cpp – Process technology for the chemical industry 02.2020

cpp FOCUS SAFETY AND SECURITY
Pictures: R. Stahl
R. Stahl designs and manufactures certified system solutions in customer-specific versions for process automation throughout the
entire explosion protection sector
Process automation: safely networked up to Ex zone 1
Systematic digitalisation
in hazardous areas
Comprehensive networking in the sense of Industry 4.0 can offer the process
industry significant advantages specifically with regards to integral data processing,
system and remote monitoring, predictive maintenance and intelligent diagnostics.
Jürgen Wenzel, Business Development Manager, and André Fritsch, Remote I/O
Product Manager, from explosion protection specialist R. Stahl provide a glimpse
into technological development.
Mr Fritsch, Mr Wenzel, why does R. Stahl stand out as a system
solutions provider for process automation in hazardous areas?
Jürgen Wenzel: First and foremost, we have over 90 years of experience
in explosion protection – everything, from the relevant preconditions
to development, implementation and specific industry
requirements. Many system suppliers underestimate the work that
goes into development, engineering and ongoing product maintenance
in demanding hazardous areas. Our expert sales and applications
engineers support our customers from consultation to developing
their ideal solution and, finally, to commissioning. But we
don’t stop there – even after this stage, our customer service team is
always available to advise our users. We see ourselves as a partner
whose strengths lie in explosion protection; we work hand-in-hand
with engineering firms and planning companies who process entire
projects.
André Fritsch: Users want to be able to install and use explosionprotected
systems without having to spend too much time and
effort. This is why we aim to design solutions that are not significantly
more complex than comparable systems for non-Ex areas in
terms of their function, mounting, handling and maintenance. By
and large, we achieve this using three methods: Ex protected enclosure
and connection technology, Ex protected product ranges such
as our Remote I/O for zones 1 and 2, and energy-limited signals
and interfaces. Correspondingly, we offer a comprehensive portfolio
of globally certified products that ranges from individual components
for signal and data transmission to visualisation, operating
and camera technology. This enables us to take on complex assignments
in process automation and to offer tailor-made solutions
that allow our customers to transmit their process data for plant
control systems from hazardous areas to control systems that control
and visualise processes via HMIs in the field and can perform
camera monitoring.
30 cpp 02-2020