ControlDesign.com / May 2019 / 13Jeremy Pollard
[email protected]embedded intelligence
SO, WHAT’S IN a black box? Seemingly, a lot, according to Ed
Boutilier, founder and former CEO of Stealth Computer, and Omi
Sahota, marketing director of GroupMobile.
Stealth Computer is focused on panel or rack-mounted
stationary devices, while GroupMobile, a Route1 company, is
focused on mobile devices such as laptops and tablets.
I asked these two gentlemen some questions about industrial
computers and why the right product should be used for the
right application.
There is a definite need for indus-
trial computing hardware, according
to both, and it is primarily based on
environmental specifications. The
term they both use is “rugged.”
What does rugged really mean?
Well, it refers to the ability of indus-
trial hardware to respond to the user’s
need for a 1 00% availability level. It needs to work, and the de-
sign of the hardware ensures that the device is ready at all times.
Boutilier suggests that, since heat is the worst enemy of any
electronic device, most industrial solutions have superior system
cooling to keep the internal temperatures at consistent levels.
I have seen many instances where commercial-grade com-
puters are used in applications where they shouldn’t, and the
failure rates accentuate the need for a better solution. I asked
that specific question: Why not use a commercial-grade device?
Sahota’s comment was interesting. He suggested that his
company’s industrial hardware can operate in less-than-hard-
ware-safe conditions. I take that to mean that power issues
and the manhandling that the device may endure would not be
conducive to the success of commercial devices.
An industrial device conforms to NEMA specifications and
can operate in high-temperature environments. They are also
high-performance devices that can run in most environments
24 /7. Boutilier also suggests that shock and vibration issues can
take down commercial devices in a hurry. Most installations
would be considered hostile.
I asked what the most important component of an industrial
device would be. Fanless design is paramount so that contami-
nants do not enter the electronic environment. Look for devices
that use the whole chassis as the system heat sink. Again, cool-
ing is most important.Sahota suggests that it is the performance of the device that
is most important. Being available always is the most important
characteristic, which also means that the system design must
support the claim of availability. It is important to note here
that the mobile device needs to be a bit more responsible for the
misuse of the device, such as the dropsies.
I have had customers who have chosen to purchase standard
laptops and computers, including refurbished devices, because
they didn’t want to pay the price of the real deal. While not all
of these stories have bad endings,
some do. You get what you pay for;
both gentlemen agree with this.
Sahota suggests that part of the
benefit of dealing with a reputable
company is that the technology
requirement for the customer’s
application is determined, so that
the device is just right for the job at hand, which is part of the
overall benefit the customer will receive.
Boutilier says there are times where the customer might
overpay for the technology because the device has been over-
sold. The customer must be aware of the application needs.
Everyone wants the application to run at peak performance
at all times. That comes at a cost. If it doesn’t run at peak per-
formance, the cost is much greater since the application suffers.
Sahota states that the commercial and industrial markets are
completely different and therefore priced differently due the vari-
ability of design and functionality. As previously mentioned, the
manufacture of industrial devices takes more effort at all stops.
Boutilier suggests that industrial hardware costs more due
to the aforementioned design and manufacturing issues, but
also the fact that volumes are much lower than commercial
hardware.
Your application has a budget, and so many times industrial
hardware is frowned upon strictly because of the price differ-
ence. It is important to take a higher-level approach to solu-
tions, choose a worthy supplier and create those relationships
that bear fruit for years to come.Industrial hardware makes the grade
So many times industrial hardware
is frowned upon strictly because of
the price difference.JEREMY POLLARD, CET, has been writing about technology and
software issues for many years. Pollard has been involved in control
system programming and training for more than 25 years.CD1905_13_EmbedIntel.indd 13 4/29/19 9:43 AM