Panasonic Computer Solutions Co. has upgraded its Toughbook mobile computers with additional computing power and memory, as well as heat management for applications in extreme environments, including the shop floor.
The next-generation Toughbook 19 convertible tablet PC incorporates the Intel Core 2 Duo processor, with speeds of 1.06 GHz and a 533 MHz front side bus (FSB). It also features expanded memory of 1 GB SDRAM standard, which can be increased to 4 GB; and an 80 GB hard drive. Weighing in at a slim 5.1 pounds, the upgraded Toughbook 19 can be purchased with an optional integrated camera for inspections and incident documentation applications. The military-specification (Mil-Spec)-certified notebooks incorporate rugged features, such as magnesium alloy cases, sealed keyboards and ports, hard drive heaters, flexible internal connectors, and shock mounting for high reliability, the company said.
Other features include an anti-glare, anti-reflective sunlight-viewable display, compatibility for WiFi 802.11a/b/g, Bluetooth, and mobile broadband (WWAN); a backlit keyboard; and GPS wireless. Users can opt for the wide-area wireless capability, which enables them to access data when they move outside a WiFi network.
The predecessor Toughbook 19s have been used in a variety of manufacturing applications, such as reprogramming PLCs and equipment maintenance, said Kyp Walls, director of product management at Panasonic, in an interview with Managing Automation.
"Managers and supervisors walking around inspecting work will carry a 19 with them because it's small and light, and you can work on the move in tablet configuration," he said. The machines also lend themselves to a mix of environments and conditions, so a user can move into a sunny or rainy environment without worrying about damaging the PC, he said.
"What the 19 offers in manufacturing is the ability to work anywhere, irrespective of the environment or conditions. If you don't have durability, you don't have mobility," Walls said.
Panasonic uses heat-pipe technology to eliminate the need for fans, which add weight and noise and are a potential source of failure in rugged situations where dust, sand, humidity, and precipitation are prevalent. Intel provided a low-voltage version of the Core 2 duo, which enabled Panasonic to build a small machine without a fan and avoid thermal issues, according to Walls.
The Toughbook 19 comes in a sunlight-readable 550-nit tablet model or a 500-nit touchscreen unit. Both provide seven hours of battery life. Also, the company noted, the screens can be dimmed for users' security and safety.
The notebooks are said to be tested using the MIL-STD-810F methodology for extreme conditions, including drops; shocks; vibration; humidity; altitude; water, rain, and dust resistance; temperature extremes; and thermal shock. The screens, cases, ports, and keyboards are IP54-rated for water and particulates, and the products have achieved UL1604 Class 1/Div. 2 certification for use in hazardous environments, according to the company.
Panasoinc touts other features that will help the Toughbook 19 in factory settings: the hinges withstand 50,000 cycles and keyboards 25 million keystrokes, according to the company's announcement.