GE Fanuc Launches Survivor-Wildcat™ Sunlight-Readable, Corrosion-Resistant
Flat Panel Computer for High Reliability in Challenging Industrial Environments

CHICAGO - October 21, 2002-  GE Fanuc Automation North America, Inc., is introducing the new Computer Dynamics Survivor-WildCat™- a 15" sunlight-readable, corrosion-resistant computer that is designed for use in the harshest industrial environments - at the Instrumentation, Systems and Automation (ISA) Conference and Exhibition, Chicago, October 21-24, 2002, Booth #2440. HAZLOC approved, the Survivor-WildCat combines high reliability with superior ease-of-use and readability for applications in natural resource extraction and processing, chemical industries, discrete manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and other industries.

Now available, the Survivor-Wildcat flat panel computer sports a NEMA 4, environmentally sealed, aluminum-fabricated enclosure. The standard unit has Class I/ Division 2, Group ABCD, Temp Code T4A, Zone 1, Zone 2, CE, UL, ATEX 3 and CSA approvals and operates at -40ºC to +50ºC. An Ultra-HiBrite™ display provides sunlight readability with minimal temperature rise by utilizing a patented backlighting system. Viewing enhancement filters reduce sunlight loading, and a sun visor shields during high ambient conditions and protects the screen during transportation. To prevent the panel backlight from illuminating when temperatures are too low for proper operation, an elaborate thermal management system with status light indicator heats the backlight tubes and other electronics to a safe starting temperature. Front-panel indicators provide status LEDs for thermal management heaters, hard drive activity, and network, as well as two indications defined by the user.

Designed for unparalleled computing in harsh conditions, the Survivor-WildCat features a 1 GHz Intel® Pentium III with up to 512M SDRAM, a 40 gigabyte hard drive, Compact Flash, ATA, Disk on Chip, two Type 2 PCMCIA expansion slots, external PS2 keyboard/mouse ports, 2 RS232 serial ports, PC104 expansion and a 100 dB alarm horn. The Survivor-WildCat also offers onboard 10/100BaseT (fiber optic, wireless, RJ45 or coax with lightning/surge arrestor) and is compatible with Windows® 2000, Embedded NT, WIN 9x and Linux. 

Measuring just 16.9" x 19.8" x 8.1", the Survivor-WildCat can withstand shock of 20G and has vibration ratings of 10-500 Hz, .012 in 10-57 Hz 2G 57-500 Hz. Mounting options include pedestal, yoke or rear.

Defining Hazardous
A "hazardous environment" is typically classified as one that contains amounts of explosive gases or dust either during normal operations or during an abnormal circumstance. These areas are usually found in petrochemical, chemical, pharmaceutical and painting industries where by-products of the process or the end product itself are considered hazardous. The word hazardous is further defined by the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) under a Class, Division, Group rating system, which helps define the severity of the hazardous environment.

Class
Defines the form of hazardous substance present
1. Class I - Area where ignitable concentrations of flammable gases or liquid vapors are present.
2. Class II - Area where ignitable concentrations of combustible dusts are present.

Division
1. Defines the level of hazardous substance concentration
2. Division 1 - Hazardous substances are present during normal operation.
3. Division 2 - Hazardous substances are present only during abnormal conditions (such as a leak).

Groups
Defines the type hazardous substance 
Class I Substances
Group A - Acetylene (Most Volatile)
Group B - Hydrogen
Group C - Ethylene
Group D - Methane
Class II Substances
Group E - Conductive (Metal) Dust (Automatically classified as Division 1)
Group F - Carbonaceous (Carbon or Coal) Dust
Group G - Agricultural (Flour or Grain) Dust

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Survivor-WildCat and Ultra-HiBrite are trademarks of Computer Dynamics, Inc., a GE Fanuc Company. CIMPLICITY is a registered trademark of GE Fanuc Automation North America, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
GE Fanuc Launches New Survivor-Wildcat™ Flat Panel Computer