UK - Basingstoke: Rugged Solutions & Mobility team: 01256 378208
UK - Telford: Gaming, IT hardware and Software team: +44 1256 378141
Contact sales via email on: rugged.admin@cidistribution.com

Why It's Time To Get Rugged

We all know technology is moving at a rapid rate and many businesses across retail, manufacturing, retail, healthcare and more are taking advantage of these developments to better serve their customers and ensure their staff are empowered to do their job at the best of their ability.

The likes of doctors and delivery drivers are now taking full advantage of high-spec tablets and software that make doing their job a whole lot easier. The latest iPad is an incredibly powerful tool but can it stand the test of time? It’s perfect for home use, watching videos, doing some homework and doing some online shopping but sometimes you just need more.

This is where rugged devices come in. Rugged mobile devices will allow any individual the ability to operate in any number of different fields and extreme working conditions. Their life expectancy is much greater than your standard device, seeing the average device last between 3-5 years, helping to lower the total cost of ownership. It’s not as simple as a one size fits all though, the three most common tests to determine the usage of a rugged device is their temperature range, military standards and IP rating.

So who actually uses a rugged device? Just to name a few:

Why are rugged devices so widely used though?

Temperature

One of the key benefits of a rugged device over your standard device is it’s specifically engineered to operate in extreme temperatures, as well as wet or dusty conditions. They are designed from inception for the type of rough use typified by these conditions, not just in the external housing but in the internal components and cooling arrangements as well.

Electronic components themselves may be selected for their ability to withstand higher and lower operating temperatures than typical commercial components. Design engineering decisions such as reduction of cabling, the addition of liquid cooling and heat sinks, and rugged materials, are made to ensure performance in harsh environments. Features include fully sealed keyboards to protect against intrusion by dust or liquids and scratch-resistant screens that are readable in direct sunlight.

Whilst rugged devices have a higher price, as stated above, the total cost of ownership is significantly reduced. This is due to lower failure rates, which will impact productivity. Fully rugged tablets are engineered from the inside-out to operate in extreme temperatures and other harsh conditions. They are manufactured to resist shocks, drops and harsh vibrations while maintaining their strength to be dust and waterproof.

European standard EN 50155, "Railway Applications—Electronic Equipment Used On Rolling Stock", provides an example of a tough non-military specification. It extends the operating temperature range (−25 – +70 °C), resistance to humidity, shocks, vibrations, radiation - encountered in vehicle or airborne installations. This shows the harsh conditions a rugged device can be subjected to and still operate.

Robust Testing of Rugged Devices

In addition to the design and manufacture, a rugged device also has to pass performance tests to ensure it is fit-for-purpose. These simulate the conditions that the tablet may be subjected to.

Typically, testing is carried out to either:

  • - IP65 Standard

  • - IP67 Standard

  • - Military Standard 810G Rating (MIL-STD-810G)

Some tests are common to all of these standards, but the specific application will determine which is the most relevant.

Damage can easily be caused if dust and moisture enter tablets or other electrical equipment. Rugged devices are meticulously tested by repeatedly subjecting the device to wet and dust jets to check whether any moisture or dust particles have gotten inside. If not, then it can move onto the next stage of testing. This is called IP65 testing and IP67 takes this one step further. The device is fully submerged in a minimum water depth of 15cm for at least 30 minutes. To obtain an IP67 rating water shall not enter the tablet in any harmful quantity.

IP stands for Ingress Protection. An IP rating describes levels of protection for electrical equipment against solids and liquids. The rating is displayed using two numbers. The first digit describes a level of protection against dust and has seven different levels from zero to six. The second digit describes a level of protection against liquids (water) and has nine different levels from zero to eight.

MIL-STD-Testing

MIL-STD testing comprises of 24 tests that ensure reliable performance in the toughest conditions. To qualify, devices will be dropped, shocked and vibrated, as well as exposed to extreme temperatures, humidity, water, dust and even altitude.

It is used by the U.S. military to test product limits and capabilities that the product will experience throughout its life, MIL-STD-810 testing is also used as a standard for rugged commercial products.

Every extreme condition you can think of is vigorously tested to see how the device fairs:

  • - Contamination by Fluids

  • - Fungus Growth

  • - Pyroshock

  • - Freeze/Thaw

Are just a handful of the truly extreme conditions tested to see how the device will respond and whether it still functions after being exposed to these situations.

Check Out of Extensive Rugged Portfolio

Our dedicated rugged team are experts in their field. If you have any questions about our rugged offerings or need any more information, contact our account managers who will be more than happy to help.

BACK TO ARTICLES

Basket