There are many applications for photography in the processing industry. For example, breaches of working safety regulations must be documented; original installation structures must be recorded before and/or after a processing operation is carried out. Up to now, complicated safety precautions were necessary before photography in explosion-protected areas could take place. Today, however, with the intrinsically safe digital camera from ecom instruments, it has become a routine task.
A leaking pipe, the sharp edge of a metal housing or just a provisionally mended ladder are examples of safety risks in production which an operations manager would want to record as quickly as possible simply by taking a photograph. One would expect that this pose no problem in the age of digital photography, unless however, the safety breach occurs in a hazardous area where there is the danger of explosions. Then, in order to take a photograph, either the production must be interrupted for this occasion or the photographer must be given a certification that states that an explosive atmosphere is not present at the site in question. Both the above possibilities cost time and involve a high expenditure. An intrinsically safe camera for ex-zones is the answer here.
Digital pictures from the ex-zone
The intrinsically safe camera Ex-Cam 01 conforms to the requirements of the latest European ATEX directive. It is permitted for use in gas and dust explosion hazard areas: zones 1 and 21. Its robust aluminium housing (protection class IP 64) is a protection against water splashes and it is suitable for use in heavy-duty environmental conditions typical of the chemical and petrochemical industries. The camera weighs about 400 g; its outer dimensions are 110 x 90 x 32 mm - a handy, flat shape.
Martin Eckl, the product manager at ecom instruments, knows his customers' problems: "The need for image documentation in ex-zones of the processing industry is by no means restricted just to the field of working safety." Depending on the individual production process involved, particularly in explosion-protected zones, there are a large number of safety precautions which are obligatory and whose correct assembly must be evidenced and documented by photography. Also, the photographic documentation of a newly assembled plant immediately after operation has begun is a valuable addition to a firm's own written documentation. For example, pictures of the nameplate describing a type of motor provide a technician carrying out servicing or repairs with an overview of the set-up in the shortest possible time. The technician can then quickly find the components and if necessary obtain the necessary spare parts.
"One should remember that the documentation of production processes plays an important part in quality assurance in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries", said product manager Martin Eckl. The directives of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) or certification requirements according to DIN ISO 9000 ff require exactly reproducible production processes. The production steps can be documented by suitable photographs. Short video sequences with an audio commentary are also possible with this digital camera. Anomalies in the production process such as an irregular colouring of a product can be recorded in pictures and contribute to safeguarding optimum quality.
Pixel-focused documentation
In order to meet all these requirements, a camera is needed which can be used everywhere. The Ex-Cam 01 is equipped with a digital 4x zoom. With a focusing range of 80 cm to infinity, the camera is ideal for both images of plant details as well as for overview shots. The chip resolution of 3,2 million pixels corresponds with current standards and the fixed-in SD memory card with 128 MB allows up to 70 pictures with the highest resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels. (Depending on which resolution is set, up to 800 pictures may be stored.) Searching for pictures is easy. Using the 2" TFT colour display of the camera, among other things, the resolution setting and the number of possible remaining pictures are shown. Via the integrated date and time reading on the display, the photographer can record the exact time when a picture is taken - an important function for such documentation.
The data exchange with the computer and the recharging of the internal battery are performed outside the ex-zone via a USB docking station. Video sequences are recorded in an AVI (audio video interleave) file in compressed motion JPEG format. They can be played back with any conventional Windows media player.
"With the Ex-Cam 01, we are closing a gap in the range of instruments for working in ex-zones. With its intrinsically-safe construction and its functionality, the digital camera is especially designed to meet the requirements of the processing industry," said product manager Eckl.
The ecom Ex-Cam 01 digital camera, as well as a wide range of other intrinsically safe instruments for communication, calibration, data processing, maintenance, testing and measuring, and a range of intrinsically safe torches and hand lamps are marketed in South Africa by SA Ex Instruments.
For more information contact SA Ex Instruments, 021 850 0020, [email protected], www.saex.co.za
© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved
printer friendly version