When does a built-in keyboard make more sense than a withdrawable one?

The 6GF6710-3BG mounts fixed to the front of a 19-inch rack or panel — it does not slide. This makes it the right choice when the operator station is always accessible and the keyboard needs to be instantly available without pulling out a tray. The fixed mounting also means fewer moving parts, a lighter weight (2.0 kg vs. 4.0 kg for the withdrawable), and a simpler installation. The 482.6 × 177.8 mm footprint fits a standard 19-inch bay and the 38 mm height keeps the profile compact. The front face is sealed to IP65, so dust and water jets from washdown procedures do not penetrate the keyboard housing.

Trackball vs. touchpad — which pointing device for industrial HMI?

The 6GF6710-3BG integrates a trackball rather than a touchpad. In industrial settings, trackballs offer several practical advantages: they work reliably with gloved hands, they provide tactile feedback that operators can feel without looking away from the HMI screen, and the ball mechanism is less sensitive to moisture and contamination than a capacitive touchpad surface. The ball is user-removable for cleaning — a feature that extends service life on production floors where dust, oil mist, or metal shavings are present. If your application involves frequent fine cursor positioning — such as selecting small UI elements on a SCADA screen — the trackball's mechanical precision is often preferred over a touchpad.

INT vs. DEU layout — which one does your application need?

The 6GF6710-3BG ships with the INT (International / US English / QWERTY) character set. This is the standard choice for global deployments and any installation where operator training or documentation is in English. The key caps follow the US ANSI layout with 12 programmable function keys and a full numeric keypad. If your SIMATIC runtime environment is German-language and your operators work with a QWERTZ layout, the 6GF6710-3AE (DEU layout) variant of the built-in keyboard is the corresponding alternative — though availability may differ by region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 6GF6710-3BG work with USB-only host systems?

Yes. While the keyboard uses a native PS/2 interface, it is compatible with USB via a passive PS/2-to-USB adapter. The keyboard uses standard HID protocols recognized by Windows and Linux, so no special driver is needed. Many SIMATIC industrial PCs include a dedicated PS/2 port; if yours does not, a simple adapter bridges the gap.

What is the actual IP protection — is the whole keyboard washdown-ready?

The IP65 rating applies to the front face — the membrane keypad surface and the trackball area are sealed against dust ingress and water jets. The rear of the keyboard, where the cable exits, is rated IP20 and should be installed inside a protected enclosure or cabinet interior. Do not expose the rear of the unit to direct water spray.