August Product Spotlight: KODIAK-620 Rugged Computer
August Product Spotlight: The ALPHA Rugged Computer
Rugged Solutions for Rugged Environments
Not all electronics are built to withstand the operational and environmental challenges faced in the mining industry. Balancing performance and durability in a setting that often requires continuous operation simply isn’t possible without a ruggedized solution. Today’s mining fleets demand electronics designed to meet modern computing specifications and built to comply with industrial environmental standards.
Digital Systems Engineering has spent the last 25 years doing just that. As a seasoned design-build manufacturer that develops products for military, aerospace and industrial applications, DSE has built a reputation on its rugged design.
In this month’s product spotlight, we’re taking a look at the ALPHA, a rugged computer engineered for industrial fleets. As one of DSE’s signature products, the ALPHA family of computers have proven their performance both in the lab and in the field on haul trucks, fracking trucks and excavators. Keep reading to see what makes the ALPHA the ideal rugged computing system for the mining industry.
The ALPHA Rugged Mission Computer: Key Product Features
Upon first glance, it’s clear the ALPHA was designed with extreme environments in mind. Its aluminum enclosure is fully-sealed to meet the IP67 standard, preventing ingress of dust and water. Going beyond its durable enclosure, the ALPHA’s modular architecture allows for the use of the latest Quad Core 7th Generation Intel i7 processors, proving rugged design doesn’t require compromise when it comes to computing power. The ALPHA Computers can easily accommodate Atom and ARM based CPUs.
The ALPHA also features a 10-36VDC wide range power input and battery backup. Should the ALPHA experience power loss while in use, the 120 second backup protects and shuts the system down properly.
Anticipating high vibration and shock applications common in the field, the ALPHA was designed without moving parts or fans. Its solid state hard drive provides additional durability and is expandable up to 1TB.
When it comes to the system’s inputs/outputs, the ALPHA offers peripheral support through 5 USB, 4 serial and 5 GPIO ports. To support interconnected network communications, the ALPHA also features a fully integrated ethernet hub and Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) switch. Additional on- board systems, that include dual channel GPS, WiFi, Cellular, Dual CANBus, 3D Accelerometers, and Mini-PCI Express (mPCIe) expansion slots make the Kodiak an ideal all-in-one solution for a variety of applications.
Field Tested Rugged Computing
With a variety of robust features, on-board systems and opportunities for customization, the Kodiak appears to be a powerful solution for the mining industry. But, before a product can be fully validated, performance in the field and in third-party testing is critical.
As with any of its rugged electronics, DSE applied strict scrutiny to the ALPHA in a variety of testing scenarios to ensure environmental compliance. The ALPHA was operationally tested at temperatures between -40°F to 160°F (-54°C to 71°C), simulating the conditions that would be experienced by a product used across the globe.
The ALPHA was also subjected to multiple 3 axis vibration tests, similar to off-road MIL-STD 810 profiles. While affixed directly to the shake table without isolating mount provisions, the product performed high-end computing processes without the slightest malfunction.
Finally, the true measure of the ALPHA’s performance under environmental stress is best demonstrated by its use in the field. Throughout 2020, ALPHA products have accumulated over 30,000 hours in the mining industry without failure.
The ALPHA is the perfect candidate for employments in heavy industrial fleets and military vehicles alike. Partners working in open pit mines have utilized the ALPHA to run fleet management software, monitor thorough-put efficiencies, manage safety systems, store and and report vehicles diagnostic health and deliver the touch screen interface to the vehicle operator (in tandem with the rugged DLX08 touch screen).
Additionally, the ALPHA finds utility in military applications, supporting battle management systems, allowing Gigabit Ethernet connectivity and permitting countless communication channels for auxiliary devices. Mission objectives such as ISR, situational awareness and vehicle status can all be accomplished with one system.
Balancing power and performance, the ALPHA offers an all-in-one system engineered for rugged applications.
If you want to learn more about the ALPHA, or any of DSE’s rugged solutions, we encourage you to contact our team at sales@digitalsys.com.
3 Factors to look for in a Rugged Electronics Manufacturer
3 Factors to look for in a Rugged Electronics Manufacturer
With a variety of COTS and OEM solution manufacturers in the market, choosing suitable rugged electronics for your program is often only half of the battle. Finding the right fit in a manufacturing partner can play a large role in the success of the long-term relationship and in your ability to successfully field future projects.
Whether you’re partnered with Digital Systems Engineering or another design-build manufacturer, it’s crucial to look for these three factors:
#1 – What is their reputation within the industry?
The quickest way to learn more about a prospective manufacturing partner is to explore the types of projects and clients they’ve worked with in the past. Are there reputable programs that their rugged electronics have been a part of? Do they actively promote and publish product use cases?
While many manufacturers have to protect their clients’ confidentiality, there are times when a manufacturer and their integrator can disclose more information. For example, DSE was able to share when its custom version of the MSM2 was used in a winning model of the US Marines Amphibious Vehicle Competition. Similarly, DSE published a press release when its PTAC2 display was selected by the US Coast Guard for the HC-144 Minotaur miss-ionization effort.
When researching a manufacturer, turn to their news page for more information on their past partnerships. While years of experience and breadth of product catalog are also important factors to consider, a manufacturer’s past programs and clientele will often speak to their reputation within the industry.
#2- What quality measures are in place?
Understanding your manufacturer’s Quality Management System (QMS) can be revealing. These internal rules and certified practices guide how a product is designed, produced, controlled, and delivered to ensure consistent organizational and product performance.
Be sure to ask your manufacturer if they adhere to the widely accepted ISO 9001 standard or the even more rigorous AS9100 standard found in the defense and aerospace sector. AS9100 registered manufacturers like DSE must undergo the strictest levels of record-keeping and improvement. Not only does this ensure your design-build manufacturer has adequate configuration management and component traceability but also that they will support and produce the end product for the life cycle of the program without risk of other manufacturer’s end of life decisions.
Even if you aren’t looking for a solution for an aerospace or military application, finding a manufacturer who adheres to an aerospace-level QMS demonstrates a higher attention to detail that correlates directly to product performance.
#3 – What ongoing services can you expect?
The relationship with your manufacturer hardly ends once a product has been fielded, which is why it’s crucial to learn more about the service and support you can expect. Start by asking your potential partner what their in-house team looks like. Do they outsource support, or will you have a dedicated representative who will pick up the phone when you need them?
While nobody likes planning for the worst, it’s important to know you will have access to responsive customer support should you need it. A quality rugged electronics manufacturer stands behind their product with a solid warranty and unmatched customer service.
Many factors contribute to your decision when choosing a new manufacturing partner. While identifying a product to meet your program’s specifications is paramount, several factors such as overall reliability, quality and technical support must also be considered.
When making the buying decision for rugged electronics, spend time getting to know your manufacturer, and turn to a provider that matches your needs.
Learn more about DSE’s dedication to customer service by contacting our team at sales@digitalsys.com.