Protecting a TV on a Factory Floor – Ruggedized LCD Enclosure is the Answer
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A Rugged LCD enclosure will protect monitors from damage in a production or manufacturing facility when used as plant information points.
In the past we have seen notice boards, however to reflect a more dynamic company, businesses are using the latest technologies including dynamic signage, this is a situation when there is a cross over from the dynamic signage industry.
Not only are these information points used for staff training on the latest best manufacturing practices, they can also be used to give corporate information on major project and contracts won, new customers, stock prices and even feature staff of the month. Now there is also an underlying reason for use, this is to promote the companies product awareness, this also enforced the brand when ever any visitors arrive on site.
Types of production facilities and what type of ruggedized LCD enclosure would be used.
General Production.
This type of manufacturer ranges from the local engineering business to major manufacturers such as Rolls Royce who manufacture airplane engines. In this environment a flat panel display would be very vulnerable from the hazards in the air, such as dust, carbon, glass particles, water, acids and even coolants.
The problem with air borne particles is that they are small, sometimes too small to see but once particles start to build up on internal electronic boards, it will cause a short circuit and the display can die, due to corrosion inside the screen set.
The solution - is to look for a product that is either IP56 (European Standard) or NEMA 4X (US standard), you can purchase IP56 TV sets however the cost is extremely high, the other option is to purchase a standard flat panel TV and a ruggedized TV enclosure that offers IP56 protection. These rugged screen enclosures are equipped with special cooling systems that also feature a filter, to ensure clean air enters into the enclosure, trapping the harmful particles in the filter.
Food Processing.
This kind of production is quite different, as here fluid is present in high quantities, as all food processors have to wash down the production areas every day, if not every shift. This is required to kill any germs and prevent bacteria build up. So here an IP65 (European standard) or NEMA 4X (US standard).
As you can imagine, if water got into a television set, it would definitely die, even if it wasn’t in direct contact with water, the vapor in the air would eventually damage the display.
The solution – is to either buy a waterproof display, again this option is very expensive, however an IP66 LCD enclosure is a more cost effective solution. The waterproof protection is there to protect the screen from fluid ingress, so much so the ruggedized display enclosure can be washed down with a high pressure water jet and the display remains perfectly safe from fluid ingress. A stainless steel LCD enclosure is manufactured from food quality stainless steel due to the constant contact with fluid and the stainless steels ability to resist corrosion.
Dave owns the Worlds leading manufacturer of protective LCD monitor enclosures, these are used in production facilities throughout the world with their range of ruggedized LCD enclosures.