How Rugged Computing Is Used in Complex and Extreme Conditions

Rugged computers are PCs specifically designed to function in harsh environments and under rough conditions, making them one of the most reliable solutions for many industries. From manufacturing facilities with a high risk of vibration, shock, and dusty conditions to fieldwork in extreme temperatures or wet and humid conditions, a number of businesses might require more flexible and durable solutions. Considering the fact that toughness, resistance, and durability are prioritized in their production, rugged computers seem like the ideal solution for complex and extreme working conditions, and here are some ways they might be used:

Enabling high-tech communication

When working in the police, military, aerospace, and defense industries, among others, quick and efficient communication is key. As such personnel often need to make critical decisions in a matter of seconds, they require uninterrupted access to important data, and they need it fast. Rugged computing can be of great help in this instance.

Whether it’s uploading images and other relevant data, accessing important information about enemies and criminals, checking databases for license plates and registrations, or sending out crucial information about flights, emergency landings, and airstrikes, rugged computing enables efficient communication in dangerous and fast-paced environments. Due to good battery lives, fast recharge times, and great connectivity, these computers can be used in the same manner in any other industry or field filled with action.

Offering reliability in extreme environments

Rugged computers are built with durability in mind. Being resistant to drops, falls, dirt, grease, oil, water, and food particles, these computers are significantly stronger, tougher, and more long-lasting than the average laptop. For this reason, rugged computing is a brilliant solution for a wide array of industries.

From the medical and pharmaceutical and transport and logistics to the mining and oil and gas industry, rugged computers will be able to withstand the extreme conditions of any working environment. And if you opt for custom solutions that are perfectly tailored to the specific needs and requirements of your field, purpose-built technological solutions will be the only way to ensure your equipment is always performing at its best, even in the toughest of conditions.

Providing the capability to withstand high temperatures

One area where rugged computers can be particularly beneficial are extremely high and extremely low temperatures. From oil rigs and mining operations performed in unbearably hot weather to the food manufacturing facilities working with below-freezing temperatures that are too cold for humans, there are many industries dealing with extreme weather conditions in need of effective solutions.

Fortunately, rugged computers are specifically designed to withstand these rough conditions as well, offering optimal performance in a wide temperature range without impacting the equipment’s lifespan. For example, many industrial computers can withstand a wide temperature range of around 0°C – 50°C (32°F – 122°F), while rugged computers can operate at a more surprising range of -40°C to 70°C (-40°F to 158°F).

Presenting the ability to withstand vibrations

Another great aspect of rugged computers is their ability to withstand vibrations. This is quite beneficial in most industrial environments, as the vibrations caused by heavy equipment and machinery might lead to loosened connections and sudden shutdowns. Instead of the common rotating fans and hard drives, rugged computers offer fanless cooling and solid-state drives that make them more resistant to physical shock.

Taking this resistance to vibrations even further, rugged computers also provide a hardshell casing, stiffer design, as well other vibration resistant components, from the motherboard to the memory components, thus providing the highest form of resistance and protection when exposed to vibration and shock.

Rugged computer certifications and requirements

Rugged computers don’t only claim to be durable and resistant; they are required to go through a specific set of standard testing in order to acquire necessary certifications as well. Although there are a number of distinctions, the most common certifications include IP65 (protection against the infiltration of dust, foreign objects, and liquids), IP66 (extension of IP65 that also withstands water pressure at 14.5 PSI), MIL-STD (military standards that focus on EMC and EMI requirements), and MIL-STD 810G (protection against the majority of environmental factors such as low pressure, extreme temperatures, humidity, drop, vibration, etc).

When deciding on the best rugged computing solutions for your business, it’s worth taking these certifications, as well as the specific needs and requirements of your work environment, into consideration.

Offering high performances, increased durability, and maximum reliability, rugged computing evidently plays an important role in a wide array of industries. With proper certification ensuring robustness and resilience, rugged computers seem to be the only viable option for complex and extreme industrial conditions.