At Juniper Systems, we’re not conditioned to cut corners. Our goal as one of the top manufacturers of ultra-rugged handheld computers is to present users with a reliable device with the resilience needed to perform in any environment. From working in the pouring rain, to withstanding extreme temperatures, to enduring harsh drops to concrete, the Mesa 2 Rugged Tablet can work through it all. How? We address durability in virtually every step of the design process. And as a company that functions almost entirely under one roof, we have the ability to communicate closely with all departments to ensure both durability and quality are achieved.
Several features play a role in the overall ruggedness of the Mesa 2 Rugged Tablet. Below are some of the major elements responsible for the Mesa 2’s impressive endurance and reliability.
Protected Display and Touch Sensor
The display and touch sensor of the Mesa 2 Rugged Tablet is protected by a layer of high ion exchange (HIE) glass, increasing the strength of the glass by 6–8 times that of standard glass. To ensure durability, the glass was tested by dropping a 1’’ diameter x 12’’ long steel rod directly on the display. During these tests, the rod was dropped on the glass from 0.4 meters, 0.7 meters, and 2 meters without cracking. Talk about rugged glass!
Assembly of Electrical Components
Every electrical component of the Mesa 2 Rugged Tablet is meticulously reviewed and selected based on resilience and performance. Connections are reviewed for performance and reliability in all kinds of rugged and industrial environments where solder joints are susceptible to vibration and impact. Gaps and spacings are also closely reviewed to ensure that relative movement of parts don’t result in damage or failures.
Quality Materials
Device materials are carefully selected to ensure maximum durability. During the design process, materials are selected for strength, impact, chemical resistance, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, UV resistance, durability, weight, RF compatibility, stability over temperature, regulatory safety compliance, and compatibility with hazardous location regulations. Because we operate almost entirely under one roof in the United States, we have the benefit of designing our own products, inspecting the components in-house, and manufacturing our devices all in one location. With this, we have a high level of control over the materials we use, unlike companies that settle for outsourcing their product production.
Proper Sealing
With an IP68 rating, the Mesa 2 has been tested to survive 2 hours, submerged under 1.4 meters of water. Of course, the greater the depth, the greater the pressure and the greater the duration, the greater chance to allow ingress. To give some perspective, many devices rated IP67 would not even pass a duration of an hour at a depth of 1 meter. In addition to these tests, each Mesa 2 is vacuum checked to ensure all parts of the device are sealed and ready to take on some serious water. Even when ports are open, the Mesa 2 remains completely waterproof.
Verifying Durability
Testing is crucial in verifying device durability and performance. In the testing of the Mesa 2 Rugged Tablet, the entire system is verified together, as any feature specification tested in isolation can easily be deemed as acceptable without understanding how it jibes with the rest of the system. Once assembled, each Mesa 2 goes through a variety of tests to ensure only the highest quality devices are leaving our doors. For example, each Mesa 2 is chamber cycled over the product’s specified temperature range while a self-functional test is running to ensure the product is meeting intended operating performance and will meet customer expectations.
Clearly, users are provided with a tougher-than-nails solution for mobile data collection, but rugged isn’t our only focus. We build our products to last. Many of our products are made to last ~10 years. Talk about a solid investment. We also design our products to be ergonomic, allowing for maximum productivity while in use.
For more information on the Mesa 2 Rugged Tablet, or any of our other ultra-rugged products, contact us at 435-753-1881 or sales@junipersys.com.
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