A hand-held unit like the Mobile Panel has to meet higher demands than a mounted device. For this reason, the Mobile Panel has a particularly robust design. The double-walled housing absorbs hard impacts, the operational elements such as the key switch and E-stop button are recessed, and the rounded housing form dampens external impacts.

In addition, the electronics were placed in the optimal position to absorb external shocks and jolts as effectively as possible. The housing, cables, and connectors are all protected against dust and spray water.

With the Mobile Panel, operating comfort is mainly defined through ergonomics. Many well thought out details guarantee that the Mobile Panel is easy to handle. Having the cable connected in the middle keeps the Mobile Panel balanced and prevents one side from being dragged down. The handle can also be adjusted without tools allowing the Mobile Panel to be used optimally by both right- and left-handed operators.

The Mobile Panel surface is also important for operating comfort. The device has a soft-touch coating, which results in optimal haptic qualities. The soft-touch coating is also extremely resistant to impacts, acids, alcohol and cleaning agents. The handle was designed so that the Mobile Panel can stand steadily on a table and be operated securely.

The Mobile Panel can be seamlessly integrated into the automation solution. An Ethernet connection is available for this purpose. For devices with an integrated controller, networking takes place via CAN bus. Thought was also given to loading programs. A separate serial connection is available so that program changes can be downloaded without opening the housing. All communication channels are transferred to the switching cabinet using a hybrid cable.

All software is stored on a Compact Flash card which is found behind a cover on the back of the Mobile Panel. In addition to the Compact Flash slot, a USB interface can be used to transfer data using a Memory Stick.

On the Mobile Panel, the limited space available for display and keys is used optimally. B&R decided on a combination of function keys, numeric keys, and a touch screen. Frequently used functions can be assigned to pre-programmed keys, and functions that depend on the state of the machine are assigned to touch buttons. A digital pen for touch operation can be found on the back of the device.

The Mobile Panel is equipped with a three-step enabling switch and E-stop button, both of which meet Safety Category 4 (according to EN 954-1). The enable switch is mostly needed during startup (special operating mode) if the machine is operated within a hazardous area. The enable switch only allows operation of the machine when set in the middle position. In a danger situation, the user can stop the machine by pressing or releasing the enable switch.

Mobile Panel devices are available with 5.7" QVGA displays and 8.4" VGA displays with an integrated controller. The devices are all programmed using B&R Automation Studio™. The 8.4" device is also available in a version with the Windows® CE 4.1/4.2 or Windows® XP embedded operating system.