Rugged Electronics built for the mining industry
Rugged Electronics built for the mining industry
Of all the extreme environments that DSE rugged electronics have faced—from subzero Arctic tundras to 25,000ft above sea level, or even arid deserts of the middle east—one landscape that demands operational performance and strict reliability in the face of tough conditions is the mining site.
In our 25 years building and designing rugged electronics, DSE has developed MIL-Spec displays, mission computers and various other electronic devices for allied forces around the globe. These same electronics, built to comply with our nation’s most stringent environmental standards, can be found in mines around the globe, delivering the same consistent, lasting performance for mining loaders, haul trucks, shovels and more.
The ALPHA Rugged Computer
One of the unique challenges faced by rugged electronics in mining applications is their ability to not only deliver reliable performance under environmental stressors, but also to do so while operating 24/7.
The ALPHA series of rugged computers has emerged as one of DSE’s signature products, combining our background in rugged engineering with cutting-edge technology. Notably, the ALPHA has recently accumulated over 100,000 successful hours of 24/7 operation in the field.
From the outset, the ALPHA’s fully-sealed enclosure prevents ingress of water or dust. A peak underneath its hard anodized aluminum body reveals impressive computing power, including the ability to leverage the latest QuadCore™ 7th Generation Intel® i7 processors (or even Atom® and ARM based processors depending on your needs). Designed with modern fleets in mind, the ALPHA also includes a wealth of onboard systems including long range 802.11 dual WiFi, 72-channel GNSS and Bluetooth connectivity. Finally, customizable features including battery backup, Dual CANBus and cellular connectivity, ensure that ALPHA is the perfect all-in-one system in a variety of applications within a mining fleet.
The DLX Rugged Touchscreen
Choosing the right rugged electronics for your programs shouldn’t be a matter of selecting durability over functionality. The DLX industrial rugged touch screen is evidence you can have modern features while still guaranteeing products will withstand environmental hazards.
Often found on fracking trucks, haul trucks, excavators and cranes, the DLX has delivered impressive performance in the field, facing extreme temperatures, shock, vibration and debris. The DLX’s fully sealed hard anodized milled aluminum enclosure protects a durable resistive touch screen that allows users to configure data analysis and collection. This hardened screen was developed for mining applications offering readability in harsh sunlight, durability against debris and accuracy with a lifespan exceeding one million actuations.
Together the ALPHA industrial computer and DLX rugged touchscreen pair to offer today’s industrial fleets a modern all-in-one system that can endure harsh environments and operating standards without sacrificing performance.
Explore all of DSE’s industrial rugged electronics
Want to learn more about how DSE rugged electronics are being used in mines and industrial applications across the globe? Contact our team today to learn more.
Behind the Build: Hard Anodized Aluminum
Behind the Build: Hard Anodized Aluminum
Join DSE as we take you ‘Behind the Build’ to learn more about the processes that go into designing and building rugged electronics.
Hard anodized aluminum is a durable metal finish that can be found in applications ranging from race cars to consumer goods and even DSE’s rugged electronics. Many of DSE’s rugged displays, including the FHDRM, DLX and PTAC2, feature an enclosure made of milled aluminum with a hard anodized finish, which provides the strength and longevity needed in extreme environments.
Continue reading to learn more about hard anodized aluminum, and why it’s a clear choice for rugged applications in the defense, aerospace and mining worlds.
How Hard Anodization Works
This post-processing finish refers to the process of converting a deoxidized aluminum component into an oxide film. There are three primary types of anodization that refer to the thickness and application process. Types I and II are conventional methods that range in thickness from 0.0001” to 0.0006”. Type III, or Hard Coat Anodize, requires more stringent processing conditions which results in a harder and denser component. Hardcoat also ranges in thickness from 0.0005” to 0.0030”. All DSE products use the Type III Hard Coat Anodization process to achieve the maximum durability and strength required in rugged environments.
To begin the anodization process aluminum components first undergo a cleaning and rinsing process and are then placed in an electrolytic solution, such as sulfuric acid. A strong electrical charge is then applied, forcing negative ions to be attracted to the aluminum component which acts as an anode. As positive ions leave the surface of the aluminum part, oxygen ions combine with the aluminum atoms to complete the anodization process.
Why Choose Hard Anodized Aluminum?
Unlike plating or paint, the anodization process alters the aluminum substrate itself, resulting in a durable material that can then be sealed or painted. Through the anodization process the component becomes more resistant to corrosion, abrasion and general wear.
Anodized components also provide performance under extreme environmental conditions, withstanding shock and vibration better than their composite counterparts. Additionally, the combination of a milled aluminum enclosure with a hard anodized finish maintains the Faraday cage needed to meet the stringent requirements of EMI-461.
Not convinced yet? Besides resulting in a more durable component, choosing milled aluminum with a hard anodized finish can also result in a unit that is more scalable over time. When compared to a cast molded part, milled aluminum is a more cost-effective solution for low-volume needs. Its relatively low upfront development cost also allows for flexibility in design when approaching customized needs.
Hard anodized aluminum is a top-choice among the defense, aerospace and mining industries where components must deliver sustained performance under unforgiving environmental conditions. Through the anodization process, standard aluminum parts are transformed into durable components ready for field-use.
Thank you for going ‘Behind the Build’ with DSE in this first blog installation. Want to learn more about our hard anodized enclosures, rugged electronics or any other in our build-design process? Contact our team at sales@digitalsys.com to learn more.