Design Solid Industrial Computing Solutions

Designing solid industrial computing solutions is one thing, but you have to keep in mind that industrial computers will have to meet strict standards to be allowed to be put on the market and sold. They would be covered by areas related to safety and electromagnetic compatibility but also get the CE mark if the product is going to be sold on the European market as well.

Usually, when people design industrial computing systems, they would use a single board computer solution because it will usually offer greater repeatability than any other. These products though have a much more resourceful variety of options and are revision controlled with a longer life cycle than motherboards. So as a matter of fact, spares requirements are calculated to bear the product over its desired life cycle for projects that are requiring repeatability in excess of usually five years.

Industrial computers and computing devices are mainly made for a continuous use, and as a result sometimes a redundant PSU unit is necessary to make sure the computer and what is inside will cope perfectly with being used on a 24/7 basis. When a part of the computer becomes flawed, an audible and visual alarm will indicate that there is a problem and will say what needs to be replaced in the computer.

Industrial LCD monitors like industrial LCD displays and LCD touch screens also need to be tested as they will also have to face a tough environment and use all the time.

Obviously, once all the components are assembled to make a prototype unit, tests need to be carried out to make absolutely sure that the device will get the CE Mark that is vital for its future. Those tests take usually quite some time to be done but they need to be done in order to insure a good quality.

The first real aim of the CE Mark and related product evaluation is to supply the customer and enforcement bodies with the confirmation that the devices are absolutely conform to the necessary requirements and are safe to use.

Being used on an industrial environment, those devices will have to be tested as well for shock and vibration. Those tests are carried out on the range of products recommended for use in applications under extreme ambient conditions. The product is then manufactured as soon as it has successfully passed all those very demanding tests.