Monitoring Technology...Advanced

As the information age firmly roots onboard vessels of all shapes and sizes — from tugboats to tankers — there is a glaring need for enhanced information processing and handling to ensure that crews maintain their focus on the safe and efficient operation of the vessel. Today's modern wheelhouse increasingly comes with the "cockpit" feel, as designers strive to standardize the form and function as another step towards safety and efficiency. Paramount to this task is the identification and integration of products designed and manufactured with the unique rigors of the marine industry in mind. Monitors onboard vessels are one product category particularly critical to modern ship operations, as they are the hub whereby collected information is relayed and acted upon.

Leading the Way

For more than 20 years, Conrac GmbH has been manufacturing approved CRT displays for high performance professional application in the medical, military and maritime industries. During this time, a great number of monitors have been manufactured which meet the requirements of MIL Spec, radar, IEC 60936, IEC 60945-3, IEC 61172 ECDIS, and GL approval, and are still in operation today. The same is currently happening with Conrac's approved range of TFT LCD monitors.

Developed specifically for maritime applications, a range of TFT monitors has been developed and several more models are in the pipeline. Conrac, a Data Modul company, is unique in that all controller electronics for its monitors are developed and manufactured in-house, which translates to single-source accountability. Another key point: all of the company's units also have a modular based platform, meaning that the interface boards, LVDS adapters, dimmable backlight inverters, and software in each of its TFT product line (15-in., 17-in., 18-in., 19-in., 23-in.) are used across the board, a trend that will continue with the company's newly developed 30-in. and 40-in. TFT display. While all of this means a strong degree of reliability and compatibility for the end customer, it also give the manufacturer a strong advantage with OEM customers, as it is able to easily implement special requirements and changes from customers, giving it a high degree of flexibility. Data Modul, located in Islandia, NY, is the sales agent for Conrac GmbH. Conrac GmbH is located in Weikersheim, Germany, where it operates a 180,000-sq. ft. modern production facility which can produce 4,000 TFT and 8,000 plasma displays per month.