Other Types of Enclosure – Protecting Hardware in Hazardous Locations

LCD screens are not the only hardware that has to be protected from the elements. Modern technology has come along way from the first office computers, printers and displays. No longer are electronics and computer systems just confined to the home or office location they are now ubiquitous and a necessity for all sorts of applications.

From heavy industry to light manufacturing, many control systems and processes modern business are controlled by computers but unfortunately, few computers are designed for these sorts of locations, and the ones that are, are highly expensive and have limited functionality.

To take standard computer, printer or display gear into one of these areas requires the devices to be protected which are where computer, printer and LCD enclosures come in.

PC enclosures

A common sight in many manufacturing shop floors, the computer enclosures allows standard PCs to be taken into even the heaviest of industrial locations. While solid-state industrial computers are a common solution in these locations, they are limited in their versatility and many organizations want to use the same systems that run throughout the rest of the business.

PC Enclosure

PC enclosures keep the PC housed in perfect conditions with temperatures controlled and dust, dirt and liquids are kept out.

Printer enclosure

Printers are another useful item for these types of location. Many distribution areas require labeling and the use of bar codes for stock control. Printers, however, can be even trickier to protect in factory and industrial locations. The problems with printers are that they require access to remove whatever is being printed, whether they are labels, bar codes or documents.

Heated printer enclosure

Printers don’t fare too well in cold climates either as printer ink freezes at slightly higher temperatures than water. This is why many companies operate heated printer enclosures in these areas that have clever designs to ensure the printers are completely protected but have access for operator to remove the printed matter – without the interior of the enclosure succumbing to hazardous elements or the cold.

Display and LCD Enclosures

If a computer is to be used in an industrial location then it makes sense that a display will be required. Display enclosures protect monitors just as PC enclosures protect computers but with modern flat panel TVs there are even more applications for use enclosures. Outdoor digital signage is the use of LCD screens outside for commercial promotion. LCD enclosures are used for outdoor digital signage as a cost effective way of providing this from of marketing.