. For smaller laboratories, such as those in large pharmacies, tablets are often the only practical way to bring an HMI into the cleanroom.

How such a tablet can be designed is demonstrated by the CAITRON GmbH CT13 series, which is suitable even for the highest cleanroom requirements: The tablets have been tested by the Fraunhofer IPA and certified for use up to cleanroom class GMP A/B according to EU GMP Annex 1.

Why certification is important

Before devices are used in the cleanroom, pharmaceutical and life science companies must ensure that they are suitable for highly sensitive environments. Therefore, CAITRON had its HMI portfolio tested and certified by the Fraunhofer IPA to save customers as much effort as possible. As CEO Michael Hirt explains: “The tested and certified quality increases the investment security for our customers and reduces the risk of costly follow-up expenses. A certified product reduces the technical and personnel effort required — for example, in material and design qualification during the fundamental assessment of cleanroom compatibility. The decision-making process is simplified, and a significant part of the usual approval and testing procedures are eliminated. In short: Certified systems are not only a safe investment but can also be implemented more quickly.”

So far, mobile HMIs with certification are rare. In fact, the tablets of the CT13 series are among the few on the market that demonstrably meet the high requirements of GMP A/B cleanrooms. However, how practical tablets are in operational use depends on their design, available functions, and accessories.

What features make tablets stand out

The central challenge is the combination of cleanroom suitability and technical performance. The CT13 series is based on the Microsoft Surface Pro 10 or Pro 11. These are protected by a fully enclosed V4A stainless steel housing without edges or dead spaces. This makes the tablets easy to clean and resistant to industry-standard cleaning and disinfectant agents. In the standard version, the tablets are designed to be dust- and water-resistant according to protection class IP69.

Front and rear cameras can be used without restriction despite the stainless steel housing for high-resolution photo and video recordings during sampling or for process documentation. An optional stainless steel handle facilitates transport of the tablet from one workstation to the next. Authentication processes using transponder media such as cards or chips can be carried out directly on the tablet via an integrated NFC/RFID module. Through special wall mounts, docks, and peripheral systems such as keyboards or mice, the tablet can also be integrated into a stationary workstation, which can be customized according to individual needs.

Charging the tablets in the cleanroom also requires special attention. The CT13 series features a magnetic charging adapter, so protective caps do not need to be removed. Since the standard Surface power supply is only partially suitable for cleanroom use, a specially developed charging cradle and charging via cable with a stainless steel-enclosed power supply are available. The CT13 series is charged via the cleanroom-compatible Surface Connect port, which also provides an effective solution in case of deep discharges. These cannot be remedied via the conventional USB-C port and may require costly and elaborate device maintenance outside the facility. The protective housing should therefore not block the Surface Connect port, which also allows access to the USB-C port. This port is protected by a GMP-compliant cover.

Cleaning: Dipping instead of Wiping

Not only in terms of implementation and functionality do tablets demonstrate their flexibility: depending on the design, they can withstand various cleaning methods. CAITRON also offers the CT13 series in a special IP68 variant, originally developed for a large government agency.

The main advantage of this version is the ability to fully submerge the tablet, which significantly exceeds the cleaning effectiveness of conventional wiping and spraying disinfectants. In practice, uneven wetting of the surface can occur with traditional methods. Complete immersion effectively prevents this — another advantage over fixed HMIs.

The IP68 protection of the special CT13 series variant also allows for H₂O₂ gas sterilization — that is, gaseous disinfection with hydrogen peroxide — which is particularly relevant in critical cleanroom zones.

Conclusion

Tablets like the CT13 series can be seamlessly integrated into any environment and, with the right accessories, offer flexibility and user-friendliness for mobile recording and visualization of operational and quality data. When HMIs are certified, they also provide higher investment security and faster implementation processes. Properly designed, they can withstand various cleaning methods and agents, making them suitable for almost any cleanroom environment.