handheld barcode scanner
At NEDC, we manufacture an incredible array of applications. In today’s blog, I thought I’d talk about something we’ve all interacted with at some point. In today’s world, we are trying to have the data at our fingerprints all the time. Some of these mobile devices that help us detect, and confirm data in the field include:
Applications for Mobile Data Devices Requiring Ruggedization:
These days many types of equipment have become required to be portable, or hand held. As the world increases its frequencies, and performance many requirements come with equipment that is required to be ruggezied.
-Hand Held Scanners
-RF Analyzers/Analyzers
-Calibration Devices
-Sensors/Detectors
-Meters/Monitoring Systems
-Tablets, handheld PCs
In many of these handheld devices, they are required to be ruggedized for mistreatment in the field. This is because when they are in the field, they are expected, and engineered to be dropped, left in the rain, and left in poor weather including hot, and cold temperatures.
What does Ruggedized Equipment Mean?
Ruggedized Equipment/Devices means it has been engineered, and manufactured to be durable, and strong in the face of the environments that are out there.
Ruggedization Specifications
The famous NEMA IP Ratings (we wrote a blog on that, and gaskets uses in them). Handheld devices are required to usually be NEMA IP 66/IP67 which require sealing from dust, and water immersion.
MIL-DTL-810 (covers fungus, drops, humidity, shock, temperature stresses). This is a military specification that is used to outline environmental stresses that are common with electronic equipment in the field. In MIL-STD-810 there are over 30 methods that are outlined for applications that a gasket, or pad could help.
Included Frequent Specifications:
-MIL-STD-810 METHOD 508, FUNGUS RESISTANCE
-MIL-STD-810 METHOD 508, TEMPERATURE SHOCK
-MIL-STD-810 METHOD 516, SHOCK
I.safe MOBILE (meaning explosion-proof mobile communication devices in hazardous areas i.e intrinsically safe equipment)
MIL-DTL-83528/MIL-DTL-285/MIL-STD-461, or MIL-STD-704
handheld analyzer
handheld analyzer
What Products Do We Offer that Support Making Equipment Rugged?
As mentioned above, these types of mobile devices are put through a number of stresses:
Bumpers/Placement Pads: Oftentimes, bumpers, or pads are put on the outside of the tablet/analyzer to make it easy to place, and non-slip. NEDC manufactures pads made out of hard durometer materials such as urethane pads with adhesive for example. These durometers can include 60A, 70A, 80A, or 90 Shore A durometer.
Custom Gaskets: Materials such as PORON, Silicone Sponge, Neoprene Sponge, Electrically Conductive Gasketing, all can come together to form strong gasketing materials to allow these devices to be shielded from the elements. Gasketing can be required in a number of forms to prevent water, air, or even EMI signals to enter the portable data devices. Specifications: ASTM D6576, ASTM D1056, MIL-DTL-83528, etc.
Cushioning Pads: Many cushioning pads are put in place to take up room in an application. These pads help support vibration dampening by taking up the space air would have, and when a device gets dropped. They lower stress impact that may occur in the application when their dropped. These allow the stress to be absorbed by the sponge instead of the sensitive electronics that may be in the device. Silicone Sponge, Neoprene Sponge, PORON again are all good things to review. Specifications: ASTM D1056, ASTM D6576, MIL-R-46089, etc.
Thermal Pads: Thermal Pads can remove heat out the application. Devices left in the sun can become incredibly hot, and cooling them down to maintain the longevity of the tool is important. In addition, they can serve as spacers for the absorption of shock, and vibration that may be present in some of the applications we have discussed.
Are MIL-Spec, and Commercial Rugged Devices Separate?
The answer is, they can be. However, I have seen MIL-SPEC rugged device standards such as MIL-STD-810 applied into commercial applications, even when it comes to what gaskets, or shock pads would include. NEDC is a manufacturer for all sorts of pads/gaskets, and oftentimes it does not matter whether its for a commercial avonics customer or a customer that is going to market with a device.
Does EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) Play a Large Role in Rugged Equipment?
The answer to this question is definitely yes. These pieces of mobilized, rugged equipment have to be tightly sealed to be ready for being left in the field to be interrupted by anything, and everything when it comes to EMI/RFI interference.
Options for Handheld Mobilized Devices for EMI Shielding
Conductive Gasketing such as low cost EMI fillers: Nickel Graphite, or Nickel Aluminum, low cost MIL-DTL-83528 options silver aluminum silicone Type B.
Electrically Conductive Gasket options: Thin Oriented Wire, or Expanded Wire
More Information Handheld Mobile Data Devices
NEDC does custom die cutting, waterjet cutting, laser-cutting, and knife-cutting for customers of gaskets, or pads. For more information on portable data devices such as analyzers, and detectors for mobile use, please contact sales@nedc.com.